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Thursday, October 29, 2026Oct 29

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5 ways to lay the groundwork for a successful small business

Contributed photo / Paige McVity is a commercial lender with BrightBridge Capital, a community development financial institution (CDFI) with more than four decades of experience in helping start-up and small businesses navigate challenges.
Contributed photo / Paige McVity is a commercial lender with BrightBridge Capital, a community development financial institution (CDFI) with more than four decades of experience in helping start-up and small businesses navigate challenges. Contributed photo / Paige McVity is a commercial lender with BrightBridge Capital, a community development financial institution (CDFI) with more than four decades of experience in helping start-up and small businesses navigate challenges.


Opening a business is a leap that requires commitment, resilience and a strong belief in your vision. When done right, a new business can create jobs, boost the economy, and potentially transform the community. Here are five tips to help navigate the complexities of launching and running a small business.

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

This adage is paramount for business owners. All business owners should develop a comprehensive business plan that outlines their goals, target market, marketing strategy, financial projections and operational plan. A well-thought-out business plan is a roadmap and helps owners to stay on course as they work toward their objectives.

Understanding your target market is critical