Blog: Entrepreneurs

QE 2 Systems, Inc. Finds Success with Benetrends

QE 2 Systems, Inc. started in 2004 as a small family owned business, and the principle behind the name is quality education and quality experience.

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Returning Vet? Consider Opening a Franchise.

As more and more veterans are returning home from active duty, they’re faced with the question, “What should I do with myself?”  With a shaky economy and elevated unemployment rate, opening up their own franchise seems to be an attractive choice. Continue reading..

Using Your Retirement Money to Start A Business Can Be A Very Smart Strategy

Using Your Retirement Money To Start A Business Can Be A Very Smart Strategy

If you are interested in starting your own business or franchise, you can ABSOLUTELY use your 401(k) or IRA money, tax and penalty-free in order to do so.  How do we know this?  Because, we’re the guys who     revolutionized this concept and have been doing it for 30 years.  There is no reason for you to go into debt to launch your enterprise when the answer is right in front of you…The Benetrends Rainmaker Plan.  Here’s how it works:

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Small Business Entrepreneurs Get Funding Answers through our Webinar!

Small Business Entrepreneurs Get Funding Answers through our Webinar!

On February 28th, 2012, Benetrends and the ASBDC joined together to host an educational webinar for entrepreneurs who had questions about how to fund their business venture.

We are happy to report we were able to help over 300 people with their financing questions.

The Benetrends Rainmaker Plan

Steve Stovall, VP of Business Development at Benetrends, offered his expertise to everyone who attended. He was well received and congratulated for doing a superb job of answering all their questions. On a short side note, Steve has opened a new office in California, so if you are in the area, be sure to talk to him about your funding concerns.

The webinar focused on the use of a 401(k) and an IRA without penalty to purchase or expand a business. The benefits and ability to use this type of financing were discussed along with SBA loans, Home Equity loans and other options that might be suitable for you depending on your needs and situation.

If you were unable to attend the original webinar, here is the YouTube presentation that explains the various options offered by Benetrends for your funding needs.

If you wish to be contacted for a one on one session with one of our experts, please email us at socialmedia@benetrends.com  OR click on our Contact Us button!     

We would be more than happy to help you with the complexities of funding so you can concentrate on your business.

Click on the Rainmaker photo above to find out more information about the Rainmaker Plan.

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A Success Story – Small Business finds its niche in a $50 billion dollar pet market.

In 2008, Benetrends helped Jenny Brown create 3 Busy Dogs as a C-Corp in Arizona. Her company is named after her dogs; Quigley, Dax and Muggsy.  The company started out making Bowser BitsT pretzel treats and soon added the beer, creating a niche in the $50 billion dollar pet market.

How did they come up with Bowser Beer? It started with a holiday Farmer’s Market and some spicy pretzel treats Jenny made.  People kept telling her to make some for dogs, so she did – with delicious peanut butter instead of spices.  After so many customers scooped them up, she decided to offer them at a Pet Expo.  Then it hit her, “What goes better with pretzels than beer?”.  So after a family huddle, they brewed up a beefy –malty, hops-free concoction in 4 different recipes that her 3 dogs tested out for her.  One bowl was the clear winner and that became the basis of Bowser Beer.

Bowser Beer debuted at the Pet Expo and was a big hit.   From there they tweaked their packaging and product, added a new chicken flavor called Cock-a-Doodle Brew and took it nationally and internationally.

Today, if you go to London, England, you can stop in the pet department of Harrods and get a special edition of Bowser Beer, with an English bulldog on it, of course!

3 Busy Dogs still makes peanut butter pretzels and have recently added a new liver treat to accompany their beer for your dog’s next happy hour.

 

Always committed to using all natural ingredients, 3 Busy Dogs will continue to expand their line of fun and healthy treats while giving new meaning to products made in America.

Benetrends is proud to have helped get this company on its feet and congratulates 3 Busy Dogs on their great success.
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Small Business Funding Expands to the West Coast

When it comes to small business funding we think of the big companies and how they are all located on the east coast. Benetrends for example has its head office in Philadelphia.  One might say it is located there because that is where the majority of the population lives, on the east coast.

The East Coast hasn’t always been home to Benetrends. In 1983, when Leonard Fischer first founded the company, Benetrends was based in California.  So when it came time to expand, opening an office in California was a natural fit.

"As our business continues to grow, we recognized that to provide better service to our clients and partners in the western part of the country, we needed to increase our presence on the west coast," said Leonard Fischer, CEO and Founder of Benetrends. We saw a need to be closer to our clients and an opportunity to expand our business."

"This is a momentous move for Benetrends and I'm looking forward to bringing our innovative funding solutions directly to a west coast clientele," said Steve Stovall, VP of Business Development.

"Now more than ever, small business owners need proven, sound sources of funding," said Gary Belford, account executive at the new California office. "I'm looking forward to showing west coast entrepreneurs how Benetrends is their perfect partner for success."

As one entrepreneur has told us, “Benetrends showed me how to finance my business, without going into debt. It's one of the best decisions I made.”

As the nation’s leader in retirement plan solutions and funding for small business, we are thrilled to be expanding to provide our services to our clients and partners on the west coast.

If you have questions about small business funding, join us on February 28th at 3pm EST. Benetrends and the ASBDC are hosting a free webinar. We encourage you to send us your questions. To register simply click on the registration link!

 

Click Here to Register Now!

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Small Business Funding…Where Do I Get the Answers?

Small Business Funding…

Where Do I get the Answers?

When it comes to starting a business, I know people have a lot of questions that need an expert’s advice. People may know a lot about their product or service but the legal and funding side of a business can get complicated very quickly.

We know that in the current economic environment it can be difficult to secure funding of any kind.  Well there is hope on the horizon!

More and more entrepreneurs who were in careers that fell apart during the last recession are taking advantage of their retirement funds to help finance their businesses.  They are funding their businesses using their IRA or 401k without penalty.  Did you even know you could do that?

You have probably heard these types of questions before.

Can I use IRA money to fund a home-based, non-franchise business without penalty?

Can I parcel out a portion of my 401k?

How can I use my SEP IRA as a cash injection into my small business?

How can I utilize an IRA from which I am currently receiving 72T distributions?

Do I have to move all of my 401k or IRA at once or can I do it over a period of time?

Well to get the answers to this and any other questions regarding funding, there is great news!

On February 28th at 3pm EST, Benetrends and the ASBDC have joined together to host a free webinar to anyone who has questions about how to fund their business venture.  

Steve Stovall, VP of Business Development at Benetrends, said, “This is the best opportunity to ask an expert any questions one might have”.

To join the webinar, simply click on the Register Here Button!

Let us know what you want to know.

Fill in the last line of the registration form with your questions!

Click Here to Register Now!

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ASBDC Network Connection and Benetrends Unite for Free Webinar!

 

You’re Invited: Experts Share Exciting Options

For

Small Business Funding

When looking for Capital to start a business or franchise, many Entrepreneurs seek out traditional funding methods like SBA Loans or home Equity Lines of Credit.

Did you know that you could also use a 401(k) or an IRA WITHOUT PENALTY to purchase or expand your business? You CAN!!

Please join us for an informative and interactive Webinar on ‘Options for Small Business Funding’ presented by Steve Stovall, Vice President of Buiness Development at Benetrends.

The Webinar will be on Tuesday February 28th at 3PM EST and will discuss:

  •   Current Funding Options available through Traditional Sources
  •  The Ability and Benefits of using 401(k) / IRA Rollover Financing
  •   Is Home Equity the way to go?
  •   How to choose the best Funding Option for you, your Business, and your Family

Register today to get your questions on the State of Small Business Funding answered.

TO REGISTER CLICK ON THE BUTTON!

Click Here to Register Now!

 


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The truth about opening your own business…

I think most people would say that I would be crazy to open a coffee shop down the street from a Starbucks. I think it all depends on whether or not I provided you with the VIP (very important person) treatment.  If my shop provided you with great coffee, tea, edibles and an amazing ambiance that included great Wi-Fi, I would be doing what Starbucks and every other coffee shop does. But if I remember your name and your order every time you came in or saved you the last of my red velvet cupcakes filled with cool whip and topped with dark chocolate that I know you love so much….I think you would choose to come to my coffee shop for that extra bit of attention and great service.  You would also come in because you would see that I am doing what I love.

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What would the world be like without entrepreneurs?

The Entrepreneurial Spirit

What would the world be like without entrepreneurs?

So my day began with my iPod alarm and the smell of freshly brewed Starbucks coffee. I rushed to get ready and then jumped into my Ford Focus to get to work.  On the way there, my boss called me on my iPhone to ask if I would pick up some Dunkin Donuts for the morning meeting.

If Steve Jobs (Apple), Howard Schultz (Starbucks), Henry Ford (Ford Automobiles) and William Rosenberg (Dunkin Donuts) had not been entrepreneurs, my day would have started very differently. I am not alone when I say; many entrepreneurs have changed our lives when they stopped dreaming and put their visions into action.

Although owning your own business is the foundation of the American dream, polite society will tell you it is a risky adventure with a path full of failures. What they do not tell you is that this path will also allow you to fulfill your greatest passions and generate ideas that may change society forever.

Imagine if Steve Jobs never started Apple…

If you had the opportunity to answer this question again… “What do you want to do when you grow up?” How would you answer it, especially if you knew ahead of time you were going to make such a powerful impact on the world?

If you have an entrepreneur inside you wanting to get out, tell us!

Looking forward to hearing your stories… Continue reading..