Exploration should include banks, the Small Business Administration (SBA), personal funds, and local chambers of commerce. Exploration should address the concept that financing/credit is important to the entrepreneur for the purpose of purchasing start-up goods and maintaining cash flow for the business.
Process/Skill Questions:
- What are the traditional sources of financing for businesses? What types of financing are newer or emerging?
- What is bootstrapping? How could it be used to get a new business off the ground?
- What should an entrepreneur consider when calculating start-up costs?
- What is the advantage of SBA loans vs. traditional bank loans?
- What financing options carry the highest finance charges/interest rates?
- What are the three main types of capital an entrepreneur or business owner should have?
- What is the biggest expense for most small businesses?