Starting a Small Business

By on 12-16-2021 in Uncategorized

Starting a Small Business

There are different types of locally-based small businesses for persons looking for the right kind of project or venture. The choice depends on a number of factors such as location, territory or province or residence, whether the location is virtual or physical, legal status, ownership criteria, and more.

Types of Small Businesses

The main types of small businesses include high-growth companies, suppliers, main street, and non-employee businesses. High-growth companies are usually innovation-driven and fast-growing, and there are hundreds and thousands of such businesses out there. Suppliers supply a variety of raw materials and goods to other businesses while main street companies are locally based and operated and serve other local businesses and individual customers There are also non-employee companies which are usually sole proprietorships. This is by far the most common variety and covers a range of industries and sectors, from roofers, painters, and technicians, to IT specialists and consultants. Many of them achieve high profit margins and are self-employed. Franchises are also popular and come in different varieties, including manufacturing, product, and business format franchises. The latter is the most common variety and usually extends to new markets by offering its trademark and name to independent businesses. Business owners are required to pay royalties and fees in exchange. Examples include Pizza Hut, Burger King, McDonalds, and others.

Financial Solutions for Small Businesses

There are plenty of options to consider when it comes to business financing, one being small business loans offered under government programs. Financing is available up to $1,000,000 to help small businesses cover improvements and purchases such as premises and land purchases. Funding is also offered for leasehold improvements but in different amounts. Note that applicants are asked to submit supporting documentation along with their application, including financial projections and statements as part of a comprehensive business plan, and others. There are other options to finance a startup business, for example, borrowing on a business credit card to purchase inventory, equipment, office equipment, supplies, and so on. The best thing about business credit cards is the fact that they go with a significantly larger credit limit and allow business owners to make bigger purchases. The limit depends on your score and payment history. In general, you can borrow on a credit card to start a simple business. And there are plenty of benefits – business owners with healthy credit scores are also offered add-ons and perks such as cash back, competitive rewards programs, complimentary welcome bonuses and amenities, concierge services, and more. Business borrowing takes different forms, including secured and unsecured types of credit. There are secured loans for customers with a less than perfect score, including mortgages that require some type of business collateral. This can be in the form of real property, deposits, cash savings, accounts receivable, equipment and machinery, or anything else (it must be an asset of value). The main benefit for business startups is the competitive interest rate.

Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of every economy and starting a business requires many qualities including desire to succeed, persistence when times are tough, being inventive to overcome challenges. One of the hardest parts for small businesses is financing their venture. If you have no better option, one way to do that is to get a credit card from one of the Canadian banks. All Canadian banks offer credit cards, and RBC is a top choice in that regard.

Unsecured loans are another option for new businesses and are offered by major credit unions, small and big banks, online finance companies, and other providers. The interest rate tends to be higher while the repayment period is usually shorter that secured financing options. Credit unions offer competitive interest rates compared to banks and other financial establishments. If you are a union member, this is the first place to go.

Making Local Economies Stronger and Resilient

By on 8-29-2015 in Uncategorized

Local economies and communities benefit from entrepreneurship, capacity building, and economic growth and development. This is the way to promote social resilience and help community members to develop essential skills and competencies. Capacity building makes it easier for members to face, confront, and overcome social and economic challenges and hardships, and capacity building should be fostered by governments at the national, regional, and local level. To this end, small businesses have an important role to play as competition means better quality services and products, more jobs for members in disadvantaged communities, and stronger local economies.

Fostering Entrepreneurship at the Local Level

There are many ways to foster entrepreneurship and new businesses in local communities, one being to create a regulatory environment that helps businesses operate, expand, and thrive. Investing in human capital is also of paramount importance as this means that businesses have access to a diverse and talented workforce. New learning experiences help create a competitive workforce in times when more and more companies are looking for employees that are willing to try flexible working arrangements. Short-term contract arrangements, for example, are in high demand today. The broader inclusion of alternative classroom arrangements and learning opportunities certainly contributes to creating a flexible workforce that is prepared to commute, willing to try alternative working arrangements, and ready to tackle business challenges. To this end, there are several ways in which governments, local authorities, individuals, and businesses can focus on new learning opportunities to complement traditional classroom education. One thing to do is to offer classes and short-term programs that teach students job-specific and technical skills. Events and workshops also help create a talented workforce that is better prepared to serve local businesses and economies.

To foster economic development at the local level, it is important to create flexible labor markets and more opportunities for investment. Immigration and migration help create flexible labor markets and so does free movement of capital, businesses, and employees. Inhibiting flexibility is to the disadvantage of local communities because this results in uncertainty on the part of businesses and investors.

Other Factors in Play

Other factors also play a role, one being support and good regulatory environment to encourage cluster growth. Fostering startup density creates competition and improves the chances for successful businesses and ventures to emerge. It is also a good idea to foster the development of networks that connect businesses with research clusters and academic networks to work on innovative solutions that drive local economic growth. Developing physical hubs also helps by increasing the pool of opportunities, from better access to financing to more networking opportunities, training, and a lot more. A positive planning and zoning environment also works to the advantage of entrepreneurs and local communities. Entrepreneurs have an important role to play in local communities and should serve as role models to encourage others to make their ideas come true. Campaigns organized by the local authorities to celebrate entrepreneurs also help.