photo credit: keepitsurreal

Recession Proof Businesses will always have a better opportunity to survive in a severe recession, and if you are smart, and do your research, not only can they survive, but they can actually thrive in a recession or any economic collapse as we are now seeing in the U.S.

In choosing a business in a recession, look for the industries which are being impacted the most and identify a business which addressed the downturn in each. Obviously, most businesses will feel the impact, but there will always be some which experience more profit erosion than others.

As example, real estate has been hit hard due to the subprime mess and banking collapse. What do real estate people do when there is no business, then start prospecting as they are on commission basis for the most part, and no sales, no commissions, no income.

Just look in the newspaper to see the impact the downturn is having on the real estate industry, ads are a fraction of what there were, and this has a ripple effect in all advertising mediums, so here is the opportunity to thrive while others are trying to survive.

Look for more cost effective advertising alternatives to promote to the real estate industry. One of the best businesses which address this is the sales prospecting industry. When ads stop pulling in customers, you have to cultivate your existing client base trying to extract new business from your existing business, and this is a huge market.

One of the best advertising promotional businesses is the Predictive Call Dialer Sales Prospecting Industry. Simply put, imagine if you could offer the real estate industry a method to reach all their clients by internet phone messaging system with the touch of a key on any computer. You can now send a personal message to all your clients offering an update on local real estate prices, interest rates, taxes, anything relevant to a home owner shows you are committed to your clients. You don’t have to leave a message that is sales oriented, but staying in contact is critical in down economies when people are worried about their homes value.

This is an industry which most business owners do not know exists. Some of the most depressed markets are real estate, mortgage industry, auto dealers, stock brokers, financial consultants, insurance brokers, even the trades like plumbers, electricians and auto repair shops are struggling as people put off repairs. Everyone needs to stay in contact with their customers and clients to cultivate as many future sales as possible. It is always easier to create sales from within your client base than it is outside of it. Your warm market is always going to be the most receptive to being contacted with valuable information on your business or your industry in general.

There are several companies which specialize in predictive call dialers software. The most powerful system I have researched is an internet based system which does not require your phone lines being tied up when using as was the case with older dialers I had used a decade earlier. This new system is more powerful and less costly as there is no equipment to purchase or extra lines to be added in your home or office. Speaking of the real estate industry above, the mortgage industry is also dead due to subprime mortgage mess and banking system collapse. Even if people have good credit, mortgage money is not available. And for those who are losing their jobs, facing bankruptcy or foreclosure, never mind the millions who have bad or no credit, where is their hope of the American dream of home ownership? With millions unable to realize their dream home, this new business is worth your attention as it addresses a huge need with unending demand, even in good economic times.

New home construction is off by over 50% this past year, and as prices come down, it doesn’t help when there is no mortgage money available. ICF World Homes has a new strategy perfect for the first time home buyer, those with no or bad credit, bankruptcies, or worse, facing foreclosure. We know from the subprime mortgage disaster that there will be no hope for millions of credit challenged home buyers as mortgage underwriting guidelines become almost impossible to get an approval even with 30% plus down payments, the market is consumed with the fear factor banks all have.

Imagine a solution where the home buyer has an option to earn their dream home? ICF, which is Insulated Concrete Form homes provides the best construction for less. ICF is hurricane and earthquake strength construction which lowers insurance costs and energy costs, and with this new earn your new home option, it requires no mortgage approval. This is an industry which solving one of the largest economic issues in our history, and you can get in at the ground floor level with a new home construction company offering this self funded new home plan.

If you want to start a new business, you want to research ICF World Homes by taking a free tour of their new home presentation. As one who was in the environmental construction industry for years, I saw the value of this new option immediately. This is one of the best recession proof businesses I have researched over the years and worth your consideration.

As you can see, the above businesses can either enhance your existing real estate business, or other related businesses, or you can choose to start a new business, either way, both are recession proof and will produce extra profits by lowering your advertising costs while adding to your bottom line. There are very few products or services which will lower your business overhead while also increasing your profits. These two are unique in that they are at worst, cost free to use as others will also see the extreme benefits of implementing them in their businesses. How many business owners do you have as clients?

The third business I have identified as recession proof is introducing a breakthrough new T1 T3 super high speed wireless WiFi technology which will save everyone thousands over all the competition. As with all new technologies, you want to be positioned upon introduction to capitalize on this tremendous new wireless technology.

T1 high speed currently costs on average $350.00 per month. How many people do you know who complain about their current ISP’s, Internet Service Providers? Cost is one thing, but with Its-Your-Net you get super high speed, both upline and downline for only $19.95 per month. T3 is only $79.95, so imagine the demand for this new WiFi wireless which you take with you wherever you go for only $19.95. Current mobile wireless is $80.00 per month from the major carriers. Imagine offering this recession proof low cost higher quality service to your existing business clients, or as a new business, or better yet, both.

In closing, choose your recession proof businesses carefully. The above are what I have identified as the best of the best, and ones I too am involved with. Do your own due diligence, don’t take the word of anyone on which business is best suited for you, for only you can answer that. I prefer low risk to no risk businesses especially in a recession.

In my years in traditional and online businesses, I have learned how to survive and thrive in all economic environments. No matter what category of business you are in, you can make it recession proof with a little research. Another little known strategy is to join with other business cooperatives which allow you to access business tools for less than the cost for individual businesses, especially the small businesses. Health coverage plans are available, major advertising media is available at discounts of up to 90% if you are a member. Research business organizations so you can access these business tools at a huge discount lowering your business overhead. It is like having a Wealth Warranty on your business.

Success to all,
M. R. Sullivan

As an entrepreneur who has started a dozen businesses over the past couple decades, I have researched every business strategy known to insure my businesses survived any recession or economic downturn. Whenever starting a new business, it is critical that you do your due diligence to insure you are choosing a business which can service a recession. As with all businesses, some do better than others in recessions, so choose carefully. Business strategies for existing businesses can also be critical to learn, so learn how to control your overhead and research the most cost effective advertising strategies to insure you are not wasting your money.

http://RecessionProof-Business.com

photo credit: | El Caganer

BUSINESS FINANCING EXAMPLE ONE – SHORT TERM WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT – Business Cash Advance Programs

For any business that accepts credit cards as a method of payment, a business cash advance is a critical business financing tool that is often overlooked. Even thriving businesses frequently need more working capital than they can borrow from a bank. One of the least-known business financing strategies for successful businesses is potentially the single best working capital management strategy for obtaining needed cash for growing their business: the use of a business cash advance or merchant cash advance program. The most likely candidates to benefit from this working capital loan strategy are retail stores, service businesses, restaurants and bars. The highly-recommended and highly-effective working capital financing strategy uses an under-utilized business asset (credit card receivables) to obtain business cash advances based upon a merchant’s sales volume.

This working capital management strategy is also known as “credit card factoring”. Many businesses have relied upon a working capital financing strategy called “receivables factoring” or “receivables financing” which allows them to sell their future receivables at a discount. Most small businesses cannot adequately document their receivables in order to qualify for this kind of business financing. Many other small businesses (such as restaurants, bars, retail stores and service businesses noted above) simply do not have such receivables to rely upon as a commercial financing tool.

What these businesses do have in many cases is documented sales volume and documented credit card sales activity. It is this documented level of sales volume and credit card sales activity that becomes a financial asset to the business and its business financing strategies. Business cash advances from $5,000 to $300,000 can usually be obtained based on a merchant’s sales volume and future credit card sales. The business financing time period covered by a business cash advance is typically 12 months or less. For businesses that desire to continue the merchant cash advance program beyond this period, it is usually an easy matter to get an additional business cash advance once the initial one has been completed.

As with any successful business financing strategy, there will typically be only a small number of commercial lenders who are effective at implementing the working capital management strategy properly. There are also a number of problems to be avoided with business cash advance programs, so choosing the appropriate provider of this business financing service is extremely important to any business owner considering a business cash advance program.

BUSINESS FINANCING EXAMPLE TWO – SHORT TERM WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT – Short-Term Commercial Mortgage Loan Programs

It is important to note that long-term business financing has a very important place for any business that owns commercial property. Business properties should normally not be financed with short-term funds. When longer-term business financing is appropriate, it is essential to obtain a long-term commercial mortgage of at least 15-20 years (and longer is even better).

However there will be many commercial mortgage loan situations in which longer-term business financing is not appropriate for the business owner. In such circumstances it is important for a business owner to realize that there are viable short-term working capital management options.

For business owners who expect to sell or refinance their commercial property within one to five years, it is especially advisable to explore short-term commercial mortgage loan programs. The most appropriate short-term business financing will have little or no prepayment penalties and “lockout” fees normally associated with longer-term commercial mortgage loans.

While we will not attempt to describe the technical aspects of commercial loan prepayment fees and lockout fees in this article, we will note that the absence of such fees in most short-term commercial mortgage loan programs is a very positive aspect of these short-term business financing options. The lack of such penalty fees could easily translate to a savings of 10% to 30% or more if a business owner needs to sell their commercial property during the time period which would have been covered by prepayment fees and lockout fees in a traditional longer-term commercial mortgage loan.

Although prepayment and lockout fees will typically be avoided with a short-term commercial mortgage loan, there are some trade-offs to be made if a business owner selects shorter-term business financing. When short-term commercial mortgage loans are available, the interest rate will frequently be in the range of 11% to 13%, the loan-to-value will typically be under 70% and such business financing will not be readily available for special purpose commercial properties. The most likely candidates for a short-term commercial mortgage loan are office, retail, multi-family, warehouse and mixed-use commercial properties. The business financing time period typically covered by a short-term commercial mortgage loan is six months to three years.

Just as there are very few highly-effective providers of business cash advance programs, there will typically be a very small number of commercial lenders who are effective at implementing the short-term commercial mortgage loan strategy properly. There are also a number of working capital management problems to be avoided with short-term business financing for a commercial mortgage loan, so choosing an appropriate provider is extremely important to any business owner considering a short-term commercial mortgage loan program.

Copyright 2005-2007 AEX Commercial Financing Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Stephen Bush is the CEO of AEX Commercial Financing Group, LLC. Steve provides commercial mortgage loan and working capital management assistance throughout the United States. Information about free online Commercial Loan Reports and a free online Commercial Real Estate Loan Course is available at select AEX Commercial Financing Group, LLC websites

photo credit: powerbooktrance

Franchise financing for first-time franchisees

Some potential franchise financing sources include the following:

- Personal savings and investments
- Borrowing from friends and family members
- Taking out a small business loan from a local bank or credit union
- Obtaining a second mortgage on your home
- Working with outside investors or investment capital firms
- Obtaining a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Obtaining a loan from Canada Small Business Financing (CSBF

You must come up with the money to be in business!

The statistical truth is that the single most common reason new franchisees (and for that matter, all other types of new businesses) fail is that they did not have enough money going into the investment.

A responsible franchisor will not take on a new franchisee that does not have the appropriate financial resources to get the business off the ground and make it profitable

Determine How Much Money You Need To get Started

Opening a franchise requires a significant financial investment.

If the only benefit you received from joining a franchise system was an accurate estimate of the costs of developing the business, sources for equipment and suppliers, and the knowledge of how much working capital you needed until the business could support itself, the investment in a franchise may still be worthwhile. Because of this helpful start-up information, an experienced and mature franchise system is worth its weight in gold to a new franchisee.

An overall picture of what your start-up costs may look like

Franchisors reduce your time and costs on the learning curve. Franchising succeeds because the franchisors take care of the details you may not even think of.

Total start-up costs vary dramatically, depending on the franchise you select, varying from less than $10,000 to more than $1 million. A typical investment for a single-unit franchisee is usually in the $100,000 to $300,000 range. The franchisors disclosure document, provides you with a list of start-up expenses that will make up your initial investment

Most franchisors want to see a liquid (cash) capital investment of 35 to 50 percent of the total franchise cost (the franchise fee plus all start-up costs). They want to ensure that you have enough money, not only to get started but also to pay your bills, including any principal and interest payments on your loans.

Start-up costs may vary depending on whether you need to own or lease real estate to operate the business. Fixed-based franchises, almost always cost more than a franchise operating from a van or over the Internet.

Initial expenses you should anticipate

The franchise fee, which is the amount you pay the franchisor to offset the franchisor’s cost of locating, screening, negotiating with, and training you. It may also cover the costs involved in site selection and development, promotions, grand-opening events, and ongoing support during your first months of operation.

Franchise fees vary, depending on the franchisor. They can range from $0 (which is very unusual) to more than $100,00. The franchise fee for most franchisors is between $20,000 and $35,000. When comparison-shopping, pay particular attention to what services you will receive for your franchise fee and what other necessary services separate charges. The lowest, most appealing franchise fee may not be the best value.

As you identify a location, you will usually sign a single-unit franchise agreement. What you pay and how the franchisor applies the fee will vary, depending on the agreement.

Other start-up costs include:

Blueprints and professional fees…
Contractor fees…
Costs for finding the right location…
Décor packaging and signage…
Equipment and fixtures…
Freight and sales tax…
Improvements and construction…
Insurance…
Landscaping…
Opening inventory…
Real property and occupancy charges…
Zoning expenses…

In the disclosure document, a franchisor will provide you with a chart and notes concerning your start-up costs for that particular franchise.

John Bauer, a 20-year veteran of franchising, shares his extensive knowledge on his website http://www.whyfranchising.com. Start right. Finish successful. Here’s how.

photo credit: DucDigital

There are many new challenges which are increasingly evident with commercial mortgages, particularly those involving commercial construction loans. Many commercial financing experts currently project that the changing environment for working capital loans and most other business financing will produce several new but avoidable problems for small business owners.

There have always been complex problems for business owners to avoid when seeking commercial loans. By most accounts, these difficulties are now expected to multiply because we appear to be entering a period which will be characterized by even more uncertainties in the economy. Prior standards for commercial mortgages are likely to change suddenly and with little advance notice by lenders if the current financial turmoil continues.

This article will evaluate why commercial construction loans have become harder to obtain and will discuss possible commercial finance funding solutions. The current economic uncertainties combined with less capital availability for commercial mortgages in general and construction financing in particular means that it is much more likely that borrowers will need to look beyond their regional market area for business financing help. In many areas of the United States, virtually all business construction funding sources are effectively inactive at this time in addressing new loan requests.

Even before business finance funding options became more limited recently, construction loans were generally considered to be riskier than other commercial financing by most lenders. For a commercial lender, the most significant risk factors for commercial construction financing usually include the following: (1) until the new building is completed, a commercial property cannot produce income to repay a loan; (2) a substantial risk factor is the possibility for contractor liens; and (3) many commercial construction projects take more time to complete than originally projected and/or exceed initial cost estimates. Of these factors, the risk of potential contractor liens appears to be a particular concern for commercial lenders because of the deteriorating health of the construction industry. In any event, current delinquencies in loan payments for commercial construction financing are running well above normal.

Construction financing for homebuilders has always been viewed separately by lenders because the eventual owners of single-family homes are individuals rather than businesses. From a commercial lending perspective, it is likely that the current difficulties seen in residential construction are indirectly impacting the availability of construction funding for commercial properties because the potential for contractor liens incurred during residential projects can quickly reduce the financial stability of contractors involved in both residential and commercial construction projects. This is a further reason why lenders are increasingly focusing on the risk of contractor liens as a rationale for providing less construction financing.

The feasibility of real estate investments has traditionally included an enduring theme of “location, location and location” which reflects the importance of a specific locale for investing. This is still an important factor when lenders evaluate the prospects for commercial real estate loans involving both existing commercial properties and new construction. A lender is likely to be most comfortable with a stable to growing revenue stream for a business which will in turn result in a stable to growing property valuation, thus preserving collateral for the commercial mortgage loan.

For the first time in several years, however, we are generally seeing widespread reductions in both residential and commercial property values throughout much of the United States, with some areas of the country exhibiting more volatility than others. A severe recession will result in decreasing income for many businesses over an extended period of time, and it is very difficult for either lenders or borrowers to project when this downward trend will reverse.

Given the difficulty of arranging financing based on location, using non-local lenders can be a practical solution for commercial financing involving both existing commercial properties and new construction. Small business owners should seek straightforward advice from a commercial loans expert who can provide effective strategies for changing and difficult business finance funding situations, especially in light of the challenging commercial borrowing climate prevailing currently.

Learn about avoiding commercial financing mistakes – Stephen Bush is a commercial loans expert => AEX Commercial Mortgages and Working Capital Loans

photo credit: florian_kuhlmann

This article provides an overview of several business finance factors that commercial borrowers should understand before attempting to obtain a Small Business Administration loan (SBA loan) to buy either commercial real estate or a business opportunity investment. There are many commercial mortgage and business loan misunderstandings involving the use of an SBA loan due to the complex nature of this approach to business financing.

Two of the most difficult business loan and commercial mortgage situations for a business owner involve obtaining a Small Business Administration loan and refinancing an SBA loan. There are practical business finance solutions for both of these common business investment problems.

Are SBA Loan and Business Finance Programs Difficult?

There are usually two schools of thought about getting a Small Business Administration loan to buy a business:

(1) Avoid this kind of commercial loan at all costs.

(2) Use such a business finance loan whenever possible.

These conflicting investment financing viewpoints are due to a commercial mortgage business loan process that is perceived as complex and difficult by many commercial borrowers.

In reality SBA loan programs are more practical than they often appear. It is critical to the success of a Small Business Administration loan program to be working with a business finance advisor and lender that is proficient at this difficult commercial mortgage and commercial loan process. There are many potential commercial financing problems to avoid when attempting to obtain a small business loans, and very few lenders are skilled in this business financing area.

Anticipating Business Investment Problems Before They Occur: Business Loan Refinancing

One of the major investment drawbacks of an SBA loan has historically been the difficulty of refinancing the Small Business Administration business financing later. Current options have revised the situation and it is more feasible to arrange refinancing. It is still accurate to say that refinancing is not routinely available, but more importantly it is much easier to obtain than it was in prior years.

Advance commercial real estate loan and commercial loan planning can avoid some of the SBA loan refinancing problems. First and foremost, if the original business financing is arranged without a small business loan, this will make later business refinancing easier than if a Small Business Administration loan is involved. This means that commercial borrowers should at least consider if the initial business loan requires this form of commercial financing before proceeding.

Finalizing Small Business Financing: Two Common Commercial Loan Misunderstandings

One of the most frequent criticisms of an SBA loan program is the amount of paperwork required to complete the business loan and commercial mortgage process. What many commercial borrowers fail to understand is that any business financing process is likely to involve substantial paperwork and formal documentation requirements. In the end the key is working with a business finance advisor that understands what is required and can facilitate the submission procedures.

Beyond the paperwork concerns, a more critical and real problem is working with an SBA lender that is not very good at successfully completing Small Business Administration loan requirements. Even though there are many commercial lenders that publicize their ability to process these complicated and specialized commercial loans, in reality there are very few lenders nationwide who are consistently successful at completing the complex loan process in a timely manner.

Alternatives to SBA Loan Financing – Conventional Real Estate Investment and Business Opportunity Loan Options

Conventional business finance options should always be considered simultaneously with the possibility of obtaining an SBA loan. As noted above, the feasibility of refinancing a business loan or commercial real estate loan in the future will depend heavily on the choices made by a commercial borrower when obtaining the initial commercial mortgage.

A conventional business loan or commercial mortgage might be more feasible than many borrowers realize. Refinancing is likely to be more successful if an experienced business finance lender and advisor are involved.

Stephen Bush is a commercial mortgage and business loan expert. Find out more about business financing and working capital solutions provided by AEX Commercial Financing Group at => http://aexllc.com