We've touched on using venture capitalists to gain funding for your small business in the past, but have you considered applying for grants to fund your dream? If not, you might want to do so!
According to this article over at the Houston Chronicle, the owner of the Houston Language Institute took a chance on applying for a $1,000 grant from shipping company DHL and received the funds. Thinking ahead, he used the funds to market half-price lessons for a one-month session. The students' tuition went up at the end of the trial period, but the month was enough time to convince them to become repeat customers.
As small business owners, it's important that we remember how far even $1,000 can go in building our businesses. Spent wisely, the funds can stretch much further than they would for a larger operation. I can think of about 25 things I would do with a $1,000 addition to my business efforts; how about you?
What would you do with it? Spend it on marketing like Keith Anderson did? Use it for continuing education, such as certification classes that are important in your industry? Use it to network or take advantage of publicity opportunities? Upgrade your business machinery? Leave me a comment and tell me how far you could stretch a thousand bucks and how you'd do it!
Comment Preview