How do I go about finding and applying for government grant money to start a small photography business?

Question

I am a 21 yr. old single mother from central Alabama. My potential business partner is a 23yr old married woman with a young child also. We both work as photographers for a large company that has studio's in major chain stores. We are looking into the possibility of opening our own photography business in order to have more creative freedom with our photography. Since neither of us have the monetary means to fund a new business, we want to find out what types of available grant money is offered & how to go about getting it. We are starting from scratch here and have no idea where to begin looking or what our first steps should be in our attempt to make our dream become closer to reality.

Answer 1

I suggest you check out the low-cost loans provided by the Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov

It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business such as a photography business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK - lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.

Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.

Even if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.

Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html...

"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."

Here is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business -- THERE'S NONE.
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show

Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program

Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs

For private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.

http://www.cfda.gov
http://www.grants.gov
http://gtionline.fdncenter.org
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/grants.htm
http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html

Answer 2

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.

I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* Photographers Market Guide to Building Your Photography Business: Everything you need to know to run a successful photography business by Vik Orenstein
* Legal Handbook for Photographers: The Rights and Liabilities of Making Images Paperback by Bert P. Krages
* How to Start a Home-Based Photography Business, 4th Paperback by Kenn Oberrecht
* Shooting & Selling Your Photos: The Complete Guide to Making Money With Your Photography by Jim Zuckerman

I also posted links to some free articles in the source box.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 3

Like most statistics, there's often alternate information that gets left out. The reason that the top ten states good for business are all states controlled by Republicans is simple. Republicans give huge tax breaks to draw businesses away from states where they were paying reasonable taxes. So the end result is no increase in jobs. They simply moved from one state to another. Reduced tax revenues so the common man has to make up the difference or lose services. And of course, the rich business owners get all the benefit while everything else is a wash or a negative. But the Republicans can honestly say that they increased employment in their state.

Answer 4

I have never gotten a grant before so I can not help you with that but I can give you some information on a loan that is 100% for real and it does not cost you a dime to get the loan. If you are interested email me and I will be more than happy to give you the information.

Good luck with your business!

Answer 5

it has been said that the best place to start is at the beginning. the small business administration has tons of information.