[Harry Lime]

Thanks for starting this thread.

After a couple of hard years, I've been looking at putting up my own shingle as well. I've been working on a business plan that could function at a low initial investment between 75K and as low as 50K (if need be). I've made the initial cost, cash flow projections and operations as detailed as humanly possible to dissuade any fear on the part of a lender.

Recently the option of purchasing an existing business has also arisen, only this one also includes ownership of the bay in which the business is housed, making it simultaneously significantly more expensive, as well as a solid asset (and history) to entice a lender.

My major issue has been that because of my recent employment history, I am heavy in knowledge and ability to make this work, but very short on personal funds. I've been looking at alternative methods of financing, but am trying to avoid taking on too many partners. Losing much equity would diminish the possibility of a reasonable return.