| Starting a business is more popular than ever. It's also | | | | Borrowing money from family can be the easiest |
| not the impossible dream that it once was. There are | | | | method of funding your business, and if things go well, |
| many resources out there, including funding solutions | | | | it's a win/win situation for your entire family. But keep in |
| for just about everyone. Here are some tips on where | | | | mind that this is not like regular employment, and that |
| and how to get the money you need for your | | | | there is a greater than fifty percent chance that those |
| business start up. | | | | family members could lose the money that they are |
| So you've decided to drop out of the job search rat | | | | loaning you. Some questions to ask yourself might be, |
| race for employment and become a business owner | | | | in a worst case scenario, how will the family react to |
| yourself? The opportunities when you are | | | | losing the money that they have loaned you? The best |
| self-employed are endless. You could find yourself a | | | | way to answer this is to simply ask them that question |
| millionaire, or working for less that minimum wage. For | | | | before they loan you any money. If they know going in |
| people who have the stomach for this type of | | | | that there is a chance to help you, a chance to have |
| adventure, starting your own business is a great | | | | great financial reward, and yes, even a chance of |
| solution. While there are differences on how much | | | | losing it all, things are less likely to turn badly if the |
| money you will need to start your business, it is almost | | | | unexpected happens. |
| impossible to start with zero dollars in the bank. | | | | What to do if the family says no? It's off to the bank |
| Trading in regular employment to open your own small | | | | for the funds you need. Most small businesses go |
| business is a bold step, and part of that requires asking | | | | through the Small Business Administration, otherwise |
| people for money to get you started. These "people" | | | | known as the SBA. They will not approve everyone, |
| can range from bankers that you don't know, to a | | | | and for those that they do, the process can be very |
| great-aunt. No matter whom you ask to help fund your | | | | exhausting. If you have an aversion to turning in tax |
| venture, you must have a business plan in place. For | | | | returns, bank statements, your credit report, and letting |
| one, you will seem unprofessional without it, and two, | | | | them see almost every aspect of your life, this will not |
| banks and other institutions won't even consider you | | | | be the route for you. But, if you can stomach it, the |
| without it in place. Start by researching how to write a | | | | SBA is a great way to fund your business and leave |
| business plan. It's not as difficult as you might think, | | | | employment behind. |
| much like putting together your own resume, except in | | | | Using six sigma programs for your company can really |
| this case, instead of showing people what you have | | | | help to boost business and bring in more customers. |
| done, you'll be demonstrating what you are about to | | | | Finding a six sigma expert is not hard to do and you |
| do. | | | | will really be thankful that you did it. |