3 F A B $985 a. 36% Inlerhome i roc cy 42 14 ess \ 5 +999 373 2 A tA imenimSysim Vet 100 A 42% 42 vA A344 98 -t_\4/ - Helping New Businesses Get Up and Running (NAPSA)—A growing number of people are finding there can be big benefits to starting their own small business. Manyof them turn to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for help. According to SBA administrator Hector V. Barreto, since 1953 the agency has helped more than 20 million Americans start, grow and expand their businesses. It has also placed more than $170 billion in direct or guaran- teed loans in the hands of entrepreneurs. Guests can register for this year’s 2008 SBA’s National Entrepreneurial Conference and Expo (NECE) at . SBA’s Website. The conference, an important part of the SBA’s 50th anniversary Hector V. Barreto commemoration, takes place September 17 - 19, at the Washington Hilton and Towers in Washington, D.C. Attendees will have access to workshops on access to capital, contracting, e-government, cus- tomer service, marketing and other issues. A matchmaking component will bring together sub and primecontractors with small businesses to make deals at the confer- ence. In addition, the trade show will feature 175 exhibitors. The agency, which has helped so many, offers these tips: Before starting out, list your reasons for wanting to go into business. Some of the most common onesare the desire to be your own boss, financial independence or wanting creative freedom. Next, determine what busi- ness is right for you. Ask yourself Studies show that small busi- nesses accountfor the majority of new jobs in the country. how you like to spend your time, what your skills are, how much time you have and if any of your hobbies or skills are marketable. Conduct the necessary research to find out the niche your business will fill. Try to figure out how practical your idea is. Will you have an advantage over existing firms? Thefinal step is developing a pre-business checklist. Any smallbusiness owner should be able to answerthese questions. - What will the legal structure of the business be? - What kind of financing is needed and how will it be obtained? - Where will the business be located? A strong business plan can be a cornerstone of starting a business. It can help to prevent problems and guide the business during its initial startup phase. For more information, to take an online tutorial, or to register for the conference, visit www.sba.gov, or call the toll-free number 1-800-UASK-SBA.
