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SEMINAR: FINANCING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS**

**FORMERLY: HOW TO GET A BUSINESS LOAN

Sponsored by Macon Bank

Saturdays 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (details below)

Registration: $30.00

Save $5 by pre-registering!

Undercapitalization is one of the major reasons for business failure. To succeed, most small businesses and start-ups need a blend of equity capital and borrowed funds. Where can the entrepreneur turn for his or her capital requirements? This seminar will give you the answer to that pivotal question.

SCORE counselors will address the equity issue by suggesting various funding sources, including:

* Your own resources
* Your angels (Family and friends)
* Home equity loans
* Collateralized loans (Securities & mortgages)
* Cash value life insurance
* Partners
* Retirement accounts
* Seller financing (Subordination)


Several local lenders will share with you what they look for in a loan applicant and the steps you should take to successfully secure a business loan. You will learn about different loan products, how lenders evaluate applicants and the information you need to assemble to make your application a winner. Each institution has a different set of lending parameters in terms of credit worthiness, industry experience, equity contribution and risk assessment. You can dramatically increase your likelihood of submitting a successful loan package if you understand and follow these guidelines. The participating lenders are:

  • Macon Bank is like no other local western North Carolina bank. Bank staff and directors are community residents. The people deciding your loan status often are your neighbors and friends. Also, Macon Bank is not stockholder controlled. Management decisions are not based on turning profits each quarter – the decisions are made with only the best interest of the bank and customers at heart. We are proud of roots beginning in 1922 with one small building in Macon County, North Carolina to today with 12 full service branches. Our branches now serve Arden, Brevard, Cashiers, Columbus, Hendersonville, Highlands, Franklin, Saluda, Sylva and Murphy.
  • Mountain BizWorks offers training, financing and opportunity for businesses and entrepreneurs. It offers consultation, business training courses, workshops, access to office technology and loans from $2,500 to $35,000. Since 1989 Mountain BizWorks has through its clients, created more than 250 jobs and sustained an additional 350 jobs. In November 2003, the SBA designated Mountain BizWorks as an SBA Women’s Business Center and provided a grant which enables them to provide training and technical assistance to women entrepreneur
  • Self-Help is an innovative lender providing financing to small businesses and nonprofit organizations. They focus on lending to enterprises that need special financing not available from their local banks. Their financing can help companies that need more capital than a bank will provide or that are just not yet ready for conventional financing. Self-Help's business loan products include: microloans, staged microloans, small business loans and SBA 504 small business loans.

A sample of subjects to be discussed:

  • How does a loan officer evaluate a loan request?
  • What are the procedures?
  • What is the risk evaluation process?
  • Who makes the decision?
  • What does a lender want in a Business Plan?
  • What basics need to be covered?
  • What are the key financials?
  • How long a period should they cover?
  • What role can the SBA play?
  • How can I get the SBA's help if I need it?
  • How much collateral do I need?
  • How much must I invest in my start-up?
  • Can women obtain special assistance seeking a business loan?

Glenn Pirrong is an Asheville SCORE counselor with extensive background in finance and general management. Prior to purchasing and operating his own company, he was the CFO of a NASDAQ-traded public company. Earlier he held senior financial positions with major corporations and was president of a subsidiary company.

Ty Moser is the Marketplace Manager of the Enka/Candler Office of Asheville Savings Bank. In addition to 4 years experience at Asheville Savings, he has also had 8 years experience in branch management with the former Old Stone Bank in High Point. Ty has had retail experience in furniture sales in Winston Salem and 8 years in management with Family Christian Stores in Asheville. Mr. Moser is a graduate of Wake Forest University with a B.S. degree in Business and Accountancy.

Fred Waldkoetter is Director of Lending at Mountain BizWorks and has over 30 years experience in the finance field. Prior to joining Mountain BizWorks, he was Senior Vice President and Central Division Manager for Production Finance International, LLC. His banking experience included his tenure as General Manager, London Branch, InterFirst Bank Dallas, with responsibilities for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Mr. Waldkoetter earned his bachelor's degree in Accounting and a master's degree in Finance and Management, both from Indiana University.

Jane Hatley is a Commercial Loan Officer at Self-Help's Asheville office. Before coming to Self-Help, she was the CEO of a small Internet Service provider which she helped to build from start-up to its acquisition by a larger internet conglomerate. She has over 20 years of management and consulting experience.

Tracy Ward is also a Commercial Loan Officer in the Asheville office of Self-Help. She has been with Self-Help for three years, and prior to that she practiced banking and finance law with a firm in Charlotte. Tracy works on commercial loans and is also the loan officer for the SBA 504 lending program.

Scheduled dates, times, location and directions:

March 15, 2008 - Saturday

  • 8:00 a.m. - Registration
  • 8:30 a.m. - Seminar starts promptly
  • Location: A-B Tech Enka Campus, Haynes Center, Room 128

Directions:

  • Take I-40 to Exit 44 (coming from East or West)
  • Turn right off the exit ramp.
  • Go to 4th traffic light (do not count the light at the end of the exit ramp).
  • Turn left on Sand Hill Road (this is a 4-way intersection with Asbury Road turning to the right)
  • Go to second entrance on left (there is a sign identifying A-B Tech Enka Campus)
  • The first building on the right is the Haynes Center- Room 128
  • There is ample parking

Inclement Weather Schedule:

When weather conditions are such that driving is hazardous, seminars will be cancelled and rescheduled. Asheville SCORE will follow A-B Tech's decision to cancel classes.

Closing and Weather Links: