Recent Articles From EvanCarmichael.com http://www.evancarmichael.com/ http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/The-Spirit-of-Expansion.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/The-Spirit-of-Expansion.html What exactly is an entrepreneur and how does it relate to small business expansion? There are many differing views on what makes someone worthy of this title. Investorwords defines entrepreneur as “an individual who starts his/her own business.” In a general sense, the word applies to any person starting a new project or trying a new opportunity. However, this definition leaves out other essential characteristics of an entrepreneur. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/Tracking-Software--Small-Business-Owner-Financing-Tool.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/Tracking-Software--Small-Business-Owner-Financing-Tool.html Smart businesses use computer-tracking software for just about everything. Digital tapes show employers the exact sequence of everything their employees are doing on the computer. It records emails, chats, IMs, websites, web searches, programs run, keystrokes typed, files transferred, screen snapshots and more. It offers chat and internet access blocking. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/Billable-Hours--Strong-Business-Credit-Options.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/Billable-Hours--Strong-Business-Credit-Options.html BILLABLE HOURS While the term "billable hours" is most commonly associated with law professions, this concept should be used by all business owners. It's important to set the minimal hourly rate you want to earn as a bottom line. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/Competitive-Advantage-in-a-Down-Economy.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/Competitive-Advantage-in-a-Down-Economy.html Your small business is bound to yield fruit when you keep long-term goals in mind during daily operations. Constant examination of each department that has an integral role in the effectiveness of the business should be monitored for its contribution to the "bottom line." http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/Strategic-Alliances.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/Strategic-Alliances.html Strategic Alliances are a strategy for getting what you need for your small business without necessarily incurring further debt. This happens when two or more companies form an alliance while retaining their own identity; in certain cases, a separate legal entity or “joint venture” can be formed to accomplish the same purpose. Each company agrees to commit resources for common business objectives. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/Brokers-Dealers-Private-Lenders-and-Venture-Capital.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/Brokers-Dealers-Private-Lenders-and-Venture-Capital.html A broker is defined as anyone who makes securities transactions for others. (The exception to this is a bank.) A dealer is defined as someone who buys and sells securities for their own account, through a broker or otherwise. Most entrepreneurs are looking for start-up capital and for someone else to raise capital for them on a straight commission, with no up-front fees. Only registered broker dealers, and Bona Fide employees, can legally solicit/sell securities for a company on straight commission, with no up-front fees. They always charge an up-front retainer, sometimes called due-diligence fees, before commencing. This fluctuates depending on the complexity of the transactions. Most brokers/dealers avoid startup and early stage companies. A Bona Fide employee cannot be paid commission from the sale of securities. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/Uniform-Commercial-Code--UCC.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/Uniform-Commercial-Code--UCC.html The Uniform Commercial Code, or UCC, is an excellent tool for business owners to protect themselves with small business laws as both creditors and as debtors. Using UCC filings to your advantage can stretch your credit with both lenders and vendors. Likewise, as a creditor, if you keep active UCC filings on your biggest customers, you can protect your business against a client's nonpayment. For example, if you have a nonpaying customer and bring a lawsuit against them, you may wait months for a judgment; and you might not be adequately compensated even if the lawsuit rules in your favor. As a small business owner, you could have a UCC filing from the beginning and prove the debt. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/Advantages-of-Leasing-Equipment-Cars-and-Machinery.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/Advantages-of-Leasing-Equipment-Cars-and-Machinery.html Leasing equipment can become very advantageous to a small business owner. The company which finances the equipment retains ownership, while the business owner has the right to use it in exchange for monthly payments. Each lease will have specific terms, but in general, your small business can trade the equipment if it fails, or even switch it for a better model. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/Credit-Card-Advance-Financing.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/Credit-Card-Advance-Financing.html For many businesses owners, borrowing money during tough times can be difficult. There is a new alternative to conventional lending practices that is becoming extremely popular. Credit card advance loans are often called many different names, but essentially all do the same thing: provide loans based on the business’s average monthly credit card generated sales. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/Alternative-Financing-in-Canada-and-others.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Small-Business-Loans/3672/Alternative-Financing-in-Canada-and-others.html Setting up shop in Canada comes with its own set of obstacles and benefits. Statistics Canada reports that 75% of job creation is through small businesses. Getting a conventional loan is one of the biggest challenges. Canada’s major banks have big profits yet are not supportive of small businesses. Venture capital is scarce.