help with funding to get started?
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mepoozer
Hello everyone- I have a kinda different question- I recieved in the mail a letter, brochure type thing offering "grants, loans, assisistance" for small businesses starting out and it says their is $ available for the self employed, want to do a business and make it succesful, etc.. Has anyone ever heard of government programs to help get a business going? I was wondering if there is really such a thing or not- I called the 1-800 number(915-5768) and just got a busy signal till after hours and then a recording of their hours. Just curious if any one has ran into this before.. Thanks for any input, Me
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DaveC
In a nutshell, there can be grants and loans available.
Avoid these folks that charge a fee to "hook you up!"
The BEST resource is the SBA. They have a veritable orgy of freely available info. http://www.sba.gov
Avoid these folks that charge a fee to "hook you up!"
The BEST resource is the SBA. They have a veritable orgy of freely available info. http://www.sba.gov
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GlassStarz
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1951
- Joined: November 12th, 2003, 6:11 pm
- Enter the middle number please (3): 5
- Location: Southern California
this is a buisness that doesnt take much $ for start up mostly salesmanship and some skill that comes from practice. Buy the basic kit check out a salesmanship book at the library and go practice somewhere. $500 and a library card your in buisness. Im not sure where id put the money some grant gave me maybe a van with some cool letters? my point is some buisness ventures take a huge start up and need grants this one really doesnt
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desertstars
I agree, David.
I agree, GlassStarz.
Frankly, I think it ought to cost much more than it presently does to initially launch oneself into this business.
It cost me almost three grand seventeen years ago.
That would give second or third thoughts to those who think this is some fast-buck endeavor or that every stumble-bum with money accumulated from aluminum can recycle proceeds can suddenly become windshield repair "techs" at the swoop of a magic wand.
That title presently entails a relatively small monetary investment but had better be coupled in the future with proper training and mucho experience in order to earn and deserve the title.
Otherwise, we will expand the ranks of the very flacks who will eventually degenerate this business toward the hostility and contempt the public presently holds for used car salesman, politicians and lawyers.
The more expensive it costs to get into this business; the less apt it will be for those who eventually sell their equipment through outlets like E-bay to enter into it in the first place.
No argument, misunderstanding, personal animosity or disrespect toward you, mepoozer.
But anyone who thinks that government loans, grants or SBA handouts are the be-it-all and end-it-all in this business are speeding down a one-way, dead-end street.
Thank God this is still somewhat of an entrepreneurial business although not near as much as twenty years ago by a long shot.
And that's my two cents.
(I stole that from Repair 1).
I agree, GlassStarz.
Frankly, I think it ought to cost much more than it presently does to initially launch oneself into this business.
It cost me almost three grand seventeen years ago.
That would give second or third thoughts to those who think this is some fast-buck endeavor or that every stumble-bum with money accumulated from aluminum can recycle proceeds can suddenly become windshield repair "techs" at the swoop of a magic wand.
That title presently entails a relatively small monetary investment but had better be coupled in the future with proper training and mucho experience in order to earn and deserve the title.
Otherwise, we will expand the ranks of the very flacks who will eventually degenerate this business toward the hostility and contempt the public presently holds for used car salesman, politicians and lawyers.
The more expensive it costs to get into this business; the less apt it will be for those who eventually sell their equipment through outlets like E-bay to enter into it in the first place.
No argument, misunderstanding, personal animosity or disrespect toward you, mepoozer.
But anyone who thinks that government loans, grants or SBA handouts are the be-it-all and end-it-all in this business are speeding down a one-way, dead-end street.
Thank God this is still somewhat of an entrepreneurial business although not near as much as twenty years ago by a long shot.
And that's my two cents.
(I stole that from Repair 1).
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gt_repair
Use your tax return to start up, if you can get it from the other half. That is what I did (use my income tax, not fight the other half. I would most likly loose that match) along with a micro loan. Paid it off in 5 months. I was just shy a little in cash flow.
I do not know if they still do the micro loans.
I do not know if they still do the micro loans.
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the big welshman
- Member
- Posts: 354
- Joined: January 8th, 2004, 3:52 pm
- Enter the middle number please (3): 5
- Location: Donegal Ireland
When I first started in The Windshield repair buisness I was working two jobs ie windshield repair during the day and a 40 hr job in the evenings ie 3 pm to12 midnight working in a factory.I got laid off because the factory was closing. My next job was working for a delivery package company driving, --ie driving up to Maine 300 miles round trip, the shift was 8 pm-3am.-- so my shift for a average days of work.-- In windshield repair 10 am- 4 pm sleep to 7 pm drive to Maine 8 pm-3am sleep to 9 am.I stayed in the package delivery for a 1 year and left with a week notice ,and then ended up picking the account up for windshield repair about 60 units. I had to work extra for cash flows.So if you are looking for some cash flow how about getting a evening JOB ?????--the big welsman
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desertstars
Hey, "the Big Welshman".
You, and people like you, helped to build this country.
It used to be called the "Protestant Ethic" even though Catholics, Jews, and others were also responsible for what we are today.
Today it is known as the "work ethic" which too few seem to realize is the difference between success and failure.
I commend you for your past endeavors and for the fact that you recognize how inspiration and perspiration go hand in hand.
And then practiced both.
You, and people like you, helped to build this country.
It used to be called the "Protestant Ethic" even though Catholics, Jews, and others were also responsible for what we are today.
Today it is known as the "work ethic" which too few seem to realize is the difference between success and failure.
I commend you for your past endeavors and for the fact that you recognize how inspiration and perspiration go hand in hand.
And then practiced both.
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mepoozer
Thank You everyone for the posts!! Excellent advice and thoughts, I know it doesn't take ALOT of investment to try to make this work, but for business cards, gas to visit prospective clients, tools, and general advertising on a tiny shoestring budget- your thoughts have been greatly appreciated!!! Little by little I'm working around the little obstacles and making progress- I think my main one now is to find a Dremel Mini-Mite drill that I like to use, but they are discontinuing them from what I have understood... Where there's a will there's a way!!!! Thank You all, Me
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glassdoctor
- Senior Member
- Posts: 733
- Joined: November 13th, 2003, 9:24 am
mepoozer
WSR suppliers should have some minimites. I didn't know they were being discontinued. Walmart still has them last time I was there... they are funky colors, but they have em.
If you can't find one, look for a black and decker wizard. I have a couple of those too. They have more grunt than the dremel anyway and the battery setup is better. Some buddies of mine love the wizards and have tossed all their dremels.
WSR suppliers should have some minimites. I didn't know they were being discontinued. Walmart still has them last time I was there... they are funky colors, but they have em.
If you can't find one, look for a black and decker wizard. I have a couple of those too. They have more grunt than the dremel anyway and the battery setup is better. Some buddies of mine love the wizards and have tossed all their dremels.
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