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Working towards business ownership in ecommerce, web design,  technology assistance and services. The economic down fall has had major effects this year. Needing to rebuild a financial future in a entirely new demographic. The technology utilitized in this area is extremely limited.

Hello, I started a non-medical homecare agency in 2007. I started it 3 years after the death of my son. who died from asthma. his name was Terell. My company name is Rels Homecare Corp.

In memory of Terell. At first things were going well considering I had just started.I had the clients (I also work in a nursing home). I've been in the healthcare field for 20 years. I wanted to start a business where I could really help people. So I decided to go where my heart is. which is helping my senior citzens and disable people. I love my senior citzens.people always ask me why I say "my senior citizens" It's because I have so much love in myheart, soul, and mind for them. At Rels homecare corp we offer services in personal care, homemaking, in home respite, and companionship. I offer free services on the 15th of every month. I have been advised this is not good business practice. But, I do it anyway.

I make extra money to pay my staff for these free services to clients by working my regular job. I can't get any loans, grants, and I found the SBA is more harder and stricker than most banks. I dont know what to do.

I started this business with the money in my pocket and the determination to make it work. I would work 200 hours a pay peroid (at my regular job) just to make this work. I dont charge my clients a lot of money because most are on fixed incomes. I been told i'm the cheapest homecare agency around.

But now it seem so hard without geting some type of assistance. I try to do everything from fund raiser to everything to raise money to help with the care of my clients, But so far i've been unsuccessful. If anyonehas any ideas please help

Thank You

Caring Heart

if you live in a small town or want to live in a small town and want to be an entrepreneur. In it's efforts to create jobs in small towns the government gives grants to local phone and electric utility companies who are to take that money and help entrepreneurs start or expand a business. The program is called Rural Economic Development Grants at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Find out who got this money in your area so you can get some.

www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/busp/redg.htm

Hello Once Again.

Today I went to the Labor Dept. here in Vermont and found out about a wonderful resource for crafty Vermonters. It's a program called "Vermont Creates" It is ran by B.R.O.C. They will sell your crafts is a consignment store located on Center St. in Rutland. They do want a percentage to cover thier costs but, I know of alot of very talented people who don't know where to go to get thier crafts out there. I'm not sure you can make alot right off the bat but most people posting in here (like me) can use anything we can get. They have a web site too. www.vermontcreates.com.

B.R.O.C. also has other programs to help Vermonters facing economic challenges. One that I just found out about, (and plan on finding more out) is called Micro-Business Development Program. It's goal is to foster self-employment as a viable option toward self-sufficiency.

They provide education, training and assistance for small business start-up, expansion and management. And they offer counselling to help participants set themselves up for long term success. I will let you know more as I find out more as I've always dreamed of having a small horticulture business or a nice little odds and ends store but didn't know how to go about starting it let alone financeing it. Who knows mabey this is the door to my dreams.

B.R.O.C. Has many programs to assist Vermonters that have come up on hard times. They have a food shelf, can help to keep your utilities from getting shut off, help you sign up for food stamps, and so much more. They offer counciling in repairing and rebuilding your credit, Financial Literacy and many other services. Thier Phone # is 802-775-0878 and they're located at 60 Center St. in Rutland. They are also in Bennington on Orchard Road and that # is 802-447-7515. The People there are very nice and non-judgemental. They can also help with heating, and deposits for the same.

Well I will keep looking for resources and posting as I find them. Till then keep the faith and remember you are not alone, and it WILL get better.

Forever Searching,

Idnic

As an SBC, I keep getting clients, who come in and want to start a business, which I think is great. But after the initial conversation starts, I ask what is your goals? What is the purpose of the business? Where do you want to be in 1, 3, 5 years?

In a blank face, they go Huh!!

Then the thinking starts. When you want to open a business, there is something that needs to be created before you start one. That’s a business plan. When creating a business plan, 40% of the plan is creating a goal for your business. The business plan helps set up goals and a direction of where you are starting and where you are going.

I’ve learned that you need to set goals before you start to open the front door of your business because it help give you a direction. It helps you as a business owner to get a direction going that will help you find that pot of gold that you are looking for. If you have a dream, then you need a direction. And a direction is a goal. 

Setting goals for a business is easier than you think. Because when the idea of a business starts, it goes hand in hand with a goal that you want to accomplish. When opening a small business or a at home business. Always, start with the end in mind. That will help you accomplish the many task that you are getting ready to face happen easier.

To set goals in your business, think what is going to make the company grow. How are you going to make it profitable, what do you need to do to make it independent. What goal setting really does is keep you on track.

Lots and lots of time, I see people fail in opening their small business because no goals are set. The dream is there but reality hits and there is no plan and no goal. There is no direction. They want it bad but they keep going round and round with ideas but nothing is set in stone. There is no blue print, no structure, and no form.

So when thinking and wanting a small business or at home business take some time and learn and do a goal. Make it about 5 goals that you want to accomplish them and I promise you that when you do that. The task in hand in opening a business will become very easy for you. You become successful faster and stronger and you will have a winning business, small or large.   

My name is Guy Prins, I'm 47years old and I've been in automobile collision repair from 1987 thru 2000 when I had to quit due to severe arthritis. I bounced around for about 4 years trying to pay the bills. The SSA said that they are sure that I'm in constant pain but they're sure that I could find something to do. anyway I've landed this gig with an appraiser, he is training me and I've taken the necessary classes to get my Arkansas State registered appraiser certificate. I need another 200 class hours for my license but I can't afford the tuition or the time to take off to finish it. I know that if I do this. I can remain a productive member of society.

Can someone help point me in the right direction and help me through the process.

Thanks Guy

Thank You all for your intrest and concern for me and my plight. I'm sure that from all that I've read is that the only way to get help is to help yourself. SO, I just jumped in (actually I hobbled) Headfirst. Borrowed the money at an exhorborant intrest rate, "I don't stagnate well, if I'm not moving foward I'm sliding back, and my goal kept getting further away."  Paid for my classes online and I'll have my license by October. After that I'll worry about replacing those worn out joints,"hopefully" it's not to late.   again... Thank You All.  

I am a single caucasion woman that has found herself the victim of many abusive and manipulative relationships.  I have lost everything many times to abusive boyfriends and less than honest people including an ex husband.  I am determined to create my own independance and financial security without any help from family or friends.  I am seeking an opportunity to create my own business that I would be capable of managing on my own with little assistance from anyone.  It would help immensely if I could receive a goverment grant to start up my business being that I am currently jobless and homeless.  Also information on running a business and how to seek state and federal assistance would be helpful so that I can ensure that all business aspects could be met and if I had any questions that I would have an avenue to find answers.

I am looking for a business start-up grant, or a low interest loan. I have had no luck with my bank for a loan. Also any other information on business start-up is helpful.. I have been searching the web for about 6 months . I have found information on the state & federal websites for start-ups but nothing on $$$$.

I am looking for federal grants available to single mothers,    I am unemployed due to child illnesses.   I am living with family and wanting to get out on my own and start a business where I am also available for my young child.   Any help would be greatly appreciated.  

Generally looking for resources to start up my own business.