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I'm a senior citizen and a decorated military veteran experiencing age discrimination (I'm "headed toward 70") in getting work as a contractor/consultant or direct employee. It's a VERY difficult issue. To "get around" this and, in addition, realize my life's dream, I am trying to start a business but need funding. My personal funds and access to outside sources are "nil" as I have not been securing work through which I could devote a portion to this effort. Mine is an Information Technology (IT), knowledge-based effort requiring "minimum" capital (initial and capital). I (and my several associates) have been in the Information Technology field for over 35 years... working across dozens of industries and for Fortune 50 organizations and smaller. Both public (DoD, etc.) and private. The business leverages those experiences and knowledge. The function is that of sourcing and placement in IT work assignments... an arena in which I have personally worked virtually every position. We fill a niche or brand that very few can. We have "real" knowledge and just not marketing of a services. We know exactly how (and what) it's done. Poblem is we need a virtual office space and "out-sourced" office functions, web desgin, database, pper, business cards, etc. to get a good "running start". SBA is a "catch-22" in that you ALREADY have to have been in business for a while (for all practical purpose) to get startup funding. Therefore, I'm not defeated but would like to ask good samaritans outhere if they would be willing to contribute a measily $1-$5 (or anything else)toward such an effort. The plan is well-thought out and has been worked on a part-time, informal basis by us at a minimum return for many, many years. If you are so inclined, I can provide you with

I lost my job. Economy is so bad and the business was extremely low and my boss was mean to me until i leave the job, Is there anybody who can give me a job. I will learn any job.

I am looking for grant and loan sources from the government for starting a new business based on an invention.

I am living in a small rural town. I would like to start up a small business to help revive a small dying town. Are there any govt grant programs or other programs where I could get funds to help me get started? I have a small amount of capital to start with, a business plan and a probable location. My problem is because of wage cuts and economic conditions my credit score is very very low. I have managed to get all past due bills and credit cards paid off but the climb to get my credit score back up to get a loan is going to be long and slow. Any help or advice would be appreciated to help finds funds to get my business and ideas off the ground.

Really I am starting to get into my last resorts. At one point I made decent money off of my tile installation business. The economy weakened and so did my income. I have been expanding my knowledge of consrtruction, on the physical scale and also the contracting. I have a crew now that consists of framers, roofers and my tile. We do work, but its not under my own business anymore because I lost the income to maintain my business insurance and workers comp. I am told constantly that if i am capable of attaining these things again that i will have as much work as i want and can start bidding on the surrounding cities in my areas EMERGENCY REPAIR GRANTS. Which aregreat to helping a business get on its way to be more sucessful. I am looking for a way to obtain a grant or aid in this matter. I am an ex felon and most of mt employees have been the same, half of which have been minorities. I work hard and so does everone that works for me. Its a requirement. I just want the ooportunity to make it continue.

Today I began my search for grants.  I am currently in my fourth hour of research and still have yet to find a grant for my business.  Yes, I'm looking for grant money to aid in the start up of my business.  I don't want loans because I don't want to deal with debt on top of trying to start a business.  I've searched for small business, women's, and minority grants.

 I did download, Federal Money Retreiver, for free.  It's a nice tool, but I still haven't found any grants that pertain to my business.  My search will continue and I will locate what I'm looking for. 

 I also need to practice writing grant proposals. I've read a lot of material in the hours I've searched today so I'm off to a great start on grant writing.  There's really no need to pay someone to write up a grant proposal unless you truly don't have the time to learn and do it on your own.  Saving every dollar I can at this point is extremely important to me.

I just need some capital to keep my retail business afloat. I own the only organic supplement an beauty lifestyle store in a 20 mile radius of where I live.  I literally owne all my inventory...i have run this business with NO loans or credit.  (I cashed in my retirement to start my passion)

I just need roughly (and this is the bare minimum) of 30K to truly transform my business to what my community is asking for :)

I could very easily apply for a credit card, or loan...but I realistically would not be able to make the payments.

I will appreciate all the help, or advice you can give me :)

had you there for a minute, didn't I?

Being the Buffalo Startup Business Examiner, who better to announce new business births in Western NY?

As of January 4, 2010, On A Dime Installations (If it carries a signal, we'll hook you up), has founded two companies: OP Music House, and ICE Cafe.

They are not identical twins.  OPMH is a boy, and ICE is a girl. They were born minutes apart and have my eyes.

I have been the rope in a tug-of-war by the Heat Miser and the Cold Miser on how I can proceed. I have accounts with both: PayPal and Google checkout. As you may know, I have an electric guitar signed by all of Def Leppard that was given to me by a former radio personality (my best friend since 1st grade), as the first raffle item. This is for the very purpose of our inception - to support and acknowledge victims of spousal and family abuse and violence.

PayPal will not allow me to sell raffle tickets, but I can accept dontations, and sell merchandise. Nobody can win anything.

Google checkout says I can't use the word 'donation' until I am approved to be 501.c.3 (nonprofit) status, which can take months. (I have the novel of paperwork prepared and I'm ready for them. I'm on file with Uncle Sam and all the appropriate parties have been informed and involved. I'm not out to haggle anyone.) The whole point of the raffle is to help raise funds to get all that set-up junk paid for and grow it from there. Google checkout's bottom line is I can sell merchandise and tickets, but can't accept 'donations'.

Hmm. Reading between the lines just got harder. I think I need a new pair of reading glasses.

Please call or email me if you are local to Western NY and want to help. I can drop off a batch of tickets, and will even let you display the guitar in your business (I will advertise for you) to help me. I advertise on facebook, and via my columns and articles.  I have a decent fan base on all 3 facebook accounts.

If you want to make a straight donation you can do so to the paypal account at enoughofit7@gmail.com.

If you want to make a purchase, you can do so online at our website: www.OPMusichouse.org/blank.html.

The OP Music House will be a nonprofit music venue and recording studio for young adults; offering a full referral service for victims of abuse, overseen my myself. The OP Music House will have a rotating stock of local, Western New York merchandise to promote the robust talents of our area.

ICE Cafe (stands for Instruments, Coffee and Entertainment) will be a coffee house which will occupy space within the OP Music House. Here, we can rotate home made food items that the hard-working hands of Western New Yorkers create.

The entire facility will have donated trinkets and pictures of our scenic region. We do have alot to boast.

We are currently looking for a home in the Orchard Park/West Seneca area.

Some awesome musicians have stepped up already to offer their time, services, even free performances among other items. Other local artists and speakers have indicated interest, as well as volunteers to help collect data and do whatever is needed.

It doesn't matter if we are in a recession or not; the people of this region are a hard-working class with great morals.  When we get knocked down, you'd better watch out, because we get bigger and come back in numbers. We help each other and stick together. I love the people here. If you won't stick up for each other you better run the other way, fast. Ok the proud Mama is getting all teary-eyed.

Welcome into the world, the new baby businesses of 2010, Thing One and Thing Two.  May the world welcome you with open arms, because you represent PEACE and UNITY.

I am a small business. Because of the free services offered with giant Google, and not-so-giant Merchant Circle, I survived a recession and have been able to focus on growing my business.

Google Apps, or applications, is pretty simple to use. Just like anything else, you have to navigate and learn through trial and error, but bottom line is you can create your own domain for only $10 a year, and Google will host your website for FREE. That includes mailboxes, document storage, widgets... the whole 9 yards!

Merchant Circle lets you create a Merchant account: you build your bio, company info, and can dress it however you want. If you aren't getting the look and feel you want, they even offer to create it for you! You get a free marketing campaign, a free coupon, and they are constantly indexed so what you do here, gets picked up on searches! That rocks!

Call me a kook but I actually took the tag I got in the mail for being a favorite on Google maps, and put it in my tree! (The smaller version, I framed, lol.)  The kids and I abandoned all old traditions because our lives weren't fun then. We are creating our own, new ways of celebrating the holidays, and our freedom. We put random things that make us happy, in the tree. I am grateful for these two free sources of marketing and web hosting.

I only will stand up for things I truly believe in. These two products allowed me to establish, maintain and grow my web presence, picking up credibility along the way. (Through a recession mind you)  And I am not being paid or rewarded to promote either of them.

Google is a verb in my world. I Google new products, shopping for best prices. I Google potential employees, other companies, restaurants, anything and everything. Ever since my CCVP (Cisco) tech told me 2 years ago to avoid AOL like the plague and use Google, that was it. I take his word as Gospel.

I suggest to any small business with a small budget to create an account with Google and take advantage of all the free things you can do, as well as Merchant Circle.

"If it carries a signal, I'll hook you up!" my website is hosted by Google herehttp://www.onadimeinstallations.com.

Peace and Best Wishes to all of Western New York, Merchant Circle and Google.

2010 is going to ROCK!

Please follow me or subscribe to my articles: http://www.examiner.com/

45 yr old husband and father of 3. Had a small business for last 15 years. Had  a partner leave me holding 250,000. needless to say we lost everything . that was 7 years ago. I ve barely been able to get by. Recently I had 5 home depot stores counters to install. I had 98 % approval. They wanted to use a company that was much larger so I lost that account. I had another account with a large cabinet company, but the owner killed himself in aug. of 07..I am a hard worker that cant find work to save my soul. Wife was working on a new temp. full time warehouse job, but was let go early December. I am 2 months behind on rent of 1300 per mo and the utils are in danger of being shut off. what ever anyone can do would obviously be appreciated. I have never asked nor have received public help. I am at my wits end.