Thinking about starting a business? Follow these crucial tips and your company might just become the next big thing.

Starting a business is a complicated, risky, all-consuming effort. Indeed, just two-thirds of new small businesses survive at least two years, and only 44 percent survive at least four years, according to a study by the U.S. Small Business Association.

Taking the six steps below will help put you on the road to success.

  1. Determine if you’re an entrepreneur or just a wannabe
  2. Pinpoint an opportunity
  3. Make sure there’s a market for your idea
  4. Write a business plan
  5. Determine your business structure
  6. Look for funding

Fortune Small Business