Take Charge in 2010 - Buy A Shipping Franchise

Many pundits are saying we've hit bottom in the national economic challenges, but the road to recovery may take longer than originally forecasted.

As a result, many people are looking to secure their future by taking more control over their destiny. And starting their own business is one way of taking control.

One option is to buy a shipping franchise from PostalAnnex+. Here are some benefits a PostalAnnex+ offers prospects:

• Low labor requirements--you need less than six employees to run a PostalAnnex+ shipping franchise.


• Work Environment--no going home smelling like grease or food.


• Normal Business Hours--traditional retail hours, not late nights.


• Flexibility--you can tailor some product and service offerings to meet your community's needs.

When you buy a shipping franchise from PostalAnnex+, you are in business for yourself, but not by yourself.

Before you open, you'll get comprehensive training to give you the skills you need on day one. And you'll have the support you wouldn't get if you were opening up an indendepent business. Like many things in life, you get what you pay for, and while a franchise has royalties and marketing fees, you get invaluable support in:

• National Contract Pricing--with vendors on terms leveraging your group buying power that you might not get on your own.


• Technical Support--on computers and equipment, potentially saving you time and money


• Skills Training--for you and your employees, keeping up to date with the latest practices and requirements in the industry.


• Marketing Support--customized artwork, experience in various media to guide you in your marketing decision-making.

Maybe 2010 is the year for you to take more control over your future. We'd like to at least send you more information to help arm you with the information on whatever path you decide to take. If it's to buy a shipping franchise, we hope you'll consider PostalAnnex+.

Financing For Shipping Franchises

With the economy showing early signs of recovery, now is a good time to consider small business ownership, including shipping franchises. But getting financing requires a little more legwork and information than it used to.

SBA-guaranteed loans are a common form of financing in shipping franchises, available from many banks, including your local, community bank.

Our shipping franchises meet the basic requirements of SBA-backed loans:

o   Must be operated as a for-profit entity.
o   Must be organized as a sole proprietorship, corporation or
     partnership (including LLP's and LLC's).
o   Does business within the U.S. or its possessions
o   For retail businesses up to $21.5 million in annual sales

The loan terms are defined by the use of funds:

o   Building Improvments = 25 years
o   Leasehold Improvements = 10 years
o   Machinery & Equipment = 10-20 years
o   Inventory = 7 years
o   Working Capital = 7 years

Many SBA loans use the assets purchased with the proceeds of the loan as collateral for the loans.

However, SBA requirements can also include the owner to:

o   have at least 20% equity in the business from personal savings,
     family loans and other non-bank sources;
o   possess an accetable, good personal credit history;
o   pledge personal assets as collateral for the loan.

Terms vary by lender and by loan, so borrowers should consult their local bank for more details.

Just last week, President Obama asked Congress to send him legislation that would lower the cost of funds to banks from 5% to 3% for those that submit a small business lending plan. In harder-hit communities experiencing higher job-loss or underserved rural and urban areas, Obama is asking for an ever lower 2% cost-of-funds rate.

These moves are intended to loosen the capital markets and encourage lending for small business creation.

So whether you're evaluating shipping franchises or another business concept, it appears the growth of small business is now on the radar of the Obama Administration.

(Note: credit for some material in this post to California Bank & Trust in San Diego, CA)