KUSA - Financial expert Jean Chatzky is out to revitalize and re-charge small businesses. She shared a few fresh ideas with us on 9NEWS 7 a.m.
Chatzky said now is a good time to go for that goal that small business owners want to pursue.
"Forty-five percent of small business owners think this really has the potential to be a good year for them," Chatzky explained. "But of course the recovery is going to be slow so you have to be smart about the moves that you make."
A big obstacle for many is getting funding. But Chatzky believes there are effective strategies to deal with this challenge.
"You want to have a relationship with a lender you know personally. It is really important that you are not just a number to your local bank or your local credit union, you want to know them personally," she explained. "The funding is freeing up slowly and they need to be able to make a bet on you and on this business that you are pursuing."
Jean is a big fan of the website, www.score.org for tips and resources on effective funding options and small business plan ideas.
"They have a service corps of retired executives, they have got people there who have a lot of experience," she said.
She has also teamed up with the folks at Office Depot for a Small Business makeover contest. Three small businesses will receive a makeover, including a one-on-one financial coaching session with Chatzky.
Small businesses can enter the contest by visiting Office Depot's Facebook page and submitting, in 100 words or less, why their small business is in need of a makeover. Learn more by visiting www.officedepot.com
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