The Student. The Career. The Investment.

Let’s be honest, the job market is critical – leaving college students with ample career opportunity upon graduation. It is important for students to recognize, early on, their full potential. As a business student and an aspiring entrepreneur, there are plenty of financial details that I need to consider, especially when seeking investments for my start-up company. I am in my final month of academic studies, eager to obtain positioning within a structured organization -- but as stated before, there are fewer jobs than the amount of graduates being produced.

This week in class, my instructor provided resourceful insight into various small business websites, which provide helpful tools for aspiring business owners and those looking to add to their current business. These sites are especially perfect for anyone seeking initial guidance, as it pertains to acquiring start-up capital.

Here are my question and answer details from this week’s class discussion. I hope what I have taken away from theses sites will be insightful to you, as well.

1. How might the information on these sites help you in obtaining financing for your business?

The information on these sites help by providing real life insight into of how small business owners achieved their goals of seeking investors, obtaining capital, and successfully competing with competitors. In retrospect, they also provide statistical data, which helps a prospective small business owner to be aware of what precautious to take when seeking start-up capital.

2. What are some other types of information available on these sites that may be helpful?

I found the “6 Capital Funding Sources for Minority Businesses,” referenced on www.inc.com, to be very informative. The author, Carol M. Brown outlined helpful statistical information for these demographics: African Americans, Native Americans, women and Veteran business owners. This information encourages business owners to look past traditional means of lending sources, because only 59 percent of small businesses are able to obtain adequate financing.

In addition, Forgivable Loans, Capital Assistance, and Individual Development Accounts (IDA) were also referenced.

References:

Brown, Carol, M. (May 31, 2011). 6 Capital Funding Sources for Minority Businesses. Retrieved January 10, 2012, from http://www.inc.com/guides/201105/6-capital-funding-sources-for-minority-businesses.html

http://www.sba.gov/

http://www.inc.com/

http://www.nvca.org/