INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — It is a new year and a chance for many people to dream about the future. You can write your own story by owning a business, but there is a lot that comes with getting started.

Jamar Cobb-Dennard is an attorney and business broker at Indiana Business Advisors in Indianapolis.

Cobb-Dennard spent much of his career creating successful businesses, but some completely failed. He knows firsthand that owning a business will allow people a better opportunity to take care of their family and create generational wealth long term.

“If you are starting a biz, the best thing to do is, take a small pot of money you’ve saved yourself and, if you need additional cash, talk to friends and family. Let’s say you need $50,000. Start with five yourself and find nine other people with $5,000 and now you’ve got some investor partner friends to go in with,” Cobb-Dennard explained.

• Forbes: Indiana ranked second-best state to start a business

Once you come up with an idea, it is helpful to be knowledgeable about the subject or even work in the field.

“Read, study, join some incubators. There are a number of them throughout the community centers throughout our region that can really help; the SBA and some counselors that can help with some business planning so it’s not so daunting for someone new to the process,” said Cobb-Dennard.

“It’s a lot, but it’s made a lot easier when there is good counsel around. Find a good CPA, find a good attorney, and find a good business coach that can help.”

You can also consider buying a business, Cobb-Dennard says, and there are online business-for-sale boards where anyone can look at business to buy.

Click here to learn more about the Indiana Small Business Development Center, which offers no-cost business advising, training, referrals, and a library of tools and resources for Hoosiers.