Jumpstart Your Business

I am attaching a very interesting article that talks to this topic. Any small business owner who is not looking at networking sites as a way to expend the reach of the business is missing a good bet.

http://forpros.lowes.com/viewArticle.cfm?articleID=1352

The official U.S. Government Link where you can find compliance information, contacts to multiple government sites and forms.

The National Business Association where you can get information on your likelihood of obtaining an SBA guaranteed loan.

The U.S. Census Bureau where you can find population, housing, economic and geographic data.

SBA Online counseling and training for entrepreneurs and startups.

SCORE Free counseling and business plan preparation

Legal advice, forms, contracts and other legal stuff

Are you considering going into business? Do you want to increase your chances of success? Then here are ten tips to help you do just

Here is a story about using a web strategy to thrive in this frosty economy. Check out this link for Bristly Thistle

• It enhances the credibility of your business
• It is a good place to create a great first impression
• It gives you a 24 x 7 presence
• You get immediate exposure to new markets
• It levels the playing field, no-one knows how small you really are.
• You can get there before your competition
• It another way to easily grow revenue
• Advertising on the Internet is cheaper than TV, radio or print.
• You have potentially more coverage than with traditional media
• It provides an inexpensive way to give excellent customer service

Here are the nine things you never do when considering going into business for yourself.
1. Never settle on a business opportunity too quickly. There is no penalty box for missing this one.

If your A/R is a significant percentage of your income, you may want to do some further analysis to understand how far out are the accounts - 30, 60, 90 days? Here are some tips to reduce the size of the accounts receivable:

Read this very illuminating presentation. It is really eye opening.

PAU, France (AFP) - The mayor of a French village has issued a decree banning residents from dying in his territory unless they own a spot in the overcrowded cemetery.

1. Always check availability by contact the city/county registrar’s office or your State Controller’s Office to make sure that the name is not already registered. Get it registered as soon as you complete this list of to do’s.

2. Check on trademarks with the US Patent and Trademarks Office at http://www.uspto.gov. Consider trademarking your name to prevent someone trying to grab it in the future.