Or maybe not. Maybe you've just got an idea that might be lucrative. Scared to find out? I would be.

But, here's the thing. If you never try, that's the only guaranteed way of it being a failure. Anything else you do gives it a chance.

It can be a scary and lonely world if you're just taking your first steps in business. And that's true whether you think you've got an invention, or an idea for a business.

Inventors are so notorious for not wanting to divulge their idea that there's a name for the behaviour - Inventor's Paranoia. That's the situation where you're so proud and protective of your idea, you're terrified to tell anyone about it in case they steal it. And at some point, you'll have to tell someone to get anything done with it. Do the right thing. Protect it. Quickly. Then you can stop worrying and start planning. There's a link below to the Patent Office, who can explain the difference between a registered design, a patentable idea, and a trademark. It's less confusing than you might think!

What about if you have a business idea? If you think you can sell a product or service to enough people, and make enough of a profit doing so, maybe you've got yourself a business proposition. There are links below that can help you get some initial information, and find out how to pursue your idea further. A good place to start will often be your local branch of your bank. They'll likely have business advisors who can explain how to get a loan, and how to put together a business plan.

Business Link has a very useful page too, with practical support, information and advice to get you started with your business idea. Scottish Enterprise has a similar useful page. There's also another useful page giving you guidance on how to get a grant if you've come up with a technologically-innovative idea. And there's another useful page here too if you're looking for other sources of funding.

The Intellectual Property Office (formerly The UK Patent Office) has some great advice for anyone who has had an idea they might need to protect. Find out the difference between copyright, trademark, registered design and patent, and check whether any apply to an idea you have.

The Institute of Patentees & Inventors also has lots of useful information and links into other institutes (designers, authors, etc).

You can get lots of good advice from the British Toy & Hobby Association if you have an idea for a game or toy.

Nervous about tax, accounting, insurance and all the other stuff that needs to be considered when you're starting out in business? HM Revenue & Customs have a really good page that tells you what to consider when starting out in business or working for yourself.