Business Continuity Audit » Small Business Administration http://www.blauexchange.org Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:06:34 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Batting Cage Business – Making Profits With the Swing of a Bat http://www.blauexchange.org/batting-cage-business-making-profits-with-the-swing-of-a-bat http://www.blauexchange.org/batting-cage-business-making-profits-with-the-swing-of-a-bat#comments Fri, 19 Mar 2010 06:30:14 +0000 admin http://www.blauexchange.org/batting-cage-business-making-profits-with-the-swing-of-a-bat

There is a Batting Cages Business for those people who love baseball and/or softball. This business will make you a profit and will help raise the self-esteem of the children who come to your facility. Batting Cage complexes are popping up all over the world.

A Batting Cages Business requires conviction on the part of the business owner. There is just as much or more work for the person wanting to open the batting facility before the grand opening. Many things must be researched, and obtained.

The first thing you should do, is contact your local and state government to find out what requirements and regulations your Batting Cages Business will need to comply with and follow. You will probably need a business license, a sales tax license, insurance and possibly other inspections and licenses. However, by knowing this you will know that this is definitely the right business.

Once you have this information, you can decide if you really want to go to the next phase, the Batting Cages Business business plan. This will be a requirement for several reasons. You will need a business plan to get financing, decide on the services you will provide at your facility, make sure you have all required paperwork, and ensure that you have not forgotten anything. It will also help you price everything out to open, and help you set a budget for your business.

You can find many documents to help you prepare a Batting Cages Business business plan and financial statement at the Small business administration website. This web site should become your best friend. It can help answer questions regarding business, get you in touch with mentors to help you, help with financing, and make sure that you are on track during the start up process and the future.

Another option is to work with a business consultant to prepare your business plan. However, this can be expensive and may take just as long as you doing it yourself. The sample business plan on the Small Business Administration will help you do the exact same thing as a business consultant. Plus, by doing the footwork on your own, it will give you a sense of the monetary value your venture will entail, and will better help you establish the operating budget.

While creating your business plan, you should consider whether you want to purchase the Batting Cages Business franchise or build one on your own. You will want to research the pros and cons. The advantage of a franchise is that you purchase the name, support, training, and equipment. The only other thing you have to purchase is the location. You also get their marketing and expertise in the industry.

If you decide to build your Batting Cages Business from the ground up, you will be required to purchase the location, and all the equipment. It is not impossible, but you will have to get the name out into the public and build credibility. You will also probably have a time where you are learning about the business through trial and error, which can produce losses of income or customers, depending on how you set your prices.

It is usually a little more expensive to purchase the franchise at the beginning, but the advantages usually outweigh this problem. Depending on your location, it may actually be cheaper to buy a franchise. You need to consider all your options, and doing this while creating your Batting Cages Business business plan. It is also during this time that you will need to decide on a location for your business.

You have made your decision, have a promising location in mind, and you have your business plan completed. You will now need to get financing. You will need to create a proposal explaining the advantages of your Batting Cages Business venture and show your business plan. You can try to get financing through private individuals, banks, or the Small Business Administration. If you don’t get financing right away, don’t get discouraged. Look over your proposal and business plan, make changes if needed and keep trying. You will eventually get the funding you need.

Once you have financing you can purchase the location, and start building your Batting Cages Business facilities. However, this doesn’t mean that you are done. You need to constantly update your business plan, it should be considered a dynamic document. You will also need to subscribe to newsletters, and periodicals, check new books and web sites to keep on top of the industry.

Enjoy your venture and look at the smiling faces of the people coming to your facility to know it was all worth it.

By: Randy Wilson

]]> http://www.blauexchange.org/batting-cage-business-making-profits-with-the-swing-of-a-bat/feed 0 Small Business Grants From SBA http://www.blauexchange.org/small-business-grants-from-sba http://www.blauexchange.org/small-business-grants-from-sba#comments Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:33:55 +0000 admin http://www.blauexchange.org/small-business-grants-from-sba

The U.S. Federal Government is the nation’s largest provider of financial or monetary assistance for small businesses. Since 1953, the Small Business Administration (SBA) branch of the Federal government has helped many small ventures that have become household names today. The government considers small businesses very seriously. They realize their obligation to promote and develop these firms for the integrated development of the whole nation.

Small Business Administration:

The SBA does not directly offer grants to individuals for business expansion or start-up. For individual set-up’s, it provides a wide variety of loan programs on easy pay back terms. However, the SBA does offer many types of grants programs indirectly to benefit small business entrepreneurs. SBA grants programs are specifically designed to expand and enhance those organizations that provide small businesses with technical or financial assistance. These monetary grants generally support state and local governments, non-profit organizations and intermediary lending institutions.

Small businesses can in turn avail the grants from these institutions. The entrepreneurs need to have a workable business plan and meet the required basic criteria to avail the loan or grant from SBA supported institutions. These funds can be then utilized to either set-up or expand the existing businesses. SBA has very special and easy terms to offer business grants to women entrepreneurs and members of the ethnic minority groups to help them become economically independent. This leads to numerous co-related activities and finally development of underdeveloped regions of the vast country. It brings about a social change and societal uplift.

Benefits of Grants from SBA:

A grant is a direct financial contribution made without any expectation of a repayment but with very specific expectations of the required outcome. These programs are designed to encourage and assist entrepreneurs in starting their own ventures. This promotes an economic development and integrates the individuals into the mainstream of American economic society. Organizations that give grants exclude for-profit businesses, but encourage small businesses to take their grants. The grants are readily provided after meeting certain basic criteria.

Women entrepreneurs are the largest beneficiary’s of government’s generosity for special encouragement. Federal grants are extended to those non-profit organizations that provide counseling, training and other technical support to women groups. The SBA runs special help centers and women’s business centers to train the women technically. They give access to credit and capital, provide with government contracts etc as well.

Ethnic minority groups too are special beneficiaries of federal government’s financial grants on easy terms. SBA runs a Minority Enterprise Development Program known as the 8(a) program. This helps the minority entrepreneurs to bag the government contracts for the utilization of their products.

Small business people or groups are very hard working and enthusiastic about their business. They spend quality time to develop it and stay in touch with their work, as they do not have too many people to help. Their businesses take precedence over their family, friends or even vacation plans. They stay in constant touch to avoid failure or any unprecedented disaster. This helps in successful maturation of their businesses after an initial set-up time.

By: Alexander Gordon

]]> http://www.blauexchange.org/small-business-grants-from-sba/feed 0 Obtaining A Business Loan With Bad Credit http://www.blauexchange.org/obtaining-a-business-loan-with-bad-credit http://www.blauexchange.org/obtaining-a-business-loan-with-bad-credit#comments Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:22:44 +0000 admin http://www.blauexchange.org/obtaining-a-business-loan-with-bad-credit

Bad credit need not always be a hurdle for achieving one’s dreams. You can obtain a business loan even when you have a bad credit score. There are several independent finance agencies offering business loans to customers with bad credit. You need to just explore different possibilities for obtaining a business loan with bad credit.

Banks issue business loans only on the basis of personal credit scores of the applicant. Hence, banks are not an appropriate funding source to approach in situations where the applicant has a bad credit record. Other alternatives include approaching community lenders, private lenders specializing in bad credit business loans, using home equity as collateral for obtaining a business loan, considering friends and relatives as investors, and SBA.

Community lenders and local banks consider business credit scores while approving a business loan. You can obtain a business loan at a lower interest if the business credit scores are outstanding.

Lenders specializing in bad credit business loans provide funds at a higher interest rate. These agencies require property or equipment in the form of collateral. This form of business loan is called as secured business loan.

Utilizing home equity value as an investment is also a useful option. You can obtain large amounts of money at lower interest rate through home equity loans. However, this option is risky because if the business goes into a loss, you may get into the danger of losing ownership of not just your home but also the business.

Another interesting option is to include friends and relatives in business matters. They can be included into the management as investors provided they offer financial assistance to run the business. However, there are certain disadvantages involved in including family members, relatives and friends.

One can even obtain a business loan through Small Business Administration or SBA. SBA acts as a guarantor, thus providing the lender with necessary assurance against any possible money loss.

By: Pauline Go

]]> http://www.blauexchange.org/obtaining-a-business-loan-with-bad-credit/feed 0 Business Grants for Women http://www.blauexchange.org/business-grants-for-women http://www.blauexchange.org/business-grants-for-women#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:36:24 +0000 admin http://www.blauexchange.org/business-grants-for-women

Many women in business find that in order to meet their business’ financial needs, they turn to searching out a loan source. Business loans for women are widely available through the Small Business Administration and a variety of other sources such as banks, credit unions and other financial institutions. Loans, however, are not the only source for financing. In some instances, business grants for women are available.

Business grants for women are a wonderful option for some women in business. Grants are an excellent source of funding because grants are not repaid. The funding is provided through government resources that have been budgeted for specific needs in our national community. Anyone is open to apply, so business grants for women are available to anyone regardless of gender, race, religion, or background.

The downside of grants is that business grants for women are not widely available. Rather, business grants for women are available only to select businesses and under very strict circumstances, mostly for research or development. Technologically-focused businesses, for example, will find it much easier to qualify for a grant than a craft or retail business. Still, because the money is readily available, even if your business is retail oriented, it may be of benefit to check into business grants for women available for various resources that could assist you in your business.

According to Denouement Solutions and Grants.gov, the United States government and its government organizations offer more 1000 grants totaling more than $400 billion in grant funding every year. Only 10 percent of citizens that qualify for these grants actually apply for grants, despite the fact that many more than that would qualify for a business grant for women. Therefore, even though not every individual or business is eligible for a business grant for women, it certainly can be beneficial to check into business grants for women.

According to grants.gov, the United States government’s web site and main resource for grants that are available and can be applied for, there are more than 1000 grant programs offered by the 26 Federal grant-making agencies. These programs fall into 21 different categories, as defined by the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. While some agencies may list available grants under multiple grant categories, the Federal government lists these categories of grants as follows:

- Agriculture

- Art

- Business and Commerce

- Community Development

- Consumer Protection

- Disaster Prevention and Relief

- Education

- Employment, Labor, and Training

- Energy

- Environmental Quality

- Food and Nutrition

- Health

- Housing

- Humanities

- Information and Statistics

- Law, Justice, and Legal Service

- Natural Resources

- Regional Development

- Science and Technology

- Social Services and Income Security

- Transportation

Even though the category of Business and Commerce may be what appears to have the largest selection of resources for business grants for women, consider the other categories as well, according to where your business falls. For example, if your business is a restaurant, don’t hesitate to check the Food and Nutrition category for grants currently available. If your business is a farm, check the Agriculture section.

Grants aren’t available for starting or opening a new business, and they also aren’t available for expanding on an existing business. However, business grants for women can offer funding for research or development of the business. Many grants may not be applicable to your particular business or needs, but there may be funds available for research, education, or other things needed for you to operate and improve your business to help you achieve business growth.

In general, when considering the options for a business grant for women, do your homework and read carefully. Look at all grants available that might be related to your particular business. Consider looking into the Business and Commerce section, of Grants.gov, as mentioned, and also look into the different categories of grant fundings. Take the time needed to read the grant qualifications carefully. With any business, check into the Regional Development category, as well as the Community Development category. Depending on your location within the United States, it’s possible to qualify for a grant to economically develop certain areas, and expanding a business in one of these areas can possibly assist you in qualifying for a business grant for women.

Additionally, consider applying for an educational grant if returning to school is an option you’d like to consider. Many grants for higher education are offered each year, and not all are awarded. Knowledge is an extremely valuable business tool, and because the money is readily available for those who qualify, and educational grant is an excellent option to consider as a business grant for women.

Contact the specific government agency offering the grant for tips, information, and to ask questions before submitting your application.

By: Rebecca Game

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