The first steps for starting global businesses in Finland - From idea until the business plan : Project: Barisma – The worldwide website for bars, nightclubs and cafes

Abstract

This thesis describes the author’s early-stage experience in starting a global business in Finland and explains the challenges, and also opportunities, occurred along the way from the moment the idea came to life until a comprehensive business plan was written.

The idea of Barisma came to life in December 2008 and is still under development after writing three business plans, seventeen months of thinking, planning and development, 4000 hours of R&D and 1000 hours of implementation. The results from the project present many achievements and disappointments that the author wishes to share with the readers to help them avoid mistakes, save them money and energy and eventually encourage them when starting global businesses in Finland.

This thesis explains the importance of know-how in the earliest of stages. It offers a ‘seven-step’ recommendation to be followed for a period of twenty four weeks by future entrepreneurs from two different points of view: the eyes and minds of the experts, researchers and experienced in starting global businesses; and the author’s experience with Barisma. It states the importance of understanding the actual meaning of entrepreneurship and entrepreneur, acknowledging the characteristics of an entrepreneur, knowing that the idea is a business idea, knowing the benefits of starting a global company in Finland, identifying and working on the success factors of a business and writing a comprehensive business plan. It targets ambitious, talented and hardworking people -Finns and foreigners living in Finland - and serves as a practical guide to encourage them to try acting on ideas and to spot and exploit opportunities. After all, if people do not try, they will neither achieve nor succeed.