How to Think About and Write Your Business Plan

In this interview with Dave Lavinsky, of BusinessPlanVictory.com, we discuss the ins-and-outs of writing a business plan. We also cover many of the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make when writing their business plan.

If you have the good fortune to get your plan in front of a high powered investor or banker, don't screw it up! It just takes one little mistake to disqualify you...

Don't be a casualty... listen to this interview and prepare your business plan the right way, the first time!

Including:

• Who needs a business plan, and who doesn't. (Learn what kind of business plan you should build - for YOUR business needs.)
• How to simplify the process of writing your plan. Most people spend weeks writing their plan, but you can write it in just a couple days.
• The NUMBER 1, MOST IMPORTANT THING to keep in mind when writing your business plan.
• The tools and techniques you can use for researching your plan, writing your plan, and getting it out into the world.
• How to strike the perfect balance between past accomplishments and current opportunity. (And what to do if you don't have past accomplishments to brag on...)
• How to get your plan in front of investors who will give you money.

And so much more!

You can listen to this interview right from here, or download it to your computer.

Common Business Plan Mistakes with Dave Lavinsky (1 hour 14 minutes)

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Dave's business plan template has helped entrepreneurs raise over $1 BILLION in funding!

I've arranged a very special discount, only for my listeners. For a short time, get the $97 business plan template product for just $1. Click here for details:

Business Plan Victory.com.

A hard-core, eagle-eyed, "been-there-done-that" investor WILL NOT FUND YOUR IDEA.

** He will only fund YOU. **

Today, I'm going to give you a FREE investor cheat sheet, called "10 rules investors use to bet the jockey". This cheat sheet is super-valuable, and only available for a very short period of time...

This FREE PDF Cheat sheet will only be available until Monday - at which time I will remove the link for downoad. If you're interested, get it now:

[link removed - sorry!]

Soon, I'm re-launching the Startup Victory training. This cheat sheet, along with the complete interview with Mr. Rose is only available as a bonus for members.

I'm super proud of the content coming out of this training... so proud that I'm putting my own money on the line.

I guarantee that if you complete the simple weekly assignments, at the end of the training you will own a business with at least enough monthly profit to replace your current paycheck - or I'll give you 250% of your course tuition back.

Travis

PS: If you are a current Startup Victory subscriber, you'll get all the new bonuses for free... and there are a lot.

What it is, how it works, and what you need to be prepared

If you have ever considered raising venture capital for your business, then this audio will be valuable.

In this interview with venture capitalist Brad Feld, we start with the basics, like

What is venture capital and how is it different from angel investors or private equity?

What kind of investments do venture capitalists look for?

What is the best way to approach and engage a venture capitalist?

In addition, Brad discusses:

• How does a VC think about investment opportunities?
• What can you say to a VC to give you the best opportunity for a hearing?
• Does a VC invest in "ideas" or "people"?
• What kind of VC should you approach? What kind of VC is likely to be interested in your idea?
• What kind of businesses do VC's traditionally invest in?
• Why you need a business plan - and why you will probably NEVER show it to a VC!
• The importance of your financial model, even though it will definitely be wrong...
• The only 4 possible responses you can get from any VC that you approach.

VC's like Brad Feld move fast! They get approached by a lot of people, and review a lot of ideas. Learn how to increase your chances for a favorable outcome - the tiny steps that must be taken if you want the attention and interest of somebody like Brad Feld.

You can listen to this interview right from here, or download it to your computer.

This interview has been disabled for public download. It is now accessible only to Startup Victory members. Click here to learn more about Startup Victory.

Members of Startup Victory Club get a step-by-step 52 week training series on implementing the 7 Steps to Startup S.U.C.C.E.S.S. method of starting a new business. Including valuable sections on writing a business plan and raising money for your business.

 

To learn more about Startup Victory, click here.

This interview is with Thomas Kish - a nationally recognized expert in the field of business credit. He has generated millions of dollars of credit for thousands of people all over the world.

Tom started off as a small business owner like you and me. In fact, he learned the tricks of his trade in the landscape business, where he needed to buy expensive equipment to ply his trade.

Lucky for us, he now specializes in helping small businesses get the unsecured credit they need.

Tom has helped thousands of entrepreneurs get money for their business. Here are a few of the secrets you'll learn in this interview:

• How much money you need to get your business of the ground - and out of the danger zone.
• The real truth about raising money for your business in this down economy.
• You might be a stupid entrepreneur if you fund yourself with...
• How to establish credit for your business if cashflow is low or non-existent
• The types of programs that are available for small business funding
• The myth of Venture Capital and Angel investors
• The secret to buidling a business line of credit without putting your personal credit on the line!
• And a whole lot more...

You can grab this interview now in streaming audio or MP3 download below:

Building Business Lines of Credit Interview (50:55)

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To learn more about building huge, unsecured lines of credit for your business, check out Tom's site:

http://www.BusinessCreditVictory.com

 

You’ve probably heard of most conventional methods for funding a new business. Credit Unions, banks, and small business administration lenders are familiar avenues for securing capital to get your business started.

These are good sources for businesses with a long track record, entrepreneurs with excellent credit ratings and those who have a considerable amount of business capital in hand.

But let’s face it, especially with today’s economy, not everyone can qualify for a business loan and even fewer have enough cash to show equity in a venture just getting off the ground.

Those who can qualify usually find themselves signing for a loan that’s pitted against the equity in their personal property or real estate…and they often come away saddled with huge monthly payments reflecting a hefty chunk of interest.

So, let’s take a look at a few alternative options specifically in place for new businesses - profit or non profit. These lenders are state and local municipalities who receive annual funding from the federal government. They’re anxious to find new businesses and help them succeed because the more the more money they lend, and the more successful their turnaround, the more funding they receive the next year.

The advantage for them is a broader tax base from well funded businesses that succeed, and if you have a solid idea for a business, they’ll do everything possible to see that you not only qualify, but that your payments are affordable as well. These are low interest, often long term loans and many come with tax credits and payment deferment opportunities.

Sound too good to be true? Don’t be so sure. Since 1974, tens of thousands of businesses have taken advantage of this funding option, and in turn have grown successful, solvent businesses.

They are available in every state - BUT they are NOT advertised. You won’t find these programs in the yellow pages. You have to know what they are and where to apply.

The key to acquiring capital from these lenders is to have a solid business plan in place and know how to pitch your new business so that it falls EXACTLY within the parameters of their requirements.

So, let’s take a closer look at some of the specific funding available and how to determine which of these best fit your business needs.

We’ll start with the Community Development Block Grant Program, better known as CDBG funds. Don’t let the word grant discourage you. These are federal dollars given to all local communities for the purpose of funding new or expanding existing businesses.

The money is disbursed through Housing and Urban Development or HUD programs, to cities and counties to be loaned to individuals and companies who want to start a business. The funds are available to anyone, but they’re sometimes earmarked for businesses that can revitalize a neighborhood or will offer a job opportunity for lower to moderate income workers.

This is where a good business plan comes in - you want to show how your business can fulfill a need in your community. Keep in mind that revitalization can be as simple as occupying a building or office that is currently vacant and therefore not generating any tax money.

It can also mean offering a needed service to the community which isn’t currently available. A good business plan will describe what the need is, how the community would benefit from such a business, and how your business will fulfill that need. Job development can be as simple as offering part time work to a clerk, sales person or maintenance worker, which again, adds to the tax base of a community.

Depending on the size of your community, you will be eligible for

1. Entitlement funds, which are for large metropolitan and urban counties, or
2. Non-entitlement funds for towns and rural areas.

Both are available through local city and county governments and you will apply for them through your economic and business development departments, usually housed at City Hall or the county government offices. You’ll want to make an appointment to meet with the program’s director.

There are a number of programs available and each is tailored to a specific type of business so it’s important to learn everything you can about the program BEFORE you sit down with the economic director. This way you’ll have a good understanding of what programs might work for you and what questions to ask.

Following your first meeting, you’ll want to write up a complete business plan to have with you at the next interview. You’ll be ready to present your case with paperwork to back you up, and you’ll be ready to proceed with the appropriate applications.

To become familiar with some of these programs, go to: http://www.hud.gov/funds/index.cfm and to http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/

You’ll find specific information on the funding available, and you’ll also find a link to get information for each State. This will give you an idea of what types of funds have been allocated to your area in the past which can be a good indicator of the funding that’s probably available this year.

Make note of the types of businesses normally funded through these programs. Be sure to list any specific qualifications, so you can be sure to include them when you draw up your business plan.

Another source for information on unconventional funding is SCORE - Counselors to America’s Small Businesses. They have several pages of good information about available funding and details a number of business-specific loans.

Go to: http://www.score.org/index.html.

So, to sum up the financing possibilities so far…

1. Remember that city, county and state governments have funding assistance available in a variety of programs for qualified small firms.
2. Make an appointment with your local economic development office to discuss the various programs available in your community and learn the requirements for qualifying.

   Don’t limit your possibilities. Don’t stop with the first financial program that appears to fit your needs. Continue your research; you may find another program more appropriate or a program that can work in-hand with the first. You may find one program to purchase or lease property, another to acquire inventory, and a third to lease or purchase some of those capital expenditures needed to get your business off the ground.

3. Be flexible - When you sit down with the economic director in your community let them know you are willing to do whatever it takes to qualify for lending and that you are open to any advice that will make your business enhance the community and broaden the tax base.
4. Once you have decided on the program or programs you want to apply for, write a business plan that reflects how your business fits the economic development plan for your community and be prepared to present it to the economic development director in detail.

Remember, these are just a few of the many types of funding available to small businesses.

Today, I’m going to tell you about a little known, federally funded loan program that could help you get the financial jump start that you need. And it may not be around for much longer, so I feel an urgent need to get this information out to you.

It’s called the SBA Microloan program.

We all know that the economy is in the dumps. The stock market has tanked. Layoffs are on the rise. Just last week, Ford reported 2,600 layoffs new layoffs. CNN says that the economy will shed 1.2 million jobs this year. At the same time, the credit crisis is leading to the tightening of credit for businesses of all sizes.

And, this information may discourage you. But don’t be discouraged! This may in fact be one of the best times to start a business. Some of the best businesses are started in down economies. Partially because there is less competition. There are fewer entrepreneurs willing to go out there and get what is available to them. And hopefully, this... can help you.

The Small Business Association’s Microloan program might be able to help. The Microloan program helps entrepreneurs who need small amounts of capital. So if you own or would like to start a business but are having trouble qualifying for a traditional bank loan, the Microloan Program might be right for you.

Here’s how it works: the SBA doesn’t lend you the money directly. Instead, it makes funds available to local non-profit intermediary organizations that, in turn, provide loans of $35,000 or less to existing small businesses. These intermediary organizations have their own lending criteria, set their own rates, and ensure that all credit decisions are made locally.

These loans are not grants. They must be paid back in six years or less. And the loans can’t be used for everything. You can’t use the money to pay off existing debts or to purchase real estate. But an SBA Microloan can help you obtain working capital or finance the purchase of equipment or inventory. More specific details will be determined by your intermediary lender. The lender sets the interest rate and determines how much money you can receive - most applicants will not receive the $35,000 maximum. The SBA reports that the average loan amount is around $13,000. But the paperwork is relatively simple, the loans can be approved quickly, which is helpful if you need capital in a hurry, and entrepreneurs who wouldn’t qualify for many traditional business loans do qualify under the Microloan program. An extra benefit of the program is that borrowers can receive business-based training and technical assistance. This guidance can be a helpful to you, as a new business owner.

If you want to receive a Microloan, the first thing you need to do is find a intermediary organization. You can do this by contacting your local SBA office. If you don’t know where your local office is, you can always look it up on the Small Business Association’s website. Go to www.sba.gov, and then look under the local resources section. You’ll see your local office listed there. And while you’re on the website, take a look at the free online courses that the SBA offers. You can get information on business topics such as e-commerce, marketing and preparing a business plan without ever leaving your desk.

After finding an intermediary organization, take a look at the loan application. You will have to provide some information on your company. If your company is new and you don’t know how to answer the questions, go back to the Small Business Association website and take another look at the free courses they’ll provide you with more information on the practicalities of starting your business.

You’ll also need collateral - an asset that you pledge toward repayment of the loan, should you not be able to repay the loan in cash. If you aren’t sure what you can use as collateral, make a list of the resources you already have for your business. Do you have office equipment? A company vehicle? These are items that can be used for collateral. If you are still not sure what to use as collateral, ask your intermediary lender. They might be able to help you find some creative solutions. You should also be ready to sign a personal guarantee promising to repay the money.

Because the Microloan program is funded with federal dollars, it is vulnerable to changes in the political landscape, and the last few have been tumultuous - with funding being cut further each year. In his 2008 budget, Bush proposed to cut funding to the program entirely, suggesting that other SBA loan programs, especially the 7(a) business loan program could pick up the slack. While investigating the 7(a) program is also worthwhile for small businesses, it does tend to give larger loans. The Microloan Program is still the easiest way for a small businesses that doesn’t qualify for a bank loan to obtain credit, so as the credit market tightens, more entrepreneurs will find themselves in this pool. What is going to happen to the program in the future? Only time will tell. But if you are an entrepreneur or small business that needs capital now, the SBA Microloan program currently remains a very viable option.

Get the full business credit system here:
http://www.BusinessCreditVictory.com

Video 1 (of 4): The basics of credit. How your credit score is calculated.

Do You Want $300,000 in Unsecured Business Lines of Credit, NO Collateral needed?

Video 2: Create a business entity to build business credit

Get the full business credit system here:
http://www.BusinessCreditVictory.com

Video 3: Forming patnerships

Business loans, business lines of credit, business credit cards and more...

Video 4: Recap of the business building system

Get the full business credit system here:
http://www.BusinessCreditVictory.com