Helping minority business owners and entrepreneurs to start or grow a business can help thousands of communities make the most of their resources. These often help impoverished areas to create or restore specific districts or neighborhoods. Business loans for minorities are readily available, and several programs are successfully funded privately or independently. Local funding is available through communities, local organizations, and redevelopment agencies.
A small business loan can be used for a variety of purposes, including business startup costs, purchasing inventory, working capital, and expansion. The business owner must approach a bank, financial institution, or other lending party to provide the funding for the project. Once a proposal and business plan is constructed, a strong presentation and commitment to goals is essential for growth. Minorities are encouraged to apply for business loans since they can help diversify and grow a specific community. The U.S. government encourages minority business growth so that the market and economy can stay competitive, offer unique products and services, and continue to promote growth within communities.
Banks and credit unions have a strong interest in investing in minority business loans as they have set aside funding specifically for minority communities and programs. Some banks have a substantial amount of funding available to authorize these loans, and may even meet a quota each year to accommodate for them. Small business loans for minorities by private banks can be secured or unsecured loans.
The minority business owner will need to establish their credit standing, outline how long it will take to pay back the loan, and possibly offer some form of collateral. Co-signers are generally mandatory for an unsecured loan. Secured minority business loans require larger payments with a low interest rate. These will usually pay off the loan faster. An unsecured loan may have a higher interest rate, but will be much easier to obtain. Even if you have bad credit history in this case, you can still be approved for a minority loan that is guaranteed by a third party, or the government.
3 Organizations To Help Minority Business Owners Obtain Business Loans:
Southern California is home to Operation HOPE, an organization that distributes over $72 million in loans for minority homeowners and business owners. The website can help other states link up to key resources and influential group leaders in the area, and funds have been set up throughout different states for specific purposes.
The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)is run by the Assistant Secretary of Commerce under the Bush administration. Over the years this organization has helped thousands of startups, entrepreneurs, and visionaries, get their businesses off the ground through different government-based programs. The website also offers a lot of information on investing, wealth management, cost controls, small business operations, and minority resources in each community.
The National Minority Supply and Diversity Council (NMSDC) is a direct link between corporations and business, representing some of the biggest entities in the United States today. These companies extend various grants, programs and loan formats to small business that can contribute to startup capital. Minority businesses must register for the program and are reviewed frequently by corporate buyers.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Local networking events
Have you ever been invited to a networking breakfast? Or a networking lunch? These may should sort of strange to the person who has never been to one before, but these types of situations are key to moving yourself to talk with others about what you do, how you do it, and what you provide in the form of services and products.
Many areas have their own type of networking events
These include business meetings to talk about the economy, or business meetings to set new ordinances for the local surroundings – everywhere you have people; you have the opportunity to ‘do’ additional networking. The more people you know and talk with the stronger your network of business contacts and customer contact is going to become.
The first step to successful local networking is going to involve doing it
You need to get out there, and be where other business owners are, or at least where large groups of people are going to be found. Next, you need a good opening question. The best question you can ask a person when you are networking is, what do you do? This is not only going to open the door to talking with another person, but also it is going to open the door for that person in turn to ask you what you do – which is just what you want them to ask you!
Networking should be done in conversation when you are in situations where you don’t know someone all that well. Business cards are often given out, and passed around. If you are heading off to a club meeting, or a networking business affair, you should also have marketing materials with you, such as a brochure or some type of printed matter to show and tell others what you do. As others find your materials handed to them, or presented on a table of information, they have something tangible to take with them, read later, and to think about later.
Collect phone number, emails and information about other businesses. As you collect information about others, you will soon learn that you can use this information after you are back at the office, back at your own business. Create a marketing package for each individual that you have met. Mail out the information with a personal note from you, that it was great talking with you, and you just wanted to share some additional information about your business with them, in case they ever have a need for a product or service that you provide. This is very straight marketing, after the initial networking event, make it work for you!
Many areas have their own type of networking events
These include business meetings to talk about the economy, or business meetings to set new ordinances for the local surroundings – everywhere you have people; you have the opportunity to ‘do’ additional networking. The more people you know and talk with the stronger your network of business contacts and customer contact is going to become.
The first step to successful local networking is going to involve doing it
You need to get out there, and be where other business owners are, or at least where large groups of people are going to be found. Next, you need a good opening question. The best question you can ask a person when you are networking is, what do you do? This is not only going to open the door to talking with another person, but also it is going to open the door for that person in turn to ask you what you do – which is just what you want them to ask you!
Networking should be done in conversation when you are in situations where you don’t know someone all that well. Business cards are often given out, and passed around. If you are heading off to a club meeting, or a networking business affair, you should also have marketing materials with you, such as a brochure or some type of printed matter to show and tell others what you do. As others find your materials handed to them, or presented on a table of information, they have something tangible to take with them, read later, and to think about later.
Collect phone number, emails and information about other businesses. As you collect information about others, you will soon learn that you can use this information after you are back at the office, back at your own business. Create a marketing package for each individual that you have met. Mail out the information with a personal note from you, that it was great talking with you, and you just wanted to share some additional information about your business with them, in case they ever have a need for a product or service that you provide. This is very straight marketing, after the initial networking event, make it work for you!
Niche Market Business Ideas
It is more likely that you become a market leader within a niche market. Businesses pioneering certain markets usually become market leaders and maintain their positions. Being the first to serve your niche, you will capture the largest market share. As a market leader you have the power to set trends, prices, and direction. Others following in your foot steps will have to become followers, or create their own niche. Although you can’t avoid competition, you will have the leg up.
Niche businesses don’t have to work so hard to find customers. You are not competing for the same customers with huge corporations. If you get your message out, people will find you. Word of mouth marketing can do wonders for niche businesses.
Niche businesses work with larger profit margins because they are not in a constant race to the bottom. Don’t expect to gouge your customers, but you are going to have to be less price conscious than mainstream market players.
Once you’ve built a successful niche business, you will have the understanding to build more. As you become familiar with the process of finding a niche market, you will be able to build a business around it.
Examples of Niche Markets
To be absolutely positive about what isn’t a niche market product, go to any big box store. If they carry it, it is not a niche product. For the most part, niche markets are too small for big companies to bother.
A small specialty bakery, specializing in hand made bread and pastries is an example of a niche market. Customers embrace specialty food companies. They understand that hand made bread requires tender loving care, and they are willing to pay the higher price. In addition, you don’t have to worry about your local groceries store competing with you. Such a model is too expensive for large chain stores.
The gift basket market is a multi billion-dollar market packed with fierce competitors. Instead of competing with established large companies for the same customers, you could focus on a smaller market within the gift basket arena. Gift baskets for cats, dogs, or other pets would allow you to become a specialist within your market. It is a tiny market, but you will find it easier to break into than the much larger general gift basket market. While large gift basket companies may offer some pet related gift baskets, their product line is too large to focus on such small market.
Niche businesses don’t have to work so hard to find customers. You are not competing for the same customers with huge corporations. If you get your message out, people will find you. Word of mouth marketing can do wonders for niche businesses.
Niche businesses work with larger profit margins because they are not in a constant race to the bottom. Don’t expect to gouge your customers, but you are going to have to be less price conscious than mainstream market players.
Once you’ve built a successful niche business, you will have the understanding to build more. As you become familiar with the process of finding a niche market, you will be able to build a business around it.
Examples of Niche Markets
To be absolutely positive about what isn’t a niche market product, go to any big box store. If they carry it, it is not a niche product. For the most part, niche markets are too small for big companies to bother.
A small specialty bakery, specializing in hand made bread and pastries is an example of a niche market. Customers embrace specialty food companies. They understand that hand made bread requires tender loving care, and they are willing to pay the higher price. In addition, you don’t have to worry about your local groceries store competing with you. Such a model is too expensive for large chain stores.
The gift basket market is a multi billion-dollar market packed with fierce competitors. Instead of competing with established large companies for the same customers, you could focus on a smaller market within the gift basket arena. Gift baskets for cats, dogs, or other pets would allow you to become a specialist within your market. It is a tiny market, but you will find it easier to break into than the much larger general gift basket market. While large gift basket companies may offer some pet related gift baskets, their product line is too large to focus on such small market.
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