Posts Tagged ‘services’

Grants For Small Business – Are They For Real?

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

You may have been intrigued by the allure of obtaining small business grant money from the federal government to start or expand your operation. As wonderful as it might sound to obtain a government grant that you don’t have to pay back, such grants don’t really exist. You didn’t think small business financing was that easy, did you?

While the federal government does not provide grants for starting or growing small businesses, it does provide a myriad of services to assist entrepreneurs in pursuit of their dreams. One of the mechanisms in place to promote small business growth and economic development is the CDFI Fund managed by the US Department of the Treasury. In the current fiscal year the federal government is allocating more than $12 Million to support CDFIs.

CDFIs fall into three categories:

Community Development Loan Funds

Community Development Credit Unions

Community Development Banks – Including Thrifts and Holding Companies

Community Development Venture Capital Funds

The genesis of the CDFI Fund was the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994. The reason for the fund’s existence is to foster economic revitalization and community development.

All participants in the CDFI program go through a certification process conducted by the Treasury Department. The certification enables CDFIs access to a variety of programs offered by the Fund. These programs provide financial and technical assistance to CDFIs through the CDFI Program, the Native American CDFI Assistance Program, the New Markets Tax Credit Program and the Bank Enterprise Award Program.

Small business owners should pay particular attention to the offerings provided by the CD Banks, CD Loan Funds and CD Venture Capital Funds.

CD Banks offer a wide variety of financial and consulting services to individuals and businesses living and operating in underserved or economically disadvantaged areas.

CD Loan Funds are set to to offer development and financing services to businesses, organizations and individuals in low-income rural and urban areas. They serve a variety of organization types including microenterprises, small businesses, and housing and community services organizations.

CD Venture Capital Funds are an excellent source of equity or near-equity financing for small businesses in underserved neighborhoods. Many of these funds provide business consulting services in conjunction with financial services.

While Community Development Banks are for-profit institutions with significant neighborhood representation on their boards of directors, Community Development Loan Funds are usually nonprofit entities. Community Development Venture Capital Funds can either be for profit or not-for-profit institutions.

CDFIs provide services around the nation to underserved and low-income populations. There are also a subset to these entities that focus on areas of extreme economic distress, including the Mississippi Delta, the Gulf Opportunity Zone, Native Communities, Colonias, and Appalachia.

If your small business operates in a area of that is underserved, has a significant low-income population or in an area of extreme economic distress, you should investigate how a CDFI can assist you in growing your business.

Michael Saunders has an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He edits a site on Government Grants for Small Business and another on Ideas to Start Your Own Business.

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Saunders

Go here to read the rest: Grants For Small Business – Are They For Real?

Free Autoblogging Plugin

Why a Good Website Design Is Important for Your New Business

Saturday, October 9th, 2010

Today, having a good internet presence can go a long way in giving your organization that little edge you’ve been looking for in the competitive environment. And in order to do that, you need to have a website design that is user-friendly, looks trendy having an adequate number of functionalities, yet has a professional look that motivates people to peruse your website.

On an average, 15 seconds is all it takes for a person on the Internet to judge your website designing and he/she should spend more time exploring your website. So, it is highly recommended that your web designing should be attractive enough to make a good first impression on your potential investors and customers.

The internet is literally brimming with web services to help a person in need of efficient business solutions. A study conducted by a popular web design company shows that a user settles for a maximum of 17 searches on Google to zero in to his preferred search result. In such a case, it is even more important that your website has a good look & feel to it.

To create an analogy, picture the Internet as a really huge shopping mall and the web designing of your new business as one of the numerous stores craving for customers to come in and purchase your product. If the store doesn’t have a good electric signboard, has a shabby appearance from the inside, you as the owner will be forced to make some restructuring done!

The same applies for your new business’s website. There are various steps by which you can market your new organization through your web designing. Without a doubt, the content goes right on top of the priority list. No matter how good the website designing is, if the content if flimsy, your web designing is counting its days until your competitor offers more helpful or satisfying information.

That being said, the next crucial step is to make the design of your new business’s website appealing. Care should be taken not to go overboard with the glossy graphic designs, yet, settling for something as simple as FrontPage should also be avoided. Hire the expert web design services of an expert website design company to get optimum result.

At the end of all, its all about how your customer feels when he interacts with your website. The design should be in such a way that the user feels at home; simple, comfortable and last but not the least, satisfied.

India Designers is the most recommended web design company in India that have been offering innovative website design services at accessible price points to businesses across the globe since many years. Contact us today to get professional website design India services or visit India-Designers.Net for more information.

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kandpal_Chandra_Subhash

Read more: Why a Good Website Design Is Important for Your New Business

Phlebotomy Training

How To Market a New Business

Wednesday, October 6th, 2010

To launch a new business in the market is one huge step. Every business owner is reluctant at first because they are not sure what they are going to face. But it is all about taking risk.

To begin with, you should define your target market. This will help you to narrow down your efforts. It will not cost a penny in defining your target market. Once you are done with your target market now its time to tell good information to your prospects.

You should have a strong marketing message that is able to cater your customers and prospects. A strong marketing strategy will help your business in execution of your great ideas and plan.

You should be able to tell your customers that you are unique from others and this will help you to get more relevant customers. You should try to attach emotions to your products and services, so that your prospects and customers can relate to it and as a result they will buy your products and services.

You have to be visible to your customers. Stay connected to your clients and customers. Give your customers more value. Never let them feel that they are not important to you. Try and make them think opposite of it. Keep following them, like what they want and what they need. This will help you to offer your uniqueness to your customers.

On the other hand by just keeping in touch with your customers and prospects it will build up a strong relationship and your credibility.

Last but not the least you have to make yourself clear that money is not a problem. By investing in your business and putting your effort in it, you will have a reason to celebrate and to pat your back one day. Starting a business is not a joke, but being afraid of it does not make it simple either. So it’s better to take risk and move along the changing world.

Go here to see the original: How To Market a New Business

Quick Weight Loss

New Business Innovation – 3 Ways to Innovate Your Business

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

I’m often asked the question “How does innovation ‘fit’ in my company?” Many people believe innovations are limited to technology-based companies or restricted to large corporations with research departments. But, I have seen countless innovations in all types of businesses in a variety of industries. Many valuable innovations have been developed in “non-technology” companies.

For any business that’s looking for ways to apply innovation for growth, described below are three ways to innovate a business. There are other categories of innovation, but these three provide a great start and give all businesses plenty of ideas to start innovating.

Create Something New – Think about new products or services that can expand your existing business, or allow you to grow into a new market. Consider unmet needs in your market, customer suggestions and customer complaints as starting points for brainstorming new products or services. Get people throughout your business involved in this process – everyone brings a different perspective when it comes to creative thinking.

Modify Something that Already Exists – How can you modify existing procedures, improve product operation, improve efficiency, or add a new feature to your products or services? A new “feature” can be a simplification of something (such as a simpler user interface), not necessarily something that adds complexity to a product. Ask people to finish the statement “Our product would be amazing if it could…” Look for new features that will create a buzz in your industry, which increases sales and expands your customer base. Look for the next “must have” feature that will distinguish your products from the competitor’s offerings.

Leverage An Existing Item – Many businesses have identified innovative ideas within their company and found ways to generate new revenue streams by sharing those innovations with other companies (not competitors). You may have an internal procedure or a manufacturing process that can benefit companies in other industries. Consider licensing your innovations or “know how” to other companies to create an additional revenue stream. Of course, you need to be careful how you license your innovations and which companies you license.

Pick at least one of these strategies for identifying innovations in your business and get started today. Encourage participation by other people in your company and I think you will be surprised by the number of creative ideas you will generate. Begin to create an innovation mindset that gets everyone in your organization thinking about innovations on a daily basis. Instead of seeing a problem, teach people to see an innovation in the solution to that problem.

To start developing your own innovation strategy today, download a Free copy my report “Innovation Excellence – Unleash the Power of Innovation to Boost Your Bottom Line” by visiting http://www.InnovationStrategyReport.com

From Steve Sponseller – Innovation Strategist

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Sponseller

See the rest here: New Business Innovation – 3 Ways to Innovate Your Business

Lamps & Lighting

Hot Franchise Opportunities

Friday, June 18th, 2010

By Claire Quaty

A franchise is a license to use a trademark in exchange for payment of fees or royalties and involves some material assistance from the trademark owner. The typical business franchise provides the franchisee with a complete operating system that includes all of the systems, techniques, practices and sometimes equipment that the franchisee needs to get up and running and continue running. Usually, the franchisor also provides a marketing program and other support services.

Franchise businesses account for about one third of total retail sales in the United States, 10% of all fulltime businesses with employees, and franchises provide employment to over 7 million Americans. The average investment, before real estate expenses in over 75% of franchises, is less than $250,000. For this reason alone, franchises are appealing to many entrepreneurs.

There are a few franchises that are new, up-and-coming and are hot in the franchise offerings right now.

Health Career Agents provides healthcare providers with unique employment placement services through independent channels. The capital requirement needed to invest is $27,900.

Right at Home is a company that offers in home care and assistance and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for its clients. The capital requirement to invest is $50,000 – $60,000.

FranNet is the world’s largest network of franchise consultants. Consultants at FranNet assist new franchisees with every step of setting up their own franchise business. The capital requirement needed to invest is $30,000.

Altoids

Free Consignment Store Business Plan

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Free Consignment Store business Plan for Loans

Obtaining Business Financing

 

When obtaining a business loan for a consignment store business, it is imperative that you have a properly structured business plan that will assist you in showcasing how you intend to operate your Consignment Store, how the business will operate, how you intend to market the business, the anticipated financial results of your company, and how you intend to repay your debt obligations. This sample loan business plan will provide you with the framework that you need in order to acquire a business loan for starting or expanding this type of business.

 

Executive Summary

 

Introduction

 

When obtaining a business loan for a consignment store, it is imperative that your business plan has a clear and concise executive summary that provides an outline of what are seeking to accomplish, how much capital you are seeking to raise, the management biography of the business owner, and an overview of the anticipated profit and loss statements of the business. Here is an example of how the title paragraph should be written:

 

Consignment Store, Inc. (“the Company”) is seeking a business loan of $100,000 in order to launch the operations of a consignment store business that will be based in San Francisco, California. The Company was founded in (Insert Year). The business was founded by Mr. John Doe.

 

Products and Services

 

In the next segment of the business loan and business planning document, you should showcase the products and services that you will be providing to the general public. For instance:

 

The Consignment Store will provide customers with the ability to consign clothing and other items through the Company’s retail location. The business will receive a fee equal to 40% of the consigned products sold through the Consignment Store’s location. The business will specialize in the sale of clothing and other related small retail products.

 

Business Loan Terms

 

Now it is time to discuss the anticipated terms of the business plan that you are seeking. An example paragraph of how this is stated:

 

At this time, Mr. Doe is seeking a conventional business loan in the amount of $100,000. The interest rate, loan terms, and loan covenants are to be determined during negotiation. However, this business plan assumes that the business will receive a seven year business loan with a seven percent interest rate due on the outstanding principal balance.

Management Biography

 

Now that the summary of the business has been provided, it is time to provide a brief overview of the owner of the business. An example paragraph summing up the owner is as follows:

 

Mr. Doe is a highly experienced business person that has years of experience regarding the direct ownership and management of business. He will be able to effectively bring the operations of the Consignment Store to profitability while ensuring that the business loan’s payments and its covenants are met at all times.

Financial Statements

 

The most important thing to your lender when applying for a business loan is how you intend to repay the bank. In this section of the business plan, you should provide an overview of the finance’s of the business discussing the anticipated revenues, expenses, and profits/losses. You can also discuss the applicable collateral within the business plan that will be used to secure your business financing.

 

Expansion Plans

 

One of the most important aspects of your business plan is how you intend to expand the business over a three to five year period. Banks and finance companies always want to see that the business will experience a moderate to strong level of growth. This is especially true in business lending because as your business grows the cash flow that secures your business loan will decrease proportionality against your monthly credit obligations. An example of how this is stated is as follows:

 

The Consignment Store will continue to expand through organic means including increasing the Company’s advertising budget via the reinvestment into the after tax cash flows of the business. Additionally, if the business is highly successful then the Company may seek to establish additional Consignment Store locations after the third year of operations.

 

 

The Financing

 

Use of Business Loan Proceeds

 

In this section of the business plan you should focus on how the proceeds of the business loan will be used. An example of this would be as follows:

 

Consignment Store Establishment – $50,000
Opening Inventory – $10,000
Working capital – $40,000

 

Management Equity

In this section of the business plan you should discuss the percentage ownership of the business among the owners of the business. For example:

 

Mr. Doe will own 100% of the Consignment Store.

 

Board of Directors

 

When applying for business financing, the bank will also want to know who serves as the board of directors. For small businesses, usually the owner serves as the director of the business. An example of how this is worded:

 

Mr. Doe will be the sole director of Consignment Store, Inc.

 

Exit Strategy

 

Any bank or financing company is also going to want to know what you intend to do with the business over a set period of time. Many business owners will develop and expand a business with the intent to sell the company to a third party at a later time. When drafting this part of the business plan you should focus on what you intentions are in regards to potentially selling the business. This is often worded as:

 

Mr. Doe would most likely sell the Consignment Store to a third party for a significant earnings multiple. Consignment Stores usually sell for approximately one to three times earnings given the financial strength of the business. In this event, the business would be sold by a business broker and the business loan sought in this plan would be repaid according to the covenants of the business loan agreement.

 

Products and Services

 

When developing a business plan that is appropriate for obtaining a business loan or other business credit facility you need to clearly showcase the services or products that you will be offering to the general public. An example of how this section is worded goes as follows:

 

As stated in the executive summary, the Consignment Store will specialize in the retail sale of items on behalf of individuals within the Company’s target market. The business will charge a fee equal to 40% of the sale of each consigned item. The business will use a number of means in order to generate sales through the Company’s store. This includes listing items on EBay and other popular websites so that the business can generate substantial sales outside of the Company’s retail location.

 

 

Industry and Market Analysis

 

The Current State of the Economy

 

It is important to let your financial institution know that you are well apprised of the financial situation of the general economy when you are applying for a business loan. This is especially true in today’s environment where lending has become more difficult and will remain more difficult in the foreseeable future. Specifically, you should gear this section of the business plan analysis towards the industry that you are operating within. For example:

 

The current economy has remained difficult over the past few years. However, Consignment Stores typically operate with a strong state of economy stability as these businesses are often used as a last resort among people that are seeking to sell their clothing or other retail items in exchange for a significant percentage of the value of the merchandise.  As such, the business should be able to remain profitable and cash flow positive in any economic environment.

 

The Consignment Store Industry

 

In addition to providing your business loan officer with an understanding of the general economy, it is important that you showcase that you have an equal understanding of the industry in which you are operating within. As such, you will need to provide you business loan institution of a brief overview of your industry and any potential changes that may affect the way that your company does business. An example of how an industry overview is as follows:

 

In the United States there are over 17,000 businesses that specialize in the sale of consignment apparel to the general public. Among these businesses, the aggregate receipts generated from the sale of used merchandise are approximately $17 billion dollars per year. The industry employs more than 97,000 people and provides gross payrolls of $1.2 billion dollars.

 

 

 

Target Market

 

In this section of the business loan application and business plan analysis, you should focus on the demographics of your localized market (or national market if applicable). This section should discuss how many people live in your area, the anticipated number of people that would require the use of Consignment Stores, the median household income of people living in the area, poverty line statistics, and any applicable laws that would apply to your operation of Consignment Stores.

 

Competition

 

Many people that are developing new businesses or expanding existing businesses often feel that their business does not have any competition or limited competition at best. However, this is almost never the case. Unless you have re-invented the wheel

Free Yoga Studio Business Plan

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Free Yoga Studio business Plan for Loans

Obtaining Business Financing

 

When obtaining a business loan for a yoga studio business, it is imperative that you have a properly structured business plan that will assist you in showcasing how you intend to operate your Yoga Studio, how the business will operate, how you intend to market the business, the anticipated financial results of your company, and how you intend to repay your debt obligations. This sample loan business plan will provide you with the framework that you need in order to acquire a business loan for starting or expanding this type of business.

 

Executive Summary

 

Introduction

 

When obtaining a business loan for a Yoga Studio, it is imperative that your business plan has a clear and concise executive summary that provides an outline of what are seeking to accomplish, how much capital you are seeking to raise, the management biography of the business owner, and an overview of the anticipated profit and loss statements of the business. Here is an example of how the title paragraph should be written:

 

Yoga Studio, Inc. (“the Company”) is seeking a business loan of $100,000 in order to launch the operations of a yoga studio business that will be based in San Francisco, California. The Company was founded in (Insert Year). The business was founded by Mr. John Doe.

 

Products and Services

 

In the next segment of the business loan and business planning document, you should showcase the products and services that you will be providing to the general public. For instance:

 

The Yoga Studio will provide a broad number of classes that pertain to training the body via yoga and related stretching practices. The business will generate income from the ongoing fees associated with yoga classes at the studio while concurrently generating secondary revenues through the sale of yoga mats and related accessories used during the course of yoga training.

 

The third section of the business plan will further discuss the services offered by the business.

 

Business Loan Terms

 

Now it is time to discuss the anticipated terms of the business plan that you are seeking. An example paragraph of how this is stated:

 

At this time, Mr. Doe is seeking a conventional business loan in the amount of $100,000. The interest rate, loan terms, and loan covenants are to be determined during negotiation. However, this business plan assumes that the business will receive a seven year business loan with a seven percent interest rate due on the outstanding principal balance.

Management Biography

 

Now that the summary of the business has been provided, it is time to provide a brief overview of the owner of the business. An example paragraph summing up the owner is as follows:

 

Mr. Doe is a highly experienced business person that has years of experience regarding the direct ownership and management of business. He will be able to effectively bring the operations of the Yoga Studio to profitability while ensuring that the business loan’s payments and its covenants are met at all times.

Financial Statements

 

The most important thing to your lender when applying for a business loan is how you intend to repay the bank. In this section of the business plan, you should provide an overview of the finance’s of the business discussing the anticipated revenues, expenses, and profits/losses. You can also discuss the applicable collateral within the business plan that will be used to secure your business financing.

 

Expansion Plans

 

One of the most important aspects of your business plan is how you intend to expand the business over a three to five year period. Banks and finance companies always want to see that the business will experience a moderate to strong level of growth. This is especially true in business lending because as your business grows the cash flow that secures your business loan will decrease proportionality against your monthly credit obligations. An example of how this is stated is as follows:

 

The Yoga Studio will continue to expand through organic means including increasing the Company’s advertising budget via the reinvestment into the after tax cash flows of the business. Additionally, if the business is highly successful then the Company may seek to establish additional Yoga Studio locations after the third year of operations.

 

 

The Financing

 

Use of Business Loan Proceeds

 

In this section of the business plan you should focus on how the proceeds of the business loan will be used. An example of this would be as follows:

 

Yoga Studio Establishment – $50,000
FF&E – $10,000
Working capital – $40,000

 

Management Equity

In this section of the business plan you should discuss the percentage ownership of the business among the owners of the business. For example:

 

Mr. Doe will own 100% of the Yoga Studio.

 

Board of Directors

 

When applying for business financing, the bank will also want to know who serves as the board of directors. For small businesses, usually the owner serves as the director of the business. An example of how this is worded:

 

Mr. Doe will be the sole director of Yoga Studio, Inc.

 

Exit Strategy

 

Any bank or financing company is also going to want to know what you intend to do with the business over a set period of time. Many business owners will develop and expand a business with the intent to sell the company to a third party at a later time. When drafting this part of the business plan you should focus on what you intentions are in regards to potentially selling the business. This is often worded as:

 

Mr. Doe would most likely sell the Yoga Studio to a third party for a significant earnings multiple. Yoga Studio usually sell for approximately one to three times earnings given the financial strength of the business. In this event, the business would be sold by a business broker and the business loan sought in this plan would be repaid according to the covenants of the business loan agreement.

 

Products and Services

 

When developing a business plan that is appropriate for obtaining a business loan or other business credit facility you need to clearly showcase the services or products that you will be offering to the general public. An example of how this section is worded goes as follows:

 

As stated in the executive summary, the primary revenue center for the business will come from ongoing yoga classes hosted at the Company’s retail storefront location. For each yoga session, Management intends on charging a fee of approximately $10. The average yoga class will have five to ten students. Classes will be held five to six times per day.

 

The business will also generate sales through the sale of yoga mats and other products as they related to yoga training.

 

 

Industry and Market Analysis

 

The Current State of the Economy

 

It is important to let your financial institution know that you are well apprised of the financial situation of the general economy when you are applying for a business loan. This is especially true in today’s environment where lending has become more difficult and will remain more difficult in the foreseeable future. Specifically, you should gear this section of the business plan analysis towards the industry that you are operating within. For example:

 

The current economy has remained difficult over the past few years. However, Yoga Studios have faired well despite the current economic issues. This is because yoga, by its students, as seen as an integral part of their lives. As such, the Yoga Studio will be able to remain profitable and cash flow positive in any economic climate.

 

The Yoga Studio Industry

 

In addition to providing your business loan officer with an understanding of the general economy, it is important that you showcase that you have an equal understanding of the industry in which you are operating within. As such, you will need to provide you business loan institution of a brief overview of your industry and any potential changes that may affect the way that your company does business. An example of how an industry overview is as follows:

 

Within the United States, there are approximately 10,000 locations that operate as Yoga Studios. The popularity of yoga has increased substantially over the past ten years as more Americans have become concerned with their fitness. Each year, the industry generates more than $600 million of revenues. The excepted growth rate of the Yoga Studio industry is expected to remain in line with that of the general American economy.

 

 

Target Market

 

In this section of the business loan application and business plan analysis, you should focus on the demographics of your localized market (or national market if applicable). This section should discuss how many people live in your area, the anticipated number of people that would require the use of Yoga Studio, the median household income of people living in the area, poverty line statistics, and any applicable laws that would apply to your operation of Yoga Studios.

 

Competition

 

Many people that are developing new businesses or expanding existing businesses often feel that their business does not have any competition or limited competition at best. However, this is almost never the case. Unless you have re-invented the wheel

Free Pawn Shop Business Plan for Loans

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Obtaining business Financing

Free Pawn Shop Business Plan for Loans

 

When obtaining a business loan for a pawn shop or related pawn brokering business, it is imperative that you have a properly structured business plan that will assist you in showcasing how you intend to operate your pawn shop, how the business will operate, how you intend to market the business, the anticipated financial results of your company, and how you intend to repay your debt obligations. This sample loan business plan will provide you with the framework that you need in order to acquire a business loan for starting or expanding this type of business.

 

Executive Summary

 

Introduction

 

When obtaining a business loan for a pawn shop, it is imperative that your business plan has a clear and concise executive summary that provides an outline of what are seeking to accomplish, how much capital you are seeking to raise, the management biography of the business owner, and an overview of the anticipated profit and loss statements of the business. Here is an example of how the title paragraph should be written:

 

Pawn Shop, Inc. (“the Company”) is seeking a business loan of $100,000 in order to launch the operations of a pawn brokering business that will be based in San Francisco California. The Company was founded in (Insert Year). The business was founded by Mr. John Doe.

 

Products and Services

 

In the next segment of the business loan and business planning document, you should showcase the products and services that you will be providing to the general public. For instance:

 

The Pawn Shop will provide general pawn brokering services to the general public, which includes providing small collateral loans to individuals based on the value of the property that they bring into the Company’s store. The business will specialize in making loans that are specific to jewelry.

 

Business Loan Terms

 

Now it is time to discuss the anticipated terms of the business plan that you are seeking. An example paragraph of how this is stated:

 

At this time, Mr. Doe is seeking a conventional business loan in the amount of $100,000. The interest rate, loan terms, and loan covenants are to be determined during negotiation. However, this business plan assumes that the business will receive a seven year business loan with a seven percent interest rate due on the outstanding principal balance.

Management Biography

 

Now that the summary of the business has been provided, it is time to provide a brief overview of the owner of the business. An example paragraph summing up the owner is as follows:

 

Mr. Doe is a highly experienced business person that has years of experience regarding the direct ownership and management of business. He will be able to effectively bring the operations of the Pawn Shop to profitability while ensuring that the business loan’s payments and its covenants are met at all times.

Financial Statements

 

The most important thing to your lender when applying for a business loan is how you intend to repay the bank. In this section of the business plan, you should provide an overview of the finance’s of the business discussing the anticipated revenues, expenses, and profits/losses. You can also discuss the applicable collateral within the business plan that will be used to secure your business financing.

 

Expansion Plans

 

One of the most important aspects of your business plan is how you intend to expand the business over a three to five year period. Banks and finance companies always want to see that the business will experience a moderate to strong level of growth. This is especially true in business lending because as your business grows the cash flow that secures your business loan will decrease proportionality against your monthly credit obligations. An example of how this is stated is as follows:

 

The Pawn Shop will continue to expand through organic means including increasing the Company’s advertising budget via the reinvestment into the after tax cash flows of the business. Additionally, if the business is highly successful then the Company may seek to establish additional locations after the third year of operations.

 

 

The Financing

 

Use of Business Loan Proceeds

 

In this section of the business plan you should focus on how the proceeds of the business loan will be used. An example of this would be as follows:

 

Pawn Shop Store Establishment – $50,000
Inventory – $10,000
Working capital – $40,000

 

Management Equity

In this section of the business plan you should discuss the percentage ownership of the business among the owners of the business. For example:

 

Mr. Doe will own 100% of the pawn shop.

 

Board of Directors

 

When applying for business financing, the bank will also want to know who serves as the board of directors. For small businesses, usually the owner serves as the director of the business. An example of how this is worded:

 

Mr. Doe will be the sole director of Pawn Shop, Inc.

 

Exit Strategy

 

Any bank or financing company is also going to want to know what you intend to do with the business over a set period of time. Many business owners will develop and expand a business with the intent to sell the company to a third party at a later time. When drafting this part of the business plan you should focus on what you intentions are in regards to potentially selling the business. This is often worded as:

 

Mr. Doe would most likely sell the Pawn Shop to a third party for a significant earnings multiple. Pawn Shops usually sell for approximately one to three times earnings given the financial strength of the business. In this event, the business would be sold by a business broker and the business loan sought in this plan would be repaid according to the covenants of the business loan agreement.

 

Products and Services

 

When developing a business plan that is appropriate for obtaining a business loan or other business credit facility you need to clearly showcase the services or products that you will be offering to the general public. An example of how this section is worded goes as follows:

 

The Pawn Shop will specialize in making small collateral loans to individuals that will last two weeks. On each item brought in by the customer, the Company will grant a loan equal to 10% to 20% of the saleable value of the item. The customer, should they return to receive their item back, will be required to pay back the loan amount plus a fee equal to 20% of the loan amount. On every item accepted for pawn brokering by the Company, the business will follow all applicable state laws regarding the acceptance and handling of merchandise. Additionally, the business will generate secondary revenues among people that do not return for their merchandise. In this event, the Pawn Shop will resell the item to the general public or to a used goods wholesaler.

 

Industry and Market Analysis

 

The Current State of the Economy

 

It is important to let your financial institution know that you are well apprised of the financial situation of the general economy when you are applying for a business loan. This is especially true in today’s environment where lending has become more difficult and will remain more difficult in the foreseeable future. Specifically, you should gear this section of the business plan analysis towards the industry that you are operating within. For example:

 

The current economy has remained difficult over the past few years. However, Pawn Shops typically operate with a strong state of economy stability as these lenders are often used as a last resort among borrowers that are in need of quick loans or do not have the ability to sell the merchandise that they can use as collateral. As such, the business should be able to remain profitable and cash flow positive in any economic environment.

 

The Pawn Shop Industry

 

In addition to providing your business loan officer with an understanding of the general economy, it is important that you showcase that you have an equal understanding of the industry in which you are operating within. As such, you will need to provide you business loan institution of a brief overview of your industry and any potential changes that may affect the way that your company does business. An example of how an industry overview is as follows:

 

The Pawn Shop industry, despite the current economy climate, has remained strong despite the fact the general economy has suffered. Within the United States, there are 20,000 businesses that operate in a pawn brokering capacity. On a yearly basis, these businesses generate revenues of $6 billion and provide jobs to more than 100,000 people. The total payrolls paid by the pawn shop industry has exceeded $1.4 billion on an annualized basis over the past five years.

 

At this time, there is currently no pending legislation or changes to the economy that are expected to change the nature of how the Pawn Shop Industry conducts business.

 

Target Market

 

In this section of the business loan application and business plan analysis, you should focus on the demographics of your localized market (or national market if applicable). This section should discuss how many people live in your area, the anticipated number of people that would require the use of pawn shops, the median household income of people living in the area, poverty line statistics, and any applicable laws that would apply to your operation of a pawn shop.

 

Competition

 

Many people that are developing new businesses or expanding existing businesses often feel that their business does not have any competition or limited competition at best. However, this is almost never the case. Unless you have re-invented the wheel

Credit Card Services and Business Loans for the Small Business

Sunday, June 13th, 2010

To achieve financial independence, experts encourage even currently employed individuals to consider entrepreneurship. Setting up your own business, no matter how small, is touted as one of the best ways toward building the foundation for wealth. Those who are concerned about having a safety net need not take the plunge recklessly. One can start setting up a small business even while employed.  

Of crucial use to small businesses are credit card services and small business loans. The entrepreneur needs to know how to avail of these tools and how to effectively wield them for maximum business growth.

Credit Card Services

A small business would do well to get reputable credit card services in order to prosper in the current business climate. Availing of credit card services will enable it to accept both credit card and debit card payments. This is true either for brick-and-mortar businesses or internet based online businesses. After all, most consumers nowadays routinely use credit cards or debit cards for payment purposes. It only makes good business sense to be well-equipped for the needs of credit card users and debit card users as well as for the needs of customers who pay in cash.

Merchant services provide credit card services covering a wide range of solutions for the processing of credit cards and debit cards as payment options. These credit card services include traditional terminal equipment at point of sale, where credit cards or debit cards are swiped. It also includes software and high speed IP solutions for both traditional commerce and e-commerce. Credit card and debit card payments can, therefore, be accepted in person or through the internet, by phone or by fax.     

Small Business Loans

Any business