Hi Emc
I get the heeby jeebies reading your post i.e. butterflies in the stomock
Beautiful post of Nandhi's.
I know a lady who started a holistic centre a couple of years ago. She is in our Thich Nhat Hanh sangha and so we have travelled alongside her in her journey from complete start up with no previous experience to what is now a very successful centre.
She totally winged it, no business plan, just a clear vision of what she wanted.
I think she had some money so this is why she did not need a business plan.
I think if you are looking for start up capital you either persuade someone very wealthy give you a load of dosh, or you make a clear and well thought out business plan and then go looking for the goodies.
It has many other advantages also, it forces you to go and do some real and practical research into all aspects of the business. It indicates whether it can be self-sustaining or not, and many other things.
Just to say I have never started up a business, I have looked at a few, but no expert.
I just heard that Tolle has a wealthy Japanese partner who finances everything.
Thich Nhat Hanh has had a very shrewd nun by his side looking after the finances, he doesn't get involved, but not much happens without first going through this nun.
So the jist of this is that you need a business plan, possibly an experienced business partner or adviser, or a wealthy partner.
This comes second to a clear vision of what you want.
my 2 cents[
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Louis