How often have you come up with a great idea for a business or envisioned a more suitable career, but been unable to turn on the ignition? How often have you come up with a great idea for a business or envisioned a more suitable career, but been unable to turn on the ignition? It might be time to call the "Kick Start Guy" and get rolling.

Romanus Wolter, a small business consultant for the past 16 years, has taken his experience as an entrepreneurial consultant in London, Hong Kong, and most recently as director of the Small Business Development Center in San Francisco, to author "Kick Start Your Dream Business" (Ten Speed Press, 2001).

His zeal and enthusiasm for helping people realize their aspirations is infectious. "If you can dream it, you can start it," says Wolter, a frequent columnist for Entrepreneur Magazine.

Even with a master's degree in international marketing and an understanding of sound business principles, Wolter professes that "to truly succeed in business you have to throw out the business plan. By beginning from one's passion and taking action steps, you can quickly close the gap between goals and success."

"Kick Start'' is a practical, reader-friendly, step-by-step guide that takes you through all the stages of establishing a business, from brainstorming through implementation, with lots of helpful worksheets. But it's also a motivational tool replete with inspirational stories.

Getting started is often the steepest obstacle and Wolter identifies three "rules to live by" that establish and sustain momentum beyond a good idea: articulating the passion of your business concept to others, listening to their feedback and committing your goals to paper.

Once set in motion, Wolter's convinced there's no stopping you.

Small business resources:

• Aspiring entrepreneurs seeking assistance can call the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (800 5-capital).
• Women in Business Connection (www.wibconnection.org).