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The Senate bill introduced by John Kerry awhile back died right there. A few weeks ago, Senator Charles Schumer made a proposal to "help America's entrepreneurs stressed by a worsening economic climate," but I don't think it or anything similar has been formally introduced as a legislative bill as yet. As I understand it, Schumer's proposal would basically help small firms gain greater access to existing SBA loans by eliminating some of the fees and making more money available for loan guarantees. It would still require the business to apply (and qualify) for one of the SBA-guaranteed loan programs -- which in itself is an obstacle for many of small business owners that make up this community.

Troubling times we're spiraling in, hopefully this new administration can pull a coup de grace to dispel all of these issues we're having in the economical world.

As we all know so well, that we are on the hot plate. Big corp. gets the help and the small businesses get the rail end of nothing. If the congress ever wanted to help the economy and create a few new jobs, why don't they have a bail out program like this.. put 700 billon dollars into ssi and medicare and allow the small businesses keep our share of the taxes per employee. I know for a fact that would save me enough money to hire a new employee or two. thus helping this country. It would lower unemployment and do more for this country than AIG's dinner dates.When the country is back on it's feet then raise our taxes to 16.3% to pay it back in a couple of years.

I amire that and it would be wonderful in my line of business but with a magazine - you're not even credible until you've been printing a year and advertisers still (and this is industry wide) pay after magazine goes to print - but printer requires payment prior. Printing 30,000 copies runs around $20K a pop and to garner the kind of advertisers needed for the profit point - it is must to print that many copies for distribution.

Although I have an SBA loan - I also have personally put into my business $150,000 and haven't slept more than 4 hours in over 2 years - you're never suppose to sleep when your a business owner!!

Now - the way to really get through tighter economic times is to tweak your business/revenue model and be flexible. I have already put into motion that plan by only printing 3 out of 6 issues a year - however also having a digital version online every issue and eblasting the link to the opt-in pet owner list I have of 250,000 people. The digital version - get this - runs me around $250 per issue vs. $20K for print (much nicer profit margin).

Anyway - thanks for the input - I really enjoy this forum!

K

After two years printing your printer won't extend billing terms after you have paid them up from to print all the previous issues, I am a print broker and part of how I have been able to make the cashflow work is to secure credit terms from my print house. It will make a big impact being able to leverage that revenue 30 - 60 days before payment is due. If you need a printer that is net billing friendly I may be able to send a referral. As far a advertising revenue, I know how tight marketing budgets are so we need to uncover companies that still understand that in a slow economy you don't stop advertising you need to hunt seek out the companies still spending on advertising. I make 20 plus new sales contacts per day minimum and you will find the business and the money. I think many of us have become paralyzed with the continued bad news day in day out about how bad things are, we get caught up on a self fullfilling prophacy that no one wants to spend money on my product or service. Its a vicious cycle only we can overcome in our own minds.

Best of luck if you need a net billing supplier to print your publication contact me @ nhherman@gmail.com

Go to www.myspace.com/protest_bailout

The TARP Program Application form can be down loaded in the Comment section -by erica

You can request funding for your business from the government. Not sure yet if Government is listening to the the people, and wants to help this cuntry in recession. 85% of the people voted against the bailout, but they still spent our tax dollars to bailout wallstreet.

90% of this economy is small business, employing US citizens. In this hardship, we have to tell Congress that we need assistance too. Not just the Big Business are in distress.