Author Archive
Chris Birk
Chris Birk is a former newspaper and magazine writer who now works for a pair of Inc. 500 companies, including military home-buying hub VA Mortgage Center.com. He's also a principal and the chief content creator for Surety Bonds.com and a part-time college professor at a private Midwestern university.
The Focused Entrepreneur Gets the Worm
March 6th, 2010 | Author: Chris Birk | 569 views
Finding Focus
Angel investors and VCs have a rule of thumb that they would rather invest in a great team over a great idea. Entrepreneurs who possess traits like hard work, adaptability and integrity are those who make the grade.
Perhaps it’s time we add the ability to focus to the list.
In an age of increasing connection – connection to news, e-mail, friends, colleagues, stats and more, we are never more than a click away…
Posted in about business, personal development | Tags: entrepreneur growth, focused entrepreneur, personal development | 1 Comment »
Should I Seek out Angel Investment for my Start-Up?
February 23rd, 2010 | Author: Chris Birk | 421 views
Angel Investing
If you’re a new business, you’ve probably struggled or are currently struggling with finances.
Lack of start-up capital can significantly impact a business in a whole host of ways and can often mean the difference between a runaway success and a dismal failure. It’s critical to have experienced, professional personnel, a strategically located business location, and the equipment you need to make yourself a success.
But so often financing is the major stumbling…
Posted in about business, business resources | Tags: angel investing, initial investment, start-up capital | No Comments »
The Search for Start-Up Capital: Entrepreneurs Should Investigate Royalty Based Financing
February 3rd, 2010 | Author: Chris Birk | 663 views
Royalty Based Financing
Entrepreneurs in search of investment capital walk a financial tightwire.
In traditional angel investment or venture capital circles, the give-and-take is relatively clear: The entrepreneur cedes equity in exchange for much-needed capital. That can still prove a bitter pill for some small business owners, frustrated by the valuation debate or worried about losing control of their dream.
That’s why entrepreneurs should take note of an investment model beginning to pick up steam:…
Posted in business news | Tags: investment capital, royalty-based financing, start-up capital, venture capital | No Comments »
Why Surety Bonds Can Prove Crucial for Start-Ups
January 11th, 2010 | Author: Chris Birk | 477 views
Start-Ups and Surety Bonds
Entrepreneurs generally have a mile-long checklist in the build up to launching their new venture.
But one item in particular routinely fails to make the cut: Surety bonds. And that can prove a painful omission depending on your industry and your overall financial profile.
In short, surety bonds are like a form of credit. For many entrepreneurs, surety bonds will be a key part of the state licensing process. Posting a…
Venture Capital Opportunities for Small Businesses
December 24th, 2009 | Author: Chris Birk | 877 views
venture capital
Counted among the nation’s most powerful homegrown companies, AOL, FedEx, Intel and Apple all share another common bond: These multibillion-dollar companies each started thanks to venture capital fostered by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Today, each of those companies generates more than $30 billion in annual revenue. But in the early going, they all turned to small-business funding to get off the ground.
An injection of capital from a Small Business Investment Company fueled the rise of these…
