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  • Politics Is Like Hiring A Hitman
    by Scott Woods inPolitical on2020-08-13

    For me, politics is like hiring a hitman. I have values and things I care about. I care enough about them to at least bother voting for 5 minutes every year for one issue or another. And because I care at least that much, I vote for people who align with the ability to realize the things I care about.

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  • Punching Above Our Weight
    by Roger Madison Jr. inPolitical on2020-07-24

    I believe our vote is the punctuation of our voice. Without that resounding exclamation mark, I believe our voices are just incoherent noise.

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  • BLACK PROGRESS AMIDST SOCIAL CHAOS
    by Roger Madison Jr. inPolitical on2020-06-16

    Recent events have raised the profile of historical injustice and inequities here in the USA. The entire world has taken note of the fact that BLACK LIVES MATTER.   We invite all of our friends to engage in actions that result in the greatest movement for change in our history. It is imperative that we take advantage of this opportunity to affect a positive change by ACTING IN OUR SELF-INTERESTS.

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  • Living in a Black No-Man's Land
    by Roger Madison Jr. inOur Community on2019-10-28

    There are many narratives that define the Black experience in America in this 2nd decade of the 21st century. Our striving over the centuries of our sojourn in this nation is a tapestry of every human experience -- oppression, enslavement, forced assimilation, dehumanization, exclusion, segregation, isolation, struggle, perseverance, achievement, excellence, celebration, mourning, despair, progress, setbacks, lynching, assassination, genocide, terror, self-hatred, low esteem, pride,...

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  • Fighting Racism
    by Scott Woods inOur Community on2018-10-25

    I had a boss who was racist. Not an outright bigot, of course; her toolbox was more subtle than most. We bumped heads a lot over inconsequential things. She frequently couldn’t keep my name out her mouth. Lot of gaslighting. You know…2018 style. I tried a lot of ways to combat or navigate her issues. None of them worked, and that’s saying a lot because I’m really good at fighting racism. But at the end of the day – every day – she was my boss, I had to deal with her, and that was that. Finally I...

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6 Ways to Finance Your Small Business

Financing Your Small Business ImageFinding money can be one of the biggest hurdles for a small business owner. Whether you desire to open a chain of restaurants or an Internet-only business, capital is required to fund your dreams. Here we will explore the different types of funding available to you:

Debt financing includes any money you will pay back. It does not require you to give up equity in your company and can be a good choice for entrepreneurs who have not been able to attract the attention of investors. This type of financing usually requires personal collateral and will require you to pay interest.

  • Loans - Loans are available from a variety of sources, including local banks, the Small Business Administration and non-profits. Requirements vary, but they are usually credit-based and will require you to pay interest. Some economic development organization microloans may take into account character as well.

Equity financing requires you to give up a portion of your ownership to investors in exchange for their money.

  • Friends and Family - For most business owners, this is the first stop when looking for funding. Your friends and family members know your character, and the process to get money is usually much shorter than other methods. Even better, most will not request a stake in your business in exchange for funding. Even though you know these lenders personally, make sure you get all agreements in writing.
  • Angel Investors - These are high-worth individuals or groups of people who exchange their industry expertise for a portion of your company's equity. These investors can be hard to find, and some only focus on certain sectors. An Internet search may uncover the angel investors in your industry.
  • Venture Capitalists - These companies are usually interested in established companies or start-ups that will quickly be poised for sale or public offering. There are usually high standards for receiving this type of funding, and you must be willing to give up a portion of your control.

Other types of funding:

  • Business Plan Competitions - Many are run by local business schools and require you to partner with at least one student to enter the competition. Winning could mean networking opportunities, funding and ongoing support.
  • Government Grants - Though it is a popular belief that the federal government provides small business grants, money that you do not have to pay back, it is not entirely true. Most grants go to local non-profits that help start-ups rather than the businesses themselves. Some states do, however, provide grants for special industries, such as technology and "green" sectors. Check your state's requirements for more information.

As you can see, there are a variety of ways to get financing for your start-up. An accountant or financial manager can help you decide which type of funding would be best for you. For more information on business financing, including sample promissory notes that can be used for family and friend loans, visit SCORE: http://www.score.org.

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Dequiana Brooks has been an entrepreneur for as long as she can remember. She focuses her energy on helping other businesses succeed through her marketing strategy & design company, Inspired Graphics Media, where we turn inspiration into action. Visit http://www.inspiredmedia.net and schedule your FREE 30-minute consultation today!