The Small Business Owner's Manual: Everything You Need To Know To Start Up And Run Your Business (Paperback)

About the Author
Joe Kennedy has more than twenty years of experience in operating and working with hundreds of small businesses, a degree in finance and an MBA. He knows how entrepreneurs think and their drive to get to the essence of an issue, make the right decision and quickly move on. Impatient business owners will prefer this book since only the most relevant information is provided. A few bigger books are out there but this one is not puffed out with clutter and other information you already knew. With years of experience in the IT industry Joe knows a lot about the Internet too so the content here is better than web-based searches.The Small Business Owner's Manual is great for those starting a business, operators of existing enterprises, or as a gift.





Book Description
An Owner's Manual provides fast, practical and direct advice and that's what you get with this book! The Small Business Owner's Manual is useful for newly minted entrepreneurs as well as seasoned business owners and can be read from cover-to-cover or to quickly lookup information in the midst of a crisis.

For example:

* Choose among 13 ways to get new financing and the 17 steps to building a winning loan package.

* Weigh the pros and cons among 8 legal structures, from corporations to LLCs.

* Write winning ads and analyze 16 advertising and marketing alternatives including the latest in Search Engine Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.

* Develop a powerful business plan in half the time.

* Learn to sell products and services by considering 10 possible sales and distribution channels.

* Discover the latest trends to quickly and inexpensively set up a web-site and e-store.

* Get taxes paid on time, collect from deadbeats, protect the business from litigation and get legal agreements with teeth by effectively finding and partnering with CPAs and attorneys.

* Get a quick overview of the 14 top forms of business insurance including workers comp and medical.

* Looking to lease? Exploit a comprehensive review of the top 18 critical factors used to evaluate locations and 24 of the most important clauses in lease agreements.

* Understand the legal side of hiring, firing, and managing employees and contractors.

* Minimize taxes by learning the ins-and-outs of business income taxes, the top 5 payroll taxes, sales and use taxes, common tax dodges, and the latest loopholes for business owners. Filing schedules, form names, form numbers and download links are also included.

* Credit cards are critical these days - so learn how the system really works and minimize chargebacks, disputes and headaches. Includes 35 important definitions and 12 ways to minimize fraud.

* Lots more too!

Financing And Having Your Own Small Business

Financing a small business does not have to be complicated,as there are a number of resources that can help you along the way, as well as numerous financial and government
institutions that cater to those wishing to finance a small business.

In terms of financing there are several things that need to be examined; do you need working capital or can you use existing cash flow for the small business? How urgent is
your need for financing and what are your risks? What will the capital be used for and what industry does the small business operate under? There are an exhaustive amount of questions that need to be answered when it comes to financing a small business.

Realize that there are two different types of financing; equity financing and debt financing. Equity financing is looked at
as the amount of equity to debt ratio that you have in the business. The biggest resource of equity financing comes from venture capitalists. A venture capitalist is generally a financial wizard with a lot of money to invest. They prefer to invest in businesses that are 3 to 5 years old that look promising and are able to offer a big return on the initial investment.

Debt financing can be obtained through banks, credit unions,lending companies and other financial institutions that offer services to small business owners. The government, both
on the federal and local level, also has numerous programs in place to assist people in securing financing for small business.

One of the most common places to look for financing opportunities is with the United States Small Business Administration. This entity has a number of programs in place, including special financing programs for women,veterans and Native Americans who wish to secure funds for a small business. The U.S. Small Business Administration has a comprehensive website that explains in detail all of their available financing programs.

Another source of funds for small businesses come in the form of grants. A grant is an award of money that does not have to be repaid. Many times, grants come with stipulations on how the funds can be used, but there do exist many grants that are
available for the sole purpose of starting up a small business.Grants are available from a number of sources including the federal government, private organizations and individuals, and local initiatives that may be offered in your local area. Some of
the different entities that award grants include the Small Business Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs,and the National Science Foundation, just to name a few.

If you are just starting up your business and have already invested a significant amount of your personal funds, you are more apt to qualify for a small business loan through a commercial lender. Before using debt financing to fund a small business, it is wise to first exhaust all other avenues.
Business associates, friends and family members may be willing to invest a bit of money if you are able to provide them with a sound business plan and the potential for a healthy return on their investment.

Article written by Max Plata.

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About the Author: Author Bio::

Max Plata
selling a company
buying a company
email: hansi_demark@yahoo.com

Small Business Marrakech

Government Grants For Starting Or Growing A Small Business

Abigail Franks

Despite what many people tell you, the idea that the government is just sitting around with a pile of money waiting to give out to you or any other small business is just plain wrong. This is not to suggest however that no grants are available to anyone at any time.

The whole idea of a grant is to provide capital for some activity the government wants to encourage. Typically this means in less desirable areas or opportunities. So although there may be grants available for things such as encouraging the arts or research into a specific disease, unless you can fit your business into these niche areas, there is not a lot of grant money your dream.

This isn't to say that assistance isn't available at all, just that grants are probably a long process when and if you happen to find one where your small business fits. There are other ways however that you might explore to fund a small business.

Of these small business financing options, one of the most popular is the loan. That's right, just go out and borrow the cash needed. If you've done your homework and have a solid business plan then the thought of self financing through your personal credit lines shouldn't worry you. After all, you're really betting on yourself that you will be successful.

There is a lot of confusion about the Small Business Administration. Yes, this is the government agency dedicated to helping small business...just not with grants. The SBA actually funds a very small portion of the total number of small business loans that are called SBA type loans. What the SBA actually does is "guarantee" to the bank that the money will be paid back, either by you or as a last resort by the SBA/government. If this sounds a lot like the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) you are correct.
Like the FHA, the loan needs to meet their lending or "insurance guarantee" standards. For a small business loan, it's much the same. The SBA will look at your credit, ability to pay back the loan and the business plan.

Other potential sources of private loans can be found based on ethnic, religious, military service - veterans, or other sub groups of the population. Check out all resources until you find a group willing to finance your dream.

Finally, never give up. I personally know someone who wanted to start a home construction business and needed funding for his first home. The SBA was not an option, and being young, most banks just looked and politely declined. Long story short, he ended up going to 53 different lending institutions but he DID finally find a small, local savings and loan willing to take a chance on the new guy. Why? Because although he didn't have all the necessary "security" they were impressed by the list of financial institutions he went to and was turned down but never gave up.

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About the Author: Abigail Franks writes on a variety of subjects which include family, Health, and Home. For more info on Business Grants and starting a business visit the site at http://www.4envelopes.info/how-to-start-small-business.html
and http://www.business-grants.primo-living.com