Every day I meet at least one woman in a workshop, socially or even at the grocery store who tells me about her dream to start her own business. Months later, I often meet the same women and ask them how their new business is going and they reply, "I don't know where to start," "It's so hard to make the time" or " I really want to do it, but I'm just so busy." While it is challenging to strike out on your own, and it certainly was for me, it's worth the risk and the hard work required if you believe strongly in your idea.

The most important part of starting your own business is getting your ideas down on paper, researching the field and your competition, writing a plan and calculating your financial needs. Sounds a bit overwhelming, but it really isn't if you take a look at these steps one by one.

The biggest part of making it on your own is to go from what I call fuzzy to firm. Some women I know have four or five business ideas floating around in their heads, and they never write any of them down. The result--none of these ideas ever materializes. We know it is much easier to keep your ideas in your head than to write them down and see them as real. Seeing your idea, goal or business dream on paper can be scary. We might think, "What if my ideas are silly and I get laughed at?" "What if my business fails?" or even "What if it works? Then what?"

As long as we keep our dreams as just dreams, we are safe. But our talents, ideas and dreams are there for a reason--for us to acknowledge what keeps "tugging" at us so we can create a better, more gratifying life.

Each one of us has unique talents and ideas that are put there for a reason, so we can explore and manifest them. Women deserve the very best in life, and that starts with saying yes to ourselves and yes to our dreams. The first action needed to start any business is to formulate the idea on paper. When the idea is staring at us in black and white, it can be read and reread, revised and changed. Otherwise it is just a bunch of fuzz in our heads.

Try my "Dream Business" exercise. Simply write down some business ideas. Once your concepts are on paper, pick the idea that excites you the most and work on that one.

The next step is doing a bit of due diligence--dig around and research similar businesses. Network and talk to others in that field; ask how they got started and what the obstacles were. People are usually flattered to be asked and generous with information. I suggest joining networking organizations specifically to exchange experiences and information with other people in similar industries. Also contact legal and financial experts for their advice before beginning. Hire the best accountants and lawyers you can afford.

After doing a bit of due diligence, the next step is to create a short (yes, short) business plan and calculate your financial needs. Business plans are easier and less time-consuming than you might think. You definitely don't need a business plan as thick as a phone book. I recommend five or six pages maximum, to start. As long as your business, strategy, numbers and projections are clear and realistic, you can be succinct. Business plans are important for two reasons: one, so you can be clear about your business, its mission and your financials; and two, so you can present your business in a clear and concise way to outside investors if you are looking for cash. My first business plan was a key step in helping me clarify my goals and find an investor to invest immediate cash into my dream.

Take that first step. Take that fuzzy thought in your head and turn it into a firm plan. You'll never regret it.

Marianna Olszewski, author of Live It, Love It, Earn It, is a life/money coach, workshop leader and speaker on women's empowerment issues. She is also the founder and CEO of Madison Financial Management LLC, a broker-dealer and hedge fund marketing company. For more advice on business plans, download her 5-Step B-Plan.