Hawaii…and Why It’s Still a GREAT Time to Buy a Business
I just got back from some much needed R&R in Hawaii – which explains the down time on the blog.  It was a great trip, but it was surprising to see how many people are not travelling right now.  Tourism was WAY down on both islands we visited (Kauai & the big island of Hawaii).  In a way, it was nice to have fewer tourists around, but on the other hand it’s a bit disconcerting to see local tourism suffering.  I expected to see lots of the familiar haunts out of business, but I was dead wrong.  Nearly all of my favorite spots were still in business, and all reported that they were either doing well or still paying their bills, though a bit down from normal. At t

Third Quarter 2009 Data Signals Improving Business-for-Sale Market – But Still GREAT DEALS for Buy
I’m posting this article from the BizBuySell.com website for a couple of reasons.  First, it gives positive data in support of improving economic conditions.  Secondly, it shows that while business sales continue to recover, there are still some excellent deals to be had.  If you’re thinking about buying a business, now is an EXCELLENT time to begin your search.  Enjoy… BizBuySell.com Third Quarter 2009 Data Signals Improving Business-for-Sale Market Business-for-sale transactions begin to increase after hitting bottom in recent months San Francisco, CA – October 6, 2009 – BizBuySell.com —

5 Reasons to be an Optimist
I’m posting this article by Ali Brown because she makes some excellent points.  Having an optimistic attitude, especially in business, can be the difference between success and failure.  Enjoy! No doubt you’ve heard sayings about happiness and the power of positive thinking. For instance, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” and “some pursue happiness, others create it.” Turns out that optimism truly is a powerful force. And, regardless of your circumstances or personal setbacks, you can choose to approach life with a sunny outlook, transforming negative thoughts into positive ones and increasing your chances of success.

SBA Sees Boost in Lending to Small Businesses
by Peter Siegel of Biz Ben http://www.bizben.com/blog/posts/sba-loan-update-090609.php The money needed to help individuals buy small businesses or to enable small business owners to expand their companies is becoming more available after the severe credit freeze that impacted the economy during the end of 2008 and the first part 2009. The SBA announced that loans to businesses totaled $1.9 billion in September, the highest monthly sum since August 2007. In a press release dated October 1, the agency credited the American Relief and Recovery Act with changes that have encouraged lenders to reen

How to Find Professionals to Help You Sell or Buy a Business
Choosing the right team of advisors to assist you with buying or selling a business can have an enormous impact on the outcome of a transaction.  Your advisors can save you money, time, headaches, and can ultimately determine whether or not the transaction closes.  If your advisors are not well versed in issues such as deal terms, tax ramifications, entity structuring, industry standards, and much more, you might not end up with the best possible outcome.  As an example, there are tax implications on both the buyer and seller in any purchase transaction.  If you have advisors who are not aware of these tax issues during a negotiation, you may find yourself surprised to receive a tax