Business author William Alarid is telling all-revealing little known sources of free government help for small businesses. Everything from advice, counseling services and publications, loans, loan guarantees, financial incentives and much more, all free for the asking. Alarid has just finished updating the 4th edition of his book revealing 100 of his "secret" sources for getting free help from Uncle Sam. He gives the names, addresses and details on government sources that specialize in small business assistance. "Many small businesses are eligible for free assistance, services, even loans, and grants," says Alarid, "but they have no idea how or where to find this free help. Uncle Sam offers everything from advice to assistance for women business owners wanting to sell to NASA, to grants, loans, and financial incentives." Included in the sources are 100 government agencies that purchase from small businesses and government programs that offer financial help, services, export assistance, publications, free help for women and minorities, loans for teenagers, special help for handicapped business owners, etc., all listed with names, addresses, telephone numbers and descriptions for easy reference.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Free Help from Uncle Sam lists some 100 government programs assisting small businesses. It describes financial, information, and consulting/counseling services for businessesincluding maritime and minority enterprisesby program, agency, objective, type of assistance, eligibility, restrictions, and contact. It briefly covers selling to the government. A convenient small-business directory recommended for public libraries. A publication of the Northeast Ohio Employee Ownership Center at Kent State University, Bringing Your Employees into the Business promotes employee ownership of small businesses, primarily through Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs). A good part of the book, including excellent appendixes on information resources, is reprinted from the Center's Ohio Buyout Handbook (1987) and other ESOP sources. There is some bias toward Ohio and the book is simply produced, yet it can serve as a basic presentation on ESOPs. Recommended for public libraries. Economics As If the Earth Really Mattered is a fairly comprehensive review of investment opportunities for the socially conscious by the publisher of a newsletter for social change-oriented investors. It covers investment funds, small-scale investing in businesses, organizations, and communities, and strategies for putting one's money where one's values are. A good companion to Stephen Lydenberg et al.'s Rating America's Corporate Conscience ( LJ 11/15/86). Recommended for public and academic libraries where interest exists. As traditional funding shrinks, many nonprofit organizations are looking for other income. In The Nonprofit Entrepreneur , experts discuss the opportunities for nonprofits to earn income, and the tax, financial, and management aspects of for-profit enterprise. The discussion covers nonprofit organizations of all sizes. An excellent introduction recommended for public, academic, and nonprofit organization libraries.Elin B. Christianson, Library Consultant, Hobart, Ind.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"Free Help From Uncle Sam to Start Your Own Business (Or Expand the One You Have), 4th Edition, by William Alarid. Names, addresses and details on hundreds of sources that specialize in small business assistance, including financial help, services, publications, export assistance, free help for women and minorities and handicapped business owners. Also lists 100 government agencies that purchase from small business. "Many small businesses are eligible for free assistance, services, even loans, and grants," says Alarid. "But they have no idea how or where to find this free help. Uncle Sam offers everything from advice to assistance for women business owners wanting to sell to NASA, to grants, loans, and financial incentives." -- The Newsletter Clearinghouse, August 15, 1997
"In his book, Free Help From Uncle Sam to Start your Own Business, William Alarid, an expert on small business, outlines important points to look out for if you are going to buy a business.
"In his book, Free Help From Uncle Sam to Start your Own Business, William Alarid, an expert on small business, outlines important points to look out for if you are going to buy a business.
Alarid's advice also works for persons who want to sell their business. His points to prospective buyers remind you of the preparations and records that must be in order for you to have the best chance of selling your business, and of the procedures usually followed. Here they are [read these points for insight as a prospective seller]:
All businesses are for sale. The next time you go into a business that looks prosperous and interesting to you, ask who the owner is. If he's on the premises, go into his office; if not, phone him from the nearest phone booth. Ask him, "have you ever considered selling this business?" The answer is always yes. Tell him you're interested, plan on seeing him a number of times for informal discussions.
The owner will ask you, "how much can you put down?" Reply that the amount put down depends on the financial status of the company, but that you'll need some owner financing. Usually he or she will say that if you will put 20% to 30% down, he'll provide financing. Be sure to ask for twenty- to thirty-year financing. Don't worry about not having the down payment in hand, you will be asking the suppliers to help you with that as described below.
Many new businesses fail, so avoid this obstacle by buying a proven successful business.
Make sure the company makes a good profit; it's easier for you to purchase a company that produces $200,000 to $300,000 a year profit than it is for you to purchase one that makes only $10,000 a year profit.
Is the company run by a manager? Has he been there for more than five years? If so, ask him if he'll stay if you buy the business.
Besides going through the books, talk to his suppliers. Ask them what they think about the prospective business. Suppliers can often tell you if a business is profitable...and can usually give you insight into its reputations.
If suppliers are enthused and their reports are favorable, tell them you want to buy the business and will need some "working capital" (this is your down payment but you should never call it that). You may need to grant concessions such as the exclusive rights to supply to you. There is a large variety of inter-business financial agreements. Usually one will fit your purposes. This is the largest source of business loans in the U.S. today.
That's your approach in a nutshell. You can create many variations of the theme. There are a number of seminars that teach this basic method. Watch for one in your area." -- PhotoStockNotes, September 1997
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a must read for anyone staring a new business!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Free Help from Uncle Sam to Start Your Own Business (Or Expand the One You Have) (Free Help from Uncle Sam to Start Your Own Business, ed 4) (Paperback)
The book was very informative, precise and easy to follow and understand. It gives you a very clear understanding of what's available to you and what resources to check. It has helped me after one whole year of trying to figure out how to start my business, do just that. Everyone should read this, even if you already have a business of you own, it can help in many ways - Who doesn't need money and advice?
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