If I had to own up to emulating a model for creating this website with its content and resources, I'd confess to it being Startup Nation. Jeff and Rick Sloan - yes, they're brothers that seem to get along quite fine - have put heads together to offer a wide array of articles and tools for wannabe entrepreneurs of all stripes.

I haven't come across any physician entrepreneurs in their interviews and articles so that is how I can justify the existence of The Entrepreneurial MD. And who knows, maybe they'll be emulating an aspect of this site one day <grin>!

In today's weekly eNewsletter, they remind their readers of a key chapter from their book Startupnation, in which they urge prospective business owners to answer the "Defining Dozen" questions. Spend a few moments looking them over on their site (the questions are linked to more in-depth discussion) - see if you can provide solid answers. Your responses to these questions will, in effect, generate a good business plan.

Here are their questions:

1.  What's your idea? 
2.  How does your idea address a need? 
3.  What model suits you best? 
4.  What's so different about what you offer? 
5.  How big is the market and how big will you grow? 
6.  What's your role going to be? 
7.  Who's on your team? 
8.  How will customers buy from you, and how much will they pay? 
9.  How much money do you need and how much will you make? 
10. Where's the startup money coming from? 
11. How will you measure success? 
12. What are your key milestones?

BTW - I think this is why I am going to love blogging so much. I get to look smart by keeping current with the bright minds of many experts out there and then bringing you their words and thoughts. And this "plagiarism" is highly encouraged by other bloggers as it brings links to their site, which in turn makes the great Google god smile favorably on them. It's vicarious living at its finest. It's also a lot of fun!