Federal and state agencies, as well as private companies, offer small-business grants. Here's a list of resources. From Nerd Wallet: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/small-business-grants?trk_location=ssrp&trk_query=business%20grants&trk_page=1&trk_position=2
 
The Paycheck Protection Program officially ended May 31, 2021.
 
Small-business grants provide free money for startups and existing businesses, including those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
 
It can take time and effort to research and apply for funding. To help you start, here’s a list of federal, state and private small-business grants and resources.
 
Coronavirus small-business grants
The U.S. Small Business Administration introduced new coronavirus small-business grant programs as part of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act:
 

• Shuttered Venue Operators
• Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance
• Restaurant Revitalization Fund
  
• MORE: Coronavirus relief for small-businesses: https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/small-business/coronavirus-relief/

 
Federal small-business grants
Government agencies are among the biggest distributors of business grants, supporting a range of enterprises from environmental conservation to child care services. Applying may seem intimidating, but federal grants are great opportunities for small-business owners looking to grow.
 

• Grants.gov
• Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs

State and regional small-business grants
Economic Development Administration: This U.S. Department of Commerce agency provides grants, resources and technical assistance to communities to support economic growth and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.
 
Each state’s agency helps businesses find financing (including state or regional grants), secure locations and recruit employees. You can search the economic development directory for regional offices and local resources.
 
Small Business Development Centers: Your local SBDC provides support for small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. They’re often associated with local universities or the state’s economic development agency, and many can help connect business owners with financing opportunities, as well as counseling, training and technical assistance.
 
Corporate small-business grants
Many corporations and large companies have a philanthropic component that includes small-business grants. While some provide grants only to nonprofits servicing specific industries, some give to for-profit companies.
 

• FedEx Small Business Grant Contest
• National Association for the Self-Employed

 
Specialty small-business grants
To help spread entrepreneurial success across demographics, many organizations focus their funding efforts on specific communities.
 
Visit www.Nerdwallet.com for more lists of:

• Small-business grants for women.
• Small-business grants for veterans.
• Small-business grants for minorities.

Typical Situation: Our client is complaining their location does not have enough space. They may wish to change their location. They may want to explore buying their own building and want some comparisons.
When you hear a business owner say:
·        “There is just not enough space here anymore.”
·        “The building owner has been neglecting maintenance”
·        “I think it is time explore buying my own building and need some comparisons.”
 
Commercial Real Estate Broker works with businesses that are looking to lease or buy office, industrial, or retail space in the Chicago area. Our process is geared to reduce the pain involved in the business relocation process.

How they Work: Starts with meeting with the client to better understand what his/her real estate needs are. They do an extensive property search to generate a list tailored to our client’s specific needs. Then a tour of the properties that have been further vetted.  Once a property is selected the broker will advise our client during the negotiation process.

Matching Ideas with Resources:

GLM can provide an Opinion of Value of your business. This is based on information provided in your last three years Financial Statement, we can then estimate the Value of Your business.

There are a number of different methods that can be used to place an estimated value on a business. Different methods can yield different results. In fact, even the same method can yield varied results because different appraisers will make different assumptions.

In valuing Your business, our GLM’s Valuation used a modified version of the classic excess earnings method of valuation. We know from experience that this method offers a good estimate of value for small businesses.
In its simplest form, the method for excess earnings method of valuation makes use of the following items:

• Fair market value of the assets owned by the business less any debts owed by the business
• REAL income being earned by the owner(s) of the business (including items such as excess salary, profit, dividends, and business paid expenses that are not essential to business operations). 
• An earnings multiplier- The methods used for calculating the real owner income and for the appropriate earnings multiplier are detailed within the report.

This method, when used properly, is able to predict the range of prices at which a business is likely to be sold. 
 
GLM’s Valuation uses the following elements in arriving at our estimate:

• 2020 profitability
• Company assets
• Type of business
• Business longevity
• Competitive environment
• Customer concentration
• Vendor concentration
• Geographic location
• Profitability trend
• Revenue trend
• Estimated value of plant and equipment owned by Your business
• Working-capital requirements

If you are interested in learn more about how much your business is worth, Contact us:
​
Tom Gosche
630-675-8971
[email protected]
Schedule a 30 Minute Online Meeting: https://tomgosche-goglm.zohobookings.com/#/customer/30minuteonlinemeeting

Courtesy of Adrian W. Hollander, C.P.A., CISA, CIA, CBA, CFSA,
President of COMPLUS Inc. – Professional Controllers
(773) 233-0306 [email protected]
  
A business owner should write his/her own business plan.  A ghost-written plan is virtually valueless because the ideas are usually those of the writer not those of the business owner.  There are some computer programs to guide plan construction.  They may produce a more literate result, but may also hide the true character of the business and its owner.  Be careful with their use.  There should be more thought applied than just fill-in-the-blanks.  There are numerous classes offered through various business groups and local colleges and universities on “How to Prepare a Business Plan.”  Many are free.  Attend one if you need to.  “Old” prospectuses (business plan material prepared by companies for selling securities to the public) may be available from stock brokers and other investment advisors.  These will provide examples of how the “big boys” do it.  Full disclosure is critical.
 
A business plan is the blueprint for the future development of a business.  It expresses the vision of its leadership.  It describes the resources that are available and those that are needed.  It describes the competitive advantages, and threats.  A business plan should be a process, not just a product.  Write one; think about it; discuss it with your key business allies; and then revise it at reasonable intervals.  Below is a “sample” table of contents for a business plan.  It’s just a good place to start.  Please revise it and flesh out the content to suit your specific circumstances.  Best wishes for much success.
 
 SAMPLE BUSINESS PLAN CONTENTS

1. Executive Summary

2. Current Situation

3. Vision

• Mission Statement
• Goals (long range)
• Objectives (short/medium range)

4. Management

5. Product / Service Description

6. Market Analysis

• Customers
• Competition
• Opportunities
• Risks

7. Marketing Strategy

• Personnel
• Facilities / Equipment
• Pricing & Profitability
• Advertising & Promotion
• Public Relations
• Selling Tactics
• Distribution Channels
• Business Relationships

8. Production / Manufacturing Strategy

• Personnel
• Facilities / Equipment
• Intellectual Property
• Regulation / Compliance
• Supply Chain
• Business Relationships

9. Administrative Strategy

• Personnel
• Facilities / Equipment
• Management Information
• Worker Administration & Benefits
• Regulation / Compliance
• Business/Professional Relationships

10. Financial Information  

• Pro Forma Balance Sheets (for 5 years into the future)
• Pro Forma Income Statement (for 5 years into the future)
• Detailed Budget (for next 12 to 24 months into the future)
• Cash Flow Projection (for next 12 to 24 months into the future)
• Break Even Analysis (show growth steps, if applicable)
• Summary of Existing Resources (people and money)
• Potential Sources of Funding