If you are really looking for capital for your business, and from sources that bring more to the table than just money and a payment schedule that looks like a mortgagethen take that business plan, work the phones and e-mail, and hit the concretenot just in search of money, but “smart money,” which allows your business to grow on its own merit. Speak to someone who has gotten the most accommodating loan from a bankeven one with a government guaranteeand you will see this money can come with a payment schedule that makes your “business loan” look like a mortgage noteor what you are putting out for that big SUV that should have never been bought. The equity investor doesn’t just want their money back; they want their money back because the business succeeds. Before an entrepreneur approaches a formal debt source like a bank (or even formal equity sources like a venture capital or private equity firms), I advise them to tap the more friendly sources of capital like family, friends and angel investors (rich folks they know or can contact). If you are really looking for capital for your business, and from sources that bring more to the table than just money and a payment schedule that looks like a mortgagethen take that business plan, work the phones and e-mail, and hit the concretenot just in search of money, but “smart money” which allows your business to grow on its own merit. read more