Resolved Question: What is the best way to raise $25,000 to open a business? I have years of experience. SBA, Small Venture Caps?

Have you done this personally? I see such things as micro loans on TV, but know nothing about these This is a consulting type business, but selling a product. I have been in this line of work before and have an excellent reputation. However, I am now in another city with few contacts for a private placement, LLC type application I could probably do it on $15,000 but would feel there would no risk on my side (that it will succeed) with $25,000. I already have the market fully studied, and the competition is fairly weak. Again, I have done this same thing before. Any ideas from one who is in this business, has done what I am hoping to do...raise $ is appreciated. Do VC companies only deal with bigger fish? Do I need to use a figure of $50,000 to be taken seriously? Are there any regional considerations? I can do this business all over the phone...It's based on an internet presence and print ads to generate calls from a nationwide audience. I know little about grants, but heard if you are a potential employer, this makes you more favorable Point is, I can live anywhere and do this. I expect to employ only about 4-5 people and can generate gross revenue of $300,000. VERY favorable profit margin Feel free to add any questions I should be asking, if this is insufficient information. It's the most likely (best/easiest) source of the money I am seeking. I am willing to give up some owenership/equity position but will not do any 'partnerships' unless absolutely necessary. I need full control and decision making, only because I know precisely how to run such an enterprise. There's no experimentation needed; no MBA know it alls I just need money to get my first 20 customers. It's all on near auto pilot from that point forward  more

Resolved Question: What career am I best suited for?

I don't want work with nonprofits or as a paralegal anymore. What career am I best suited for with my current education and work experience? And, how do I pursue a career in the industry you recommend? I'm interested in government/politics, journalism, lobbying, higher education, research, advertising, and music. I'd like a job with growth potential in an large organization with good management infrastructure (no more small companies or operations). This is my truncated resume: Director of Programs—Chamber of Commerce Develop and coordinate programs to support and improve local business. Design and draft marketing materials to publicize Chamber programs using MS Publisher, Constant Contact, and Adobe Contribute. Foster partnerships with schools, government officials, businesses, and community organizations to attain the specified goals related to each program. Legal Coordinator—The Willett Law Firm, P.A. Developed an action plan with the NC State Bar to wind-down John G. McCormick’s law practice. Assisted clients with filing grievances with the NC State Bar and finding alternate legal counsel. Legal Assistant/Paralegal—John G. McCormick, P.A. Organized and managed the firm’s accounts payable and receivable using QuickBooks and Timeshlips software. Assisted personal representatives with estate planning and settlement. Performed title and lien searches and helped to prepare closing packages for real estate transactions. High School Social Studies Teacher Taught Economic, Legal & Political Systems, which is an overview of stock market investing and micro- and macroeconomics concepts, civics, law, and a comparative study of historical and modern political and economic systems in foreign countries. Y2K Readiness Project Administrator –Quintiles, Inc. Communicated with project managers to track compliance and contingency planning. Managed and tracked project data using MS Excel. Legal Assistant–Rucci, Burnham, Carta & Edelberg, L.L.P., Helped defense prepare for a criminal trial in Puerto Rico discovery for a client charged with violating Savings and Loans regulations. Employee Assistance Program Intern–United States Tobacco Co. Education: Juris Doctorate, Campbell University Norman A. Wiggins School of Law, Two years completed Summer Program, Handong International Law School, South Korea Master of Arts in Teaching, Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC Bachelor of Science in History, Appalachian State Univ., Boone, NC NC State Bar Certified Paralegal Relevant Coursework: History of the World Since 1945 Germany Since 1917 U.S. Foreign Policy U.S. Intellectual Tradition Constitutional Law Islamic History Asian History Latin American History Latin American Politics American and National Government Political Parties and PACs Law & Ethics of Communications Theory & Practice of Persuasion History of American Public Education Microeconomic Theory Race, Poverty & Politics Globalization Comparative Law & Culture (U.S. v. Asian Traditions) International Business Transactions Constitutional Law Entertainment Law Education Law Contracts Torts Civil & Criminal Procedure Criminal Law  more

Resolved Question: How can a small business stay in afloat in this economy? Competition has gotten brutal.?

I come up with new ideas to expand our services, advertise them and a competitor uses the idea themselves and uses their bigger budget to advertise to a wider audience. This have happened on several occasions. I offer a service that none of my competitors offer, days after I offer it, they take the idea and spam the local papers, and other advertising venues and use my company's ideas to make money. With the economy as it is now, I do not have the budget to advertise and rely mostly on web advertisement. For example, I'll post a service on Craigslist, someone will flag it and post the service as their own. The last time, four different people copied my posting then flagged me. I don't know how much more of this my business can withstand. And no, a micro-loan from the SBA is not an option, and grants no longer exist, even for vets and minorities. How can I survive this?  more

Resolved Question: How can I get a small business loan?

A micro loan or regular loan.  more

Resolved Question: where in the US can a person get a no interest micro loan to start a small business?

since it takes 6-12 months to get a business going, bringing in clients thru advertisements, people do need no to low interest micro loans. brutus, I'm a small business consultant (like they are supposed to do at SCORE, but SCORE here is worthless, that's why I do it). I wasn't asking about a small business plan. I was asking about a no to low interest micro loan, but thanks for responding.  more

Resolved Question: grants for ex felons?

Need small business micro loan for ex-felon  more

Resolved Question: I wish to help a friend in Viet Nam get a microloan to start her small business, a coffee shop. How do I help?

My friend Oanh is near Da Lat city, in Lam Dong province, in south central Viet Nam. I would like to help her to find an NGO in Viet Nam that does microfinance and begin the process of refining her small business plan and applying for a micro loan. I am asking for help in finding NGOs engaged in microfinance in Viet Nam as well as in finding similar NGOs that help poor women not only to obtain a micro loan, but also assist them in the planning and launching of their small business. In Oanh's case, her goal is to open a small coffee shop which would allow her to support her immediate family -- a younger sister and their father, neither of whom are able to work at present -- in a dignified and responsible manner. My wish is to help my friend Oanh pursue her goal, thereby allowing her to support her family in a positive manner. I'm new to micro loans in Viet Nam and would welcome any guidance offered which will allow me to help a dear friend and special woman in Oanh. Thank you!  more