How to Watch Star Wars

Star Wars is considered to be the first sci-fi blockbuster and has become one of the most successful franchises of all time. Many of the movies are available on various streaming sites and rental services, but the full saga is also sold at just about every major retailer. There are dozens of movies and TV shows to watch in the Star Wars universe, but don't be overwhelmed if you're just getting started — there's plenty of time until Episode IX comes out in December 2019, after all!

EditSteps

EditExperiencing the Star Wars Movies

1. Watch the series in the order that the movies were originally released. People new to the Star Wars series should watch the original trilogy first, then the prequel trilogy, and then Episode VII and Episode VIII. The movies were released out of order, but to experience the series as most fans did for the first time, it's recommended to watch them according to release date.^[1] You shouldn't get confused by following this order, as each trilogy has its own self-contained stories, although they certainly intertwine in some places. The release date order for the Star Wars movies is as follows.
   
   • Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
   • Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
   • Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
   • Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
   • Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
   • Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
   • Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
   • Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
2. Experience the saga again in chronological order. Watching the Star Wars series in chronological order is recommended for people who have seen it before, as it ties the movies together coherently and builds the story towards its conclusion — even George Lucas recommends it.^[2] The chronological order of the Star Wars movies is easy to follow as each movie has an episode number associated with it, and you just need to watch them from Episode I to Episode VIII.
   
   • Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)
   • Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)
   • Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
   • Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
   • Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
   • Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
   • Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)
   • Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)
3. Sprinkle in spin-off movies such as The Clone Wars, Solo, and Rogue One. The spin-off movies add extra story and expand parts of the universe only hinted at in the main series. The Clone Wars is an animated movie, while Solo and Rogue One are more recent live-action movies.^[3]
   
   • Watch The Clone Wars in between Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith to learn more about the story and the characters of the interplanetary war introduced in Episode II.
   • Watch Solo after Episode IV: A New Hope to learn more about how Han Solo came to be the charming smuggler in charge of the Millenium Falcon.^[4]
   • Watch "Rogue One" in between Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Episode IV: A New Hope to experience the high-stakes mission that led to the Death Star's eventual destruction. It seamlessly transitions into Episode IV, making back-to-back viewings that much more immersive.^[5]
4. Avoid the Holiday Special, and watch the Ewok movies with kids. The Star Wars Holiday Special is considered by Star Wars creator George Lucas to be a failure — he forbade the film from being re-run after its initial airing and tried to prevent it from being released for home video. Ewok Adventure and Ewok: The Battle for Endor have been removed from the Star Wars storyline by Disney, but they can be fun for young children as they feature cute furry Ewoks defending their forest village.
   
   • It is nearly impossible to find the Star Wars Christmas Special on VHS or DVD, but the whole movie is available on YouTube and other streaming sites. While generally considered to be terrible, the Holiday Special is unintentionally hilarious and fun to watch with your friends late at night.
   • Ewok Adventure and Ewok: The Battle for Endor are more easily found, but because they do not have anything to do with the official Star Wars storyline, they are not essential to watch. If you decide to give these movies a go, watch them after Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, as this movie establishes their homeworld of Endor.

EditWatching the Star Wars TV Shows

1. Watch the TV shows associated with the original trilogy first. There are three shows that take place during or just before the original trilogy of Star Wars movies, two of which came out in the 80s.^[6]
   
   • Watch Droids (1985) and Ewoks (1985) after Episode VI: The Last Jedi as they feature characters introduced in the last film of the original trilogy. These TV shows are animated and are best to watch with young kids.
   • Watch Rebels (2014) after "Episode IV: A New Hope" to learn more about the conflict between the Rebellion and the Empire and see what happened to some of the characters from the prequel trilogy.
2. Continue to watch the TV shows that take place during the Clone Wars. There are two TV shows that take place during the prequel trilogy, Clone Wars and The Clone Wars. They are often confused because of the name, but have very different animation styles and plot focuses.^[7]
   
   • Clone Wars (2003) is a 2D animated series that follows both jedi and the clone armies in their battle against the confederacy, and is known for introducing General Grievous, a four-armed cyborg, and Asajj Ventress, who serves as the main antagonist during the series. Watch this after Episode II: Attack of the Clones.
   • The Clone Wars (2008) is a 3D rendered series that closely follows Anakin Skywalker and his padawan Ahsoka Tani, as well as other jedi and clones. Watch this after the original Clone Wars TV show and after Episode II: Attack of the Clones and the Clone Wars animated movie, which serves as an introduction to the show.
3. Watch the miniseries Forces of Destiny on YouTube. Forces of Destiny takes place in different parts of the saga, spanning Episode I to Episode XIII.^[8] The series is only available on the Disney YouTube channel, and each episode is about 2 to 3 minutes long. The series is known for its focus on female characters who were in the Star Wars movies.
   
   • There isn't a specific order you should watch this series in, but it is recommended to have some decent knowledge of the Star Wars universe before exploring this series of shorts.

EditTips

• In addition to movies and TV shows, the Star Wars universe is represented in dozens of comic books, novels, and video games, some of which are regarded as the best games of all time. If you want to learn more about the Star Wars universe, feel free to explore these comics, books, and games on your own, but be aware that many of these supplemental stories are not considered canon by Disney.

EditReferences

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How to Wear Chiffon Pants

Chiffon pants are elegant, stylish, and timeless. While chiffon pants do tend to be on the dressier side, you can style the rest of your outfit to be either more casual or more formal, depending on where you’re going. Because chiffon is a light, floaty fabric, it's often used to make wide-legged palazzo pants, although you can occasionally find chiffon dress pants in a slim cut as well. In addition, chiffon pants come in a variety of colors and prints, so pick your favorite and have fun with this style!

EditSteps

EditFinding the Right Fit

1. Choose high-cut palazzo pants for a flattering, relaxed fit. Typically, chiffon pants are made into a palazzo style, which feature a wide leg with a lot of fabric around the ankles. Since this is a very voluminous style, you’ll get a more flattering silhouette if you opt for a higher-cut style that emphasizes the narrowest part of your waist.^[1]
   
   • If you have a long, rectangular torso, a low-rise pant might be more flattering.
2. Opt for slim-fitting pants if you don't want to wear palazzo pants. Although anyone can pull off chiffon pants in a palazzo cut, if that’s not your style or you’re concerned it won’t look right on you, you may be able to find chiffon pants in a trouser style. While they aren’t common, they can sometimes be found at formal clothing shops and high-end department stores.^[2]
   
3. Choose pants that skim the top of your shoe to lengthen your legs. To make your legs look their absolute longest, choose pants that just barely touch the tops of your shoes. If they’re too short, you run the risk of making your legs look stumpy, but any longer and you’ll look like you’re too short for the pants.
   
   • Remember that you can usually have the length of your pants adjusted by taking them to a tailor.
4. Look for pants that stop above your ankle for a modern take on this style. An intentionally-cropped pair of chiffon palazzo pants can be very flattering. However, if the hem of the pants hits you mid-ankle, it may just look like your pants are too short. To avoid this, make sure your entire ankle is exposed below the hem of the pants.^[3]
   
   • Cropped palazzo pants might stop anywhere from the top of your calf to the top of your ankle.
5. Stick with slightly narrower palazzo pants if you’re curvy. Wide-legged pants can add a lot of volume, making your bottom half look boxy and disproportionately large. However, that doesn't mean you have to totally avoid this style! Just look for chiffon pants that hug your hips, then flare out starting about mid-thigh or lower. This will create more of a mermaid shape that will emphasize and flatter your curves.^[4]
   
   • If you have wide hips, you may also want to avoid pants made of pleated chiffon, since the pleats add a lot of extra fabric.
6. Consider vertically-striped pants if you’re short. It can be hard to pull off a wide-legged style if you’re on the short side, but it’s definitely possible. Create the illusion of height by opting for a breezy pair of chiffon pants in a vertical stripe print. The stripes will make your legs look longer, so you’ll look taller overall.^[5]
   
   • Pair this look with heels to look even taller.
   • You may also prefer a narrower leg when you’re choosing your chiffon pants.

EditCreating a Casual Look

1. Mix and match colors to create a fun outfit. If you wear all one color from head to toe, it tends to look a little dressy. Since chiffon pants are already on the dressy side, if you want your outfit to look more casual, try playing around with different colors and prints.^[6]
   
   • Chiffon pants are available in a wide range of colors, from basic neutrals like white, cream, navy, and black, to bold shades like fuschia, mustard, and teal. In addition, you can often find chiffon pants featuring stripes, florals, and other prints.
   • For example, you might wear yellow chiffon palazzo pants with a fitted navy blue top, gold hoop earrings, and stacked wedges for a bold look that’s perfect for any season.
2. Wear a tucked-in, fitted T-shirt for a look that’s comfortable and casual. Although they look dressy, chiffon pants are also extremely comfortable, so they’re a natural match for a buttery-soft T-shirt. However, with that much fabric on the bottom, you need to keep your look sleek on top, so opt for a slim-fitting T-shirt, and tuck it in to show off your waist.^[7]
   
   • If the weather is cool, you could wear a slim-fitting sweater or turtleneck instead.^[8]
   • A bodysuit is great for this look, because it won’t come untucked throughout the day.
   • You can also wear your shirt tied at your waist.^[9]
3. Toss on a cropped tank top for an effortlessly cool warm-weather outfit. A cropped tank top and a pair of high-waisted chiffon palazzo pants is as cool and easy as it gets. Depending on how you style it, you can take this look anywhere from a day at the beach to a nice date. To dress it down, keep your hair and makeup simple, and opt for sneakers, flats, or casual sandals.^[10]
   
   • Wear a one-shoulder cropped tank and a smokey eye to add a little extra glam.
   • Take this look to the beach with sunglasses, a topknot, sandals, and bronzy makeup.
4. Wear a silky top and a relaxed blazer for a business-casual look. If your style is laid-back and comfortable but you still want to look office-ready, style your chiffon pants with a silky tank, T-shirt, or button-down. Then, toss on a relaxed blazer and a sensible pair of shoes and you’ll be ready to take on the day!^[11]
   
   • A structured blazer may clash with your flowy pants, although it can also provide a nice contrast. Don’t be afraid to experiment and see what you like!
5. Keep your shoes casual. If you’re trying to dress down your chiffon pants, look for casual shoes, like strappy sandals, wedges, loafers or flats. You can also wear boots or ankle boots with your chiffon pants, but most of the detail will be lost unless you’re wearing cropped pants.^[12]
   
   • If you want to wear sneakers, opt for a low-profile style.
   • Try the pants on with the same type of shoe you’re planning on wearing to make sure the length is right
6. Opt for chunky, casual jewelry if you wear any. To give off that relaxed, casual vibe, stick to colorful, bold, or chunky pieces, or skip the jewelry altogether. Cuff bracelets, long necklaces, big earrings, and wide belts are all great accessories for a casual look featuring chiffon pants.^[13]
   
   • For example, if you’re wearing a tucked-in T-shirt and palazzo pants, you might wear a long beaded necklace, a bold watch, or a pair of statement earrings.
   • Avoid wearing any jewelry with sharp or pointed edges, as they might snag your chiffon pants.

EditStyling a Dressy Outfit

1. Wear high-waisted chiffon pants and a silky tank top for a sophisticated outfit. Dressing up doesn’t have to be difficult, and it doesn’t get much easier than high-waisted chiffon palazzo pants and a silky tank. You can tuck the shirt in or leave it untucked, depending on the style of the tank.^[14]
   
   • If the tank is cut to fit a little boxy, it’s probably best to tuck it in, as this will emphasize your waist.
   • If the tank is relatively short and is nipped in at the waist, it’s fine to leave it untucked, if you want.
   • You can wear a short cardigan or jacket with this look if the weather is cool.
2. Create a daring night-time look by wearing a bustier with your chiffon pants. Bustiers are strapless tops that are made to fit tight around your body, and they’re often cropped to show a little midriff. When you pair a bustier with flowy chiffon pants, you help soften the look, leaving you with an edgy style that’s still tasteful.^[15]
   
   • Try this with cropped palazzo pants, stiletto heels, and a statement choker.
3. Choose a sheer button-down blouse for a soft, sweet look. A sheer button-down blouse and chiffon pants will create the type of breezy, romantic look that’s perfect for brunch with your friends, a date, or pretty much anywhere you feel like going. By opting for a sheer fabric, you’ll be showing your figure underneath the top, which tends to create a more flattering silhouette than hiding yourself under layers of fabric.^[16]
   
   • Wear a cami underneath the blouse if you don’t want to show too much skin.
4. Opt for a blousy tank and a jacket with slim-fitting chiffon pants. Slim-cut pants look great when they’re balanced by a flowy tank top. To make the outfit look more dressy, top it with a fitted jacket or blazer.^[17]
   
   • Finish this look with a pair of heels or ankle boots.
5. Opt for solid-colored pants for most dressy occasions. Chiffon pants can be found in a wide array of beautiful prints. However, these prints can often make your look seem more casual, so if you’re dressing up for a special occasion, you might want to stick to one color.^[18]
   
   • Don’t be afraid to experiment with some of the bold hues available! For example, if you’re going on a date, you might wear fuschia pants with a black top and black heels
6. Consider a monochrome look for formal events. If you’re attending a formal event, it’s more common to wear a head-to-toe look in a single color. This can be a neutral shade, like black or white, or you can opt for a bold color if that’s more your style.^[19]
   
   • For instance, if you’re attending a formal dinner, you might opt to wear all black.
   • If you want to wear chiffon pants as part of a wedding pantsuit, look for an embellished or lacy top that’s the same color as your pants. These can be traditional wedding colors, such as ivory or cream, or you can choose your favorite color, instead.
7. Opt for simple, bold jewelry. Since an outfit featuring chiffon pants tends to be somewhat minimal, it’s best to stick to simple, graphic jewelry. Big, solid pieces, like collar-style necklaces, statement earrings, and wide bracelets, tend to suit this style better than intricate pieces.^[20]
   
   • It’s easy to snag chiffon, so avoid jewelry with sharp edges.

EditReferences

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How to Make a Paper Boat

Making a paper boat is a great activity that’s easy to finish and doesn’t require a lot of materials. The beauty of making a paper boat is that you only need one piece of printer paper to complete the task! By folding the paper into sharp creases and shaping it to look like a boat, you can make a great-looking paper boat in minutes.

EditSteps

EditCreating the Initial Folds

1. Fold an 8 ½ in x 11 in (21.5 cm x 28 cm) sheet of paper in half. Lay the paper down vertically and fold it from left to right so that its corners meet up. You can use ordinary white printer paper, construction paper, or origami paper. This is called folding the paper "hot dog style." Make a neat crease along the paper.^[1]
   
   • To strengthen the crease, run your finger down the fold 3-4 more times.
2. Unfold the paper, rotate it 90 degrees, and fold it in half again. At this point, the paper should be lying down horizontally. Once you’ve adjusted the paper, fold from left to right. This "hamburger style" fold will create a new crease in the center of the page.^[2]
   
   
   • You should now have 2 creases along both centers (x-axis and y-axis) of the page.
3. Flip the paper so that the fold opens toward you. Then, fold down the top corners towards the middle of the paper while leaving 1-2 in (2.5-5 cm) of space at the bottom. Make sure the folds line up with the center crease. Crease along the edges to secure the folds.^[3]
   
   
   • Use the crease you made before to help line up the folds coming in from the corners.
4. Bring the bottom of the paper up to fold it against both sides. Grab the flap at the bottom of the paper and fold it up against the bottom of the 2 folded triangles. Turn the paper over and do the same thing to the flap on that side. This will make a paper hat.^[4]
   
   
   • The 2 folds should line up with each other.
5. Take the bottom corners and fold them in. On 1 side of the paper, grab the corners of the rectangle that are sticking out over the triangle. Wrap these parts of the paper around the edges of the triangle and crease them so that they stay wrapped around the edge of the triangle. Then, fold the bottom flaps around the edges of the triangle and back towards you.^[5]
   
   
   • The flaps closest to you should be folded in front of the back flaps, not over them. If you fold over the back flaps, you won’t be able to fold the back flaps themselves.

EditMaking the Final Folds

1. Make the triangle into a square. Pick up the triangle, rotate it 45 degrees, then use your fingers to open up the bottom of the triangle. Pull the paper apart gently until it pops into a square shape. Make sure the bottom corners of the triangle fold over each other and become the bottom corner of a diamond.^[6]
   
   
   • Crease the paper along its edges so that it stays in the square shape.
2. Fold up the bottom flaps. Arrange your paper so that the bottom points of the diamond can fold upward. Fold up 1 corner, aligning it with the top corner. Then, flip the paper over and do the same thing to the other side.^[7]
   
   
   • The bottom of the diamond should be the part of the paper with extra folds.
3. Construct the triangle into a square again. Just like last time, pick up the triangle, rotate it 45 degrees, then open up the bottom of your new triangle with your fingers. Crease the paper along its edges so that it stays in the square shape.^[8]
   
   
   • The bottom corners will line up to become the bottom point of a square diamond.
4. Pull out the triangles on the side of the square. Start at the top of the diamond, and gently pull the two sides apart so that the seam running down the middle of the diamond blooms. Crease the bottom of the folded out sides to make the boat a bit stronger.^[9]
   
   
   • You may need to pull up the triangle inside the diamond while pulling apart the two sides. Try to keep the triangle inside the diamond sticking straight up as this will be your boat's "mast."
5. Float your boat. Fill a small tub with water and place the boat on the water. If it starts to droop a little, keep making small adjustments to keep the sides up and prevent the boat from sinking.^[10]
   
   
   • You can reinforce the corners with clear tape and tape around the bottom to keep your boat dry.

EditVideo

EditTips

• Be aware that the heavier the paper you use, the harder the boat will be to make.
• If you are floating your boat on a large body of water, like a pond, you can tape string onto one end of the boat. Hold on to the other end of the string so that it doesn't float away!
• Try to get the edges of the paper to line up. An evenly made boat means less chances of tipping over.
• Ready for another challenge? Try making a paper tank next!
• Make sure you crease well. Use a ruler or a paper folder to make tight folds.

EditWarnings

• Make sure you don't have any holes, as one little hole can turn into a huge rip.

EditRelated wikiHows

• Make a Paper Army Tank
• Improve the Design of any Paper Airplane
• Make a Paper Ship
• Make a Paper Boat with a Big Sail

EditReferences

EditQuick Summary

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How to Research the Market Before Launching a Product or Service

Conducting market research is crucial if you’re planning on launching a new product or service. For starters, you’ll need to learn about your likely customers, ensure there’s demand for your product or service, and figure out how to appeal to consumers. Additionally, study your industry at large, and figure out how to stand out from the competition. Finally, since launching a product or service is a risky endeavor, try to anticipate challenges, and use your research to devise ways to tackle any problems that arise.

EditSteps

EditResearching Your Target Customers

1. Gather demographic information about your consumer base. Learn about your likely audience’s age, location, gender, income level, and other details. Gather data from reliable sources, such as government agencies, universities, industry organizations, and trade publications. For instance, you can find plenty of useful demographic information on your government’s census website.^[1]
   
   • Demographic information can help you figure out who your consumer base is and how to appeal to them.
   • If you want to open a coffee shop, for example, researching prospective locations’ median income and foot traffic can help you choose the right spot for your business.
2. Design surveys to learn about consumers’ needs. Study how consumers buy products or services similar to your own and what factors go into their decision-making process. Keep your surveys short, simple, and straightforward. If possible, offer an incentive for completing the survey, such as a coupon for your product or service.^[2]
   
   • Good survey questions include “When choosing which product to buy, which is more important: price or quality,” and “Rank the following list of product features in order of importance, where 1 is most important and 5 is least important.”
   • You can use an inexpensive survey hosting website to conduct the survey, hire a market research firm, or administer it yourself.
   • If you choose to administer it yourself, you can post it on your social media pages. If you already operate an existing business, conduct the survey through its social media accounts and mailing lists.
3. Find out what kind of messaging resonates with your audience. Investigate where and how you should advertise your product or service. You’ll need to learn details like the websites your target customer browses and whether your marketing materials should appeal to logic or emotion. Either ask potential customers directly through surveys or look online for published market research.^[3]
   
   • Try searching online for university research studies and trade publications on marketing trends related to your product or service.
   • Suppose you’re a pet groomer and are launching a new boarding service. You’d want to place your ads at strategic spots like pet-related websites or a billboard that overlooks a dog park.
   • Your ads also need to convince your audience that your product or service is worth their trust and money. To resonate with your consumer base, for instance, your pet boarding ads need to showcase expertise, reliability, and safe, clean facilities.
4. Conduct focus groups and trials to refine your product or service. Recruit participants to test your product or service at a focus group or on a trial basis at their home. Have them offer feedback on their experiences, and use that information to make any necessary improvements.^[4]
   
   • Testing your product or service can help you prevent hiccups when you actually launch it. You can hire an outside party to conduct focus groups, or recruit participants through social media or your business’s network, if you already operate one.

EditAnalyzing Your Industry

1. Research businesses competing for your target customers. Find out which other businesses sell products or services similar to your own. Figure out how saturated your market is and how many options consumers have at their disposal. Use that information to decide whether there’s enough demand for you to enter the market.^[5]
   
   • For instance, if you’re opening a hair salon and there are already 4 salons in a neighborhood, it may be hard for you to be competitive in that location.
2. Investigate pricing and profit margins in your industry. Look into price ranges for products or services of comparable quality as your own. Accounting for parts, supplies, labor, and other costs, make sure you can price your product or service competitively and still make a profit.^[6]
   
   • For example, suppose you make jewelry and want to sell it online. If parts for a piece of jewelry cost $15, you spent 4 hours making it, and you set your hourly wage at $15, the item’s price needs to be at least $75 ($15 times 4 hours is $60, plus $15 for parts).
   • If similar products are significantly less expensive, you could find ways to make your parts cheaper, such as buying in bulk. You could also market your work as exceptional or unique (perhaps your jewelry is made of sea glass from the Amalfi coast), or settle for a lower wage or profit margin.
3. Study your competitors’ brands to differentiate your business. Review your competitors’ branding, and look for ways you can stand out from the crowd. Establish who your business is, what promises you’re making to consumers, and how you’re different from other brands.^[7]
   
   • Suppose you want to open a brewery. To set your business apart, you could include a pub and bottle shop that sells a wide variety of beer and wine. While all the neighboring breweries just offer tours and tastings, you could market your brand as a destination that offers something consumers can’t find elsewhere.
   • A company’s brand tells a consumer base who it is and what it offers. A branding strategy communicates that identity through marketing materials, from hashtags to billboards.
4. Identify your industry’s key performance indicators. You’ll need measurable, objective standards in order to track your business’s progress. These standards are called key performance indicators, and they vary by industry. Learn about how businesses in your industry measure their success by tracking factors such as unique website clicks, profit margins, cost of goods sold, and customer retention rates.^[8]
   
   • For example, a restaurant’s beer, wine, and spirits cost should be about 20% of its beverage sales ($20 of product should generate $100 in sales). If your bistro’s alcohol costs are 29%, you’ll need to take steps to improve your performance, such as adjusting your pricing or conducting thorough inventory checks.
   • Search online, check trade publications, or talk to an experienced business owner in your network about your industry’s specific performance measurements.

EditAssessing Your Risk

1. Evaluate the reliability of your suppliers and distributors. Identify where you’ll source any parts or supplies you’ll need and how you’ll deliver your product or service to consumers. Make sure you’ll have a consistent supply chain, and try to anticipate any problems that could arise. Come up with back-up plans ahead of time in case you need to deal with unforeseen supply chain issues.^[9]
   
   • Suppose you’re launching a new hot sauce and your recipe depends on a specific dried chili pepper. You’ll need to know where to source that specialty product, where you can get it if your primary source falls through, how long it takes to order and receive it, the pepper’s shelf life, and how you'll store back stock.
2. Look up the laws and regulations related to your business. Inevitably, your business will need to comply with one regulation or another, so familiarize yourself with all laws that govern your industry. Additionally, use your research to create contingency plans in the event you run into a compliance issue.^[10]
   
   • For example, your hot sauce could get recalled due to faulty packaging, or your pub could fail a health inspection. Knowing packaging standards or health codes in advance can help you prevent issues and promptly resolve any accidents that happen along the way.
3. Create a list of outside forces and events that could affect your industry. Thinking about what could go wrong isn’t fun, but it’s important to be realistic about risk. From weather and natural disasters to economic downturn, research the likelihood of forces beyond your control that could threaten your business. Do your best to create strategies to minimize your risk and respond to any outside threats.^[11]
   
   • For example, tense political conditions in the country where your hot sauce’s chili peppers grow could threaten your production.
   • Say your state’s legislature has been debating a bill that would raise taxes on the product you’re launching. Consider how that would affect your bottom line and whether you could afford to stay in business if it passed.

EditTips

• Search online for helpful local or national government resources for small business owners. For example, in the U.S., visit https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business or, if you live in Canada, check out https://canadabusiness.ca/business-planning/market-research-and-statistics.
• Your state, province, or national small business administration may also offer free services to help you learn about your consumer base, understand your industry, and minimize your risk.

EditRelated wikiHows

• Write a Target Market Analysis
• Do Qualitative Research

EditReferences

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via Peter

How to Remove Burn Marks on Wood

Pieces of wood around your home, shop, or garage can be inadvertently burned through regular wear and tear, whether it’s furniture, paneling, a tabletop, or a wooden toy. While there’s no way to repair a piece of wood that’s completely turned to ash, you can get minor, light burn marks off of wood relatively easily. If you’re working with a section of hardwood—e.g., flooring from ash, oak, or beech trees—your best bet will be to sand or scrape out the burned wood before patching the spot with epoxy.

EditSteps

EditRepairing Surface Burns

1. Purchase fine steel wool to remove the burned surface. The steel wool method works best with small, shallow burns such as from a cigarette ash. Visit a local hardware store and purchase the finest steel wool they sell. A steel wool with a ranking of 0000 (the finest) is ideal. If you can't find steel wool in a hardware store, check in a local home-improvement store.^[1]
   
   • Unlike sandpaper, lower numbers of steel wool are finer, but “fine” steel wools are marked with different numbers of zeroes. For example, 000 steel wool is “extra fine” and 00 is “fine.”
2. Dampen the piece of fine steel wool with mineral oil. Before setting the steel wool against the wood, pour about of mineral oil over the wool. This will lubricate the tendrils of the steel wool and prevent them from scratching the wood.^[2]
   
   • Purchase mineral oil at any hardware store or home-improvement store. If you don’t have mineral oil on hand, you could use another non-drying oil like lemon oil.
3. Scrub the dampened steel wool back and forth across the burn marks. Hold the steel wool in 1 hand, and rub it in a single direction on top of the burn mark in your hardwood. Rub along the grain of the wood, not across it (or you’ll risk damaging the wood further). After 10-12 passes, you’ll notice that the burn mark has lightened substantially.^[3]
   
   • Keep rubbing with the steel wool until the burn is gone.
4. Blot the oily area dry with a damp clean cloth. Once the burn mark has been erased, pick up a clean scrap of cotton cloth and run a little tap water over it. You want the cloth to be lightly damp, so wring out as much water as you can. Don’t rub back and forth across the wood, but lightly press the cloth down onto the oily surface to soak up the oil left behind by the steel wool.^[4]
   
   • If the cloth is too wet, you’ll end up leaving a water stain on the wood.
   • You shouldn’t need to apply any kind of furniture polish when you’re just dealing with a minor burn mark. In nearly all cases, the oil will be enough to seal the area.

EditFixing Deeper Burns

1. Scrape off deeper burn marks using the blade of a utility knife. The only way to remove burn marks deeper than about is to scrape out the burned wood itself. Take a utility knife and drag the edge of the blade over the burn to remove the damaged wood. Work in short strokes and make sure you’re following along the wood grain, not cutting across it.^[5]
   
   • Purchase a utility knife (and spare blades if you like) at a hardware store. Some stationary or office-supply stores may also sell them.
2. Smooth out the damaged area with fine-grained sandpaper. If the wood surrounding the burn wasn’t damaged when you scraped out the burn, you should be able to even out the surface of the wood with sandpaper. Sand along the wood grain (not across it) using back and forth motions until the groove (where the burn used to be) has been smoothed out.^[6]
   
   • Local hardware stores will sell sandpaper. Choose fine sandpaper with a number around 360 or 400. (When working with sandpaper, higher numbers indicate finer grain.)
3. Brush off the leftover wood shavings with a damp rag. When you’ve finished scraping away the burn mark and sanding the surface of the wood, you’ll be left with a small pile of wood shavings. To remove them from the wood, dampen a rag and rub it along the surface of the wood to remove the shavings.^[7]
   
   • It’s important that the rag you use is lightly damp. Otherwise you’ll just end up pushing the shavings around.
4. Apply a layer of tung oil to the wood to restore its color. You can purchase tung oil at a paint-supply store or a home-improvement store. Dip a piece of clean cloth into the tung oil and rub it over the formerly burned section of wood. Work in strokes about long, and be sure to apply the oil along the wood grain, not across it. ^[8]
   
   • Depending on the color of the wood you’re repairing, you can also try using a linseed oil. The two oils are similar, and the only major difference is that linseed oil yellows over time.
   • This will work to your advantage, though, if the wood you’re repairing has yellow tones.
5. Let the oil soak into the wood overnight. Since tung oil (and linseed oil) is nondrying, it will take several hours to fully absorb into the hardwood and harden in place. So, follow the directions provided on the tung oil’s packaging regarding, as some tung-oil manufacturers may ask you to wipe off the oil rather than letting it soak into the wood.^[9]
   
   • If you’re dealing with hardwood flooring and have kids or pets in your home, keep them away from the oily floor until it’s dry.
6. Fill the divot with wood epoxy until it’s flush with the rest of the flooring. Wood epoxy contains a number of chemical components that should be mixed together following the manufacturer’s instructions. Once the epoxy has reached a putty-like consistency, use a spackle knife to press the epoxy into the hardwood hole where the burn mark used to be.^[10]
   
   • Let the epoxy dry overnight, or for 6-8 hours. During this time, be sure to keep any wandering children or curious animals away from the epoxy.
   • You should have no problem finding an assortment of wood epoxies at a local hardware store or home-improvement store.
7. Sand the epoxy flush with the flooring using coarse sandpaper. A sheet of 80-grit sandpaper would work well for this step. Rub the sandpaper back and forth several times across the dried epoxy until you’ve smoothed it down to the same level as the surrounding flooring. Be careful to avoid sanding too much on the hardwood flooring itself. You don’t want to accidentally scuff up the undamaged wood.^[11]
   
   • Once you’re finished with the 80 grit, if you like, try sanding again with a 120-grit sandpaper to ensure that the epoxy is smooth.
8. Stain or paint the filled burn mark to match the color of your flooring. Use stain or paint based on whether the surrounding flooring has been painted or stained (in most cases, hardwood will need to be stained). Dip a paintbrush into the stain (or paint), and apply a smooth coat across the area you’ve repaired. Give the stain (or paint) at least 4-5 hours to dry, and apply a second layer if the new layer is darker than the rest of the flooring.^[12]
   
   • If you’re unsure of the exact color of your flooring, you can test out sample paint or stain colors before using them. Test the material on a small, out-of-the-way corner of the flooring.

EditRemoving Burns on Dark Wood

1. Mix together a thick paste of baking soda and water. If you’re dealing with a burn on a dark wood surface, the burn itself is most likely white in color. To remove the burn mark, combine about 1 tsp (0.3 g) of baking soda and of water in a small bowl. Use 1 finger (or a spoon if you prefer) to mix the 2 ingredients together until they form a thick paste.^[13]
   
   • Keep the consistency of the paste dry. If you add too much water to the mixture, you’ll end up giving the wood surface a water stain!
2. Buff the paste into the burn with a clean cloth. Scoop up a small dab of the thick baking soda paste with the corner of a scrap of clean cotton cloth. Rub the paste into the light-colored wood burn to gradually darken the color of the burn and eventually remove the burn mark altogether.^[14]
   
   • If a single dab of paste isn’t enough to remove the burn mark, apply 2 or even 3 more dabs of the paste.
3. Apply a furniture polish to the restored surface of the wood. Spray a commercial wood polish onto a second scrap of clean cloth. Then, rub the polish into the surface of the wood. This will remove the gritty baking-soda paste and help the restored patch match the rest of the wood. Wipe along the grain of the wood, and apply the polish in smooth strokes, each about long.^[15]
   
   • If you don’t already have a furniture polish on hand, purchase some at a local hardware store.

EditThings You’ll Need

EditRepairing Shallow Burns in Hardwood

• Stain-removal pad
• Mineral oil
• Steel wool
• Clean cloth
• Water

EditFixing Deeper Hardwood Burns

• Utility knife
• Fine sandpaper
• Damp rag
• Clean cloth
• Tung oil
• Wood epoxy
• Spackle knife
• 80-grit sandpaper
• 120-grit sandpaper
• Paint or stain
• paintbrush

EditRemoving Burns on Dark Wood

• Baking soda
• Water
• Bowl
• Cotton cloth
• Spoon
• Furniture polish

EditTips

• Steel wools with ratings of, for example, 3 and 4 are considered “coarse” and “extra coarse,” respectively.^[16]

EditReferences

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from How to of the Day http://bit.ly/2IXpzkq
via Peter