I've asked this question on a few forums. All the replies were about the same. "MAKE A BUSINESS PLAN!"

Some said that I'll never make money if I give an investor %100 on his investment. OF COURSE! I clearly mentioned that I didn't make any deals for %100, I was speaking hypothetically. You could still ask the same question with %10.

What it comes down to, is not that I CAN'T succeed... but if you don't come up with a business plan you WON'T succeed. I know MANY people that are very successful in the video production business. Seems that the "secret" is starting smart. Not only (but also very important) doing a good job.

So I've read all you had to say. I researched how to start a small business and even applied to a 15 hour course on how to run a small business. I also am making a professional business using "Business Plan Pro 2007" http://www.nolo.com/product.cfm/ObjectID/E...4910EAD1E1/111/ that's I think is worth every penny!

There were two issues that were brought up a couple of times:
1. Working for someone for a while first.
2. Renting equipment at first when needed.

Here is my own personal 2 cents on this. Of course, this may be the way to go for some people.

I have spent the last 2 months "working" for someone. I did it for training purposes and not for money, even though he did pay me something. He let me do some of his editing (and liked my work very much) and I went to some of his events where he would show me and explain his shooting techniques. I myself am not a complete amateur when coming to shooting techniques, though I know I will learn something new with every event, which is what I hope to do.

I don't think (personally) that if I work for someone for a year to get experience, and THEN start my whole business... that anything will move any faster. I think I can pick up my own techniques and learn along the way if I start now on my own. (shooting wise... since I HAD been editing for a few years now as a hobby and have also shot some family occasions. Ok, so I used a $500 camera, but the shooting techniques were pretty good for a starter with no learning experience at the time).

So yes, I understand that I don't need to buy ALL the equipment at once. Understood. But now to the second thing... renting equipment....

I'm not talking about the general idea to rent equipment, which I personally think is a good idea when able. My problem is that the closet rental place is an hour drive away and just a camera costs $80 a day. Now my own thought is that I will want to go over the whole manual... TWICE! I will need at LEAST 2 weeks that I will want to practice and get a "feel" of this new, powerful machine. To rent a camera for 2 weeks will cost almost half the price of the camera!

Someone told me that I can use the camera at the store and that these places even WANT you to use it so that you will rent it. Maybe this can work, but again, there's the 4 hours of travailing every time I need the camera (back and forth). It's just not worth it I think.

Maybe other things can be rented. Things that you might not need at EVERY occasion, like lights (at an already well lit hall or a day time occasion). But all the lights I inquired about were $1000. Just renting them 10 times would be about the price or buying them (travel and time).

Furthermore, in an article that someone posted: Fallacy of Market Pricing (very good article!) and also in other forums, for some reason everyone only talks about weddings. There are SO many more projects that need shooting! Does everyone start off with weddings?? There are schools, organizations, Bar\Bat Mitzvahs, Parties, corporate, charity events, SO many things that need video productions.

Also, the only reason people use for "you will not succeed" is if you don't make a business plan. Well... if you DO make a professional business plan and STICK to the plan... why shouldn't you succeed? There are thousands (if not more) of successful videographers and I assume that all they did to be successful is to start off with a realistic business plan and run the production as a business and not a hobby! (like in the article).

So once again, thank you all for your replies. I am going to get my "business education" and will ask you for more advice as I go along.