What is the most important thing to look out for when starting a small business?

A plan.

How can an entrepreneur start an enterprise if he or she cannot plan it? The plan should answer the following basic questions:

1. Do you have a product or service niche in mind?

2. Do you believe you have a market for 1 above and the means to reach it?

3. Are you willing to develop a marketing plan to validate 1 and 2 above before you launch?

If the answer is not "Yes" to each of the above, watch for difficulty in successfully starting a business.

Passion, what you like doing? Your business idea must be what you are passionate about, a problem you want to solve in the society, your idea realistic.

Sustainability.

Do you have the market for the business? Does it solve a problem? How much will anyone pay to have?

Passion don't drive business the business itself should be ready to survive times and seasons.