Sunday, November 14, 2010

Need an SBA Loan? Here's a list of SBDC locations

Here's how to find the Small Business Administration's Small Business Development Centers nearest you.

Contact one of these offices to see if your business qualifies for an SBA Loan

If you want to buy a business go to Sunbelt Business Brokers to find an office near you.

For articles about how to Buy a Business visit our article library.

Articles:

What Do You Buy When You Buy a Business?

How to use an SBA Loan to Buy a Business.

Can Owning a Small Business Make You Wealthy?

Saturday, November 13, 2010

5 Reason to get a business appraisal

There are many good reasons to get a business appraisal valuation on your business. Here's a list:

  1. So you can keep track of what business value you are building not just what income you are generating.
  2. So you would know if someone made you an offer to buy your business that you should take. Don't rely on a buyer doing a business appraisal, you need to have one.
  3. So you know what the Small Business Administration would value your business for if you applied for an SBA Loan. 
  4. So you know how much life insurance you need to buy-out a partner's interest if something bad happens.
  5. So you know how much you could lose by not properly segregating your personal and business risks. 
Please read number 5 again...........

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Is the small business owner world upside down?

This post falls under the category of "what the heck is going on"!

The following is from a small business consultant who talks to small business owners several times a week and has done so for about 10 years. Their name is being with held for obvious reasons.

They say, many of the following are found to be true for abut 75% of small business owners:

  • Business owners who sleep very well ....probably shouldn't.
  • Business owners think because their employees don't complain the employees are happy
  • Business owners whose employees complain blame it on the government
  • Business owners personal spending is often unrelated to their personal income, some spend a lot more than they make and some spend a lot less.....very few are break-even
  • Business owners who are chronically behind in paying suppliers are often right on time replacing their boat.
  • For every one minute a business owner spends talking to an employee (shouting instructions doesn't count) they spend 54 minutes talking to sales people about a new copier.
  • Whenever a customer says "your price is too high" the business owner believes it.
  • Whenever a customer says "your price is too high" the business owner grumbles about how his competitors are losing money.
  • A business owner would rather pay 5% more to a vendor than lose his invitation to the vendor's hunting trip.
  • For every one minute a business owner spends getting expert advice they spend 92 hours giving it.

Ouch..................

Monday, November 8, 2010

Ready to Buy a Business - Your 401(k) could be your best friend!

If you are considering buying a business don't overlook the value of your 401(k) as a good source of financing. According to CPAs who specialize in this investment vehicle the IRS code currently allows you to access your 401(k) without triggering income tax or early withdrawal penalties when used to purchase a business.

Your 401(k) and an SBA Loan from the Small Business Administration could help you buy a business and build the wealth that is often created when you own and operate a successful small business.

Could there be a better investment than investing in yourself?  For free information and complete details click here.


Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Don't Let the Doom and Gloom in the Media Distract You!

If you are a small business owner the "psychology" of the day-to-day these days can be discouraging. Don't let the doom & gloom specialists get you down. Here are a few things to keep in mind that might help you get your mojo back:


  • If your business is down don't be lulled into thinking that every business like yours is down. There is opportunity in more places that you might be currently considering.
  • If the "economy" is down 10%, so what? If your biz has 1% share of market then you only need to get .2% of the other 99% to be back to even. If your small business is off you can do something about it.
  • Down markets are GREAT times to expand. If your competitors are hiding in a bunker there is a lot of room to grow.
  • Want to be more optimistic? Then stop watching the news or reading the newspaper. Instead study up on marketing....especially new ways to market. Believe it or not........ every business owner can be a better business owner but only if we let someone teach you something.
You can make your business better, more fun, more profitable and more valuable. Get to work.