Before dipping into your savings, “ask yourself if you’re a risk taker who’s responsible and motivated enough to run a business,” says Nancy Gilbertson, district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for Washington State. (Not sure? Take the entrepreneurial test in the Starting Your Business section at www.sba.gov.) The SBA provides free counseling from experienced business owners, who assess your idea, help you with a business plan, and suggest financing options. Hire an accountant for advice on subjects like minimizing taxes, says Rieva Lesonsky, editorial director of Entrepreneur magazine and author of Start Your Own Business (Entrepreneur, $25, www.amazon.com). The most common pitfall is running out of money early, “so have six months of expenses in the bank,” Lesonsky says. Work from home to save money if you can, she says, but maintain a professional image: Print business cards, set up a basic website, install a separate phone line, and “do not ever, ever let your kid answer that phone.”