Starting a business and am confused?

Im at University studying fashion for industry, which basically means I will be trained as a designer.
My friend and I would like to start our own business when we leave and literally dont have a clue where to start.
The business will be a fashion store that will be our label and all of our own designs.
Ive heard that you can get grants for helping start your business, but am having trouble finding anything.
Does anyone have any information that could help,any websites that I could check out or any more specific information.
And if anyone has started their own business please tell me how you got going.
Thanks to everyone who answers

Depending on the country you are in the first approach is the the Department of Commerce and Industry - they will put you in touch with the right people - you can do this on the web.

Get your legals sorted out now before you go any further with your friend - plan your and your friends exit now. Believe me it will save you some grief later - a good business lawyer should advise you individually on this. Pay the money, it is worth it to get the best you can.

How you get going is by sheer determination and the ability to make decisions - the moment you stop taking decisions you will get pushed somewhere you do not want to go - and never, never quit.

There is no such thing as useless information, learn all you can about your industry, distribution, cost analysis and industry profit margins.

Not matter how tough it gets, enjoy the effort, if you are not having fun doing it, do something else.

Good luck.

Grants and loans are a very hard to secure without a very well written and researched business plan. You will need to have your own start up capital, money you invest before you can go after other money. I have written a book called Starting and Running a Successful Business that is available through my site www.johntubiolo.com. It has help hundreds of new business owners get off on the right foot. Having a business can be very rewarding but many people don't understand that by not being prepared it can also be your worst nightmare.

I believe the Prince's Trust (Prince Charles' foundation/ charity) is a good route to pursue- they do start up loans for young people to go into business. Just search fro the Prince's Trust, and go from there.

your local chamber of commerce does grants and your local council for grants on help with your shop i.e kitting it out, serurity etc