Archive for January, 2011
It might seem counter-intuitive to think of starting a business during these (still) tough economic times, but — according to some — there are some particular advantages to taking the leap now.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that there’s never been a cheaper time to start a new business. Small Business reporter Rosalind Resnik says:
Ten years ago, a typical Internet start-up needed $1 million to launch a product and millions more to prove its business model and scale it to profitability or an IPO. Today’s start-ups run lean and mean thanks to the plunging cost of technology and a surplus of real estate and talent. “The popular ‘lean start-ups’ approach favors developing a product and getting it into the hands of customers as quickly and inexpensively as possible,” says Mr. Ronick of UpStartBootcamp.com. “Plus, the stigma of freelancing has lifted for both companies and individuals so start-ups can hire top talent on an as-needed, virtual basis. This lets founders hire better talent with more flexibility, reduced office space needs, and lower benefits costs.” And thanks to the power of social networking, it’s no longer necessary to hire an expensive PR firm to generate press.
Read the full article for the rest of Resnik’s reasons for starting a business this year.
The lending marketing is also starting to open up again (Reuters: “Regulators see small business lending improving“) and there is unprecedented assistance available for the underserved: namely, women and minority business enterprises. For instance, the Small Business Administration (SBA) just announced two new loan initiatives: Small Loan Advantage and Community Advantage. According to a recent press release, these programs “are aimed at increasing the number of lower-dollar SBA 7(a) loans going to small businesses and entrepreneurs in underserved communities. The agency’s most popular loan product, 7(a) government-guaranteed loans can be used for variety of general business purposes, including working capital and purchases of equipment and real estate.” Find out more about the Advantage Loan Initiatives.
Additionally, there is a new emphasis on opening contracting opportunities for women-owned businesses as part of the SBA’s Final Rule, which we wrote about back in October.
Besides these supporting developments, there are many benefits to owning your own business. You can be your own boss. You can achieve financial independence and fully utilize your skills and knowledge, all while maintaining your creative freedom. And if you’ve been laid off or are currently unemployed, see this as an opportunity or an alternative to entering a saturated job market (a huge talent pool of your own potential employees!). So go ahead, take the leap in 2011, and like countless other innovative and creative women (and men), discover the joy of owning a business.
Author: Biz Tips, Resources, Start-Up | No Comments »