Awww, this is so nice of you in deed Cem!
Don't worry, I have been around the block a few times myself, and yes, you are exactly right, this is all down to a sound business plan, which I am working on in deed since the better part of 12 weeks, and it is in it's final stages.
You are 100% right to put up your red flags on the points you made. Crucial for any business is something most do not like to deal with, and this is worse than the weatherforcast in Ireland, it is called salesforcast as you well know.
I am operating on a multitude of revenuestreams, and I could tell you that for example... but then again, I'd have to kill you.
However, I would say that I even have it a wee bit more difficult than the average startup, as I allocate substantial chunks of profit towards charities upfront.
And again, you are right, cash flow is king (in some respect), and as a general rule of thumb for anyone here reading that, you have to create a business plan that is achievable and still makes sense to borrow against a certain sum if required.
In other words, make it S M A R T:
S pecific
M easurable
A ttractive
R ealistic
T ime limited
If you go ahead and have this as your common guideline, you are on the right track.
However, as correct Cem's kind warnings are, there is a different side as well, you will fail if you underfinance your business requirements, that is written in stone as well, so my best advice I can give in that public context hereis this be
SMART!
Thanks my friend!!
(Have the T-Shirt, got that cap)
P.S. One more word of general advice for the reading people here who might consider themselves to start a business of any kind, you might have heard that before, but I really can not overstress the importance if it!
The people influencing and surrounding your closest circle, they are the most important factor for your success, taking a good and sound business plan as granted, it is them who enable this plan to be executed swiftly, the best plans, well, they are only plans, they need execution, and this is where many fail due to the fact that they surrounded themselves with the wrong people.
P.P.S.
Actually, now that I started to give some advice based on my own experience, I feel bad that it is only that little advice. LOL
So here is another one, do have a contingency plan at all times, at minimum one, better two!
(Taking conusltant hat and leaving room, no more of that, did that for too long! .... outa here....)
Georg my friend,
Please know that I am writing this with the best intentions in mind and as a good friend of yours