What You Need To Start Your Own Laboratory

Laboratories don't pop up out of nowhere—they are highly professional business enterprises that work in the scientific field. Like a medical clinic or doctor's office, these are places of science and business. Here is what you need to start your own laboratory.

Business Plan and Vision

Like any business, a laboratory needs a business plan that delineates its purpose. You need a mission and a vision to drive the enterprise forward; otherwise, your staff and investors won't understand the end goal of your work. Every business plan relies on sound logic and thorough research, not glorified obscurities and vague aspirations. Don't try to fool your investors with bombastic jargon. Instead, focus on describing the financial and operational aspects of your laboratory business. Your business plan should address everything from the anticipated annual budget to the laboratory culture among staff to the endgame of the work itself. Without a clear vision and goal for your work, investors cannot know what you hope to achieve in your field that others don't already do. Set yourself up for success with a business plan that lines up with your long-term vision.

Specialized Equipment

It’s no secret that scientific work requires highly specialized equipment. For example, you cannot run a chromatography lab without the essential chromatographical supplies. The equipment enables you and your staff to produce high-quality work that yields consistent and reliable results for your clients. Research the exact technologies and models you need and include these tools' prices in your business’s overhead.

Safety Measures and Paperwork

Lab safety is paramount, especially if you plan on handling toxic or harmful substances. Be sure to teach and refresh employee's understanding of safety procedures. A clean and secure laboratory is vital to your long-term goals as a business. You don't want a lab accident to tarnish your hard-earned reputation. You should also work with the appropriate governing bodies and ethics boards to file paperwork and determine the proper location for your lab. Establish above-board practices from the beginning to show your commitment to honest work. Once you have what you need to start your own laboratory, you can begin securing work from clients. At the end of the day, you want to establish a reputation of efficiency and reliability, so work toward those goals from the very beginning.