How to Pick the Best Funding for Your Start Up

by Brad Campbell

Getting your startup off of the ground is not always easy to do. Not only do you have to face the rigors of simply being in business, you also have to find all of the money you will need in order to accomplish tasks which will make growth possible. You need to buy equipment and supplies for your office as well, including copier machines and other office equipment.


Finding the right investors for your company is a very important part of the startup process. Doing so will enable you to work with people who know about the things you need. Funding will also help you to buy all of the digital copiers and office equipment you will need to get your business running.

There are a few things to keep in mind when looking for the right investor for your business. You want to find an investor with experience working with companies in your field. It is important the investor is used to investing the kind of money you will need for your startup. It is also important that the investor has a proven track record for working with businesses which are successful.


Working in your field

When you dreamed up what your startup would be, there was a certain niche which you were looking to fill. A good investor for your company will understand what it is you do. It is important they understand what you do so you will not have to explain every step of the process as you grow. Additionally, investors who are used to working with companies in your industry might have some input for you as to what will help your company be more successful. Simply look at the past investments the investor has made to see how often they invest in your industry. Many will invest exclusively in one kind of industry.

Investing on your level

There are many different kinds of investors these days. The different kinds of investors are indicative of the different amounts of money in which they are used to investing. From the lowest investment amounts to the most are angels, super-angels, micro-VCs, VC, growth investors and equity groups. The difference is while angels might invest only a few thousand, VCs invest a few million and equity groups invest tens of millions. By using the right investor you will have a better chance the investor will not be scared about investing the amount you are looking to receive.

Track record for success

Hedging bets is very normal in the investing world. While it is important to work with those who are used to investing in your industry, if the investor has a bad history of investing in bad businesses there is a chance they can lead to the downfall of your company. While the failures are likely on the part of the company itself, it can often be due to the manner in which the investor interacts with them.

Resource Nation provides free tools, tips, and purchasing advice for business owners and entrepreneurs in over 100 business categories ranging from phone systems to credit card processing. Whether it's connecting businesses with local and national pre-screened vendors, or offering easy service comparisons on a VoIP service, Resource Nation empowers business decision makers by providing the information they need to make smart choices.

Women Entrepreneurs The Secrets of Success for Monday, November 8th

"Simply Sue" Falcone

As a gifted international motivational and inspirational speaker, facilitator, and published author, Sue Falcone uses her unique presentation of humor and energy to touch lives and change hearts.

Skilled as a former AT&T and Lucent Technologies Executive, and Direct Sales Business Owner, Sue is a Dale Carnegie Speaker and Trainer graduate, certified from the Zig Ziglar Leadership Training Group, and a Bob Pike Creative Training Techniques graduate.

As a speaker for more than forty years with a vast background in communications, sales and marketing, customer service, financial counseling, time management, writing, and personal spiritual growth; Sue is available for Business Workshops/Seminars, as a Keynote Speaker, Women's Groups, Retreats, and Large Church Groups.

Sue is married to Carmen, and together they have a blended family of 4 awesome children, and 6 fabulous grandchildren. She loves the beach, walking, music, climbing lighthouses, reading, and helping others.

Visit Sue at www.simplysuespeaks.com and see additional testimonials, speaking topics, and booking information. You can view Sue on www.youtube.com/simplysuespeaks, follow her on www.twitter.com/suefalcone, join her fan page at www.facebook.com/SimplySue Speaks, and see her recommendations and fee schedule at www.linkedin.com/simplysue.





8:00 pm EDT
Listen to the live or archived show at:
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Lessons from an experienced entrepreneur

My SCORE colleague, Irwin Miller, spoke at a luncheon some time ago about his long and very successful career in the pharmaceutical business in Houston. He spoke about his struggles to get started and the difficulties and many successes along the way. He concluded by identifying several key lessons based on his experience in running a successful small business.


• Hire good people. Effectively managing people is, of course, very important in running small businesses but it all starts by hiring trustworthy, hardworking, and capable people in the first place. If you don’t, you’ll spend more time doing their job than doing yours.


• Constantly improve. Irwin says, “If it’s not broken, fix it.” If it works today, it may not work tomorrow because the environment is always changing. You need the attitude that whatever is done today, can always be done better.


• Always innovate. Finding new ways of doing things is the best way to beat competition. The market rewards those who are the first to produce a new and valuable product or service.


• Put the customer first. Business starts and ends with your customers. If they feel they are your first priority they will keep coming back. Understand their needs and do everything you can to satisfy them. Satisfied customers are your most effective marketing tool and often are the best source of information for improving your business. So, ask them what you can do better.


• Take care of internal customers. Internal customers are your employees, suppliers, and service providers who are indispensable to operating a profitable business. Treat them well and they’ll spend that little extra effort to get the job done well and help you through difficult situations.



• Always keep commitments. Never let anybody down even if you have to eat some additional expense or spend some extra time to do what you promised. Your word must be golden and is essential to building a good, long-term reputation.


• Work hard. Most small businesses require a tremendous effort by the owners especially in the early going. You’ve got to attend to all the little details. Running a small business is not for the faint of heart. There will be many bumps along the road but you need to keep plowing through to succeed.


Other successful business men or women may have other key points but they won’t be too dissimilar to Irwin’s.

This is Why You Resist Selling

 by Tessa Stowe


©Tessa Stowe, Sales Conversation, 2010

Are you having fun selling? Are you enjoying it - or do you dread or resist it? If you aren't having fun selling, then I have a hunch that you think selling is all about persuading and convincing people to buy something they may or may not want or need.

If that is what you think selling is about, then it will automatically and naturally create huge resistance and tension on your side as it is simply not in one's nature to try to persuade or convince people. You don't want people to think of you as someone who acts in this way as it makes you feel like a phony. You feel you can't act with integrity using this type of sales approach. So it's fairly easy to convince yourself not to sell at all - or if you do, then you only do it half heartedly.

If you think selling is about persuading and convincing, you'll be asking yourself "How can I do that?" You'll be thinking that there is a lot to learn. You'll believe that you have to master a lot of techniques like how to overcome objections and how to "close." You'll be thinking that you better put off selling until you've practiced all these techniques. But actually you don't really want to use these techniques - as you don't want to be a phony persuader or a convincer - so you put off learning these techniques as well.

If you think selling is about persuading and convincing, you'll also be expecting (and getting) a lot of rejection experience. You really don't like rejection, so it's much easier to simply avoid or minimize doing the thing that is causing it. Therefore, you minimize and avoid selling - problem solved!

So what is the solution? How can you easily and quickly go from resisting selling to actually enjoying it, and as a consequence, make a lot more profitable sales? The solution is quick and easy. Ready? Simply change your definition of selling. Instead of persuading and convincing, define selling as helping people get what they want.

If you believe selling is about helping people get what they want, there will be no resistance on your side as you enjoy that. You like it when people think of you as someone that will help them get what they want. When you are helping people like this, you are acting with integrity as the "real you", and it makes you feel good.

If you think selling is about helping people get what they want, then you'll naturally know how to do that. You'll know that first, you need to find out what they want. If you can help them, then you show them how you can help them. Finally you give them the choice of whether they would like your help or not. Some will and some won't. All of this can be the result of a normal comfortable conversation - which you know how to have.

If you think selling is about helping people get what they want, then you know that not everyone will want your help at this point in time. Maybe in the future they will. Even if they need your help now, it is their choice to decide if they want you to help them. Your role is to simply help them make the best possible decision for them. With this view, there is no rejection because it's not about you. It's simply about them making a decision that is best for them.

Can you feel your resistance to selling go away when you think about selling as helping people get what they want? There is a great sense of fulfillment when you can help someone else get what they want. You'll enjoy sales more with this approach and you'll also make a lot more profitable sales!


Tessa Stowe teaches small business owners and recovering salespeople simple steps to turn conversations into clients without being sales-y or pushy. Her FREE monthly Sales Conversation newsletter is full of tips on how to sell your services by just being yourself. Sign up now at www.salesconversation.com.

Follow Your Dreams - Are You Sure You Are Ready to Own a Business?

This week's post is from Cathy Belch. Cathy is an accountant, who does a lot of work for us. At some point we hope to have her full time. Take it away Cathy.....

Being new to the world of blogging, this post is a first time effort for me. When Frank asked for a piece for the site, I had a moment of fear, followed by curiosity. I had heard of such things, but after I have spent my day; as any good accountant should, in front of the computer, I admit I am not drawn to idle scanning on the internet once finished and home. But, I do know a good subject to comment on for the site. And if I could impart a bit of wisdom it would be to send each new entrepreneur a dose of realism.

As you begin a venture into business ownership you inherently put on glasses with rose colored lenses. You think this new world will open up to you that is merry and bright. Nor more boss making unreasonable demands, or punching the clock. Vicious politics no more! In the distance you can see the dollars signs on the horizon, the sound of “FORE” or “Tally Ho” echo in your mind. Perhaps you envision a beautiful, windowed corner office with you secretary bringing you the morning tea and crumpets. But, okay, let me hold onto your glasses and we will sip our realism and discuss why, or more importantly, why not, start your new enterprise.

The statistics may help in realizing the advise is not meant to stifle your enthusiasm, but direct you in reaching your goal successfully. The latest postings found on the internet sites currently show on average 33% of all new businesses fail within the first six months. Fifty percent of new businesses fail within their first two years of operation and 75% fail within the first three years. This is an improvement over historical figures commonly believed to be that 50 percent of businesses fail in the first year and 95 percent fail within five years. Most sources reflect numbers from sources such as Dunn and Bradstreet or the SBA.

Now that you are forming the word “But”, let’s talk details and help you with the first job at hand. Which is, how to decide whether or not to move forward with your idea. Are you truly good at the work you will be doing in your new venture? Ask for input from colleagues, friends and family. If the answer is not a definite YES!; don’t lose your dream. Form a plan for improving your skills or knowledge while you are still working at your current job or situation. You may even be able to gain financial assistance from your current employer while moving closer to your dream. If you are good, or even better, if you excel at your work, is there a real demand right now? Timing is everything. If you are still answering yes; then the next step is commitment. Put your ideas onto paper and form a good business plan. Talk to other successful business owners to gain insight to their success. Talk to those not as successful to learn what they think may have been the reason for their venture to have failed.

Select owners in markets outside of what will be your new market. You won’t be a potential competitor that way and the advice may flow more freely. If you can persuade a local owner, all the better, just be aware that an unknown source may steer you in the wrong direction to decrease the chance of competition from you. I have gained a lot of great advice this way. Listen to all the advice, sift through it with family and friends. Those that know you and your personality will often have great ideas and different ways of processing information. This is great practice when you are in business for yourself. You will have to be able to manage others, be it employees, business partner, vendors or hopefully lot of customers. All with the desire to tell you how to run your new venture. Get used to it now.

Now that you have some ideas on paper, you are ready to move into the next phase, which is preparing a business plan for the first 3 years. Set up a realistic budget for start up, purchases of inventory, and /or supplies. Then move into estimating how the sales and expense will work. Ask your friendly S&K partner or current CPA to review it. This brings us to financing. How will you fund your new entity? And more importantly, how will you pay it back? How will you survive financially while your business is being established? Be prepared to personally guarantee loans, and vendor purchases until you are an established creditor.

My last and hardest question, do you really have the right personality? Guess who all the problem customers, and irate vendors are going to be calling? You! So if you are not able to manage more than just the work, then how, and whom will take on dealing with these issues? I have seen many people who basically do not like to deal with conflict and problems, start a business that puts them dealing directly with the public. You may like sewing, and be the best seamstress in the world, but if you are not great with people, then you will need someone to handle that side of things for you. A good office manager and accountant that you are comfortable with and trust can be the key to your success. Remember, if you contemplate involving family members, you can remove a non family member, without having to worry about how to handle the Thanksgiving dinner staring over the turkey at them.

My last bit of advice is work hard and play hard. Be willing, and able, to devote a lot of time and long hours to your venture until it is established. You are the new Advertising and Marketing Department. Before you even begin your business you are the business. Keep business cards with you all the time, and network to build your relationships. Don’t drive your car around town running errands, with last week’s road rally mud all over it, if you are starting a car detailing business. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. And who knows, even an internet date might lead to a new client even if the dating side does not turn into a new romance. So, that is your does or realism for today.

Using Pain or Pleasure in Your Marketing

by Alicia M Forest

About 3 years ago, I was driving around running errands, and I tuned into a local radio station that was hosting a radio-thon to raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. When the DJ said, “Think about what your healthy child is doing right now, playing, having a snack, whatever… and then think of the kids at St. Jude” – well, I couldn’t pull over fast enough to whip out my wallet and cell phone.

Now, like you, I get a lot of solicitations either in the mail or even via email. Most of those get dumped in the trash or deleted. But what was different about this time? I mean, I literally stopped what I was doing (driving!) to pull over, take out my credit card, call the number, and make my contribution.

So, what made me not even hesitate? It was that deep FEELING of empathy for those kids and their parents, as well as an overwhelming FEELING of gratefulness for my own healthy child.

You see, as humans, we tend to seek pleasure and avoid pain. And you may be surprised to learn that we actually will do more to avoid pain than we will to gain pleasure.

What that DJ said really got to me – it was incredibly painful for me to think of my own little girl ever being that sick. In order to avoid feeling that pain, I became a Partner in Hope and now make monthly and annual contributions to St. Jude’s directly from the proceeds of my business.

The same holds true in your marketing. If you can touch upon your target market’s pain, address what it is that they are most struggling with, and offer the solution to them – well, it’s a winning formula every time.

When you’re writing your sales pages, you want to state what problem your reader is struggling with and how your offering can solve it, right at the beginning.

One effective way of introducing your solution is by asking a question of your reader around what it’s like to struggle with the problem your offering solves. If you can relate to your reader’s frustration, pain, struggle, or challenge, you’ll immediately establish a connection and they will want to know more about how you can solve their issue for them.

Touching on your prospect’s pain and offering them relief by way of your solution is not manipulative. It’s direct, honest and open. Your reader is at your website because they are looking for a solution. If you want to help them, then the only way to do that is to tell them that you understand their pain and that you offer the solution.

So, think about your market. Are they more likely to seek out your services or your products because they want to gain pleasure? Or is it because they want to solve their most pressing problems? Then weave your answer into your marketing messages.


Alicia M Forest, MBA, 6-Figure Business Breakthrough Mentor, teaches entrepreneurs how to attract more clients, create profit-making products and services, make more sales, and ultimately live the life they desire and deserve. For FREE tips on how to breakthrough to 6 figures and beyond so you can live the life you ache for, visit http://aliciaforest.com

Company Culture: 3 Ways to Develop a Winning Attitude

by Brad Campbell

Buzzwords are developed for a reason. They are talked about with young up and comers and CEO’s alike. The buzzword is something which is embraced by all those looking to get ahead in business. Many buzzwords come and go, but only the best ones stick around. One of the buzzwords which does not appear to be going anywhere any time soon is ‘company culture’.

Company culture means a winning attitude shared by everyone within the company. It is something which is invested in by the majority of the most successful companies. It involves empowering employees so that they feel as if they are a member of a larger picture rather than a cog in the machine. It does not matter if the business is in lead generation or retail, it is important to have a winning attitude. It is important to have company culture.

So, how do you get company culture? Different businesses attack the problem through different means. While a large company might hire consultants and invest millions into creating the winning attitude, it is simply not a course small businesses can pursue. Small companies like a telephone answering service or a local production company need to approach the problem from a different angle. Here are a few suggestions to get started on the road to company culture.

1. Listen to Employees. Employees need to feel as if they are respected. It is simple to make employees feel respected by simply respecting them. Call for company meetings regularly and talk about ideas for how to improve the business. Whether one on one or in a group setting, these strategy sessions make the employee feel as if they are really doing something rather than just punching a clock. The more regular the meetings are, the more productive they will be as employees will start preparing to speak their mind.

2. Try New Things. After meetings with employees, go to the next step and try out suggestions. As long as the suggestion will not damage the income or the reputation of the company, there is nothing to lose. You never know, it might be a great idea on how to generate new business. It is amazing how well ideas which sounded off the wall and even a bit garish at first will deliver superior results in the end. When the employees see you are using their ideas, they will be empowered and work even harder to produce for a company they love.

3. Maintain a Small Business Feel. As a company grows, the tendency is to lose the company culture focus. CEOs become distant from employees and mid-level managers become more interested in following the instructions handed down from on high rather than listening to employee suggestions. The door to the CEO should always be open no matter how large the company gets. While the CEO might not always be available for one on one conferences, managers should take the place and field the suggestions. Suggestions should be tried on every level by funneling the information upward.

The greater the energy in the business, the faster the business will grow. Get started today on creating company culture and success will follow.

Resource Nation provides free tools, tips, and purchasing advice for business owners and entrepreneurs in over 100 business categories ranging from phone systems to credit card processing. Whether it's connecting businesses with local and national pre-screened vendors, or offering easy service comparisons on a VoIP service, Resource Nation empowers business decision makers by providing the information they need to make smart choices.