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Grants from the Department of Health and Human Services

In 1979 the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was established in an effort to protect the health of all Americans and to provide essential human services to everyone, especially to those who are least capable of helping themselves.

This post is aligned with a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

Find additional information and resources on small business grants and loans, home buyer programs and impact investment programs from around the world.

Business Startup

Having A Home Business You Can Be Proud Of

TIP! Make sure that you always dress for success. If you work at home, you may wish to work while in your jammies.

Have you decided to start your own online business? Many people see owning their own business as an opportunity to make their own decisions and engage in enjoyable work. It’s still a business. Prepare yourself to manage your business correctly — and you won’t have as much stress.

TIP! Keep your work and your personal life separate by establishing set working hours. Choose a time to turn off your business phone.

You should be able to talk about your business plan and goals in a few sentences. The more concise you are when describing your business, the more likely you are to impress clients. Within this soundbite is also the base for your business slogan. After all, everything important about the business is in the soundbite.

TIP! If you do not know what you want to sell or market, consider making it something you use or could use. Identifying a need is the first step to selecting a successful product.

You must have a professional office set up in your home with all the equipment and supplies needed, when running a home-based business. While you may think it insignificant, good, comfortable office space is critical.

TIP! If you are out of stock in a particular item, be sure to let your clients know about it. Back-ordered products are a nuisance to customers, and it can really upset them.

Always research anyone you hire to do work for you. You need to make sure they are skilled and reliable with what they sell on your behalf, since you can risk taking a major hit to your business.

TIP! Try to keep your personal appearance up at home the same as you would when working in an office environment. Working at home can be really great at first, but if work always comes first your self-esteem will definitely suffer.

You need to to let your customers know if you have an item on back-order. Let your customers know the status of their order. If you are out of stock, let them know. If an item will be back ordered, give your customers options; either let them choose another product or refund their money.

Business Expenses

TIP! Build yourself a business mailing list. Maintain healthy communications, but avoid becoming “spammy” and losing the customer.

To save money, keep track of all your business expenses. Business expenses include accumulated car upkeep costs from business related trips, internet and phone service, supplies, etc. When you operate a work from home business, you are eligible to claim deductions for these and other expenses on your taxes. Even trivial expenses can mount rapidly, and it’s foolish to simply let the government keep even a fraction of your profits.

TIP! A business plan is a crucial component you need for your home business. Even though your business might be small, you still need to outline what your business goals are, what resources you need, and what methods you will use to reach your goal.

To ensure the financial security of your business set up an emergency fund. You will be able to pay for expenses you are not expecting. Avoid tapping into the fund unless it is absolutely necessary, and promptly replace money that you do withdraw.

TIP! Make sure to take your family into account when planning a home business. If you think that it can interfere with your family’s daily life, you may need to rethink what type of home based business you plan to start.

Set up a place in your home that you can designate as your work space. Be sure that you have enough space in your home to allow you to keep everything organized. A little organization goes a long way in most home business environments, and this is the most effective option.

TIP! If you want to open your own business, will it be profitable? Market saturation and customer base are important to keep in mind. A field that is highly competitive will yield lower profits.

Decide on the price of your merchandise. If you will be producing your own product, find out what it will cost to make it. A rule-of-thumb standard says that to price a product, it should be set at twice what the merchandise costs to produce. This equation will help you set a base price for wholesale items. You should multiply your wholesale prices by three for an appropriate retail price.

TIP! Boost your home business’s online presence with SEO. Search engine optimization, or SEO, is an effective strategy for increasing a home business’s web presence and potential online customer base.

Deposit your payments when you receive them. Make deposits every day, instead of every week. The less time a check lies around, the less likely you are to lose it. To ensure your deposit makes it to your account quickly and without hassle, opt for the teller over the ATM machine.

TIP! Make sure that if you have a home day care business, you get help from another adult if you need it. Without adequate help, every activity with the kids is going to be difficult.

Using the tips from this article, your online business should become more rewarding and lucrative. Running businesses from home is like most things in that preparation is key. We wish you success!

Business Startup

Great Ideas On Getting Your Finances In Order

TIP! When you are going to invest in forex, pay attention to the current trends. Remember that you should always sell high and buy low.

The way you manage your money affects every aspect of your life. Take charge of your finances. The following tips will get you on the path to proper money management and make saving money a snap.

TIP! When traveling abroad, save on eating expenses by dining at establishments favored by locals. Your hotel restaurant, and any other restaurants in tourist areas, are likely to be way overpriced, so do some research and find out where the locals eat.

Usually, if a product has faults, you will notice it within 90s, which is the length of most warranties. Businesses makes a killing on extended warranties, and they don’t provide good value.

TIP! Never trust a credit repair agency that guarantees your credit history can be improved successfully. A lot of agencies will make general claims about their capability in repairing your history.

When investing, stay away from large fees. Brokers do collect a fee for their services, of course. These fees can end up cutting into your overall profits. You want to stay away from funds that charge a lot for account management as well as brokers that take excessive commissions.

TIP! Avoid debt in order to improve your personal financial situation. Though certain debts are hard to avoid, including those for home and education expenses, it is important to stay away from incurring expensive, unnecessary debt such as credit card debt.

Save money from each of your checks. If you try to save the money after the month has gone by, you will find that you do not have any money left. With the money actually being stored away safe and secure, you have a much lower chance of spending the money on something trivial or impulse-driven.

TIP! Get a good health insurance policy. Everyone gets sick eventually.

Signing up for frequent flyer programs is a good idea if you fly often. Most credit cards have some sort of rewards program that allows you to redeem points for cash or gifts. These frequent flier miles may be redeemed at various hotels for rooms that are free, or sometimes for discounts on your stays.

TIP! Stop using your credit card if you find that you are having problems making the payments. Reduce your expense as much as you can and find another payment method to avoid maxing that card out.

Consider changing to a checking account which is free, or one which carries no service fees. Some places to look for free checking that you might not have considered include credit unions, local banks, and online banks.

TIP! Do you use air travel a lot? If so, it may pay off to sign up with an airline’s frequent flier program. It is not uncommon for credit card issuers to offer incentives like airline miles or valuable discounts.

You have to get out of debt before you can rebuild your credit score. The best way to get yourself out of debt is to pay down your loan and credit card debts, so you will need to cut back a little. Cook more at home and try to choose only one or two activities to do each weekend. Bringing lunch with you to work and eating in on weekends will make great strides in your personal savings. When you cut this spending, you can put those funds elsewhere.

TIP! Instead of the debit card, use credit cards. Once you’ve been approved for a card, try to use it for your daily purchases, like groceries and gas.

If you tend to use lots of money buying Christmas gifts, try making your presents instead. Not only could you save lots of money, you could also avoid the hassle of holiday-time shopping. You can also reduce costs and boost your net worth by being creative.

TIP! Do you do your banking online? Make sure to sign up for electronic alerts. Most banks will send you an email or call you if any suspicious activity is detected.

Money management influences all that you do. You want to make sure you get the most out of your money, and by using these tips, you will have good idea how to better manage your personal finances.

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The Creative Role That One CDFI Plays in Impact Investing

Antony Bugg-Levine, CEO of the Community Development Financial Institution Nonprofit Finance Fund, manages $80 million of impact investments. He is also the author of Impact Investing: Transforming How We Make Money While Making a Difference.

This post is part of a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

For more information on small business grant and home ownership programs visit TopGovernmentGrants.com.

Business Startup

Top Personal Finance Tips That’ll Help You Save And Earn

TIP! If the time isn’t right then do not sell. Leave your stocks alone if you’re earning money on them.

If you need to know about personal finance, then here are some tips to help you get a handle on any financial issues that may have been a problem for you in the past. By maintaining good credit and learning how to budget your money, you can get the help you need.

TIP! You may not know it, but when you pay full price, you are paying too much. Don’t be a brand loyalist and use coupons whenever possible.

Don’t keep buying things that promise quick money. A lot of Internet marketers get deceived by this trap. While it’s important to increase your knowledge, rather than spending a lot of money, learn more through actually working.

TIP! It is in your best interest to keep track of important deadlines and dates for filing income taxes. If you need money fast and anticipate a refund, file early.

Be very skeptical about any guarantee that your credit history can be improved. A lot of agencies will make general claims about their capability in repairing your history. This is a ploy to get you to sign up for their service. You can handle most debt consolidation and credit repair on your own. There is no easy fix that fits all. If a company makes such claims, they are false.

TIP! If you or your spouse have less than perfect credit, the partner with the healthier credit score should apply for any loans you need. If you currently have a bad credit rating, take some time to improve it by using a credit card and paying it off on time.

If you buy your protein sources in bulk, you can save hundreds over the course of a year. Buying product in bulk is usually much cheaper if you actually use what you purchase. Grill up plenty of chicken in advance, then you’ll have it ready for several days’ worth of quick meals.

TIP! Replace incandescent bulbs with more efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs. Your new CFL bulbs will significantly reduce both your carbon footprint and your energy bill.

When thinking about your personal finances, patience will save you money. When electronics are first introduced onto the market, there is a mad rush by consumers to purchase them. The prices of such items tend to drop rapidly, though, so you should wait a bit before purchasing. You will be able to put the money saved aside.

TIP! If you travel by air frequently, it can be worthwhile to sign up for a program that rewards frequent fliers. There are a lot of credit card companies that reward you with free or reduced airfare for making certain purchases.

Be aware of your finances by making detailed arrangements for your financial stability. With a goal in mind and a plan for reaching it, you have a yardstick to use in evaluating potential expenses and a source of motivation to work harder.

TIP! Buying a lot of food just because it is on sale is not always a good deal. You can save money by stocking up on things you know you use regularly and those you will eat before they go bad.

In most cases, automobiles and homes represent an individual’s most substantial purchases. Payments on principal and interest for these items are sure to take the biggest chunk out of your monthly income. Add more money to the payment every month or make an extra payment once a year to pay it down faster.

TIP! Get a no-fee checking account. Look at getting an account with a credit union or a local bank; you may also want to check out online banks.

Try to negotiate with any collections agents when they ask for money. You debt was probably purchased by them for a low price. Even if you only pay 50% of your balance, they will make money. Use this to your advantage to get eliminate debt inexpensively.

TIP! Learn about and use flexible spending accounts wisely. If you have medical bills or daycare bills a flexible account can help save you money.

This article has provided some sound, basic advice on personal finances. You will know the pitfalls and the tips that could help you through those rough spots. What needs to happen in order for you to be financially free? Do what you have to now, and you can enjoy the dividends you have earned later. Make use of this information and secure your road to financial security.

Business Startup

Top Tips And Helpful Advice For Multi-Level Marketing Success

TIP! Push forward every day. It might be easy to let a day or two go by without any change, but those are days lost and money lost as well.

Many people in the world today are searching for new ways to make their ends meet. This usually involves creating multiple streams of income. A lot of people find that multi-level marketing makes extra income accessible. You can reap the rewards of this opportunity too, once you understand how it works. The following information will provide you with a good basis from which to get started.

TIP! Try not to push too hard for your friends and family to become involved in your MLM business. At the outset, you can share your services and products with friends and family.

Don’t lie to potential recruits. This will only lead them to quit when their business inevitably fails to live up to your claims. Tell them the truth so they will know exactly what to expect and work hard to achieve it.

TIP! Create daily goals. You can be your own boss with MLM.

Work hard each day. It might be easy to not do much sometimes, but just one day can make or break you. Instead, push forward in your business daily. Your goals do not have to be lofty. A bit of social networking can suffice.

TIP! Try to learn what the multi-level marketing opportunity’s integrity is like in an opportunity before you do business with it. This process can start by researching the CEO.

Be careful that you don’t overwhelm your friends and family with your marketing messages. This can create a lot of tension between you. This is a crucial group that you will want to utilize properly. Pass on what you know without becoming obnoxious.

TIP! Before you sign on the dotted line, evaluate both the timing and the momentum inherent in the MLM opportunity. How far along are they at the present moment? What’s the internal atmosphere like? You need to make an honest assessment of their current growth rate and their likelihood for advancement in the future.

When you start multi-level marketing, try listening to others’ advice carefully. All members in MLM are better off if they support everyone else. MLM success is largely built on group effort. This means that you can trust the others who are in your group. This will help them to become more successful.

TIP! Become your own educator. You will have to learn yourself how to be inventive when you are making a new marketing pitch.

When examining potential multi-level marketing opportunities, take a hard look at the products and services you will get to offer consumers. Don’t just look at profits; look at consumer opinions too. Why would a person buy the products? Does the product offer a one-time sale or repeat sales.

TIP! Posting success stories to your blog can help attract recruits. This will attract a whole new group of customers.

Now that you’ve had a chance to read this piece, you have some information with regard to multilevel marketing that perhaps you did not have previously. Use it to begin earning profits as soon as possible. In time, you may be able to develop a secondary income stream that will help pay your bills.

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Introduction to the Small Business Administration

If you’re looking for a way to help your business grow, now would be a good time to understand how the government can help you with your small business needs.

This post is aligned with a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

Find additional information and resources on nonprofit information, educational grants and Civic Engagement programs from around the world.

Business Startup

Top Leadership Tips Straight From The Experts

TIP! Keep it simple, leader! Always remember what is truly important. When you do this, set priorities for the other things on your list.

There are two groups of people: leaders and followers. Those who aren’t natural born leaders can be leaders with a little training. But many people lack knowledge of what is required to take charge. Only a few people truly master being a great leader. This article will teach you how to lead.

TIP! Avoid thinking people can read your thoughts. Communicate your expectations precisely when it comes to methods, time frame and strategy.

Make things easy to understand for everyone. It is important to focus on the important things. Once you have done this, figure out what your priorities are. You must simplify the work as much as you can. Allow you and your team positive thinking time.

TIP! Look for talents that others have. Make sure your crew is diverse and offers many qualities.

Honesty is a critical leadership quality. Great leaders are trustworthy ones. As you start working towards being a better leader, you should always work towards showing people how trustworthy and honest you are. If they feel they can trust you, they will gain respect for you as well.

TIP! Remember your morals when you are leading. Only make decisions you can live with.

Always think about the values that are important to you. Decisions you make need to be ones that others are happy with and you are happy with, too. If a decision will make you feel upset later, you should probably avoid making it. Others may make a different choice, but that is okay; do what makes you happy.

TIP! Be as transparent as possible with any potential issues. A while back people used to just hide what was going on, but these days leaders don’t do that any longer.

Show appreciation for each individual worker in your team. It only takes a moment to write a short thank-you, or “good job” note, and it can mean a lot to someone who is working hard all day. It doesn’t cost you anything and can make that person feel great.

TIP! Don’t do anything dishonest or shady. To be a trustworthy leader you need to keep the promises that you make.

Tenacity is easily among the more critical leadership traits. If the project goes downhill, you will be the team’s guide as far as reaction goes. Instead, concentrate on accomplishing your goals even when obstacles arise. When you model persistence and a positive attitude, your team is inspired to pick themselves up and work toward their goals again.

TIP! Offer incentives to people that do their jobs well. Sure, everyone is getting paid, but an incentive can be a great motivational tool.

Prepare yourself before addressing your team. Brainstorm potential questions they could ask. Come up with answers to any potential question. Employees have more respect for leaders who are able to answer their questions. It will also allow you to save quite a bit of time in the long run.

TIP! You need to come up with goals for your company. Everyone loves to have goals, and leaders are able to set goals for people.

With all of this great leadership advice in mind, you are ready to turn yourself around. When you appear to be confident, others are going to be confident in you. Use what you’ve learned here to become a great leader. This will allow you to drive your team toward its goals.

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HUBZone Certification Program Webinar

This video explains the basics of the HUBZone certification program for small business federal contractors.

HUBZone certification allows certain small businesses to compete for set-aside contracts aimed at spurring investment in low median income or high unemployment areas.

This post is aligned with a network of sites interested with the intersection of small business, the philanthropic sector and government in creating healthy and sustainable communities.

For more information on small business grant and home ownership programs visit TopGovernmentGrants.com.