Challenges of Starting a Business while Holding onto Current Job

October 5, 2010


While it is tempting to hold onto current job while you are starting a small business; it may prove to be quite challenging.
As we mentioned in the previous blog post many of our friends, colleagues and aspiring businessmen want to jump into small business out of frustration resulting from jobs (or lack thereof) in this difficult economic environment. However, they still want to hold onto their current job to ensure they have a fall back place in case things don’t work out with new business and several other reasons.
While it is certainly understandable that people would want to play it safe and keep the current job while business is getting established you should not underestimate the challenges of operating in this fashion. Below we have highlighted many of the challenges you will face when working at your job and starting a business at the same time. We hope that by understanding these challenges you will make informed decision and understand what to expect if you do decide to go forward.
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5 Reasons to Hold onto Your Job while Starting a Business

September 29, 2010


Starting a small business, while still working in the current job may be a viable approach for many would-be entrepreneurs. When we talk to our friends, colleagues and aspiring businessmen, who are still working in their jobs, they express frustration over their employers. They want to start their own business and be their own boss. They want to have control over what they can do and how. The current economic uncertainty and resulting job insecurity has made their desire to start a business even stronger.
However, when we ask why they have not followed up on that desire and dived into small business they come up with variety of reasons. One of the primary reasons cited is the loss of steady, guaranteed income and uncertainty inherent in the small business. Many of them express desire to test the waters and start a business on a part-time basis. If it is successful they can leave their day job and jump full-time in their business.
While it is not an ideal solution, in our mind, starting a business while still working on the current job presents an opportunity they otherwise would not have. Below we have highlighted some of reasons given to us by would-be entrepreneurs why they would want to keep their current job; while working to build their own business.
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15 Signs the Franchise You are Buying is Good

September 23, 2010


In the U.S. alone there are hundreds of franchises eager to find small business owners as franchisee. The new ones come up every month. However, you should keep in mind that for every McDonald’s franchise out there a number of other ones have been started and disappeared over the years.
In an earlier post we mentioned that you should make sure the franchise you are looking to get into is good and will make you successful as well. After all, selecting the wrong franchise can hurt you and may even wipe out your hard earned savings.
Below we have listed signs you can look for to determine if the franchise is successful.
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5 Qualities to Look for in a Franchise

September 22, 2010


The franchisor and franchisees have a love-hate relationship. They cannot live with each other and cannot live without. While there are certainly benefits to “going the franchise route” when buying a small business, particularly for first-time buyers, selecting a wrong franchise can hurt you and may even wipe out your hard earned savings.
So how do you know if the franchise you are considering to get into is a good one?
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5 Myths that Hold Back Potential Small Business Buyers

September 16, 2010


In our previous post we showed several misunderstandings potential small business owners have that hurts them. In this post we want to show the other side. These are the myths that prevent many would-be owners from getting into small business. While it is certainly challenging to own and operate small business; they are not insurmountable and the rewards make it worthwhile to pursue that dream.
We hope that by understanding these common myths and realities you will not get scared by the challenges and be able to make an informed decision.
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5 Myths that Hurt Potential Small Business Buyers

September 14, 2010


Many potential buyers of small business dream of one day owning a business where they can hire people to do all the hard work and they can sit back, relax and collect money. They think of owning a small business as some form of nirvana to escape from the drudgery of everyday corporate life. It’s only when they get into it that they realize how difficult it is to own and operate a small business.
In this post we aim to identify common myths about owning a small business along with the truth the owners can expect to face.
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5 Qualities of a Good Business Broker

September 8, 2010


Majority of small business owners use a business broker when buying or selling their business. A business broker takes the headache out of buying or selling process and lets you focus on your primary tasks. A broker also presents you with more and targeted opportunities that you cannot otherwise find yourself. One of the most important considerations when choosing a broker is whether he/she can help you sell your business at the highest possible price in the shortest time or buy a business at the lowest possible price quickly.
However, not all business brokers are created equal. There are good business brokers and there are mediocre ones.
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10 Questions to Ask Buyer Business Broker

August 18, 2010


We mentioned in the previous post that you need to watch for several pitfalls when hiring a business broker to search for a suitable business. Buying a business is time consuming and tiring process. You don’t want to waste your and broker’s time looking for business that is not suitable to you.
So how can you make sure you are hiring the “right” broker for your needs? Below we have listed 10 questions you can ask the broker before making decision to engage him/her.
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Effective Techniques for Working with Buyer Business Broker

August 17, 2010


Many small business buyers hire business brokers to find a suitable business that is available for sale. Hiring a business broker makes the search easier. A business broker can search for businesses from the large database of available businesses and filter the suitable ones based on your criteria. In some cases, they can also help with the buying process, including document preparation and negotiations – particularly useful when you are new to business.
However, working with business broker is not without pitfalls. Typically, a business broker represents the seller. They make money from the commission paid by the seller – similar to real estate agents. This may cause them to keep seller’s interest ahead of buyer when there is a conflict.
Below we have highlighted several tips you want to keep in mind when hiring a business broker.
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Financing Problems for Small Business Owners

July 23, 2010


I came across this absurd news from Wall Street Journal yesterday about how small business owners are having problems getting financing from banks. To summarize, WSJ mentioned that many small business owners are denied loan applications for starting new business or business expansion. In some cases the business already had committed orders from customers and only needed money to ramp up production or hiring to start the work.
However, in almost all cases their applications were denied on the basis that they did not have sufficient cash flow to cover the payment. In the past, the business owners used to put business assets such as account receivables, inventory, equipments, etc. as collateral to get the loan. The valuation on these assets has declined in the recent downturn and is not sufficient to cover the loan payment.
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