Guidant Financial Group Blog

A major hurdle for most small business is getting better brand recognition. In an article for The Wall Street Journal, Michael Michalowicz states that making this leap is crucial.

For many start-ups, finding the right vendors for your business can make all the difference. Sarah Needleman, in an article for The Wall Street Journal, suggests several considerations for small business owners about their prospective vendors.

The article encourages owners to "do their homework" before choosing a vendor. "Good places to search for vendors are trade shows and magazines, as well as industry-association websites."

Another important lesson is to "stand your ground. Don't settle for a lesser product or one you don't need just because a supplier doesn't have the merchandise you're seeking."

Needleman also says that "When striking deals with vendors, keep in mind that it may take several months to secure the kind of rates and terms you'd like."

Read the full article here.

Check out the profile of Guidant Financial on the inc500 list.

The debate about Rollovers as Business Startups (ROBS) is spotlighted today on MSN's Business on Main. In this brief video, Guidant CEO and Cofounder David Nilssen discusses the benefits of using retirement funds as an alternative to taking out an early retirement withdrawal to start a business. While he acknowledges the risks associated with any business venture, Nilssen emphasizes that with a “strong, fundamental belief” in the business being created, and the ability to "strengthen and nurture" that business, it can be a profitable, sound investment.

Here's the clip:

There is a higher rate of entrepreneurs starting businesses today than we’ve seen in the past decade and a half, this according to the “Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity”, an annual index known as a leading indicator of new business creation in the United States.

A recent Inc. article highlighted this trend of economic independence. More and more people are taking direct control of their financial futures and becoming self-employed.

A deep recession and a shaky job recovery have persuaded many would-be entrepreneurs to put the corporate world behind them and set a new course for financial independence. A new vision for startup growth offered by both public and private sectors are encouraging this trend to continue.

This entrepreneurial spirit is at the heart of what Guidant is all about. We thrive on helping those seeking to finance a small business or franchise. We hold more top honors than any other industry provider, including national excellence awards from the Inc500, Small Business Administration and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Check out our 401k Small Business Financing Structure to learn how you can invest your own retirement funds into starting a small business or franchise without any taxes or penalties.

We came across a good article the other day in NuWireInvestor.com: “What Small Businesses Can Learn From Big Companies.”

In the article by Mitch Free and reprinted from The Street (an investment news and analysis site), entrepreneurs are encouraged to “consider the lessons offered by the successes and mistakes of America's largest companies.”

The article goes on to suggest ways to improve your focus, market smartly and how to adopt a service mentality without offering too many products or services.

When Guidant started out, our co-founders studied the winning characteristics of successful companies—no matter how large or small. But they didn’t stop their studies there. They continued to learn from others . . . and from their own successes and their own mistakes. And, as a result, Guidant has survived the worst economic meltdown since the Great Depression.

One of the keys to helping your own company (or your own life, for that matter), survive the hard times is to be a continual learner. The minute you think you know it all, you’ve only proven that you don’t!

On June 5th, 2009, Entrepreneur.com released an article about the 7 Essential Startup Steps. The article did a pretty good job of identifying steps that a new small business or franchise owner can take before launching to ensure a higher likelihood of success. They suggested that one:

• Do more market research
• Find the right financing
• Hire a great attorney
• Get a good CPA
• Use the right business entity
• Pick a good name
• Make sure you have the proper licensing and permits

This general information is very helpful for entrepreneurs. Having helped more than 4,000 people fund a business through 401(k) small business investing, Guidant has seen many different people from all walks of life go into business for themselves. There is one thing that we know brings immeasurable value to a new business owner…building a great team! This can include, but is not limited to a business broker or franchise consultant, attorney, CPA or tax professional and much more.

If you are considering opening or buying a business or franchise and would like to meet a professional in any of these areas – call us. We will happily make an introduction!