photo credit: Creap

The transition to start a “green business” or “eco-friendly” one, as it is often called, is not I had launched
one of Mississippi’s first health food stores. There was no Internet, no Google, no blogging, nothing.
I paid high rent in a mall across from the local university. The local townsfolk felt I might be
possessed to believe that natural products might be better than what could be bought at A & P Grocery.
(I am showing my age here).

Many years career changes later, I finally settled on e-commerce and cartooning. I found a way
to have my cartoon images printed on demand and drop-shipped. Sales were great from the start, as
I had already built a name with a non-commerce producing cartoon site. There was one problem. I wanted some of my items, particularly tshirts to be made from organic cotton. I knew that I was and am but one person, but when I read that regular cotton production accounts for 10% of the world’s insecticide pollution, I knew I had to do something.

I started my search in 2006 after opening the first of my stores. No luck. I made call after call.
I did manage to find some organic textile manufacturers, but they wanted me to order the product in bulk and resell it. That is not “my thing”. So I kept trying.

Suddenly this year, while reading various blogs on unique cartoon gifts and collectibles, I ran across a post stating the name of a print-on-demand firm that offered not only men’s and women’s organic
cotton tees, but also made with totally nontoxic dyes. This was a major concern to me. I had remembered when in the health food business, back when non-food organic items were rarely paid much attention, I had told an organic clothing salesperson that if they could promise me the dyes were nontoxic, I would give them a try. They were not, and I’ve since learned many organic and other so-called organic items are printed with toxic dyes.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not a fanatic. But many of my customers have a certain lifestyle. Just because it is organic, is not enough. It has to be healthy, and healthy means natural dyes. Just
this month, I found the firm, and finally, after a two year search, found the firm.

I launched the store this month and, true to form, those regular customers who had queried me so often about having “green merchandise” in the inventory are happy as can be, not to mention healthier. Our earth is fragile, and, often it seems easier to be ambivalent. But everyone can do a little something to make a difference. I by launching the store it has made my own approach toward the environment change (for the more positive). I try to wear the organics more often than not. I recycle. I associate
with a whole new network who are either own a green business or are transitioning towards one.
It is a very healthy and positive group of smart, savvy people with a good conscience and heart.

Rick London an entrepreneur and cartoonist, and founder of the Internet’s most popular offbeat cartoon, Londons Times. He just launched his first “green store” Rick London Organics http://www.ricklondonorganics.info which sells 100% organic cotton tees for men and women using totally non-toxic dyes. He also owns other stores such as Rick London Collection http://www.ricklondoncollection.com and his large megastore http://www.LTSuperstore.com

photo credit: Torley

There are various business finance plans open to a new start-up, but they all fall into 2 major categories, namely, owner financing and borrowed business finance. Each of these 2 major categories has an upside and a downside that every entrepreneur seeking business finance should be aware of. The key to success in business finance would then be finding ways to exploit the advantages of one’s chosen financing option, while also mitigating against its downside.

The first major business finance category is owner financing. Owner financing refers to money that the entrepreneur and other promoters of the business contribute to start it. In most cases, owner financing comes from the entrepreneur’s savings. The main advantage of owner financing as a source of business finance for a new start-up is that it comes at no cost (except possibly its opportunity costs) . As it were, the other major business finance option – credit – can usually only be had at a cost called interest. That is, all money which is borrowed, especially for business purposes, has to be paid with interest.

But it is a common occurrence to find the interest demanded on a loan being equal to all the earnings from the loan (especially in low margin businesses), thus crippling the business. A business built through owner financing does not have to suffer this interest cost. Thus money which could have been spent on paying interest can be ploughed back into the business, further strengthening its capital base. An added advantage with owner financing is that should the business fail -which is a sad but real scenario every serious entrepreneur should think about – the owner would not be left with debts pulling them back. With owner financing also, the entrepreneur doesn’t risk messing his credit history. This could occur in the event that the business picks up but does not perform as well as initially projected, and is thus unable to meet its obligations to lenders on time. The downside to owner financing as a business finance option is that it is usually very limited in scope, and is thus usually not an option for business that require huge capital outlays.

Turning to borrowed business finance, the credit options available to new start-ups include business loans and trade credit lines. The main advantage with credit as a source of business finance option is that it opens a larger pool of capital than is typically available through owner financing. This is significant because many entrepreneurs who attempt to start a business based on its alternative – owner financing – only often find themselves severely constrained financially. This lack of proper financing is in fact one of the leading causes of failure for many new start-ups. The downside with credit as a business finance option is the interest cost it comes at, which can prove to be a major cost for the business, especially during the business’ incubation and initial growth period when the business does not earn much.

Moreover, securing credit for a new start-up can be an uphill task, as most lenders openly prefer to give business loans to established businesses or at the very least businesses that have practically proven their viability rather than to new start-ups. And then of course there is the sad reality that if you start a business with borrowed funds and the business fails for one reason or another, your credit history could be messed forever. You can, however, mitigate this by registering your start-up as a limited liability company. This way, the business stands as a legal person, and you cannot be held responsible for the business loans it takes.

Now you have discovered the various finance plans is a great way to finance your start up company. Go to http://www.businessfinancesa.co.za to find out more.

photo credit: Photo Mojo

Women nowadays are turning in to entrepreneurs – both big time and small time – with a vengeance to prove their detractors wrong and becoming successful as well, thus silencing their critics. But to kick start any business, even if it is small, or to give a financial boost to an existing small business concern, a woman will require money – either loans from the banks or grants.

I would recommend a woman entrepreneur to ditch the predilection for loans which you have to repay with high rates of interest within a fixed schedule and to opt for small business government grants which eliminate the necessity of recurring monthly expenses of high rates of interest or repayment of the principal amount.

In this article I will provide 3 tips to women entrepreneurs who would like the applications of their small business government grants approved.

Tip # 1 – Gauging the Competition

The US government is keener to shell out large amounts of grants on tech related businesses to encourage and facilitate technological advancement of the country than on crafts and arts industry. You have to understand this difference between demand and supply for government grants.

Where the competition is low, chances of the availability of grants are higher, despite the red tapism. You will also require showing less effort when trying to impress the panel if competition is not as stiff.

Tip # 2 – Searching Thoroughly Through All Categories

Women can apply for as many small business grants as they want, you must apply in all the sub categories under the broad category of “business and commerce”. However the sub categories need to be relevant for your business.

You have to carefully read through all the terms and conditions that are listed for each of the grants and whenever you find a grant the conditions or rules of which comply with your small business, you should apply for it.

Always revisit and recheck the application page from time to time for availability of new grants declared by the government.

Tip # 3 – Expenses Upfront Planning

In order to convince and gratify the panel who will approve your application, you should present a moderate realistic budget and have to behave almost as if government money/grant is like your own money and you are careful about its expenditure.

Appear in front of the panel with your homework regarding advanced detailed planning about your intended expenses. This will give you an extra edge over other applicants.

Want to get your hands on the latest small business government grants for women database? Click on apply for free government grant now to get it for FREE.

All you need to pay is a shipping fee of less than $3 to get the database shipped to your doorsteps. Apart from that, you are going to get a list of tricks that others have been using to get their grant applications approved over and over again. Click on http://www.supergreatoffer.com/apply-for-free-government-grant-free-us-government-grants/ now to get the guide for FREE.

photo credit: Joel Bedford

When a small local entrepreneur decided to sell environment-friendly washable bags to substitute plastic grocery and shopping bags, she had difficulty making them.

One, she does not know how to make bags or even sew clothes. Two, she has no Fine Arts education or even artistic skills to design bags or even draw bag prints. Third, she did not have the time to learn them all. She only has the money and marketing skills for her choice of business.

The local entrepreneur knew however that her place and adjacent communities manufacture bags and she has a circle of visual artist-friends. So, she pushed her plans. She studied and somehow sketched an initial design on what washable bags to produce. She studied the potential market of her eco-friendly washable grocery or shopping bags. She studied revenue schemes for herself and her potential partners of bag makers and print designers.

When she was done with her studies, she immediately looked for bag makers first. She visited 10 groups of bag makers. She looked into their production processes, especially the materials used, and costs. She ended up with 1 group of old females. She decided to form a joint venture with them because she projected a small production of washable bags. She immediately signaled to start bag production.

While bags were made, the local entrepreneur sought her artist-friends and their artist-friends. She solicited them print designs for her washable bags. She studied all submitted print designs according to her preferences and chose 20 of 50. She did not make another joint venture with the 5 artists who drew the 20 prints because all print designs were just solicited free. She however made another joint venture with 1 design printer.

When the bag makers completed all 40 bags, the entrepreneur then had each print design printed in every 2 bags to the design printer. She marketed and sold the washable bags through Multiply.com and word of mouth.

Here’s to your success
Rivers Corbett
Founder – JVBusinessSchool.com

“Award Winning Entrepreneur and Joint Venture Specialist, Rivers Corbett offers an exclusive and exciting opportunity to a limited number of entrepreneurs who are looking to steer clear of the typical ”Get Rich Quick” hype and build a solid business of * lasting *significance. Click on http://JVBusinessSchool.com for more information on this great offer