Jump Start the Process
Records, records, records
Document everything, date you produced or found the plant, the location, the parents (if known), records that can establish your ownership of the plant.
Know what is and what isn't of value in the industry
If you are interested in producing a new plant, spend some time learning about these areas.
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How does your hybrid stack up to the competition?
Are there other plants similar to yours on the market? Run a trial and compare them to prove yours is different. Take pictures and keep records.
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Do gardeners want your plant?
Most of the time the answer is yes, but occasionally plants do come to market that probably shouldn't have. Usually the breeder has a different perspective than the average consumer. You may want to do a little consumer study and challenge average gardeners to pick the best plant from yours and close competitors. Ask them why they choose the plants they do, you'll learn a lot!
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Plant & Collection Hygiene
Your mother was right! If you want to make friends and influence people, keep it clean. Diseases, viral problems, even insect infestations can ruin your chances to get a plant to market. So start clean and your plants move through the system much faster.
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Understand the value of marketing & promotion.
How important is this to you? It can make a huge difference in how much money your hybrids bring in because it so heavily influences how many people will learn about your plant and want to buy it. Whomever you work with they need to be able to promote and sell your plant to the maximum capacity or you are losing money.
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Know who your market is.
Most plant breeders don't know the industry very well and it causes problems, because of frustration when things don't go smoothly. Basically you need to know how to place your type of plant with the people who work on similar plants. Some companies work only with annuals, some with perennials, others with trees and shrubs. Match your plant to the wrong person and the whole process bogs down.