Startup Costs Calculator...

If you have every wondered what the difference would be between Startup costs and purchasing an existing business... here is a great tool from the Wall Street Journal online (WSJ.com).

Startup expenses are one-time expenses that occur before you can open your doors for business and start selling your product or service. Expenses are money you pay for services, like legal expenses, or design services, or rent - intangible things that you don't get to keep. Expenses reduce your taxable income, but cannot be depreciated over time. After startup, expenses are accounted for in our profit & loss table.

To learn more... and calculate your possible startup costs... click here.

The SBA Has a Deal for You

It's called a 504 loan. Here's what you need to know about it.
By Marshall Eckblad
Wall Street Journal: Small Business Online
June 21, 2010

The government is trying to entice more small businesses to tap one of its loan programs. Before applying for one of these loans, though, there are some fine points borrowers should consider.

The Small Business Administration's 504 loan program lets companies take out fixed-rate financing to buy property, build or expand facilities, or refinance some existing mortgages. The borrower typically needs to put down just 10% of the transaction's total price.

With the weak economy deterring many small businesses from expanding in the past couple of years, demand for these loans plummeted: Last year, the SBA approved $3.8 billion in 504 loans, down 28% from 2008 and 40% from 2007. Hoping to spur expansion among small companies, the SBA is offering inducements like lower rates and no-fee deals.

To read more... click here.

Buying a Business: 5 Things You Need to Know

Buying a existing business can be easier than starting one from scratch. How to find the right opportunity, raise enough money, and get a good price.

By Darren Dahl
With increasing signs that the economy is improving, and the credit markets beginning to loosen up again, the business-for-sale market is sure to see an uptick. In fact, the number of businesses sold during the first quarter of 2010 rose 6.3 percent over the fourth quarter of last year, according to BizBuySell, an online marketplace for business postings. Sometimes, buying an existing business can be a lot easier than starting one from scratch. What are the best ways to get started? Here are five things you need to know.

1. Know what kind of business is right for you.
2. Line up your financing ahead of time.
3. Assemble a team of professionals.
4. Place a value on the business.
5. Start looking and spread the word.

To read the full article click here...

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