2. Small Business Life Cycle
Source: Small Business Association
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3. Business Statistics
Failure Rate - Most (60% to 80%) of small businesses fail within five years
of starting.
Common Causes of Small Business Failures:
 Lack of experience - Not having sufficient know-how to run a business
in the chosen market or area
 Lack of expertise - Not having expertise in the essentials of business
operations, including finance, purchasing, selling, and production
 Lack of strategy - Not taking the time to craft a vision and mission, nor
to formulate and properly implement strategy
 Poor financial control - Failing to track the numbers and to control
business finances and credit.
 Growing too fast - Not taking the time to consolidate a position, fine-
tune the organization, and systematically meet the challenges of growth
 Insufficient commitment - Not devoting enough time to the
requirements of running a competitive business
 Ethical failure - Falling prey to the temptations of fraud, deception, and
embezzlement.
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4. Why Us?
Traditionally when a business gets started, an Accountant or Attorney is hired
to set up the legal entity (articles of incorporation, certificate of formation, tax
id etc), which is in fact the first step of starting a business….. but what
happens after that?
Where do small business owners go to establish their Business Profile (DNB
# / Paydex Score, Experian #, References etc.) to improve the company’s
chance of receiving financial services such as loans, credit lines, lease and
credit accounts? Who do they call to help them identify financial programs
that are available? What about business, marketing or strategic plan
development? Don’t forget about logos, websites, business cards,
communication support (voicemail, fax, and email) and marketing material?
Each element is essential to successfully launching, sustaining and growing
a small business and Head Start Small Business Advisors can affordably
provide them all to you!
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5. Top 5 Mistakes Made by
Small Business Owners
#1 – Not Hiring Head Start Small Business Advisors to Assist with Their
Small Business Needs.
#2 – Not Properly Incorporating / Managing Their Business.
#3 – Using Personal Credit to Finance Their Business.
#4 – Applying for Business Financing (Credit Lines / Loans) Before
Establishing a Business Credit Score and Payment History.
#5 – Believing that Great Business Credit Revolves Around Having Bank
Accounts and A Couple of Corporate Credit Cards.
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6. Advantages of Working With Us!
 We empower YOU, the small business owner, to establish a solid
foundation by building a business profile (from the ground level) that will
demonstrate stability and corporate structure to customers, vendors and
financial institutions.
 We empower YOU, the small business owner, to have the financial
freedom and flexibility to successfully launch your business.
 We empower YOU, the small business owner, to have focus that will allow
you to concentrate on day-to-day growth strategies, sales projections and
financial gain(s).
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7. Our Services!
Business Profile Builder:
 Incorporate Business w/ Secretary of State
 Establish Dun and Bradstreet Number
 Establish Tax ID
Business Credit Builder:
 Establish NET 30 Accounts (Pay Off in 30 Days)
 Establish REVOLVING Accounts (Pay Monthly)
 Establish BUSINESS Trade Lines
 Establish PAYDEX SCORE / INTELLISCORE of 75+
Business Brand Builder:
 Establish Physical Presence (Office)
 Establish Market Presence (411 Listings, Business Periodical Listings)
 Establish Communication Methods (Phone, Fax, Voicemail, Email)
 Establish Marketing Tools (Logo, Website, Business Cards, Brochures, Flyers)
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8. Our Services Cont.!
Business Consulting:
 Fund Raising / Fund Verification
 Financing (Equipment Leasing etc.)
 Accounting
 Marketing
 Sales / Business Development
 Business Planning
 Strategic Planning
 Project Management
 SAP
 IT
 Graphic Design
 Power Point Presentations
 Web Development
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9. Summary
 Until now, business consulting of this magnitude has been out of reach for
the majority of small business owners. Mainly because consulting firms
have “traditionally” been to expensive to retain.
 The fact remains, however, that in order to achieve short and long term
objectives, small business owners “must” be able to tap into the expertise,
experience, strategic direction and resources that business consultants
have to offer.
 Head Start Small Business Advisors completely understands the
challenges that you face….. Help us help you overcome them.
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