Close-Up Talk Radio spotlights entrepreneur Avril Betts

New Westminster, BC – Starting a new business is one of the biggest risks a person can take. Consequently, many would-be entrepreneurs give up before they even start. But you don’t have to do it alone. With the right mentorship, you can make the dream of being your own boss come true.

Avril Betts (www.avrilbetts.com) is an entrepreneurship coach offering the expertise she’s accumulated over 35 years in business and marketing to aspiring entrepreneurs.

“I get great satisfaction from helping people reach their goals,” says Avril. “I train and coach my clients to be who they want to be in the direction they want to go.”

As an entrepreneur, Avril specialized in the travel and tourism business, including everything from owning a country inn and restaurant to currently owning two travel agencies, one retail, one online. She says many people have the ability to start their own business but lack the necessary business acumen to put it together.

“It doesn’t matter what the business is, everyone needs a business plan and a marketing plan,” says Avril. “A business plan is simply a road map to where you want to go and it’s not as complicated as people make it out to be."

A complete business plan should answer the essential questions: What kind of location do you want? What kind of customers do you hope to attract? Will you need capital? Will you need staff? Answering these questions should allow you to develop systems for how you’re going to approach your operations.

“There’s always things that come up and things you’ve forgotten, but once you’ve got the basic business plan you can use that as your foundation and update it accordingly as challenges arise,” says Avril. “It’s about keeping your eye on the ball.”