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Over the last 18 months I have worked diligently on my next business venture, putting blood, sweat, and tears into the business plan. I have identified what I believe is a glaring gap in the market segment into which I seek to operate, and I am confident that I will be successful.
What i'm not confident about is the business climate in this nation. This, of course, is not unique to me, as it as been stated quite clearly since Barack Obama took office that this Administration is a roadblock to business creation, and subsequently the jobs that accommodate business growth.
Here's why I am holding out:
1) I have no confidence in the economic policies of this Administration. I shouldn't have to elaborate on this point, as we all know the disaster that has evolved in the White House over the past 2.5 years. Any President who specifically states that he plans to bankrupt a private industry is not a supporter of business. There's no other conclusion that can be drawn.
2) Capital expenditures are too risky. Why should I purchase and/or expand facilities when the return on investment is far from calculable? Why should I purchase inventory and equipment when expectations for future sales and growth are far from certain?
3) If my competitors are liquidating, thats an indicator that revenues are down and profits are in jeopardy. I don't mind taking risks, but if the writing is on the wall, then I don't intentionally go and bang my head on that wall and expect to come away with a different outcome.
4) Inflation. The weak economy is putting downward pressures on prices while inflation begins to soar. Profit margins are too thin. It's business suicide.
5) Credit. Access to the capital markets is very limited, to say the least. What has this government done to make sure that us business owners have what we need to succeed? Nothing to speak of, which could hinder my ability to expand.
If this Administration had an inkling of business experience, it would know that it needs to get out of the way and let the engine of this economy (small businesses) take over. But instead we have a complete and total Loss of Confidence, which is all it takes to crush business aspiration.
My business plan will stay on the back burner until this President and his anti-business minions are gone for good. I surmise that i'm not the only one with this plan.
If you have a good business plan, it will be successful no matter the climate in D.C. If it is a bad plan, it will fail no matter the climate. A business plan should account for all the regulations, credit markets, contingencies, worst case scenario, etc.
And aren't you being a little hypocritical? OK - maybe just inconsistent. You want to government to stay out of business. Yet one of your issues asks: "What has this government done to make sure that us business owners have what we need to succeed?" Which is it - government go away, or government help out?
Another inconsistency - you want to open a business to serve a "glaring gap in the market segment in which (you) seek to operate." But then you say your competitors are liquidating. What competitors? If there is a gap that isn't being served, then there is no competition in that market segment.
Capital expenditures are and always have been risky. You can't blame that on Obama. If you want a no risk investment, you could have given your money to Bernie Madoff.
Inflation has always been an issue, and always has been a consideration in business planning from day one. Inflation now is nowhere near as bad as it has been.
And for all of the cries about the EPA having too many regulations and holding back business, maybe you should look to the "heroes" of the right - the Koch brothers. If not for stringent EPA regulations, many of their businesses would be underwater. While they cry out for less regulation, they are smiling every time the EPA issues a new clean air or clean water reg.
Take another look at your Biz Plan. Modify it to account for the present climate, and then bring it to private investors and see what happens. If its good, you should not fear.
If you have a good business plan, it will be successful no matter the climate in D.C. If it is a bad plan, it will fail no matter the climate. A business plan should account for all the regulations, credit markets, contingencies, worst case scenario, etc.
And aren't you being a little hypocritical? OK - maybe just inconsistent. You want to government to stay out of business. Yet one of your issues asks: "What has this government done to make sure that us business owners have what we need to succeed?" Which is it - government go away, or government help out?
Another inconsistency - you want to open a business to serve a "glaring gap in the market segment in which (you) seek to operate." But then you say your competitors are liquidating. What competitors? If there is a gap that isn't being served, then there is no competition in that market segment.
Capital expenditures are and always have been risky. You can't blame that on Obama. If you want a no risk investment, you could have given your money to Bernie Madoff.
Inflation has always been an issue, and always has been a consideration in business planning from day one. Inflation now is nowhere near as bad as it has been.
And for all of the cries about the EPA having too many regulations and holding back business, maybe you should look to the "heroes" of the right - the Koch brothers. If not for stringent EPA regulations, many of their businesses would be underwater. While they cry out for less regulation, they are smiling every time the EPA issues a new clean air or clean water reg.
Take another look at your Biz Plan. Modify it to account for the present climate, and then bring it to private investors and see what happens. If its good, you should not fear.
You can argue the wisdom of it. You can deny it is happening. But it is a fact that MANY businesses, including giant corporations are holding back due to this administration.
Oh, and I read that link about what the White House has done for small business. Many of those points are related to SBA lending. Most businesses I have worked with want a loan not to expand, but to rescue their failing business. I'm sorry, but lenders are not going to touch those with a 10 foot pole with or without a goverment-guaranteed loan. It's just throwing good money after bad.
If you have a good business plan, it will be successful no matter the climate in D.C. If it is a bad plan, it will fail no matter the climate. A business plan should account for all the regulations, credit markets, contingencies, worst case scenario, etc.
um .. fear has absolutely nothing to do with it .. A good business plan does include all of these things .. I've been at this since the early 70's, and if there ever was a worst case scenario, this current administration has provided us with one ..
I'll hold back .. as any good and successful business should do in times like these.
You can argue the wisdom of it. You can deny it is happening. But it is a fact that MANY businesses, including giant corporations are holding back due to this administration.
Oh, and I read that link about what the White House has done for small business. Many of those points are related to SBA lending. Most businesses I have worked with want a loan not to expand, but to rescue their failing business. I'm sorry, but lenders are not going to touch those with a 10 foot pole with or without a goverment-guaranteed loan. It's just throwing good money after bad.
The problem is not the current administration, the problem is that far too many corporations and business owners are like 7 year olds who refuse to stop suckling from their momma's teet (aka expecting major corporate tax breaks which line their own pockets and which do not benefit the average American)
The issue that I have with the Republican business theology is that the policies that they tend to demand are strictly for the benefit of those at the top and then they use issues like Affirmative Action and illegal immigration as the reasons why the underlings (ie poor and working class Whites) who vote Republican are not beneficiaries of their good Republican fortune.
You're putting a lot of thought into opening a new lemonade stand on your lawn, brother. Just ask for permission from your mom and open that sucker.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AeroGuyDC
Over the last 18 months I have worked diligently on my next business venture, putting blood, sweat, and tears into the business plan. I have identified what I believe is a glaring gap in the market segment into which I seek to operate, and I am confident that I will be successful.
What i'm not confident about is the business climate in this nation. This, of course, is not unique to me, as it as been stated quite clearly since Barack Obama took office that this Administration is a roadblock to business creation, and subsequently the jobs that accommodate business growth.
Here's why I am holding out:
1) I have no confidence in the economic policies of this Administration. I shouldn't have to elaborate on this point, as we all know the disaster that has evolved in the White House over the past 2.5 years. Any President who specifically states that he plans to bankrupt a private industry is not a supporter of business. There's no other conclusion that can be drawn.
2) Capital expenditures are too risky. Why should I purchase and/or expand facilities when the return on investment is far from calculable? Why should I purchase inventory and equipment when expectations for future sales and growth are far from certain?
3) If my competitors are liquidating, thats an indicator that revenues are down and profits are in jeopardy. I don't mind taking risks, but if the writing is on the wall, then I don't intentionally go and bang my head on that wall and expect to come away with a different outcome.
4) Inflation. The weak economy is putting downward pressures on prices while inflation begins to soar. Profit margins are too thin. It's business suicide.
5) Credit. Access to the capital markets is very limited, to say the least. What has this government done to make sure that us business owners have what we need to succeed? Nothing to speak of, which could hinder my ability to expand.
If this Administration had an inkling of business experience, it would know that it needs to get out of the way and let the engine of this economy (small businesses) take over. But instead we have a complete and total Loss of Confidence, which is all it takes to crush business aspiration.
My business plan will stay on the back burner until this President and his anti-business minions are gone for good. I surmise that i'm not the only one with this plan.
you're putting a lot of thought into opening a new lemonade stand on your lawn, brother. Just ask for permission from your mom and open that sucker.
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