Got a Great Business Idea? You May Have More Resources than You Think
Do you have a great idea for a business but don't know where to start? You may be surrounded by help and not know it!
Starting your own business has suddenly become the hot thing; perhaps it's the relative insecurity of jobs now as opposed to a decade or two ago, or perhaps it comes from the need to supplement your regular income, or a desire to be your own boss. Maybe it's that the government has finally figured out that 85 percent of newly created jobs come from small businesses, and not giant corporations. For whatever reason, suddenly encouragement to start a business of your own is everywhere.
One type of organization that has sprung up in every state in the US in the past ten years is the micro credit lending system. Backed by a combination of government and business funding, the organization, which is patterned after a model originating in Bangladesh, gives micro loans ranging from $500 to $5000 to start-up businesses. Small clusters of five to seven people form their own lending groups, study a manual which teaches them the basics of business finances, and then submit loan applications to the group for approval. Each group approves the loans for the individual members of the group, and monitors the progress in payments made on the loan. This is a great opportunity for someone who needs a very small amount of start-up cash, some business knowledge, and a lot of moral support.
Another type of support that has been around for years is the mentoring program run by the Small Business Administration. Retired businessmen and -women from various business backgrounds volunteer to advise new business owners as they set up and promote their businesses. The SBA also periodically offers classes in starting your own business; if there is an SBA office in your area, there is probably a class offered from time to time.
Don't forget to check your local college for course offerings. Classes can range from standard fare like bookkeeping and accounting (including using computerized accounting programs like QuickBooks) to personnel management, business computer classes, and more. Some colleges even offer entrepreneurial resource programs with a wealth of classes covering every aspect of business development.
There's lots of advice out there for the budding entrepreneur if you go look for it. Take your business idea and hunt down the resources you need; and good luck!
Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern New Hampshire. She has written numerous articles for local and regional newspapers and for a number of Internet websites, including Tips and Topics. She expresses her opinions periodically on her blog, http://beyondagendas.blogspot.com.
Five Attributes of Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs have personality traits that make them ideal people to work for themselves. These same traits, while helpful as an entrepreneur can be i...
Invention Submissions
You have an idea for a new invention and youve already developed it. However, you know you dont have the resources to produce your invention and turn ...
Starting a Business by Getting Business Ideas
For most people, working for a company is just simply not enough. People are natural entrepreneurs who would want to start their own business and be t...
Life Planning for the Success of Your Business
When you are starting your own business, one of the first pieces of advice you will hear is that you need to develop a business plan. A solid business...
Are You an Entrepreneur or a Intrapreneur - From a South African Perspective
A number of people have realised the dream of owning and operating an independent business. These people continue to embark on one of the most exhilar...
Turning Passion into Practice
How do you turn what you love into something that is profitable? It is not an easy task and there are some questions you should ask yourself before d...
ABC Of Business Is It’s Mirror Image!
Get knowledge through Formal Education: r Man is a silent listener of nature and his surroundings. ...
Inventions
Throughout history, man has invented tools and devices to make their daily tasks easier. Things that we take for granted today, such as paper, electri...
To MBA, or not to MBA - Is that the Question
I was attending a Seminar a short while ago being headed by Simon Woodroffe (the driving force behind Yo!Sushi). Simon is a very entertaining speaker ...
Innovation - How To Spot The Ideal Environment
Some of the conditions for innovation may seem 'idealistic' and it is extremely unlikely that the perfect organisation exists. All of the key areas ar...
How to Start a Business in the Pampering Industry
With the increased pressures of parenthood, and work commitments, many people find themselves without either the resources or time to indulge in long ...
Don’t Give in to Business Burnout
I have identified a few sources of Business Burnout and each has a distinct flavor and requires a different response.Bad Choice Burnout - This is the ...
Building Your Dream Franchise Business
Everybody dreams of becoming his or her own boss, but is it so easy to kiss your job goodbye? Yes, it is possible if you open a franchise business. Ow...
Uber Company The Bill Gates’ Executive Dream Team Reality Show
Following the success of Donald Trump's The Apprentice, a sixteen week job interview reality show where Trump hires someone to manage one of his compa...
Helping Start-up Entrepreneurs Reach Their Goals - Strategy
Many people wish to help entrepreneurs get started and become successful. Of course if you have never run a business before, well it can be tough inde...
Rise of Entrepreneurship
The word entrepreneur was derived from French words entre, which stands for between and prendre, which means to take. The word was originally tagged t...
You Have A New Innovation And Find Someone Else Already Thought Of It
Many times someone will have a good idea for a new business or innovation, perhaps an invention then as they do research they realize someone else alr...
How To Come Up With A Business Idea
Theres nothing more frustrating than wanting to start your own business, but not having the right idea. Maybe youve come up with several ideas, but no...
Guide To Buying Wine Gift Baskets
Wine gift baskets are a really great gift option, particularly because you can include basically whatever you want in them. This can include anything ...
How Eating A Can Of Dog Food Can Help You Jump Start Your Multi Million Dollar Idea
My good friend just started company a couple of months ago. I asked him how things were going, he replied with an enthusiastic, great. He later starte...