Comments for Small Business Marketing | Small Business Management | Business Startup Information http://www.goipc.com Small Business Marketing | Small Business Management | Business Startup Information Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:12:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Comment on Any advice or direction on how to find free/inexpensive help w/ funding and business plan for a start up? by Brutus http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/436-any-advice-or-direction-on-how-to-find-freeinexpensive-help-w-funding-and-business-plan-for-a-start-up/comment-page-1#comment-382 Brutus Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:12:24 +0000 http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/436-any-advice-or-direction-on-how-to-find-freeinexpensive-help-w-funding-and-business-plan-for-a-start-up#comment-382 Go to http://www.grants.gov for a list of government grants and how you can apply for them. However, there are no grants for a for profit business unless you are opening a daycare and then it is a minimal amount. If you need money, you will need to apply for a loan. No lender will talk to you unless you provide them with a valid business plan. Go to http://www.sba.gov , http://www.score.org or http://www.bplan.com for sample business plans and instructions on how to write a business plan. Then, go to http://www.score.org/ and in the upper left hand corner, enter your zip code. On the next screen, you will get information on the nearest SCORE chapter. Call them and arrange for a free meeting with a SCORE counselor to review your business plan and discuss various loan options available to you. SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SCORE has 389 chapters in locations throughout the United States and its territories, with 10,500 volunteers nationwide. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors Go to http://www.grants.gov for a list of government grants and how you can apply for them. However, there are no grants for a for profit business unless you are opening a daycare and then it is a minimal amount. If you need money, you will need to apply for a loan. No lender will talk to you unless you provide them with a valid business plan. Go to http://www.sba.gov , http://www.score.org or http://www.bplan.com for sample business plans and instructions on how to write a business plan.

Then, go to http://www.score.org/ and in the upper left hand corner, enter your zip code. On the next screen, you will get information on the nearest SCORE chapter. Call them and arrange for a free meeting with a SCORE counselor to review your business plan and discuss various loan options available to you.

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

SCORE has 389 chapters in locations throughout the United States and its territories, with 10,500 volunteers nationwide. Both working and retired executives and business owners donate time and expertise as business counselors

]]> Comment on Any advice or direction on how to find free/inexpensive help w/ funding and business plan for a start up? by syphon4ever http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/436-any-advice-or-direction-on-how-to-find-freeinexpensive-help-w-funding-and-business-plan-for-a-start-up/comment-page-1#comment-381 syphon4ever Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:12:24 +0000 http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/436-any-advice-or-direction-on-how-to-find-freeinexpensive-help-w-funding-and-business-plan-for-a-start-up#comment-381 If you need anything, I'd be more than happy to help. I've been lucky enough to be involved in three startups. If you need anything then shoot me off an email. If you need anything, I’d be more than happy to help. I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in three startups. If you need anything then shoot me off an email.

]]> Comment on Any advice or direction on how to find free/inexpensive help w/ funding and business plan for a start up? by Jeanne the Genius http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/436-any-advice-or-direction-on-how-to-find-freeinexpensive-help-w-funding-and-business-plan-for-a-start-up/comment-page-1#comment-380 Jeanne the Genius Sun, 25 Jul 2010 18:12:24 +0000 http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/436-any-advice-or-direction-on-how-to-find-freeinexpensive-help-w-funding-and-business-plan-for-a-start-up#comment-380 Absolutely. You need to contact your local Small Business Association (SBA). They offer free classes to help you learn how to write a business plan that you can take around to discuss with bankers when you are ready for a small business loan to help with your start up. They will tell you about all the different types of small business incorporation categories, so you will understand the difference between limited liability corporations (LLCs) and the more simple business structures. They will help you understand your responsibilities as a taxpayer. They may also introduce you to local business networking and help you find business incubation opportunities, such as inexpensive rent, group health insurance plans through consolidated small business groups, etc. It is a great resource, paid for through your taxes. When you are ready to register your business, go to your state's website and you will find all the information you need to file your paperwork through the secretary of state's office. Everything I have mentioned so far is free except for filing your business namem which is very inexpensive. Make sure you do a search so that you are not using a name already taken and copyrighted by another business entity. One word of caution. PLEASE do not fall prey to those who tell you that they can help you find free government grants to start a business. These are scams. And use your local research library to search for similar businesses in your areea, so you know how close the competition is, and how much they made over the preceding years. This is easy to do and it should be incorporated into your business plan. Good luck to you. Working from home is a wonderful thing. Absolutely. You need to contact your local Small Business Association (SBA). They offer free classes to help you learn how to write a business plan that you can take around to discuss with bankers when you are ready for a small business loan to help with your start up. They will tell you about all the different types of small business incorporation categories, so you will understand the difference between limited liability corporations (LLCs) and the more simple business structures. They will help you understand your responsibilities as a taxpayer. They may also introduce you to local business networking and help you find business incubation opportunities, such as inexpensive rent, group health insurance plans through consolidated small business groups, etc. It is a great resource, paid for through your taxes.

When you are ready to register your business, go to your state’s website and you will find all the information you need to file your paperwork through the secretary of state’s office.

Everything I have mentioned so far is free except for filing your business namem which is very inexpensive. Make sure you do a search so that you are not using a name already taken and copyrighted by another business entity.

One word of caution. PLEASE do not fall prey to those who tell you that they can help you find free government grants to start a business. These are scams.

And use your local research library to search for similar businesses in your areea, so you know how close the competition is, and how much they made over the preceding years. This is easy to do and it should be incorporated into your business plan.

Good luck to you. Working from home is a wonderful thing.

]]> Comment on Where can I get business funding or grants? by Pat http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/432-where-can-i-get-business-funding-or-grants/comment-page-1#comment-379 Pat Sat, 10 Jul 2010 09:55:13 +0000 http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/432-where-can-i-get-business-funding-or-grants#comment-379 Ryan is right. The guy in the clown suit on your teevee lied to you. Once again. Everything you think you know about welfare is wrong. Ryan is right.
The guy in the clown suit on your teevee lied to you.

Once again.

Everything you think you know about welfare is wrong.

]]> Comment on Where can I get business funding or grants? by Ryan M http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/432-where-can-i-get-business-funding-or-grants/comment-page-1#comment-378 Ryan M Sat, 10 Jul 2010 09:55:13 +0000 http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/432-where-can-i-get-business-funding-or-grants#comment-378 All that you will be able to find are SBA loans. Grants are ONLY given out to non-profit, governmental, or social service type entities. Do not even waste your time or money looking for free money from the government, because it does not exist. The closest that you will find are tax breaks designed for small businesses....but nothing close to a check with no obligation to pay it back. All that you will be able to find are SBA loans. Grants are ONLY given out to non-profit, governmental, or social service type entities. Do not even waste your time or money looking for free money from the government, because it does not exist. The closest that you will find are tax breaks designed for small businesses….but nothing close to a check with no obligation to pay it back.

]]> Comment on Where can I get business funding or grants? by TheMom http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/432-where-can-i-get-business-funding-or-grants/comment-page-1#comment-377 TheMom Sat, 10 Jul 2010 09:55:13 +0000 http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/432-where-can-i-get-business-funding-or-grants#comment-377 A loan is all that is available. The governement is not going to pay you to sit at home running your business. You either sustain yourself or you don't. sba.gov has information about government backed loans. A loan is all that is available. The governement is not going to pay you to sit at home running your business. You either sustain yourself or you don’t.

sba.gov has information about government backed loans.

]]> Comment on How do I get funding for a business idea from an existing company? by Real Estate Dawn http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/428-how-do-i-get-funding-for-a-business-idea-from-an-existing-company/comment-page-1#comment-376 Real Estate Dawn Fri, 25 Jun 2010 03:04:12 +0000 http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/428-how-do-i-get-funding-for-a-business-idea-from-an-existing-company#comment-376 I would contact a lawyer and get them to write up a Non-Disclosure Agreement. That should allow you to discuss your ideas with them but not allow them to do anything about it without your permission. Never done it myself, buy my husband does work with prototypes and a number of his clients have him sign these so that they can protect their ideas. Anyway, call and set up the meeting, tell them you have a non-disclosure agreement, get them to sign the agreement before you give them much more info. You may have to bait the hook a little bit to get their interest, but at least you should be protected. ****** You might try talking to the guys at http://www.score.org. They are very helpful in getting small businesses up and going. On the website they have a place where you can get expert business advice for free via email (SCORE = Service Corp of Retired Executives) I've known a couple businesses that really flourished with Score's help. I would contact a lawyer and get them to write up a Non-Disclosure Agreement. That should allow you to discuss your ideas with them but not allow them to do anything about it without your permission. Never done it myself, buy my husband does work with prototypes and a number of his clients have him sign these so that they can protect their ideas. Anyway, call and set up the meeting, tell them you have a non-disclosure agreement, get them to sign the agreement before you give them much more info. You may have to bait the hook a little bit to get their interest, but at least you should be protected.

******

You might try talking to the guys at http://www.score.org. They are very helpful in getting small businesses up and going. On the website they have a place where you can get expert business advice for free via email (SCORE = Service Corp of Retired Executives) I’ve known a couple businesses that really flourished with Score’s help.

]]> Comment on I contacted Business to Business Funding a grant writing firm, has anyone used them? by imisidro http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/422-i-contacted-business-to-business-funding-a-grant-writing-firm-has-anyone-used-them/comment-page-1#comment-375 imisidro Sun, 06 Jun 2010 10:10:29 +0000 http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/422-i-contacted-business-to-business-funding-a-grant-writing-firm-has-anyone-used-them#comment-375 Be very careful about those grants companies claiming you can get grants for anything, including starting a business You may want to read the warnings FTC has issued against these "grant" companies: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/03/grantresources.htm http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt134.htm Here is also one of the warnings issued by the Better Business Bureau http://www.concord.bbb.org/tips_timesharescams.html It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for starting a for-profit business. One possible exception is for companies developing or exporting agricultural goods, including food and forest product. Another exception could be the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/sbir/index.html , which fund the research and development of technological innovation that meets specific government needs. Your best bet actually will be from the states if they offer grant programs for women (or any other special interest groups -- minorities, women, disabled, veterans, etc). Or check with non profit organizations, particularly women organizations if they offer grants. Examples include Iowa Women's Foundation http://www.iawf.org/ New Mexico Women's Foundation http://www.nmwf.org/guidelines.html Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/mostrequesteditems/CON_FAQ2.html "The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments." Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture. Be very careful about those grants companies claiming you can get grants for anything, including starting a business

You may want to read the warnings FTC has issued against these "grant" companies:

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/03/grantresources.htm
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt134.htm

Here is also one of the warnings issued by the Better Business Bureau http://www.concord.bbb.org/tips_timesharescams.html

It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for starting a for-profit business.

One possible exception is for companies developing or exporting agricultural goods, including food and forest product. Another exception could be the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/sbir/index.html , which fund the research and development of technological innovation that meets specific government needs.

Your best bet actually will be from the states if they offer grant programs for women (or any other special interest groups — minorities, women, disabled, veterans, etc). Or check with non profit organizations, particularly women organizations if they offer grants. Examples include

Iowa Women’s Foundation http://www.iawf.org/
New Mexico Women’s Foundation http://www.nmwf.org/guidelines.html

Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/mostrequesteditems/CON_FAQ2.html

"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."

Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov – these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.

]]> Comment on How can i get business funding without a business plan proposal please reply to whom it may concern thank you!? by rtfm http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/417-how-can-i-get-business-funding-without-a-business-plan-proposal-please-reply-to-whom-it-may-concern-thank-you/comment-page-1#comment-374 rtfm Sat, 22 May 2010 02:42:55 +0000 http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/417-how-can-i-get-business-funding-without-a-business-plan-proposal-please-reply-to-whom-it-may-concern-thank-you#comment-374 You can't. If you want business funding, you have to prepare a business proposal and submit it to your bank or other lender. Nobody's going to give you money unless you can prove to them that you're going to make enough to repay them. You can’t. If you want business funding, you have to prepare a business proposal and submit it to your bank or other lender.

Nobody’s going to give you money unless you can prove to them that you’re going to make enough to repay them.

]]> Comment on How can i get business funding without a business plan proposal please reply to whom it may concern thank you!? by Rudy http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/417-how-can-i-get-business-funding-without-a-business-plan-proposal-please-reply-to-whom-it-may-concern-thank-you/comment-page-1#comment-373 Rudy Sat, 22 May 2010 02:42:55 +0000 http://www.goipc.com/business-funding/417-how-can-i-get-business-funding-without-a-business-plan-proposal-please-reply-to-whom-it-may-concern-thank-you#comment-373 Write the business plan. Why is that even a question? Include what the money will be used for, list all bills and estimate the income. Then the important part - show how the money will be repaid. Write the business plan. Why is that even a question?

Include what the money will be used for, list all bills and estimate the income. Then the important part – show how the money will be repaid.

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