Cover of The Business Mountain - Don’t Look Down - Book One: Start-ups by Virginia Rabbitts, featuring a mountain silhouette and a person on horseback beneath a starry sky.
Cover of The Business Mountain: Book Two – Business Plan by Virginia Rabbitts, featuring a hiker looking ahead to colourful mountain peaks, under the subtitle “Don’t Look Down.”

The Business Mountain Questions

We focus on YOU – helping you get answers to your biggest founding questions as you climb your own Business Mountain.

The Business Mountain – Start-ups (Book 1) & Business Plan (Book 2) & Finance (Book 3) & Marketing (Book4)

are OUT NOW!

Click here for the E-Book 1 on Amazon

Click here for the E-Book 2 on Amazon

Click here for the E-Book 3 on Amazon

Click here for the E-Book 4 on Amazon

An abstract graphic symbolising finance, with a pound sign (£), four quarter-circle shapes, and a colourful pie chart, featured in The Business Mountain theme.

Business Secrets Unlocked

CLIMB SMART, WIN BIG!

Your Business Mountain Awaits – Avoid the pitfalls, outsmart the sharks, and stay on track to success.

Insider strategies, real-world lessons, and the hard truths no one tells you.

Put your blinkers on. Run your own race. GO… WIN.

The Business Mountain – Start-ups (Book 1) is OUT NOW!

E-Book on Amazon | Hardcover on Amazon | Paperback on Amazon

View of Lower Manhattan at dusk with city lights reflecting on the Hudson River, featuring One World Trade Centre and surrounding skyscrapers.

Beware the Business Sharks

In business, there will always be sharks circling – waiting to con, manipulate, or strip you of your money, ideas, or wealth. These books and this community will arm you with the knowledge to spot the red flags, protect your business, and stay ahead of the game.

We’ll be adding real-life warnings, business pitfalls, and common questions from The Business Mountain Community – your go-to resource for owners and founders.

A group of mountain climbers descending from a snowy summit in single file, under clear skies, symbolising experience, endurance, and return.
An image of the flags waving in the wind at the summit of a mountain that climbers have got to the top.

Persistence & Determination

As you scale your Business Mountain, you’ll have loads of questions. We’re here to answer as many as possible, while the Business Mountain books (paperback, hardcover, audio, and e-book) serve as your step-by-step guide to keep you motivated and at the top of your game.

Your business will climb at its own pace.

Even the biggest companies take time- one well-known business only just broke into Asia and Australasia after 60+ years. Growth isn’t about speed; it’s about keeping the trend moving upward.

Overcome every single obstacle and there will be lots of them.

Just like the game of snakes and ladders, you might slip down at times. But success isn’t about never falling – it’s about getting back up, dusting yourself off, and rising stronger. Surround yourself with allies, mentors, and advocates who help you keep climbing.

A cartoon lady on an incline holding a large blue banner with a yellow question mark.

Is this Viable Yes/No

night-time view over New York City, looking south from Manhattan with illuminated skyscrapers including the Empire State Building and Bank of America Tower.

Go …. Win

“Has it still got legs Gins ?

“Yes, it has.”

“Well, keep going then.”

That mindset led me to sell my products into four of the world’s largest retailers. If your business is right – keep going!

Yes, you’ll see others halfway up their own mountains. Some may already be millionaires, making profits, well-funded. Don’t let that distract you. They’re not on your mountain.

Just like racehorses wear blinkers – run your own race.

GO… WIN.

Vang Vieng landscape view from a mountain top at sunrise, with mist-covered valleys and a glowing orange sky.

Your

Business

World

Stylised illustration of a person with a backpack standing at the base of mountain peaks, watching a sunrise under a starry sky.

Your

Business

Idea

Finding Your Business Idea

“I want to run a business, but what type?”

Ask yourself:

What do you enjoy?

What keeps you motivated?

What would you love to sell – products, services, or both?

Business is selling. Profits come from selling something you believe in.

Rule #1: Love what you sell. If you wouldn’t buy it, don’t sell it. Passion drives success.

Once you know what excites you, find a way to sell it – and start building!

It’s as simple and as complicated as that !

Photograph of the New York City skyline from a boat on the Hudson River, with the American flag flying in the foreground and the word “Love” displayed below.

Love what You Sell

Sell … .. It

Business is About Selling

Whether it’s a service or a range of products, it all comes down to selling and making profits (or working towards them).

Rule #1: Love what you sell.

If you hate Cornish pasties, don’t try selling them. Your passion (or lack of it) will show. Choose something you believe in, something that excites you – because that’s what keeps you going when the climb gets tough.

Once you know what you love, you can find the best way to sell it – and start building the business that’s right for you.

Your Next

Steps…

Do Your

Research

Your Next Steps

“I’ve chosen my industry and product/service – now what?”

DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!!!

Before launching, know your industry inside out.

Where to Start:

✔ Trade Associations – Packed with insights. Find them online.

✔ Chambers of Commerce – Business advice, networking, and support.

✔ Local Advisors – Your accountant or online search can help.

✔ Market Research – Predict demand before you launch.

Need help with market research? The Business Mountain books cover it step by step.

Knowledge = Power. Research = Confidence. Now, get digging!

Brainstorm

Your Ideas

Silhouette of a lone rider on horseback descending from mountain peaks at sunset, symbolizing the entrepreneur who has completed the climb.

Make

Sense for Your Offering

Choosing Your Business Name

Your business name matters—it needs to align with your product or service and create the right first impression.

Step 1: Brainstorm Your Ideas

Grab an A4 sheet of paper and write down at least 20 name ideas.

Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Mull over each name carefully – your business name should be clear, relevant, and make sense for what you’re offering. (For example, a name related to dogs wouldn’t suit a fish and chip shop!)

Step 2: Get Trusted Opinions (Under NDA!)

Before sharing your ideas, protect them! Have close associates sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before discussing your names.

Find an NDA template in The Business Mountain Documentation Folder on our homepage, or create your own with legal approval.

Now, gather feedback – see what names resonate with others and take on fresh suggestions.

An image of the picnic bar wooden tables with the snowy mountain hillside beyond the tables and the ski lift wires too.
Red triangle with a yellow exclamation mark, symbolising caution, alert, or critical business risk.

Step 3: Check Availability

Before you get too attached to a name, check if it’s available:

✔ Companies House (or equivalent in your country) – Ensure the name isn’t already registered.

✔ Trademark Registry – Check for existing trademarks to avoid legal issues.

🚀 If your name is taken? No worries! Adjust with a hyphen, variation, or different spelling – even Rolls-Royce Military Aerospace has a hyphen!

In the U.K., you can always use ‘Surname & Sons’, even if a variation exists – this applies in many countries too.

Final tip: Double-check with local business advisors for any country-specific rules.

Your name is your brand – choose wisely!

Virginia’s 7 W’s …

What are Your Talents ?

Virginia’s 7 W’s …

How Do I Decide What Business to Start?

Ask yourself these 7 key questions to uncover the right business for you:

1️⃣ What are your talents? – Your natural skills can shape a strong business.

2️⃣ What are you good at? – Identify areas where you already excel.

3️⃣ What do you have solid experience in? – Knowledge and expertise give you a head start.

4️⃣ What are your strengths? – Leverage what makes you stand out.

5️⃣ What can you do? – List your abilities- big and small.

6️⃣ What can’t you do? – Be honest about your limitations.

7️⃣ What can you imagine yourself doing? – If you can’t see yourself doing it long-term, it’s not the right fit.

Take a moment to answer these for yourself.

The more clarity you gain, the closer you’ll be to discovering a business that fits your skills, passions, and potential for success.

A long rope suspension bridge surrounded by lush trees, leading toward a hidden destination by the sea - symbolizing decision-making and bold steps forward.

Decide

the Type

of Business

Decide How

You will

Fund it …

What Preparations Do I Need Before Launching?

GIN’S 4 DECIDES – Get Set for Success

✅ Decide on the type of business you want to run.

✅ Decide where your business will be based.

✅ Decide how you’ll operate your business.

✅ Decide how you’ll fund it.

Study the Competition

Look at similar businesses far outside your area – see how they run, what works, and what doesn’t.

Plan Like a Pro

✔ Write your Business Plan – Map out your vision, strategy, and goals.

✔ Create your Marketing Plan – Know how to attract and retain customers.

Now stop waiting… GO DO IT!