I need some advise on opening a small coffee shop?

I don't have any start up so need to go in the way of loans or grants. I do have experience in running a business as well as the accounting aspect of things. Can anyone give me some ideas on what my first steps should be?I need some advise on opening a small coffee shop?
Aah, coffee shop yum...my favorite hot beverage everyday I cannot live without it. So anyway, First if you have enough money for the expenses or how much loan has been approved, second the location very important if it's a business oriented location or site close by any residential area I'm sure your coffee shop will be successful, Third hiring the right people to work for you, fourth put up some goodies like cookies, bagels any thing that goes with coffee. and of course don't forget the insurance that can cover your business.If you are ready, a business minded gal :), your money is good then go for it...hail to the coffee drinkers that's me.I need some advise on opening a small coffee shop?
Call your local small business association (SBA) they are a federal program and helped us a lot when we had to get a loan. They actually were able to guarantee 85% of the loan.
you need to draw up a business plan. Do you have a location? Survey of prospective customers?
I suggest you either save money first, or find an investor





Your problem is you don't have any startup money. Without any capital, you cannot get a loan -- even from SBA. SBA and banks look for





- equity investment


- collateral


- business plan


- personal credit history


- knowledge of the business (previous management experience for example)





It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for starting a for-profit business.





One possible exception is for companies developing or exporting agricultural goods, including food and forest product. Another exception could be the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/鈥?/a> , which fund the research and development of technological innovation that meets specific government needs.





Your best bet actually will be from the states if they offer grant programs for women (or any other special interest groups -- minorities, women, disabled, veterans, etc). Or check with non profit organizations, particularly women organizations if they offer grants. Examples include





Iowa Women's Foundation http://www.iawf.org/


New Mexico Women's Foundation http://www.nmwf.org/guidelines.html





Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/mostrequesteditems/CO鈥?/a>





';The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments.';





Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.
write a business plan. there are many templates available online. it's kinda of text-book-ish, but it makes you think about all areas of your business in which you may not have thought of yet. that will give you an idea of how much money you need. next, apply for a loan. if you can borrow from family members, that's better b/c you will save on interest. then, you need to apply for you city business license (which you will just call your city to ask what the fees are and where to get an application), a business license with your state, and a health inspection (which will give you a health permit).





good luck!