How you set up shop depends upon how your business mind, or not so business-like mind, works. You have two basic approaches.

1. The Make-A-Buck Analytical, Business-Brain Approach.

In your mind's eye, you see the market for a booming business. How can you make a buck off this craze?

Let's say the city you're living in has decided to put up a skate park over at the recreation center. You know the rec center already has an after-school program, but now they want to add to the quality of life for the city's teenagers.

It's a given that: Kid+energy+bored=a real good recipe for mischief. So, let's give them a place to wear themselves out and have a great time doing it.

You watch as the crews come in with bulldozers and the digging begins. Cement is poured in stages, hardens and the work crew grab their own skateboards to give it a test run. It's hard to miss the number of kids that begin gathering to watch the progress of their new, cement toy. Your mind scans all the equipment these energetic young people are going to need.

You have just finished step one: getting a good feel for the market. You see a lot of potential to make money here.

Step two: The business angle. How much capital are you able to put upfront to get the store going? Will you need a small business loan?

Step three: The analytical angle. Questions to ask yourself.

Who will run the shop, just yourself? How big do you want the business to become? You can stay small and friendly or you can think big. Be sure you don't bite off more than you can chew. Starting small and modest may be your best approach.

When do you plan to open this business? Remember, timing is everything. Where is the best location? Hint. Walking distance from the skatebowl, for replacement parts and upgrades. Friends will be comparing their wheels, boards and bearings with one another.

What licenses, permits and insurance will you need? Planning the cost and extent of inventory.

Finally, decide on your store's image. Classy or down home. Professional looking or get-down workshop-real. Your dreaming mind gets to have fun here. Make a plan, then work like mad to make your plan a reality.

2. The other way to set up shop is completely the opposite.

There is no big, money-making plan. You don't analyze when or where or even IF you want a skateboard shop. You'll find it happened naturally and grew around who you are.

You had no business plan. Only a good heart and a bit of pack rat technology. Every set of bearings

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