launching your business

7/30/2019 Launching Your Business

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Are You Ready?Entrepreneurship offers many rewards, but you must be prepared and committed. Takewhatever time is necessary to determine if you are ready; this will be time well spent.

Is Entrepreneurship For You?Would you be able to manage your own enterprise?Do You Have What It Takes?Learn if you'd be effective in running your own business.Checklist For Starting A BusinessUse this list to make sure you have the essentials covered.Starting A Business FAQsRead about the basic questions commonly asked when starting on your own.Glossary Of TermsGet to know the specific terms of the professional business world.Additional Information On Legal StructuresMore important information about legal structures.Small Business Start-Up GuideHelp in getting your business off the ground.

Find A Mentor Never think you can do it alone! One of the best ways to insulate yourself against business failure is to find and work with a mentor, someone with business experience

who can guide and assist you.

Service Corps Of Retired Executives (SCORE)Link to retired professionals who are available to give you advice.Small Business Development CentersLink to organizations to help your small business grow and prosper.

Network Of Training And Counseling ServicesLink to these connections to help with professional training andcounseling.Wall Street Journal StartUp Center Link to the Wall Street Journal Center for Entrepreneurs; many helpfularticles on networking, wise investing, staff management, and more.

Writing A Business PlanA written guide to starting and running your business successfully is essential. This

plan will encourage loans, promote growth, and provide a map for you to follow.

Strategic PlanningLearn to strategize in order for your business to succeed.Essential Elements Of A Good Business Plan For Growing Companies
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Outlines how to write your plan.Sample Business PlansUse examples to learn how to create your own.Writing The Business PlanDetailed, step-by-step explanation to help write your plan.

Business Plan WorkshopAn online workshop to help start and improve your business plan.Using The Business PlanHow to get the most out of your plan.Finding A NicheA small, steady corner of the market could be your success story.Business Planning FAQsAnswers to the most popular business plan questions.A Business Plan: The Roadmap To SuccessThe SBA's guide to developing a comprehensive business plan.Business Plan ResourcesA link to writing business plans, including a sample plan and businessdirectories, courtesy of British Columbia Business Services.Business Planning Made EasyA commercial small business planning information center for small andmedium-sized businesses.Plan Your BusinessLink to free business planning resources; includes tips, information, andadvice to create your own plan.Interactive Business Planner A step-by-step business planning tool for new or existing businessescreated by the Canadian Business Resource Center in British Columbia.

Finance Start-UpAll businesses require some form of financing. An integral component of starting a successful business is raising sufficient capital. There are manychallenges here, but numerous resources are available to help you.

General Financing And Accounting

Start-Up CostsPlan for the initial expenses your business will have.Estimating CostsLearn to anticipate your initial business cost.Breakeven AnalysisKnow when your business breaks even and when you can expect a profit.Financing BasicsHow do you plan to finance your business? This is especially importantfor new enterprises.SBA's RoleWhat the SBA offers to help your small business grow and profit.

SBA Workshop On FinanceLink to SBA's "Financing Options: All You Should Know Workbook."
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Equity CapitalLearn about the pros and cons of offering stock.What's A Surety Bond?Learn what a surety bond is and if it can help your business.Learn About SBA's Surety Bond ProgramDetailed explanation about how this program operates.Handling FinancesIt is essential for the business owner to know how to manage his/her finances.Personal vs. Business FinancesYou must know your personal finances and credit before starting out onyour own.The Benefits Of Making Your Banker Your FriendCultivating a friendly relationship with your banker will benefit your

business in many ways.Borrowing MoneyKnow the essentials in borrowing money. Can your business afford it?Fair Credit ReportingLearn where your credit report comes from and how it affects your loan

prospects.Credit ScoringKnow how the bank uses a credit scoring system to determine their acceptance of your loan application.Credit FactorsThe basic elements examined in every loan application.Loan and Funding Information

Finding CapitalKnow how to find various sources of capital to begin your business.Small Business Investment Companies (SBIC) ProgramSmall Business Investment Companies (SBICs), which are licensed andregulated by the SBA, are privately owned and managed investment firmsthat provide venture capital and startup financing to small businesses. Theabove link will take you to SBA's Investment Division's home page,where you will also find reference to the Small Business Investment Act.Federal Grant ResourcesA list of federal resources that could give your business a grant.Basic Requirements

The basic requirements for a business to receive an SBA loan.Eligibility Size StandardsRequired size standards for a business to receive an SBA loan.SBA's 7(a) Loan ProgramExplanation and requirements of the SBA's most basic and used loan

program--the 7(a) loan.Applying For A LoanHelp in writing a loan proposal.Loan ProposalsDevelop and organize your loan proposal.Loan Package ChecklistMake sure you have everything you need in your loan proposal.SBA Loan Programs
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SBA's initiative to take advantage of the private sector's efficiency byselling its portfolio of loans and other assets in order to help manage itsoverall credit exposure.How To Prepare A Loan PackageCreate the best loan package for your business.

Never Take "No" For An Answer Learn why your loan application was rejected and take steps to correctthose reasons.SBA Loans FAQsGet answers to the questions frequently asked about SBA loans.USDA: Farm Loans DirectThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency'sOnline loans and services.USDA: Farm Labor Housing Loans And GrantsProvides capital financing for the development of housing for domesticfarm laborers.USDA/FAS: Financing Promotions And ExportsThe USDA Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) offers funds for marketingU.S. products overseas.USDA: Rural Business Cooperative ServiceA variety of USDA rural business development and grant programs.Other Finance AssistanceBusiness Funding DirectoryProvides potential sources of funding based on type of financing and your

business characteristics. Users must fill out a detailed online form toreceive a list of potential sources.American Express Small Business AssistanceSmall business support, including financial assistance, from AmericanExpress Corporation.Bank DirectoriesUseful links to banks from Yahoo Finance.Guide To FinanceProvided by Inc. Magazine, some of the best information about businessfinance found on the Web.American Institute Of Certified Public AccountantsWhen you work with CPAs, you must understand the implications of every step you take.

Additional Finance InformationHelpful information on cost estimates, financial statements, payments,credit and debt, and so on.
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launching your business

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