Open a small business (Vegan Bakery and Cafe)

[elissa...@yahoo.com]

Hello
My name is Elissa and I am trying to open a small Vegan Bakery and
Cafe. However, I am having the worst time fining grants or loan to
open my business. I need lot of help, from writing a business plan to
opining monies. The World Wide Web is so wide sometimes I feel lost. I
really would like to find sources to access loans or grant that I can
easily apply to and someone to help me thought this beginning process.
Please help me.

[webmasterflo...@gmail.com]

Hi Elissa,

I would suggest that you read through the information on Florida
Trend's FloridaSmallBusiness.com website first. Scroll down to the
section that says Start Up Guide for the basics, everything from
writing a business plan to financing your business.

http://www.floridatrend.com/small_biz.asp

Next, I recommend that you find a Florida Small Business Development
Center in your local area. The not-for-profit SBDCs are a partnership
between the U. S. Small Business Administration and Florida public
colleges and universities. They offer inexpensive or free workshops
and one-on-one counseling. Here is a list of the SBDC locations.

http://www.floridatrend.com/small_biz_article.asp?aID=46835

Or check out this map with links to the actual SBDC websites, where
you can find a list of workshops for each location. Each SBDC offers
its own version of a basic "How to Start a Business" class.

http://www.floridasbdc.com/Home/location.asp

The economic development offices of some county or city governments
may have programs, also. I'm in Pinellas County and, as an example,
here's a link to programs offered by the county government here.

http://www.pced.org/entrepreneurs/entrepreneurial_training_center.asp

One thing I will warn you about is that it is a misconception that
grants-- and even loans -- are readily available to start a business.

Good luck!

Barbara Miracle
Editor
FloridaSmallBusiness.com