Women who dream of turning their hobbies into lucrative businesses have to stop dreaming and start planning.

Research the market, know who your potential customers are, get a grasp on the paperwork involved and be prepared to make sacrifices to make those dreams come true.

Some of the advice offered at the Business Boot Camp for Women, held last month in Marion, Ohio, made 41 would-be entrepreneurs stop and think.

Joan Manter of Holbrook & Manter accounting firm told a group of women to do just that-think about what their objectives are, the Marion Star reported.

Robyn Caceres, who wants to start a travel agency, realized that taking college business classes was not enough preparation. She got connected with the Women's Business Council and learned about market analysis.

She added, "I think it's really important to network with people. You're going to need help with accounting. You're not a lawyer, so it's really good to know who's out there."

Jennifer Swain and Rebecca Benson, who are sisters, plan to organize birthday parties, expanding upon what has become an elaborate family tradition.

The sisters decided to start small and follow a well thought-out plan. "It made me realize we really need to take this more seriously and not just 'take a stab' at a business plan," Swain said.

Local entrepreneur Lois Fisher praised the Women's Business Council for organizing the event, and noted that if the women used the information to create successful new businesses, more jobs would be created in the community.