Most people do not realize that the federal government has millions of dollars of free help available to aid both existing small businesses and the individual entrepreneur thinking of beginning a small business.
And many of these grants, loans and other aids are never spent because the average small-business owner simply doesn't know where and how to begin when he or she hits the maze of government departments and regulations.
But now, no small-business owner should be reluctant to tap into federal government help to support a business venture if they are armed with a newly revised paperback book-now in its fourth edition-that tells how to do it.
The book's title telegraphs its message: Free Help From Uncle Sam to Start Your Own Business (Or Expand the One You Have) by William Alarid and Gustav Berle.
The book was selected "best of the best" by the Public Library Association for its graphic and down-to-earth approach to tapping Uncle Sam's considerable information and even financial support for good ideas.
For the smaller operator, approaching the government can be like David facing Goliath. But "Free Help" trims down the mystery and baffling bureaucracy of federal agencies to man-on-the-street terms. The authors clarify how to deal with the endless agencies that exist to help the small-business individual.
Get Your Foot in the Door-"Once you get your foot in the door," says co-author Gusav Berle, former SCORE national director, "it becomes easier."
Using examples from actual cases where the government helped, the book guides readers through a bewildering maze of red tape. The authors explain where to go first, including names and phone numbers. Discover how to get started using federal assistance, finding new products and new markets, using information sources, entering international trade, and finding financial aid and programs for minorities.
Marketing Ideas Also Offered-Furthermore, the book tells you how to file your own patent and develop and market new ideas and products. Also, since there is no product or service that Uncle Sam doesn't purchase, he can become your best customer.
Government offices help the business person figure out transportation as well as sources for technical and financial assistance, automation, standards, specifications and energy-related projects.
By far, the fattest area of government assistance is financial help. Loans, guarantees, grants, financing facilities, recovering losses, insurance, lines of credit, tax exemptions, and what to do if the government won't give you a loan-there's help for all, if you know how and where to get it.
