| If you're like a lot of people contemplating starting a | | | | tackling projects yourself that most others would farm |
| business, you probably wonder if you can afford the | | | | out (and pay for!), and generally keeping things simple. |
| start-up costs. You've heard horror stories of small | | | | I am assuming here that you already know what |
| businesses starting out with a mountain of debt that | | | | business you want to get into, but I realize that's not |
| robbed them of any chance of ever succeeding. In | | | | the case for everyone. There are plenty of free |
| fact, a lot of new businesses fail within the first year, | | | | resources that can help you narrow down the choices |
| and the failure is often associated with having to carry | | | | and decide on a suitable business. The National |
| a heavy debt load at a time when revenue is just | | | | Association of Small Business Professionals and a |
| starting to build and there is not yet enough profit to | | | | few similar associations and groups all offer invaluable |
| repay debt and still make a living. Fortunately, it doesn't | | | | help, and it's all a lot less expensive than simply signing |
| have to be that way. Business start up funding is | | | | up with a local chamber of commerce. Chamber of |
| available if you know where to look, and clever cash | | | | commerce organizations certainly fill a purpose, but for |
| flow business strategies help conserve valuable cash | | | | pro-active help, professional associations can work out |
| and make it last through the difficult initial period. | | | | better. |
| I know this sounds almost too good to be true, but you | | | | As far as small business start up loans go, the key |
| can launch a start-up business with little or no money, | | | | here is exploring all opportunities. You may qualify for |
| mediocre credit, and no residence to put up as | | | | special programs, receive special assistance, or may |
| collateral. I have personally started a business that | | | | be eligible for special terms and conditions. All this can |
| became a flourishing multi-million dollar publishing | | | | help in getting and conserving business start up money. |
| company with an initial investment of just US$2,000. I | | | | Knowing how to write an attractive, straightforward |
| have also seen well-funded start-ups blow millions and | | | | business plan is also important, as it will show potential |
| fail within the first year. What makes some business | | | | lenders that you're a good risk with a sound plan. |
| start-ups succeed even with very little funding when | | | | Finally, there are professionals and fellow business |
| others with much more money fail? | | | | owners willing to help start-ups with technical |
| The key is in prudent financial planning and in the clever | | | | assistance, sharing experiences, feedback and advice. |
| use of free business resources. These are essential in | | | | The bottom line is that if you really want to start a |
| bootstrapping your way to success even with little | | | | small business and are willing to put in the hours and |
| business start up money. It's often a matter of going | | | | effort to make it work, business startup funding is |
| against conventional wisdom, doing things differently, | | | | available if you just know where to look. |