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Working for a living while starting a new venture can wear you pretty thin. "It's hard to start something when you're already employed," says Calvert. She had put away substantial savings from her previous employment, so she was able to work more confidently at launching her business.

Don't dismiss the importance of a business plan
One of the key components of the program was a business plan, and Calvert sees it as essential. "Beforehand, I thought it was a waste of time, but it's so important to have a plan that you can keep checking back on to keep yourself on track.

Be realistic
Participants in the SEB program did three year financial forecasts of their business. "I learned when forecasting to not overdo it," says Calvert. "I estimated revenues as quite low. That way, I was pleasantly surprised at my first year end."

Be professional
When Calvert moved into her office last April, she says it was the best thing she ever did. "It shows professionalism, and it gives people confidence in me." The motivation of having to pay rent doesn't hurt either. "It lights the flame," she says.

Just do it
"No one else is going to do it for you," says Calvert. "If you want something, just do it."

With the tips we've discussed so far, you've already injected some creative financing into your business. Still need more? Getting money from investors who'll share in your growth has driven thousands of businesses to bigger and better things. Why not you?

Financing 101
Lesson 10 How to go public... privately

Getting investors doesn't mean you need to go public and offer stocks on a stock exchange. That takes a lot of time and money, and if your sales are less than $5 million a year, forget it.

But there is a simpler way.

Today, Trivial Pursuit has taken over the world. Back in 1981, it was just a concept the creators believed in. Not the banks. To manufacture the first 1200 of the game, the creators turned to 34 friends, relatives and colleagues, who bought shares in the company. This raised the $40,000 they needed to get things rolling. The investors even paid their employees in shares.

A private placement is different from a public offering. It's not subject to the same stringent security laws as an IPO, since you're dealing with a smaller group of investors. And these are generally sophisticated investors, or they're related to you in some way, so they don't need as much protection.

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