[SeptemberMorn]

Just spoke with a woman in my State's capitol who is with the SBA. She told me there is NO FREE MONEY, as in grants for small businesses??

DH is focused on starting up a petting zoo, of all things, with the animals that my youngest son and his family have and borrowing two or three from the ranch where our youngest lives. The man owns all sorts of wild animals that he rents out to the movie makers.

DH is willing to take out $10,000 from his retirement fund for this petting zoo. All I need is $5,000 to get started and probably wouldn't need all of it at once. My efforts are minimized and treated like a child's game. My need to be home and have the computer available to me in the mornings isn't even recognized. He gets upset when I ask for access to the Internet while he plays solitaire.

I'm half-way tempted to give up my "big" plans and just produce whatever I can with whatever money I have disposable to me at the time. It sure ain't much!

Then the other part of me that's always said "Damn the torpedoes! Full steam ahead!!" starts stomping her feet and saying "Wait a minute here! YOUR plans are more realistic and more viable! Why are you putting down your own cannons?"

Then Insecurity pops up and says "You mean I went to all that trouble of writing up a business plan for NOTHING? Who are all these liars that told me the money was there if you weren't faint of heart? They said if you act timid, they'll lie and tell you 'No, there isn't any money' but if you are self-assured, you can get it." This woman I talked to this morning offered the information. gggrrrrrr Do I believe her or not?

The Torpedoes start talking to me and throwing my own words back in my face, "Ha! Who is it that is always preaching that the things most worth having are the hardest to get? We'll wrap ourselves in velvet while you're taking aim. "

Then Insecurity says, "Oh, shut up! I'm too tired right now! You know your plans are bound to fail. You never finish anything you start."

The Torpedoes respond, "Remember getting the farm, the goats, the rabbits, etc? Remember us blasting your way out of there when you'd had enough of doing everything by yourself?"

[Perna]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
SBA provides a number of financial assistance programs for small businesses including
7(a), 504 and disaster assistance loans. Within this section, we’ll review eligibility requirements, SBA’s loan programs, surety bonds and the role of SBA, equity capital topics, special purpose loans, SBA partner topics and 7(a) lender programs. Though the SBA does not provide grants to help you start a business, included is information on organizations and sites that can assist you in locating special purpose grants.

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From: http://www.sba.gov/services/financia...nce/index.html

I would find a few books at the library or a TV show, start small with a few things and a craft show or something?

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_resource...386971,00.html

[nothemama8]

would you be willing to go with the mental health venture, did you look up the SDOP ?
Self Development of People
do you have a 3 year budget to show?

[SeptemberMorn]

http://www.governmentfederalgrants.c...FSMZawodHx7b-A

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Government and Private organizations are giving out billions of dollars to people like you to start or expand a business, buy a house, go to school etc... There is money available but the average person is not aware of this funding. That is why I am here to help you. Remember this is money that never needs to be paid back. Poor Credit, bad credit, bankruptcy.. no problem. All you need to do is apply to the appropriate agency and follow the application process.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/w...tategrants.htm

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Small business grants are closer than you think. In fact, the small business grant you need to start or expand your business may be available right in your own home state.

While there are still no direct small business grants available from the federal government, many state development agencies offer direct small business grants and other types of financial assistance designed to encourage and assist entrepreneurs in starting or expand a small business.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

http://www.businessownersideacafe.com/business_grants/

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
So -- for you gutsy small business owners -- Idea Cafe has created this FREE gateway to small business grants of all types! Here we give you the info and links you need to find, apply for (and hopefully, win) grants!

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

http://www.ventureworthy.com/Grants-...l-business.asp

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Grants for starting a small business are available through varying sources.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

So... who do you believe?

[coralproper]

not quite the same situation here but, at one point in time of my life I wanted to apply for international grant money, it was to be used to start up a NPO to help provide a sustainable lively hood for islanders whom have no real natural resources except coral reefs, and also help protect the reefs in the process, I learned alot on how to aquire grant money though, through various sources

I can dig up some info for you if you like, I have knowledge in preparing bullet proof business plan outlines also, starting with the executive summary

you might not be able to tell by my spelling and post outlines but, thats nothing Word could not fix

my main barrier was the fact that I had a wife who I could not leave for long periods of time, while living in remote islands in substandard conditions &amp; working with the natives, teaching them what they needed to know, then came children, and there was also a few diferrent languages I needed to master first, and also religious percecution, just cause I was white, religious or not, I may have never came back alive

your best bet is to apply as a minority since you are a women, if the business is to be in your name

[SeptemberMorn]

At this point, Coral, I will take anything you have to offer. My business plan is written, in my estimation, but no doubt it could use a lot more work. Bullet proof, you say? I'm all for that!

You can PM me the information if you like.

Thanks!

PS I had already thought of filing as a minority.

[curley]

Awwee September, I am sorry you are so frustrated. If DH wants the petting zoo so much why is the effort all yours. I always say people should follow their dreams. But dont they do the leg work too? If you have great plans why not follow through. Let DH make his own! If DH has a way to make money for his zoo let him. I am sorry you feel your plans are not important. Luckily you are a smart woman and you know your ideas are good, so go for it woman. I hope things get better for you.

[Perna]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
SeptemberMorn said:
So... who do you believe?

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
I only believe the people on their sites that are actually giving away the money! The other people have an angle to get money from you in some way. If you're doing the Feds, make sure the URL ending is .gov, they're the only one allowed that ending. Same with states, etc. Make sure you have official sites, not someone telling you vague, "the money's out there". Do the, Jerry McGuire, "Show me the money!" test :-)

[coralproper]

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SeptemberMorn said:
Bullet proof, you say?

PS I had already thought of filing as a minority.


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As a wise business leader once told me, Failing to plan is planning to fail.

The structure and intent of your business plan is the single most important part of aquiring any money.

Have you done any demographic research yet ? To show your targeted market segment.

I would have to view your plan to see what can be done, as well as, know your demographics

I use to have a business but, I had intent for my wife to run it with me and she was just to overwhelmed with the volume of business we had, and the amount of work that actually go's into being a success, so rather than having a stressed life just for money, I closed it down, there is alot more to running a business than just the idea, after our business went from my hobby, to a business, I dreaded doing something I once loved with a passion, there is more to life than money but, remember in order for a business to be a business it has to make profit

unless you start a NPO

My ex-competition ended up attaining several million in grant money, though they still wanted me to help with parts of their plan but, when I wash my hands clean, I leave them clean

I'd probably never start another business, life is to short for all the stress it puts on ones life, IMHO, though some are able to thrive on it(stress)

[coralproper]

oh.....and as my mother told me once, always remember the # 1 rule when planning son, " plan for something to go wrong " .... LOL

[coralproper]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
SeptemberMorn said:
DH is willing to take out $10,000 from his retirement fund for this petting zoo. All I need is $5,000 to get started and probably wouldn't need all of it at once.

I'm half-way tempted to give up my "big" plans and just produce whatever I can with whatever money I have disposable to me at the time. It sure ain't much!

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

if this is all it takes to give you this much stress, in all due respect, maybe the weight of business is not the thing for you to carry on your shoulders

the above is "not" alot of money needed, and unless you plan to be your own lawyer, accountant and adviser ..... alot of that money would go to these fees, plus insurance

have you thought of what structure to incorperate under?

or will you be sole proprietor or in partnership ?

please don't take this post as a discouragment, I am all for your success but, ask yourself these questions first before getting your feet wet

Why am I doing this?

Money?

Passion for the industry or business ?

other ?

[nowheretorun]

yes Coral... your posts are very helpful and informative.. one does wonder why you would do that? appreciate it tho

[coralproper]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
nowheretorun said:
.. one does wonder why you would do that? appreciate it tho

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can you rephrase this part ?

[nowheretorun]

well.. i was just considering some of the other posts i ve read Coral... it seems the help you've offered is totally selfless... i can learn from such acts... in fact, i do try to practice the 'pay it forward' principle... i am not perfect myself... so seeing this kindness for someone in a difficult and struggling time is very encouraging... it was a compliment.. hope its taken that way...

[coralproper]

give until you have nothing left to give

I was not sure if it had to do with the post above where I asked her to ask herself these questions "meaning why is she doing this", and only looking for clarity so I could respond properly

I did not realize it was a retorical question thanks for the compliment

[coralproper]

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

"I'd probably never start another business, life is to short for all the stress it puts on ones life, IMHO, though some are able to thrive on it(stress)"

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

I take this part back, I'd love to aquire the company that I work for now but, when I mentioned it to my wife she asked me why I'd want to work anymore if I did'nt have to

so I took that as NO WAY !! and never mentioned it again

[nothemama8]

Tomi this is the web site for SDOP
www.pcusa.org
go to the SDOP mission statement they have a grant application

[SeptemberMorn]

Curley, thank you. No, I'm not putting any effort into DH's petting zoo. All my effort has been going to MY ideas. It was the farm that I put all my effort into and he didn't. I learned my lesson that time!

Guess there's more than one way to get the job done. I just wanted to have it easy this time, intead of how my whole life has gone. I really have to do uphill battle when I want something... anything.

IDK right now. I've got inventory that I need to move so I'm putting it on eBay. Maybe it will sell. I'm gonna keep trying, though.

[SeptemberMorn]

Right on! "Show me the money!"

Thanks, Perna. Still need to email Jennifer.

[SeptemberMorn]

I've done a whole lot of thinking things through, planning, projections and goal setting. I'm just not sure if I'm right on the money or not, never having done this before.

How about I send you what I have and you can tell me? I have the cost of almost everything that I need, I have the Business Plan, such as it is, but the Profit and Loss is causing me problems. Again, how would I know? I've never done this before. Maybe you're the person I've been needing to set me straight, you think? I'm sure there's a lot I've missed simply because I've had little to no direction from those I've asked for help, like the SBA, SCORE and those that were supposed to show me how to write up my package. THOSE people have put me in a real financial bind, but it was my own stupidity that really did it. Still have a bone to pick with SCORE on that account. ggrrrrr

[SeptemberMorn]

Coral, I've been married to this man for 33 yrs. It's ALWAYS been this way. Wouldn't know how to act if it wasn't. LOL I was just letting off some steam on that account. DH and I have had a talk and he realized what he was doing. He considered the work I've put into my project compared to his and it seems he's willing to let it drop. He also realized that both of our intentions were to help out our youngest monitarily and saw that we were working against each other. He wanted our son to be involved with the zoo and the son already has his plate full... while his wife doesn't work outside the home. SHE has plenty of time to devote to earning a little money.

Ok, so what little depression isn't under control makes almost anything out of the ordinary stressful, but I'm thinking things are better under control now.

Make things a little clearer for you and your footing is more sure on what advise you can give me? I hope so.

[coralproper]

maybe something that might be a lucrative venture without as much liability........... have you ever studied on raising "mini cattle", this is a "niche" market segment, that is starting to boom rapidly, and demographics may not be as important since you could use the internet to target most states

you could probably get some great breeding stock, with the amount of capital you listed, though some do cost double or triple that per cow

we have some friends who I have been looking into this business market for.....

[SeptemberMorn]

Coral, I think Darrel asked you his question because you and I have butted heads in the Sanctuary.

(Darrel, please don't take offense, ok? Just because I don't agree with Coral on some things, doesn't mean I'm going to automatically disagree with him on everything. )

As much as I like the saying, it's true here; "It's all good."

[coralproper]

Send me what you have and we'll see from there

[coralproper]

gotta let the girls have the computer for a little while but, I'll be back a little later