You shouldn’t have to choose between going out to work and staying at home with your family. While making a living is important, so is being there to witness the major milestones in your children lives. Unfortunately with the state of the economy, many families are forced to become two-income families just to provide a comfortable live style for the family. Fortunately, the growing trends in home based businesses allows parents to spend more time at home while still providing a comfortable lifestyle for their families. The best home based business ideas for women, involves women creating a work schedule around their family life; having a home based business, means that you will never have to miss a milestone in your child’s life.Home based online businesses allow the working women to maintain the dual role of a professional businesswoman and involved family woman. Working from home has several advantages, in addition to working your own hours, as an entrepreneur you make the managerial decisions regarding the direction of your business. Initially you might experience some anxiety or fears, but with the right planning and structuring your business could become a financial cornerstone for your family.So WHAT IDEAS DO YOU HAVE for starting a business? I know you must have some ideas in mind or you wouldn’t be reading this article. So what are your ideas… How long have you had them…and have you written them down. If you haven’t written your ideas down, then that’s the 1st thing you need to do– even if it’s just a single idea write it down. Think about what it is you have written. Can you see yourself turning your ideas into a business. Maybe your idea is just a hobby you have, not sure if your idea could work, go online and Google your idea and see what comes up Are there businesses online with your idea…..If there are will it be easy enough for you to compete…if competition is stiff, maybe there’s a market that hasn’t been tapped into.Another thing you might do is to think about who your target market would be and take an informal survey from a variety of people who would fit into your market. You could do this survey just about any place where there are people– in supermarkets, department stores, malls, laundry mats, bus or train depots, anywhere people who fit your target market would be found.True, you could talk to friends and family, but strangers would be best. You could tell them that you were doing an informal survey and that you were thinking about selling a particular product or offering a particular service and you were wondering if they were to see what you were offering online, might it be something they would be interested in purchasing or taking advantage of.The combination of your informal survey and online research should give enough information to determine how viable your idea is. If you find that your ideas possibly may not work, again search the internet; you are bound to come up with a few doable ideas for a home based business.In setting up an online business, you don’t have to know a lot about computers, navigating the internet or maintaining a website in order to successfully run your business. There are online programs that will allow you to download the resources and tools you need automatically to set up your website, receive payment and assist customers with problems. Many of these programs are free of charge. Suggest you do your research to determine the ‘best fit’ for your business.Home based business ideas for women can be fruitful when the business plan is well thought out and organized. In-home businesses have low start-up costs and requires a relatively small amount of time to become established. After the first few months of operation, your business’s profits will exceed the amount of money you paid out in start-up costs and the business will begin to pay for its self.So if you’ve been on the fence thinking about ideas that you may have about setting up a business at home- Its TIME TO GET OFF THE FENCE and LET YOUR IDEAS BARE FRUIT! And while you’re at it…Think about all the benefits your family will be enjoying.
Differences in the Types of Auctions That Take Place Around the World
Auctions are those events where properties or goods are sold to the highest bidder. Auctions are mostly public events, where bidders make a series of bids and purchase a particular item for a high price. During auctions, bidders decide the price of an item rather than the seller. It depends on bidders to decide the amount they would want to pay for a specific item. During an auction, a bid is a proof of a legal binding. Bidders agree to pay the amount that they have bid. In a high profile auction, bidders may have to pay a deposit in escrow accounts or give a proof that they can pay for those items.
Types of Auctions:
Different types of auctions take place around the world. Below mentioned are some types of auctions:
1. English auction:
This is a basic type of auction. In this type, people can see the item and then start bidding. Bidders slowly raise the value of their bid until everyone gives up. The highest bidder is the winner. An auctioneer manages an auction, keeps records of the on going bid and decides the winner. Sometimes, the seller will quote a minimum amount for an item to the auctioneer, below which the auctioneer cannot sell that item.
2. Dutch auction:
In this type, the auctioneer sets a particular price and then gradually lowers the price. People in public will start bidding and later decide which prices are suitable for the item. A seller may use this type of auction to sell large quantities of same products to the public. For instance, a seller may want to sell a large amount of hay and will thus, decide to sell this hay to people for the same amount, once a reasonable price is decided.
3. Silent auction:
In this type, the bidders in public will present their bids in a sealed format. These sealed bids open at the same time and bidder with the highest bid wins. There could be a modification in this type of auction. The bidders are allotted a specific period to bid. They can roam in a room displaying the items, and write their bids on an associated sheet of paper. The bidders are allowed to see bids of other bidders and can choose a higher price for an item. At the end of the allotted time, bidder with the highest bid is the winner.
Examples of Auctions:
Auctions can be of two types either public or private. Sellers may trade any kind of items in both types of auctions. Some areas where auctions take place are:
1. Antique auction: An antique auction consists of a trade opportunity as well as provides entertainment.
2. Collectable auction: In a collectable auction, the seller may put up collectables like coins, vintage cars, luxury, stamps, real estate, and luxury for sale.
3. Wine auction: In wine auction, bidders can bid for rare wine, which may not be available in retail wine shops.
4. Horse auction: Bidders can bid for young horses of the best breed.
5. Livestock auction: In livestock auction, bidders can buy pigs, sheep, cattle, and other livestock.
The other examples of auctions may not be public. These auctions are for bidders from corporate levels. Some examples of private auctions are:
1. Timber auction
2. Spectrum auction
3. Electricity auction
4. Debit auction
5. Environmental auction
6. Auto auction
7. Electronic market auction
8. Sales of business auction
Bidders in an auction need to examine the items displayed and decide an appropriate price for an item. Thus, auctions help buyers in getting the best deals and in gaining better profits for sellers.
3 Sources Where Your Small Business Can Get A Loan Today – Yes, Even Your Small Business
Now, when we talk about small business loans, we mean just that – small business loans. We are not talking about a $1 million loan to purchase some commercial real estate or $500,000 to buy some investment property. We are not talking about a $3 million credit line just to show capital on a balance sheet. And, we are not talking about a $250,000 equipment loan for a regional construction company.We are talking about true small business credit – loans under $150,000. Capital amounts that the 22 million small businesses in this country could use at some point in time for working capital, to renovate their location, purchase inventory, marketing, meeting payroll, developing new products or to simply have the capital on hand to acquire and satisfy customers (what business is really about).But, we have heard ad nauseam that banks are just not lending to small businesses – claiming there is too much risk in smaller firms. So, many small companies are not even applying for credit anymore out of fear of being turned down. And, as a result, we are seeing small businesses not reach for or obtaining their full potential – essentially letting profitable opportunities slip by.However, just because banks don’t see the true value of small companies, that does not mean that others don’t – others who are willing to do what they can to fund your business.The Benefits Of Small BusinessThere are some 22 million small businesses in the U.S. and they are quite the power house.According to the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council, small businesses;Provide two-thirds of all new jobs in the nation.
Contribute almost 50% to our Gross Domestic Product.
Account for 97.8% of all exports. And,
Create 16.5% more innovation than larger firms.All items that help make America the country that it is.But, if banks think these firms are too risky, that is OK, because given the entrepreneurial spirit in this country, other financing firms (lenders) are stepping up to cover the small business loans that banks and traditional lenders will not. So now, you don’t have to be afraid of being turned down anymore.3 Sources That Will Fund Your Small Business1) SBA Loans: Sure, SBA loans have to go through banks – which are not lending. However, banks might not be lending for their own loan portfolios but they are lending under the SBA’s programs.Did you know that over the last three years, the SBA has been growing the number and dollar amount of the under $150,000 loans they back – even given that banks (who originate these products) are not approving them?From the latest SBA data;In 2012, the SBA guaranteed 14,520 under $150,000 loans for a total loan amount of over $802 million. In 2014 (two years later), the SBA increase the number of these loans to 16,043 with a total volume of $955 million – with a down year in 2013.Part of this increase is the fact that the SBA has reduced or waived its fees on these smaller loans. From the SBA’s website:”The SBA determined to eliminate the fees on loans of $150,000 or less after conducting a review of the 7(a) Loan Program. As a result, a small business owner obtaining a $150,000 loan will save more than $2,500.”Bottom line – the SBA is actually doing what it can to fund small businesses in this country – including yours.Programs to look for:The 7(a) program offers nearly any business loan under the sun from working capital to commercial real estate.The CDC/504 program only focuses on real estate and equipment lending. But, if your business needs either one of these under the $150,000 amount – including renovating your location – then by all means as this is a great program.And, the express program – which is capped at $350,000 – is a great program. Quick and easy access to needed capital.Now, for some quick benefits of SBA loans. The SBA’s guarantee does several things:By capping interest rates and fees, these products tend to be cheaper in the long-run for the borrower.
Lower down payment requirements – meaning that you can keep more of your own money in your own business.
Long loan terms also allow payments on these facilities to be more affordable. Just image which loan payment would be easier to make on a $100,000 loan at 10% interest. A bank may require the loan to be repaid in 36 months – making the monthly payment $3,227. While the SBA could extend the term to 6 years (72 months) making their monthly payment $1,853. The lower the payment amount, the easier it is to cover with current cash flow, making the overall loan less risky and easier to get approved.
Express programs can significantly speed up funding as some traditional business loans can take months to close while those under the express programs can be funded in the matter of weeks.If you have been fearful of applying for a SBA loan, knock it off and go apply!2) Alternative Lending: Alternative loans (non-bank loans) from factoring and business cash advances to revenue based loans have really picked up steam over the last 5 plus years.These lenders are focused solely on small businesses and as such have created products that allow them to approve more loans to companies that traditional lenders will not touch – by not using old and outdated underwriting standards but by focusing more on technology.Most alternative lenders – especially the leaders in this space – have seen their loan volumes (thus their approval rates) – increase by 150% or more year after year.A couple of examples: According to the SBA, their largest lender – Wells Fargo – approved and funded just over $266 million in small business financing last year. However, OnDeck Capital, a leading revenue based lender, nearly doubled that amount over the same period. Further, CAN Capital claims to have funded over $800 million in 2013 – far out pacing even the top 100 SBA lenders combined.While these loans are high-cost loans, they offer several benefits like approvals when other lenders say “no” as well as quick (in the matter of days) funding.3) New Players: Peer-to-peer lending is know for its ability to match regular people who have extra money to lend with regular people who need to borrow. These loans are typically personal loans that can be used for nearly any purpose – like starting or growing a small business.However, just this year, Lending Club – the leader in P2P lending – has begun to offer a true small business loan product where businesses can borrower anywhere from $15,000 to $100,000 at low rates. And, their approval and funding is not based on some standard cookie cutter formula that most businesses just do not meet but comes from regular people who listen to your story and decide for themselves the merit of your financing request.ConclusionCapital for your business is still available.Don’t always believe what you hear. Sure, small business lending is tight – when compared to the hey days of the mid-2000s. But, that does not mean that you still cannot get the funding your small business needs to start, grow and succeed.To truly know if your company is qualified for business loan all you have to do is one thing – and that is to apply. But, if you don’t apply, you will never know for sure and then all you can do is reflect on how far your business COULD have gone.