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Small business investments

by: Larry Westfall

State laws have been relaxed to make it easier for small business to raise start-up and growth financing from the public. Many investors view this as an opportunity to “get in on the ground floor” of an emerging business and to “hit it big” as the small businesses grow into large ones.

Statistically, most small businesses fail within the first few years. Small business investments are among the most risky that investors can make. This guide suggests factors to consider for determining whether you should make a small business investment.

Risks and investment strategy
A basic principle of investing in a small business is: Never make small business investments that you cannot afford to lose! Never use funds that may be needed for other purposes, such as college education, retirement, loan repayment, or medical expenses.
Instead, use funds that would otherwise be used for a consumer purchase, such as a vacation or a down payment on a boat or a new car.

Above all, never let a commissioned securities salesperson or office or directors of a company convince you that the investment is not risky. Small business investments are generally hard to convert to cash (illiquid), even though the securities may technically be freely transferable. Thus, you will usually be unable to sell your securities if the company takes a turn for the worse.

In addition, just because the state has registered the offering does not mean that the particular investment will be successful. The state does not evaluate or endorse any investments. If anyone suggests otherwise, they are breaking the law.

If you plan to invest a large amount of money in a small business, you should consider investing smaller amounts in several small businesses. A few highly successful investments can offset the unsuccessful ones. However, even when using this strategy, only invest money you can afford to lose.

Analyzing the investment
Although there is no magic formula for making successful investment decisions, certain factors are considered important by professional venture investors. Some questions to consider are:

Ø How long has the company been in business? If it is a start-up or has only a brief operating history, are you being asked to pay more than the shares are worth?
Ø Consider whether management is dealing unfairly with investors by taking salaries or other benefits that are too large in view of the company’s stage of development, or by retaining an inordinate amount of equity stock of the company compared with the amount investors will receive. For example, is the public putting up 80 percent of the money but only receiving 10 percent of the company shares?
Ø How much experience does management have in the industry and in a small business? How successful were the managers in previous businesses?
Ø Do you know enough about the industry to be able to evaluate the company and to make a wise investment?
Ø Does the company have a realistic marketing plan and do they have the resources to market the product or service successfully?
Ø How or when will you get a return on your investment?

Making money on your investment
The two classic methods of making money on an investment in a small business are resale of stock in the public securities markets following a public offering, and receiving cash or marketable securities in a merger or other acquisition of the company.

If the company is not likely to go public or be sold out within a reasonable time (i.e., a family-owned or closely held corporation), it may not be a good investment for you – despite its prospects for success – because of the lack of opportunity to cash in on the investment. Management of a successful private company may receive a good return indefinitely through salaries and bonuses, but it is unlikely that there will be profits sufficient to pay dividends in proportion with the risk of the investment.

Other suggestions
Investors must be provided with a disclosure document – a prospectus – before making a final decision to invest. You need to read this material before investing.
Even the best small business venture offerings are highly risky. If you have a nagging sense of doubt, there is probably a good reason for it. Good investments are based on sound business criteria and not emotions. If you are not entirely comfortable, the best approach is usually not to invest. There will be many other opportunities. Do not let a securities salesperson pressure you into making a decision.

It is generally a good idea to see management of the company face-to-face to size them up. Focus on experience and record of accomplishment rather than a smooth sales presentation. If possible, take a sophisticated businessperson with you to help in your analysis. Beware of any information that differs from, or is not included in the disclosure document. All significant information is required by law to be in the disclosure document. Immediately report any problems to your state Office of the Commissioner of Securities.

Conclusion
Greater numbers of public investors are “getting on the ground floor” by investing in small businesses. When successful, these enterprises enhance the economy and provide jobs. They can also provide new investment opportunities, but the advantages must be balanced against the risky nature of small business investments.

About the author:
Larry Westfall is the owner of DIY Investing -

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How Credit Repair Works
by: John Mussi

With personal debt at an all-time high, a number of individuals have found that they have overextended themselves and have become immersed in debt. As their debt grows, they can't help but get more and more behind� and their credit score pays the price. If you are one of the many who have had problems with your credit in the past (or still have problems with it), you may be considering credit repair as a way to get back on track.

Before you sign up for a credit repair plan, you should make sure that you understand exactly what is involved in repairing your credit score� while there are a lot of credit repair agencies that are legitimate, there are also some that seek to prey on those who need help and perform services that are both immoral and illegal.

What Credit Repair Is

Obviously, the goal of credit repair is to improve your credit score and get you back on track financially after past credit problems. A variety of credit repair services exist, providing everything from credit counselling and debt negotiation to debt consolidation loans and budgeting advice.

When used properly, credit repair services can not only help you to get caught up with your bills and on the path to a better credit score but they can help you to avoid bankruptcy and set you up to avoid credit problems in the future.

Credit repair takes time, however, and should never be viewed as a �quick fix� for your credit.

If an offer claims that they can instantly grant you new credit, then it's likely not only bogus but can also get you into legal trouble if you accept it.

Common Types of Credit Repair

As mentioned above, credit repair can take several different forms. Credit counselling services provide assistance with the budgeting and repayment of your debts, and offer advice on simple ways to improve your credit without additional loans. They also often provide debt negotiation, which is the working out of a settlement with your creditors so that you only have to repay a portion of your original debt within a certain timeframe.

Debt consolidation loans are also used for the purposes of credit repair, allowing you to take out a loan in order to pay off outstanding debts and leaving you with a single monthly loan payment instead of several different payments.

Budgeting assistance services are also available to help you get control of your spending and personal finances.

Avoiding Credit Repair Scams

Unfortunately, there will always be unsavory individuals who seek to make money off of those who are in need of assistance.

Any credit repair service that promises instant results or that offers to simply create a new credit report for you should be avoided� what they're really creating is a business tax identification number, and any individual who uses one is in danger of being charged with fraud and possibly other charges.

Credit repair takes time; if an offer sounds too good to be true, then it likely is.

Repairing Your Own Credit

Of course, by paying off old debts and establishing and maintaining new lines of credit you can begin the process of credit repair yourself.

Request a copy of your credit report and check it for errors, and then focus on clearing the debts that appear as negative reports.

It may take years for all of the negative reports to expire, but by preventing new ones while increasing your positive reports your credit score will slowly rise on its own.

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