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Sleepy baby business booming

She also got the idea for a business.

Louise and her husband Matt Anderson set up The Sleep Store in 2005.

The online business sells sleep aid devices and other products as well as offering help and advice for parents.

Five years later the company is nominated in three categories for the Waitakere Business Awards at Henderson’s Trusts Stadium on October 31.

"We were pretty delighted to find out we were finalists," Louise says.

"For a two-and-a-half-year-old business it’s quite exciting."

The couple have three children and juggle the company with parenthood.

"We get orders from the length and breadth of the country," Matt says.

"It’s quite common for Louise to be packing orders at 10pm at night."

Matt has only recently started working at the business fulltime after 14 years with the Accident Compensation Corporation. more

Commtouch OKs $4M stock buyback Silicon Valley / San Jose Business

Commtouch Inc., an e-mail and Web defense technology provider, said Wednesday it approved the repurchase of up to $4 million of its shares.

Israel-based Commtouch (NASDAQ:CTCH), which has U.S. operations in Sunnyvale, said the share repurchases will be funded from available working capital.

The company reported a net cash position of $16.5 million as of June 30, and said it believes its cash resources, after the repurchase, "will be adequate to allow it to continue pursuing its objectives."

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Gravitas Launches New Business Consulting Services to Meet Needs of Evolving Alternative Investment Management Firms

Gravitas Technology, a leading technology service provider to the alternative investment management industry, today announced the official launch of its Business Consulting Services division to be headed by industry veteran Steven Richard. The division has been specifically designed to meet the evolving needs of larger hedge funds that require complex and scalable operating platforms.

"The core offerings in the Business Consulting Services division are part of a new paradigm in high-end technology and operations consulting services now in demand in the alternative asset management space," said Jayesh Punater, CEO of Gravitas Technology. "Gravitas is pleased to introduce a range of vital business consulting services that complement the core offerings of systems integration and software services. more

Latest Business Loan Small Start Up News

Loan Squeeze Thwarts Small-Business Revival - Wall Street Journal

His chances of getting the loan of $300,000 or more he needs to do so, though, depend in part on ... Values of real estate and other things small business owners can put up as collateral for loans have fallen so far, so fast, that many businesses ...

Starting a small business? Use these tips to find ... - USA Today

The friends and family plan: The next most common method of funding your start-up is to find friends ... best banks look to be trusted advisors to their small business customers. One especially attractive option is a loan guaranteed by the Small ...

SBA 7a Loan |Building Up Your Business Working Capital - PRLog (free press release)

A small business loan through the SBA 7a program can be a good start. Go to your local bank or credit union, seek out a private investor, or submit an application on a small business loan website where they shop you around to different potential ...

Empower a Small Business Entrepreneur - Associated Content

Steps to Getting a Small Business Loan Here is how to prepare when trying to get some small business financing. Start-up business financing will help you launch the business of your dreams. Pull $12.5 Billion from Small Business Loans This is a first ...

How to Get a Small Business Loan or Microloan for a ... - PRLog (free press release)

PR Log (Press Release) – Mar 15, 2010 – If you run a retail business, particularly if it includes an online store, you might find getting a small business loan or Microloan ... financing to buy inventory is common with start up companies and even ...

How to Get Start-Up Capital - Associated Content

... Now that you know what to do to obtain a start up capital, let's talk about how will you actually raise your needed money. Here are some ways to have it: Banks and other similar financial institution provide small business loan programs to help ...

A Banker Wades Into New Markets by Floating Loans From ... - Wall Street Journal

... s own cash flow to fund withdrawals and loans and then wires reimbursement, plus a small ... mechanic husband and start a career. Earning a high-school equivalency certificate, she landed a job as a town clerk, then worked her way up to bank ...

Muthoot to set up home loan subsidiary; drops banking ... - Economic Times

MUMBAI: Kerala-based, Muthoot Pappachan Group is all set to become the latest player to foray into the housing finance business in the country by setting up a separate subsidiary ... intensify the prevailing competition in the small loan segment.

Small Business Scams Continue to Thrive - All Business

... Loan Scams come in ninth place. Here’s how this one works: You’ve had no luck getting financing from traditional sources, so you finally find a lender (probably online) willing to hook you up ... Start by checking with the Better Business

Working-capital loans made without collateral - Herald Tribune

We are still lending in this (economic) climate and continue to support the start-up and existing ... it has helped so many small businesses." SFG embraces the U.S. Small Business Administration's Community Express and Patriot Express loan-guarantee ...

Open Question: What's the best bank for small business?

We're starting up a partnership of 3 of us; 20, 21 and 24 years old. It's a video production and digital multimedia production company. We're wondering who's good to bank with? We're based in Bournemouth. The coop seem nice, as we're a friendly, green, ethical, and 'cooperative' partnership, so it sounds great on paper next to our logo. Other than that, hard to significant differences between them?.. Don't THINK we'll need a bank loan. Though it's potentially a factor..help!! it's now or never! more

Resolved Question: should i get married now and risk losing finacial aid?

i have met the man of my dreams, my boyfriend, and we are planning on getting married. he keeps telling me that he is waiting on me to get married and me to start a family. i am in school, in a dental hygiene program that will end next may. i decided that exactly one year form now we can try concieving. i don't do pregnancy well and get VERY ill, so i am not going to mess up my schooling when i could wait a few months. financially it makes more sense for the both of us. i would prefer to be married first since i already have one child out of wedlock (him as well). i know we will be together, it is just a promise i made to myself that i would like to try to keep, and i do not want to be married while preggo. the whole marriage thing comes into play because if we marry now, i will lose my finacial aid and all other aids i am given.because it is a full time program i am unable to work and living off loans. i am getting governement assistance from my apartment, to food to almost everything. (trust me, they will make it all back and then some when i am out of school!) he is a stuggling business owner and i don't think we are financially ready. what should i do? i am the kind of girl who just wants to get a nice dress and head to the court house with our best friends, and then have a reception with all our friends and family. he however wants a big wedding. we somehow compromised on vegas, so it will be small and invite our close friends and family. something small, short and most of all relaxing and fun! what should i do? more

Open Question: I am a start up retail business and need an angel investor or grant money.?

I 've already received a small business loan and want to start screen printing but don't have enough funds for the equipment. more

Open Question: 18 Year Old - Getting a Loan in the UK?

Hello there, My partner and I would like to set up a small time business in retail, I myself am 18 years old, my partner is 19. We are both currently unemployed. We looked into starting our own business as a way forward, an alternative to a job, something WE have control over, our earnings will be governed not by someone else, but by our ability at what we do. We have both been born into families that have a history of business managers and the like, so we've had some good knowledge from the start, hence why were oh so determined to succeed. We are looking to secure a loan of £5000 (GBP) from the bank of our choice (Barclays most likely), with as little interest as possible. We have a full, completed business plan that has been reviewed and given praise. We are wholey confident in our plan and ourselves. Now we ask the question, What is the possibility of us securing a loan of £5000 from the bank, with little to offer them in terms of collateral, will a solid business plan and pitch be enough to sway their view? Need pretty swift responses people, 10 Points to the most convincing answer. Thanks in advance. more

Voting Question: linear programming problem(HELP!!!)?

i just need help setting this up, please and thank you a computer science major and a business major decide to start a small business that builds and sells desktop computers and laptop computers, they buy the parts, assemble them, load the operating system and sell the computers to other students. the desktop parts cost $250 per computer while the laptop parts cost $200 per computer, the students got a loan but are limited to spending at most $7000 on parts, desktop takes 5 hours to build and the laptop takes 3 hours to build, they can only spend at most 120 hours, the students know they can realize a profit of $275 per desktop and $240 per laptop, how many of each computer should they build to maximize their profit? more

Voting Question: College graduate who has been living with parents since October-Should I just pack my bags and move to a city?

I graduated college almost a year ago now (Spring 2009), and I haven't had any luck landing jobs in my field. I moved back home with my parents in October and have been holding 2 jobs in retail ever since. My hometown is extremely rural and doesn't have a lot of international business opportunities (which is what I studied). I'm going crazy.. there is nothing to do here, and I feel like I'm just wasting time that I should be networking. My parents won't let me move out until I have a full-time job offer, but I am considering up and moving somewhere. I feel like if I was in a city it would help my job prospects instead of applying in a small town hundreds of miles away. If I moved somewhere, I could at least work in customer service until that full-time job opportunity comes up. I feel like it's just a waste being here at 22, when I should be out starting a life of my own. I know I am not going to get a job just sitting here. I have been accepted into a few graduate programs out of state beginning in the fall, which my parents see as a waste of time, but I know it will open a lot of doors. What should I do? Should I just pick a place and move there?? Still apply for jobs through my computer in a hick town while working in retail? Go to grad school and take out loans? Ugh it is so frustrating, and I am getting tired of living with my parents and being in the middle of nowhere. more

Resolved Question: whats the best way to start a small business?

i have many questions...so please bare with me I want to start my own pet store including exotic animals like rare breeds of snakes, monkeys, skunks etc. 1.Do you have to go to school? if yes can you just do a certificate program or do you need an AS? 2. Do you get a loan from the bank to start up the business...for the building, products, etc. how do you know how much money you will need? 3. do you just get paid off of profit from inventory and sales? 4. how do you get the licenses to sell exotic animals? and how much does it usually cost? thanks for helping :)not meaning to offend you, but, im not asking anyone for a loan. i'm nowhere close to that stage yet...please answer the questions i asked more

Resolved Question: Possible to rent while awaiting full time job (college grad, economy)?

Hello! In may 09 i graduate with a bachelors in business. I was job searching for a long time and i've been lucky to have a gained work experience in the retail industry for 6 months. I live in Raleigh, NC for that period and in bit of a pickle. My sister and i rent an apt for about 800 and i pay 300 of it. She lost her job and looking again (dumb/jealous boss) (health ed grad). We gave a 60 day notice to leave the apt if nothing comes open for her. So it's first time out the nest and i want to survive and stay up here until i find a full time for my degree. Do you think it's possible to stay here and rent an apt for 400-550 working part-time? My hours are picking up this week starting a new position with 40 hrs at same pay $8.00. My cell phone payment $55, 2 school loans temporary lowered at total of $90 until Nov. And eventually i hope to start paying my car notes (dad bought and paying now). There are no jobs back home (small town near military base). PLEASE GIVE YOUR HONEST ADVICE AND EXPERIENCE. Is it possible with groceries, small leisure, sneaking my cat in ($12 every 2 weeks for food/litter) and etc.?And to add: Getting a 2nd part time because my new position will be from 7am-3pm 40 hrs a week. If i have to.. more

Resolved Question: Would you marry for love or money? 35 and older preferably?

I met the most amazing man. We have been friends for four years and recently began dating in May. We have had a rocky beginning. We live 70 miles apart. He is gone on the weekends for work. We have continual passion for each other, but we see each other once a week or every other week. I got laid off, I am going through a home loan modification, he wants me to lease the house and move in with him in his small room at his brother's house. We would leave a meager lifestyle, and most of the time he doesn't get anything I say. He isn't really bright. My friend of 15 years confessed he loves me the other day. He told me that he would take care of me for the rest of my life. I would instantly be moving up the hill, get a new convertible beemer, and be sent to Italy for four months to learn to cook Italian food. I would spend my summers on the French Riviera and during the year I can start my own business of choice. He is a nice man, we go to church together, dinner, basically I would have to take a few whoping tequila shots to sleep with him even though he is not bad looking. I have lost all my retirement, i haven't been to successful finding a job in my previous income level and my family said that they will cut me out if I marry the other guy. My mother has already stopped talking to me. My electric is going to get shut off. Opinions please?The problem is the man I love I cannot communicate with, my friend I can communicate with but I can't be intimate with but will have stability.I have not always been in this situation. And "blast" I have been asked out by several wealthy men, but none were my friend. You don't have to be 20 to get a date all you have to have is a personality. I suggest you look up the definition in the dictionary. more

Resolved Question: How do I start my own business?

I'm a senior in high school. I got a job and I got solid grades but I don't want to go to school anymore. I'm not looking for the easy way out, I just know I am a boss, not an employee.I know there is a lot of responsibility in owning your own business, but I will take on that responsibility before I work anymore blue collar jobs, with a dick-headed boss. I would like to open up a bait shop, there is one where I live but none of the local fishermen like it. I was just looking for advice on how I can fund this business? I know there are small business loans you can apply for and all that, but i don't want to be in debt forever. Is it even practical to open up a business right out of high school? more

Voting Question: can you help me with my small business become more than an idea and into a reality?

ok i was working at a car dealership for 9 months as a detailer with no experiance when i started over the 9 months of working there i got really good cleaning up bad and i mean bad dirty vehicles. before i got laid off i purchased the basic supplies like window cleaner, micro fiber towels, white shop towls, red shop towels, tire shine, razor blades, a bucket, wash mit, soap, carpet cleaner, interior cleaner, and a shammy, but i have no idea how to make my dream a reality anything i gotta pay bills and a student loan please help with any ideas! more

Resolved Question: How do I boost my self esteem without relying on other people?

I have extremely low self esteem. I don't mean the "I'm ugly- compliment me" kind. I mean I'm on anti-depressants, I spend alot of time crying, think I am absolutely good for nothing kind of low self esteem. I am gonna play the I was emotionally abused by my mother card because I was. I try to not let it affect me but it has. It's hard to let 20+ years of emotional abuse go. I can't avoid my mom as she is terminally ill and I believe it's far better to be there for her. Plus, I honestly don't think she remembers the things she's done. It wouldn't do any good now to bring it up anyway. It's affecting my marriage because I'm constantly freaking out thinking my husband is going to leave me for someone better and he's getting tired of reassuring me he won't. It doesn't help that I spent a great chunk of our marriage as a SAHM and then entered the workforce again only to be laid off when that business closed. So I decided to start my own business which he supported- reluctantly and allowed me to put all of our vehicles on the loan plus had my parents co-sign for. Unfortunately, the great recession hit and my business failed after a year. I'm okay with that part- mostly. I just wish constantly that I'd never done it. I know I can't undo it but I can't stop resenting myself for doing it. What bothers me about it is that I have a SBA loan to pay for now and had no job up until a couple days ago. I finally found a job but it means I will never see my husband or daughter. Plus I'll end up seeing people that knew I had my own business and it's very embarrassing. Partly because it failed. Partly because when it closed I told people that I had to because we might be moving due to my husband's job. That fell through- we didn't move and people comment on it all the time. I should mention I live in a small rural town where you would think people would be a little more understanding but they are very back stabbing and clique-ish. And to top the job part off, I hate the place I'll be working. I know I can still look for another one but it's taken me 6 months to find this one (small town!) I want to be a writer but I have a HUGE fear of failure that I can't seem to get passed. I am over weight but I've started to do mild to moderate exercise for about 1- 1 1/2 hrs a day. But due to being out of shape and an injury that's still healing, it's very slow going and I'm a results kind of person. I'm treating my depression with meds but I hate it. Counseling is out because I simply can't afford it. Church is not an option either- hubby hates it and I go when I can but our church is in a major upheaval right now. I have no real friends (ya know the kind you say "let's go have coffee with and talk") that I can lean on. Just a few acquaintances that I say hi to when I see them. So my question is how can I build up my self esteem without relying on others to do it for me? I want to be a happy, better person on my own merit. I should also mention that moving is not as option as my husband has an excellent job with benefits that would be absolutely stupid to give up over my issues.1st- I appreciate the weight loss tips but that's not what this is about. It's about my overall self esteem. Weight is only a part of it. 2nd- yes- I believe in God and I do pray. But I've studied several religions and I cannot say I am exclusively Christian especially since I do not believe everything happened in the Bible as it is because it was written by man sometimes several hundred years after the fact and man is flawed. I don't want to turn this into a spiritual debate. I'm simply trying to head off people telling me to read the Bible. I have- it has good points in it but I also don't believe it is the sole cure to my self esteem issues. more

Resolved Question: By Laws for small business and purchasing of supplies?

Recently an award for a contract was awarded which lead to the next step of securing a loan for the start up of the "new" business. It was a side line before. The company was registered as "rosebush pro team and services ltd. (not real name) My partner wants to sign over as it's no longer in her time line and I do not want to lose the opportunity. Is there anyone who can help with the creation of the needed "Bylaws "? ANY information and advise with this will be most welcomed. I also have a full time job and planned to hire staff for this endeavour. Additionally. Where can I get the best deal in kitchen utensil in T&T? Thanks more

Voting Question: how can i get a small business loan?

i wanna start a small business but i need about 20 grand, how can i get a loan and what are the requirements i have search places but i always end up in the same place tha i need great credit my credit is low. thanks for the answers. more

Resolved Question: getting a feel for time?

Your Question getting a feel for time? I am in a difficualt situation where my buisness has dropped by 70% in the past 18 months - followed the recession perfectly - I have had to lay off my entire staff but two remaining and we are trying to sell our building inorder to pay our corporate debts - of hwich I have 135K some on credit cards some on various loans. all are personall guaranteed. i listed the building 5 months ago and we just atarted to get some interest as the market is starting to warm up here in central texas. I am pretty sure it will sell by summer, I hope. if we can sell it, then all our debts are paid and I can either resume business in a much smaller fshion or close it down and start anew in a new career that is less subject to economic fluctuations. my question is; we stopped making payments on our AMEX card about 5 months ago because we cant make the $3330 a month payment. there is a balance of $37K. does anyone have a feel for how quickly or what the timeline is for them to actually file suit locally? is there any strategy I can employ to get some more time? I am just trying to buy time until the building sells, so I can pay them and everyone else. If they file a suit against me, I dont see any option but to protect myself by filing bankruptcy. more

Voting Question: She "stole" my identity, why do I feel bad for her?

My ex boyfriend's mother used my name and social security number to open several accounts without my permission or knowledge in 2006. As of 2/11/10, I am still fighting with one of the companies to clear my name. This is the most frustrating thing I've ever gone through in my life. Every time I check my credit, get denied credit, turned down for a job, denied an apartment, I have to relive this nightmare. I want to buy a house but I have to wait to rebuild my credit from her damage so I can get a decent loan/rate. I want to change my name and start a business but I have to clean up this mess first. My life is on hold because of her. People say I should sue her in small claims court for emotional distress because I suffer from depression. Using the internet I have located her current address and phone number, will it help? Do I contact the police and give them her info? I feel as if I'm a little crazy because I don't want to turn her in to the police. I used to live with her and looked up to her, she was like a second mom to me. I even called her mom. It really hurts to see the damage she has done to my life, so why do I feel bad for her? She is in her 50's with like 11 kids - all of whom would of course call me the bad guy for "snitching". I don't want her to go to jail but I feel she owes me. I can't get these creditors off my back, my credit is ruined and I barely eat or sleep. What should I do? Do I give her info to the officer who took the police report? Should I try to sue for emotional distress or something like that? Shouldn't I be compensated for 3 years of long distance calls, printing, copying, faxing and mailing certified documents to 4 different companies to dispute these accounts, all of which haven't been resolved yet to this date? Please help with genuine advice. This is a serious matter for me. I am not to blame and I'm not sue-happy. I just want this whole thing to go away. more

Resolved Question: Would you tell your husband if you knew one of his best friends.....?

Okay my hubby and I have a lot of the same friends and/or associates. One of his good friends loaned him $200 a couple of months ago (i wasn't suppose to know, but i did). Anyway, his friend IM'd one of my friends (we're all friends on facebook and yahoo IM because we all hang out a lot) and asked her how my hubby and I were doing financially since my hubby lost his job two years ago. He has started his own business and trying to get it off the ground, he has had some investors contribute and a few banks reviewing his files for loans and was actually approved for a couple smaller ones to get his business going. Well in the mean time I make enough to support our household (we have two children). We've had to make some sacrafices, but are still able to live life a little. Well last month for my hubby's birthday and as a christmas gift as well i surprised him with really good seats to the Eagles vs. Cowboys game in Dallas. (We are HUGE Philadelphia Eagles fans). Well his friend IM's my friend and ask how I feel about my hubby not working and bringing home a paycheck. She did just as i would have expected and would have done myself. She told him, I was very religious and optimistic, and also private, so she didn't have much to say and had no insight on that area of my life, but knew that if i needed something i would ask her and i hadn't so we must be okay. She said she told him she suspected that it wasn't easy at my house, but manageable; she told him if he wanted to know he should ask me. He then told her he was just wondering because we were going to lavish games and making plans to travel this upcoming year and my hubby owed him money. I understand how he felt because when i loan people money and they don't pay but flaunt it all over it bothers me. I would take it up with them though and NOT tell friends about it. I am so upset by this, to me this is not what a real friend would do. There is no telling who else he's told these type of things to. I want to tell my husband to pay him a.s.a.p. (i know he has the money, business has been good) I don't think he's forgotten. I also promised my friend I wouldn't say she told me this as not to ruin her reputation or cause her any drama. I'm thinking this is my husband, he deserves to know what his so called friend is saying behind his back. Would you tell your husband/wife if you knew one of his best friends was saying things behind his back. more

Resolved Question: Staring up a small business?

I want to start up a small business but have no idea where to start. Who could I get to help me write a cash flow projection statement so I can get a loan? Are there any businesses in Ireland that provide that service, I have googled everything imaginable and I'm just not getting anywhere. Any ideas would be much appreciated :) more

Resolved Question: Received Ombudsman decision. Last contact with resp. was on 2/4/09 and they never replied to Omb. What's next?

On the 26/3/09 unsecured loan broker phoned me up and I verbally accepted their services to search for a suitable lender (I would have been charged on receiving the actual loan only after). They instead charged me £300 on that day. On the 31/3/2009 I emailed and phoned the broker. After 30 minutes they were keeping me on hold and I was paying a premium rate nr (starting by 0870) a representative answered me saying that it was not possible to obtain a refund before 3 months time. The day after I sent a special delivery to the broker as well to formally require broker full refund of 300 which they had already taken from my account on the grounds that I had lost faith in their capabilities to locate a suitable lender for me. The company just sent me an application form to sign and return them in order to put in writing our agreement (which obviously I did not sign or returned them). Their intent was maybe to convert a verbal agreement in a more formal one. That was the last time I had direct contact with the respondent. I also phoned straight away the Financial Ombudsman Service. On the 19/1/10 I received their Final Decision of a refund of £300 plus accessories which I have already accepted. I have the feeling that the respondent had ignored all the time the Financial Ombudsman Service was writing them, and I also have the suspect they do not care about their business either, and they might have the intention to shut it (or at least there is a discreet possibility). Is it possible at all to check out whether the broker is bankrupted or liquidated, and in this case how many chances I have to have back the money they owe me (plus the cost of the legal proceedings)? How much is the initial cost to bring the case to the County Court? Can it be considered a small claim? Can I do it online? Will it be necessary to pay anything more for an issue of an enforcement mandate (I do not know what is the proper name of it)? Before starting any legal proceedings, do I need to send a recorded letter to the broker (letter before action) to inform them that in case I won't receive full refund as decided by the Ombudsman within a set nr of days, I intend to start legal action against them and they will be charged with all additional costs? And most of all am I still on time to start legal proceedings and how much it is? Is it possible to receive a sample of letter before action emailed to me on 393476480020@yahoo.it? Thanks in advance to whoever will reply to the present. Regards, Alessandro more

Resolved Question: How do I go about opening a pharmacy?

I already have a location, this supermarket is opening up near my home where i live (they bought out the existing business). I asked the store manager is they where going to put a pharmacy where the existing one was, he said for now they're not. Unless they find someone to do an independent contract to operate the pharmacy store/space within the larger supermarket. I know the supermarket that is opening up is going to be successful but they're not in the business of operating pharmacies they do indepdent contracts for it. My question is, what licensing, etc, etc do I need to open one and what start-up cash do I need? I already have a small fortune accumulated I could also try for a bank-loan (however hard it maybe to get nowadays). more

Voting Question: small business class financial questions.easy.?

1. Starting your business. You are opening a retail shop on January 1. You are going to need to borrow money from your 401k account to open the new shop and you need to figure out how much money to borrow. Calculate that total given: a. You expect to make $20,000 in gross revenues a month and pay for that inventory in the same month. (i.e., Costs recognized when product is sold) b. Your cost of goods sold is about 85% of total revenue c. The initial inventory for the store costs about $12,000. d. The initial capital goods (POS system, inventory software, business license) costs about $6,000. Q1. What are your businessʼs start-up costs? e. You need to buy initial inventory and pay back your 401k at 8% by December. (So, you need to have recoupʼed your investment by December and paid back the interest). Q2. What is your businessʼs gross profit margin? Q3. Allocate the costs of the initial equipment and loan over the first year, what is the businessʼs net profit margin? more

Resolved Question: How Easy is it to get a Business start up loan?

I am looking to start my own small business. The business will be curchasing computer equipment and reselling parts and refurbished products. I have 3+ years experience, and about $20K of my own money, and good credit. I also own my home, but with the housing market in a slump I may owe more on it than it is worth at the moment. I would need an additional $50K-100K to start up. With the economy the way it is, what are the chances I will get the kind of loan I need to get this business off the ground? more

Resolved Question: Need some opinions on this idea?

I asked this the other day and got no answers, so ill ask again. I have about $1500 to try and start up a business. My thought is a small loan business. I wont be like the normal cash advance places that set a minimum of $200 and charge alot of interest. All I will do is $50 loans to people that need a few extra bucks until payday. I give them $50, they pay back $60. I would require them to sign a contract and a picture ID with proof of employment, and also a post dated check. Good Idea? more

Resolved Question: i want to open my own daycare but don't have the capital to do so?

I would be going into business with my mom and doing this out of her home (which she owns out right) we would need to make alot of repairs to get her house up to code but we have no money to do this...and apparently there are NO grants to help start up For-profit small businesses like advertised all over the place. I suppose I could apply for loans...do they have loans for starting a business and how easy would it be (or hard) to recieve a loan when my credit isn't the greatest at the moment? more

Resolved Question: start up money for small business where can I go?

50,000 for small business loan who can I talk to more

Resolved Question: Survey! What would be your perfect Government?

A) Government that controls the people while Not controlling business and industry. B) Government that controls Business and Industry while not controlling the people equally to the freedom allow business and industry as posed prior in selection A. C) Government that controls both with more freedom to business and industry. Providing Corporate Welfare. Ie. no tax's and government bailout's. D) Government that controls both with more freedom to the people, ie. Individual and small business. Providing Social programs, ie. . .low interest loans for start-up business's and primary housing, health care and education. E) Other . . .1 boy= Whole boy 2 boys= 1/2 of a boy 4 boys= 0 of a boy left to think. more

Voting Question: Which would be the safest/best career choice? (UK)?

I'm in a situation that I don't knwo what to do in... I need people to tell me what is good and bad about each career but I don't want people to tell me not to do it...I'll figure that out for myself...I don't need people I don't know telling me what to do...but what I do need is to know if I'll be safe in a certain career or not... 1st Career Equine Vet I would do Physics, Chemistry and Biology for A Level in 6th Form. Then I would so a Vetinary Course at University. Then I would specialise in Equitation. 2nd Career Choice Set Up My Own Riding Stable Obviously this will take a lot of time and money. I would do Applied Science at A Level in 6th form. Then I would do an Equine Science or Stable Management Course at University. I would also get a job and work as many hours as possible to raise as much money as possible. I may also consider a business loan or something of the sort. I would do a few years of working at a riding stable and would try to get a manger position at a riding stable. I would try to develop contacts. I would start off small and work my way up. So which do you think is safer? Thanks...Xx more

Resolved Question: Foreclosure issue: how does this sound?

I have to write about the foreclosure issue and I wanted to know how this sounded so far. Does it make sense (I have to write 1,000 words) or should I go in a different direction? Where can I find more information to back up what I'm saying? When I heard about the foreclosure issue, I had already heard about the situation from my parents, bosses and other friends. It seemed as though everyone was talking about a crisis that didn’t seem to be getting any better. I started talking to these people about any solutions they might have, hoping to spark an idea in myself at the same time. Going around my college dorm, I found people with some pretty wild ideas. One person suggested eliminating paper money and another thought bringing back the railroad might help. I thought it was pretty interesting that everyone seemed focused on other areas of the government to fix the problem and not on the foreclosure issue itself. Everyone felt there wasn’t enough money to even touch the issue-money first needed to be found somewhere else, they said. I finally found my answer when I talked to friend Amanda. She was complaining about the fact that many small businesses in our little town of Whitewater were closing. “If businesses weren’t taxed as much, they’d probably be able to stay afloat.” She then went on to explain that businesses are taxed higher for each employee they hire. Therefore, businesses try to hire the least amount of people. This, in turn, cuts down on the number of jobs that are available for people. And when a person doesn’t have a job, he or she usually has to sell things just to keep food on the table. If you can’t pay your bills, then you have no money to pay on your mortgage. Eventually, if you can’t repay your loan, you will lose your house. And that’s how the foreclosure crisis gets started. If businesses weren’t taxed for hiring employees, then more jobs would be available. If more jobs were available, people could afford to purchase homes and to pay off their mortgages. If people have more money in their pocket, they are more willing to spend money in the economy, which would mean more business would stay afloat. If more businesses are alive and blooming, then companies won’t have a reason to let employees go.Okay, so I guess I should explain what I'm supposed to write about: We are looking for the most creative ideas on how to solve the current foreclosure crisis. We're currently experiencing a very challenging and volatile period in real estate because of a recession that has hit homeowners everywhere very hard. It's possible that it could still get worse before it gets better. So you are asked to write about: "How to solve the foreclosure crisis"Okay, I understand that it sounds like I'm stupid and don't know what I'm talking about... But you see, the point is to find a new way to solve the current issue that hasn't been thought of before. Everyone knows the lenders are lending out money to people who can't pay...my point was that maybe we should get people jobs...and then if they have jobs, they will at least be able to pay more...but now I think we need to solve both issues at once...anyway, this was a quickly rushed out copy so I didn't spend a lot of time writing a paper that was clearly wrong...as you all quickly jumped on me to point out...thank you very much, I already got that... more

Voting Question: how much money do i need to open a small music shop...?

selling new and pre-owned LPs, CDs and merchandise. i know you can take out business loans and stuff but how much money will i need personally. i would save money on decorating and putting the shelves and things up because my dad would be ble to help with that. also, where do i find a supplier for the new stock? and what kind of licenses would i need? please be as helpful as possible because i am serious about this idea, but have no clue where to start!! cheers. XOXO. more

Resolved Question: how do people get funding to start their own small business?

ok so im only 16, but i have high hopes for my future. i want to open up my own guitar store where i can sell, repair, buy and teach guitar. the only problem is that i have no idea of how people get funds to stock their store and furnish it. as you know, guitars can be expensive and so can furnishing + renting/leasing/buying a building. how can i come up with the funds for this? i know a loan is an option, but i would need a large one and i dont know how large of loans banks can give out? any tips or knowledge would be greatly appreciated! more

Resolved Question: Finding investors for small sum of money?

Hi. I'm only 16 and at college in the UK but i'm able to set up my own online store as a sole trader (and yes this is legal as i've consulted my business teacher and many others), but i'm wondering where would i start or who would i go to to get an investment between £500-£1000. Business angels tend to offer £10,000 and above and that's the cheapest i've found on the internet. I don't really want any answers on filling out surveys or bank loans or claiming on tax etc. I also find it hard to get a job at my age. Any help on where to find an investor is appreciated. Thanks, Luke. more

Resolved Question: what is a good business to start with little investment?

I really want the freedom of owning my own business but I don't have much start up money. I'm an electrician but to start my own company is alot of money and alot of risk. If I had the money I'd give it a shot but I won't take out a loan. So I'm thinking of a smaller investment business to come up with money for my electric business. I tried ebay. I couldn't compete with other peoples low prices more

Resolved Question: Does Obama understand how banks work?

I'm seriously starting to wonder. Hes chastising them for not loaning money when the unemployment rate is probably around 17 percent when you figure everything in. Many small businesses have not only laid off workers but have cut hours. A companies are doing well to break even much less show a profit. Then hes got his monstrosity of a health care package and cap and trade. Wouldnt it stand to reason that banks are gonna be reluctant to make loans? Obama doesnt understand that loaning right now would make things worse. The answer is for Obama to get out of the way. If he truly wants to create jobs, Give small businesses tax cuts and tear up the healthcare package. Stop taxing the daylights out of the wealthy so they can create jobs and start hiring people. Thats how Capitalism works. more

Voting Question: Failing out of college & need to make a decision!?

My story: I worked my butt off at a community college in order to transfer to a large, reputable university. After a year of hard work, I applied and got in for the summer of 2008. At the time, my dad was covering most of my expenses so I could focus on school. I was working a part-time job at the school bookstore, but it was less than 15 hrs a week. Unfortunately, at the end of my spring semester my dad, a small business owner, suddenly went broke. I moved home for a month to save money then came back to take my first two classes at the university. I worked at the beginning of the fall semester but had to quit because of my demanding class schedule. Thankfully, I had paid my rent in advance. That winter I took on what was supposed to be a temporary full time job, but I was stuck. Not only did I need money to help cover my expenses (there is a big difference in tuition); I felt obligated to help my family. I didn't do so well in the spring, working all the time took its toll on my grades, but I wasn't failing just yet. Then I made the mistake of taking a class during the summer which I made a D in, causing my GPA to drop to a 1.975. So, for the fall I decided to take less classes and continue to work full time. Big mistake. I ended up missing the first week of school because of work. I would go to class during the day, go straight to work for 8 hrs, then pulled all nighters most nights. Eventually, my family went really, really broke and my uncle randomly died. I bought a car so that I could travel further from my apartment to find a better paying job. I ended up working at a gentlemen's club on my days off from 6pm - 230am. I was literally not sleeping which turned into me getting sick and missing both class and work. I started going to an academic counselor who coaxed me to seek out more financial aid and pick one job. I got another loan, quit my first job, and BAM! I got into a multiple car wreck that totaled my car. I couldn't work at the club any more because of the severe whiplash I sustained, everything was just too painful. Finally, I got my car settlement and bought another car which turned out to be dangerous; the car will randomly spin out of control. At this point, I have given up. I spent the end of the semester in Houston with my family or holed up in my apartment. It takes so much for me to get out of bed every day, and lately I haven't at all. I am working another job, and I am taking finals today and Monday. I guess my question is: if I am able to continue at the university, should I finish my senior year or quit and pursue a different career. I am studying to be an entrepreneur anyway. Maybe I should just jump into it? **Sorry for the grammar and length. more

Voting Question: Can I get delayed private vendor finance for a business without it showing on my name?

I'm in the process of purchasing a small magazine. I have been involved with the magazine for a few years and now the current owner is ready to move on. It has decreased in value as the sales side of things has been neglected - but I can see the potential. I need to explain my situation before you can understand my question... I'm in the process of saving for a home loan with my partner, and we plan on buying mid next year (2010). We are also in the process of wiping out all our other debts except one car loan. We have even moved into a liveable shed to save on rent to help our savings more... that's how serious we are about buying our own place. This is where it gets tricky. My first issue of the magazine is in February next year... and naturally I can not have more debt on my name or it may risk our chances of purchasing our own place. WE can't delay the magazine purchase as the current owner has had enough and wants out, I've already held her back a few months. She is happy to do a private vendor finance with me, under the conditions I don't have to pay it back until the magazine is earning over a certain amount (It's barely covering itself). In the mean time I need it in my name so I can open up a business account etc. Is it possible to have a private contract drawn up under those conditions so it will not show I owe money to the business on my name? The current debt of the business is a personal one and is not attached to the business. I would really appreciate any help as I'm running out of time, I need to start sales for Feb issue. Thank you. more

Resolved Question: Why do people not have sympathy for me coz i've no kids?

anyone sick of families going on about how 'tough' the recession is just coz they've bought a house they could not afford in the first place and because they decided to have all these kids they could not afford. I'm a 29 yr old female, i've not bought property coz i thought it was over valued so have remained renting. My parnter and i decided we would not start a family until we are financially secure. Sure enough i've lost my job 2 weeks ago. But i'm moving out of my 2 bed apartment to a one bed which is much cheaper. I've got savings that i didint use for a down payment on a place (about 2 years salary) so that will supplment my welfare. My mum has also passed on half of something to me she inheritatded, its about 3 more years salary. I only bought a car i could afford and now have very little to pay back on it because i paid for most of it in cash that i saved. Now the small loan is insured and i've been told will pay off because i've been made redundant. I didnt go on a holiday this past 2 years coz i saw this recession coming and saved. I've lived within my means yet no one feels sympathy coz i've 'no family or mortgage'. My friend has now set up a business and it turns out she wants me to help for 2 days per week, she will pay me cash, tax free, so i wont even have to touch my savings. Whats the deal? Is having a family and mortgage not a choice? Two woman at work who have families and mortgages were kept on and i was let go, so i feel so bitter. I dont get my stuff free in teh shop coz i'm single. thankfuly i'm in a very strong financial postion, but if i wasnt would anyone care, just coz i dont have a screamnig bratt? more

Resolved Question: What kind of career can I get like this?

I love factories, the idea of selling things in bulk, the idea of owning a store, of having people work for me, of figuring it all out and becoming financially successful and valued by other people for what I do (but mostly rich). I hate college and I'm not going to accept that as the only answer. Plenty of people around me have college degrees, and many of those people are in debt or not making a lot of money. I want to make millions of dollars. I'm a female in my early 20s, so I'm trying to find out what I should be doing to make this happen. Should I get books on economics ands small business? Should I get a job and try to put away about $10,000 or something in cash before I make a step toward starting a business? I don't want to take out business loans, or loans at all. I want to save up money, do things as I can afford them, and make it big. I really do have a passion for factories. My dream would be owning a factory one day, having people work under me, and being financially free enough to live well and not have to work if I didn't want to. It's like that song by Cake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6j_0NGWT9Y more

Resolved Question: Did you see Bunning's statement opposing Bernanke? I think B is just a cog in the machine, but did you c this?

http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2009/12/03/bunning-statement-on-bernanke-you-are-the-definition-of-a-moral-hazard/ Just some highlights: " To be fair, you have published some more information than before, but those efforts are inadequate and you still refuse to provide details on the Fed’s bailouts last year and on all the toxic waste you have bought. And Chairman Greenspan sold the Fed’s independence to Wall Street through the so-called “Greenspan Put”. Whenever Wall Street needed a boost, Alan was there. But you went far beyond that when you bowed to the political pressures of the Bush and Obama administrations and turned the Fed into an arm of the Treasury. Under your watch, the Bernanke Put became a bailout for all large financial institutions, including many foreign banks. And you put the printing presses into overdrive to fund the government’s spending and hand out cheap money to your masters on Wall Street, which they use to rake in record profits while ordinary Americans and small businesses can’t even get loans for their everyday needs. ...you have decided that just about every large bank, investment bank, insurance company, and even some industrial companies are too big to fail. Rather than making management, shareholders, and debt holders feel the consequences of their risk-taking, you bailed them out. In short, you are the definition of moral hazard. Instead of taking that money and lending to consumers and cleaning up their balance sheets, the banks started to pocket record profits and pay out billions of dollars in bonuses. Because you bowed to pressure from the banks and refused to resolve them or force them to clean up their balance sheets and clean out the management, you have created zombie banks that are only enriching their traders and executives. You are repeating the mistakes of Japan in the 1990s on a much larger scale, while sowing the seeds for the next bubble. In the same letter where you refused to admit any responsibility for inflating the housing bubble, you also admitted that you do not have an exit strategy for all the money you have printed and securities you have bought. That sounds to me like you intend to keep propping up the banks for as long as they want. Even if all that were not true, the A.I.G. bailout alone is reason enough to send you back to Princeton. First you told us A.I.G. and its creditors had to be bailed out because they posed a systemic risk, largely because of the credit default swaps portfolio. Those credit default swaps, by the way, are over the counter derivatives that the Fed did not want regulated. Well, according to the TARP Inspector General, it turns out the Fed was not concerned about the financial condition of the credit default swaps partners when you decided to pay them off at par. In fact, the Inspector General makes it clear that no serious efforts were made to get the partners to take haircuts, and one bank’s offer to take a haircut was declined. I can only think of two possible reasons you would not make then-New York Fed President Geithner try to save the taxpayers some money by seriously negotiating or at least take up U.B.S. on their offer of a haircut. Sadly, those two reasons are incompetence or a desire to secretly funnel more money to a few select firms, most notably Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, and a handful of large European banks. I also cannot understand why you did not seek European government contributions to this bailout of their banking system."What do you think?matthew, I know, I just like to read it. more

Resolved Question: I live in a blue collar town in the northeast usa. Unemployed. I need ideas for a start up business.?

I am an unemployed designer and would like to start my own business. I need ideas. I could get some money in a loan I think but I would like to start small without much risk. I know now is the time, rising out of a recession so all suggestions are welcome. thnx much all more

Resolved Question: Is it possible I can start a money lending business with a thousand dollars?

I start with smaller loans and then work my way up? more

Voting Question: I have a small business loan from a friend, when paying him back what account does the payment go under?

The loan was for $400 worth of start-up merchandise. I am paying him back and don't know if it is just a basic accounts payable, or if I should have it somewhere else because I still have the merchandise and want to show it as an asset. I thought about cost-of-goods sold, but the merchandise is still on hand...please help! more

Resolved Question: Why is my life so bad when I'm not a bad person?

I don’t understand why my life is so dreadful now. Earlier this year, my husband died, after a very short illness. It was totally unexpected. After he died, I discovered that the life insurance policy he had was not for the amount he kept telling me it was, and it wasn’t even in my name. A year ago in December, I lost my job. I’m a 50 year old woman, and I ran out of unemployment months ago. I get a Social Security check for me and my 13 year old daughter for Widows and Survivors benefits, but it isn’t much and it’s barely paying the bills and I struggle every month to get food on the table. I was working with Jobs and Family Services, but I have too much “income” to qualify for any programs right now, since they also count the income of my 21 year old son and 19 year old daughter, who live with me and are working. My son and daughter were both recently cut from full time to part time on their jobs, and although they help me with some of the bills and groceries, they also have their own bills to pay, and my son is paying off a student loan. I’ve applied for jobs like crazy; I was a sort of secretary, jack of all trades at my last job. I can type, do spreadsheets, handle money, answer phones, do advertising and public relations, and place ads in the newspaper. (The business I was working for went out of business after the owner died and his two daughters didn’t want to keep the business going.) I’m not proud, I’ve applied for cleaning jobs, call center jobs, anything, but I’ve had no luck. I have nothing in my background that would keep me from passing a background check, and I certainly can pass a drug test, so I’m wondering if it is my age. I know there’s NOT supposed to be age discrimination, but I am beginning to believe that it is going on. I try to be a nice person, I go to church, I donate to charities, I give what little extra money I can to things like the Homeless shelter for Thanksgiving, and I participate in canned food drives at my daughter’s school. I just donated a large amount of warm coats and jackets my late husband had to a coat drive. I don’t gossip about anyone, I treat people as nicely as I can, I donate to the animal shelter and took in two stray cats that someone dumped two years ago, got them spayed, and have them as beloved pets. Yet my life is a constant struggle, and it seems as if every time I turn around, something goes wrong. My washer and dryer stopped working, one this summer and one this fall, I’m having problems with my furnace, a high pressure water pipe in my basement is leaking, and there is no extra money for me to do any repairs, and when I tried getting help to repair these things, I was told that “I have too much income.” And to top it off my two neighbors on each side of me have started harassing me because some of the leaves from our trees blew into their yards this fall. I raked most of them, but I couldn’t stand outside 24/7 and catch them all! But they are saying all sorts of things about me behind my back and I’m getting tired of hearing people stopping me and saying, “Hey, do you know what so-and-so said about you?” My attorney did say I could bring action against them since they are harassing me, but I don’t have the money to do so. We want to move to an apartment, but don’t have the extra cash for a security deposit and a pet deposit, and I don’t know if there is anyplace I can get a small loan, for around $2000.00 to make this happen. (My bank no longer gives small loans unless there is equity in the house, and my house is in a bit of legal limbo right now due to several unfortunate happenings, including my husband letting it go into foreclosure.) I’m not whining or anything, and I’m holding my head up and trying to do the best I can but I see so many not nice people all around me prospering, (including the two nasty neighbors), and I just can’t get a break. Does anyone have any suggestions? I could use some feedback here. Thank you so much. more

Resolved Question: Is there any1 out there with CLEAR knowledge of how a separation from my X will pan out p.s. its complicated?

I have 3 houses in my name only (all are/ were rented out) 1 of which we lived in as a married couple and this is the only 1 with equity in (where i still live), She has moved into the 1 that we first lived in when we got married after asking her brother (who was renting it off us) to find somewhere else, and this is the one that has both our name,s on the mortgage and secured loan, (very little or no equity in the 1 she is now in) And the 2 that i bought (OUT OF MARRIAGE) have little or no equity either, BUT of those 2, one was unencumbered (payed off while we had separated in the past) when i mortgaged house No 2 that i bought off a family member, and later increased the mortgage on that 1 to enable us to renovate house No 3 that we bought when we got married, House number 4 was paid for by having a small mortgage and i put a BTL on the one that WAS paid off to enable us to buy house No 4 and renovate it So basically (if there is such a thing) the amount of equity in this house (ABOUT 70K) is still less than what i put into this 1 and our 1st marital home from the equity that was in my pre marital assets (my rental properties) (for my 3 children) WHAT I NEED TO KNOW IS WILL SHE BE ABLE TO CLAIM ANY OF THE EQUITY FROM THE ONE I,M LIVING IN NOW IF IT GOES TO COURT ?????? Because she is now starting to be unreasonable with what she expects off me (i need to know where to draw the line) P.S. i,m a self employed builder and because i have little or no work at the moment i have been at the house where she is now living doing work there and the kids for free, she is buying most of the materials but i,m using some of my business stock eg; painting, tiling, fixing items in the house, cleaning up her brothers mess, GOD I EVEN MOVED HER OUT IN MY VAN, PLEASE ONLY HELP IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT MANY MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE more

Voting Question: how do you get local banks to recognize you as a viable small business when both my wife and i are underemploy

ed for start up and growth loans? more

Resolved Question: What is the best way to get a start-up loan if you need it to purchase the equipment to start the business?

We would like to start up a tree trimming/ stump grinding business, but require a small business loan to purchse the equipment necessary to even begin the business. Are there loans available that do not require proof of a years worth of profit? more

Resolved Question: What is the best way to get a start-up loan for a small business when you need it to even begin your business?

My husband would like to start up his own tree stump grinding and tree trimming business, but all of the small business loans we have investigated require proof of one year profits. We would need a small business loan in order to purchase the equipment necessary to begin the business. Are there loans for this? more

Voting Question: How much credit history do banks require to get a loan to start a business?

I am in my early 20's and I plan on opening a small business within the next 3-5 years. I plan on investing some of my own savings but ultimately I know I need a bank loan for start-up costs and such. My concern is that I might have lack of credit history to be approved for such a loan. I have established some credit with a small loan and a credit card and Im debt free.I am also concerned about my lack of assets that the bank would want to see as well, I mean I don't own a house. Any tips or advice? more

Voting Question: how to write a Summary?

Please help me to understand this article by giving me a summary...thank you Stay or Grow? Mixed-up projects: develop, sell or mothball in today’s environment? By Brianne Binelli Just three years ago, it was almost unheard of to see a new, five-star hotel erected in Canada without complementary components like residential, office or retail space thrown in the mix. At the time, the barriers to entry where punitively high to build a downtown luxury hotel, but by pre-selling residences and leasing office and retail space, a developer could drive more revenue back into the property and create synergies that made it function better as a whole. When each part of a mixed-use property complements the others, RevPAR goes up, as does the value of the residences, office and retail space. What developer doesn’t want that? But in today’s risk-laden market, the recession has changed the way developers and lenders are approaching newly built, mammoth mixed-use hotel projects. Many are learning toward building smaller stand-alone hotel projects in secondary markets, at least until the economy recalibrates itself. “We like the diversity of doing smaller deals, having the regional diversity, the brand diversity, and the borrow diversity,” says an executive from a prominent lender into hotel real estate. That’s all well and good, unless you’re already got a huge hole in the ground for your project, have been selling residences for two years, and now have to come up with the money to see it through at a time when the availability of capital is as low as it’s been in decades. But while the economy is certainly ailing, it’s not time to run for the hills just yet, even if you are building a large mixed-use hotel. While combining residential, office or retail space into your hotel can cause legal hiccups and lead to higher costs associated with longer construction time, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to sit back and wait until the economic slump passes. Ron Taylor, senior vice-president and director of Arcturus Realty Corporation, admits the current economic climate will lead to many financial road-blocks, but he’s adamant it’s more important than ever to be cautiously optimistic and push ahead on projects if possible. “I wouldn’t ever be just sitting around,” says Taylor from his office in Victoria. “I’m busy right now trying to influence government and the financial sector,” he adds, while explaining the importance of stimulating the economy. “[We must] find innovative ways of doing [business]; look at best practices from Europe and the U.S.” Speaking of the U.S., Canada isn’t experiencing a sub-prime mortgage crisis like our southern neighbours, but we are battling rising unemployment rates, and while gaining financing for large hotel project may seem more difficult than ever, it’s not a lost cause. In fact, one of Taylor’s clients was recently successful in securing financial backing. It’s the entity processing and managing the loan, which is backlogged. Getting in the door may be hard, but Carol Pennycook – a Toronto-based partner at Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg, who specializes in the financial sector – suspects there could also be some challenges negotiating loans. Financial institutions could be asking for a host of new requirements before doling out large sums to developers. A lender, for example, may require that a higher percentage of condominium units in a mixed-use condo/hotel property be sold before financing is made available. Even with the best of intentions, it’s no secret that some mixed-use developments may be in the hole – literally and figuratively. “Depending on the state of construction, in some cases projects have stopped and the gates have been locked,” explains Taylor. “[Sometimes] the happiest developer is the one who hasn’t actually started to do hard construction.” Of course, some provinces are faring better than others. “Downtown Toronto is a work/love/play community, so it’s a desirable area for people to go when, financially things get tight,” explains Taylor. That’s one reason why Toronto is home to numerous mixed-use hotel developments that are currently under construction, including a new Four Season flagship property. The hotel/residence, which is expected to be finished in 2012, will be comprised of two owners – one with 259 hotel rooms and 101 private residences, the second with 103 private residences. The hotel will also include a restaurant, bar, ballroom, meeting space, spa, and health club. Luckily for the project’s developers, 75 per cent if the private residences have already been sold, with the down payments made on those units used to offset some of the construction cost. “We were fortunate to have started sales and sold the majority of the private residences before the economic downturn began,” says Erika Hansen, development manager of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Toronto. But that doesn’t mean things are easy for the Four Seaso more

Resolved Question: How to ask for a significant raise and promotion?

I have been working with the same small retail company for the past 3 years while completing my college education. I am a sales supervisor and I tend to have additional responsibilities outside the scope of my position because our staff size is small. I am graduating from college in a month with a degree in economics and accounting which I feel relates to running a retail business. Another supervisor is leaving out location within the next three weeks so the only management in our store will be my manager and me and there have been talks of us taking on many new projects which means more work and responsibility for me that doesn't fall into my job description; I do not mind the additional responsibility I just don't want to do extra work for the same pay. I don't exactly enjoy my job but I am good at what I do and have received praise for some of my ideas and my work ethic, I am just worried about the job market because of the economy; my company is actually doing well in comparison to other retail companies and my job is pretty secure. I would like to stay there because of the flexibility; I am able to attend school full time and I am thinking about attending graduate school. So my question to you all is it appropriate for me to ask for a significant raise during these troubling economic times? By significant I mean about $10,000 to $15,000. There is an unfilled position of assistant manager that has never been filled, there has actually never been an opening due to payroll constraints but since the other supervisor is leaving there should be more money in the payroll, right?. As I see it I have been doing many of the jobs that an assistant manager does but that may also be a problem because I never said anything about that in the past; I was just being a team player and trying to pull my weight to keep the business profitable. So how likely do you all think my chances of getting a promotion and raise are? Should I just forget about it and look for something else? How do I bring it up to my manager? Should I approach regional management first (my manager's boss)? I really need to make more money because I have student loans that I have to start paying back plus I may be forced to pay rent because I am living with my ill grandmother who may be going to a nursing home. I cant afford to do that on $20,000 which is how much I make right now. I also live in a very expensive city; I don't know how I will get by on my current salary. Thanks in advance for all the help Sorry for the long post; I hope I'm not rambling. more

Voting Question: Help with starting a Business.?

I want to start up a small business. Me and my husband want to open a pizza station and we want to know if anyone has any idea on how I would get it started and where I can go and get some loans to start my business and maybe some grants or something that will help. Thank you. more