Starting your own small business means you’ll be able to see your ideas through from inception to fruition. Your business plan is promising enough that you’re willing to invest your heart and soul to ensure its success. But heart and soul won’t be enough if you don’t have the money to get your new business running.

Welcome to the world of startup business loans, where small business dreams can become big business realities.

Most small businesses are launched with a combination of personal assets, loans from family and friends and startup business loans from banks or commercial lenders. The startup business loan is usually used to cover the actual expenses of running the business in its very earliest years.

Once the business is on solid ground – usually after the second year – many owners will take out a second loan, sometimes called a bridge loan, to pay for expansion, equipment upgrades or a better location.

Before applying for a startup business loan, you’ll need to make a clear-eyed assessment of your debts and assets. Determine as closely as you can how much money you’re going to need, and what assets you can bring to the table to show the lender you’re a committed and responsible borrower.

Most traditional lenders are leery of startup business loans, and will expect to see that you’re willing to put your house or any business-related real estate on the line. You have to ask yourself (and certainly anyone else whose name is on the deed) if you’ve got the stomach for that kind of risk And, even if your answer is “Yes,” be prepared to hear “No” from prospective lenders; on average, the first four applications for a small business start up loan are denied.

If those terms sound too risky, or you simply don’t have the assets traditional lenders require, you need to look into unsecured startup business loans. Brick and mortar banks that hesitate to lend secured startup funds are even more reluctant to sign off on a small business startup loan without collateral. Fortunately, there are lenders who specialize in arranging unsecured loans for borrowers with good credit.

America One Unsecured is a company of online unsecured loan consultants. If you have good credit, they’ll find the lender that best meets your credit profile and offers the best rates and terms. And, unlike traditional banks and lenders, because they’re an online business, they can provide faster service. America One Unsecured has relationships with many of the nation’s largest banks, and can secure the best rates and terms for you. Interest rates start at 7.93 percent, and terms range from 6 to 84 months. You can borrow as little as $10,000 or as much as $5 million. Or, if you prefer a line of credit without a payoff date, they can arrange that for you.

Starting your own company is tough enough. Getting the right small business startup loan can get you up and running sooner … and get you ready sooner for that expansion loan.

Your money is in jeopardy and you may not even know it. Study after study demonstrates that scam artists who prey on unwary Americans and fleecing them of their savings are on the rise and more successful than ever. Credit card fraud alone cost Americans $2 billion in 2007, according to Celent Communications.

What can you do? Fight back by knowing what to look for and learning to anticipate the tricks of the trade used by unscrupulous hucksters and con artists.

Here are some good tips from the folks at ClearPoint Financial Solutions, a finance company that focuses on consumer fraud:

Telemarketing Scams

According to the Alliance Against Fraud in Telemarketing Americans lose nearly $40 billion a year due to telemarketing fraud. Top phone scams include: free prize offers, charitable solicitations, travel offers, investment fraud, “900” numbers and advance-fee loan scams. This is not to say that all telemarketing solicitations are fraudulent, as many are perfectly legitimate. To be safe, consumers should consider the following when dealing with a telemarketing call:

Be wary of free prize offers. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is! Declining the offer and ending the call is your best defense.

Check your charities. You should never make a monetary donation over the telephone. Instead, if a charitable organization contacts you over the telephone for a donation, ask that they send you literature in the mail instead. Nearly all organizations would be happy to accept a check in the mail. That way, you can determine that you are sending money to the correct charity, rather than giving your credit card information to a potential thief over the phone.

Investigate investments. Never discuss investment opportunities with a solicitor. You should only conduct this type of business with a company that you have selected based upon doing your homework. Don’t give in to high-pressure sales tactics or anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. When in doubt, just hang up!

Unsubscribe. To eliminate telemarketing calls altogether, consumers have the option to sign up with the National Do Not Call Registry. To do so, consumers can visit www.donotcall.gov.

Phishing and Vishing Scams

Phishing occurs when scam artists send emails that appear to be from a bank or e-commerce organization. Typically the message warns the consumer that their account has been compromised, and that immediate action and response is necessary to fix the problem. Consumers are advised to click on links within the e-mail to start the process. Vishing occurs in the same manner, however the recipient is directed to call a number to correct the problem, and is then prompted to give their account information over the phone. Avoid these types of scams by:

Stay away from links. Never click on a link that is included in a suspicious e-mail. Not only does it legitimize your e-mail address, it can direct you to a fraudulent site that can capture your account information. Never follow prompts to enter your personal information online. Again, if you’re concerned about fraudulent account activity, check your account statements and notify your bank.

Exercise caution. Suspicious e-mails are just that – suspicious. Be extra cautious if you see an e-mail from your bank that’s asking for your account information. Since your bank already has your account numbers on file, they will never ask for it in an e-mail. Simply delete the e-mail and move on. If you are concerned about your account, be sure to call your bank, using the telephone number that’s printed on your bank statement, not the number that’s in the e-mail.

Report spam. Want to stop the spam from hitting your inbox? According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group, you can report phishing or spoofed e-mails to the Federal Trade Commission the Internet Crime Complaint Center and to the company that is being spoofed.

ATM Scams

It may sound more like a new dance move, but the Lebanese Loop is actually an ATM scam. Scam artists will insert a plastic sleeve into the ATM and then wait for bank visitors to insert their card to access their account. When someone inserts their card into the machine and enters their PIN, the machine is unable to read the card and recognize the number. The person then assumes that the machine ate their card and walks away. The scam artist is then able to retrieve the plastic sleeve out of the ATM along with the person’s card.

Be aware of your surroundings. Before approaching an ATM machine, take a quick scan to see if there are any suspicious persons nearby. Always make sure you are using an ATM that’s in a well-lit area, and, if it can be avoided, never use an ATM after dark. Trust your instincts. If the area does not feel safe, try to locate another ATM.

Check the ATM. Before inserting your card into the ATM, check the machine to see if anything looks out of place or broken. If you feel the machine has been tampered with, use another ATM or go inside the bank to withdrawal your funds.

Act quickly. If your card gets stuck inside the machine, immediately notify the bank or your credit card company and have them cancel the card. If it’s during business hours, ask if a bank representative can access the machine to retrieve your card.

Let's face it, times are tough enough without having some scam artists pout the hook on your wallet, credit card, or bank account. In this case, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure.

Unexpected events arise in all of our lives. Whether it's an automobile accident, a health crisis or car repairs…stuff happens. We also have planned expenses in our lives that wind up costing more than we expect. These can include vacations, debt consolidation or home improvements.

If you find yourself in need of cash for any of these types of circumstances, an unsecured personal loan may be the answer for you.

A cash advance loan, up to $1,500 can be applied for online, and the money can be deposited into your bank account in as little as one hour. The application process is quick and easy, and you can be approved instantly, even with bad or no credit.

If you need more cash, you can apply for a personal loan from $10,000 to $250,000, with no collateral required. As with a cash advance loan, the process is quick and easy, and fast.

You may ask yourself why you should choose to apply for a loan using America One. The answer is simple: America One has been providing loans to consumers and business owners nationwide since 1999, and has become one of the largest loan consultants in the country. America One has provided millions in loan approvals to its customers.

America One is staffed by friendly, highly-trained professionals, who are sympathetic to your circumstances, but yet still able to "talk turkey" with you about your loan and credit options. They'll help you determine which loan products are best for you, and you'll have peace of mind, knowing you've made the best choice.

America One knows that the average guy can't afford to pay thousands of dollars in commissions to a loan broker, and it's just not smart to give your money away when there's a better way to get the cash you need. America One doesn't charge points or excessive fees, and will stand by you through the entire borrowing process.

Check out America One today.

As a small business owner, the most difficult thing you may do is to find money to operate. Taking the necessary steps for a small business loan can minimize the difficulty.

Banks and other lenders cite risk factors as their main reason for turning down small business loan requests from start-up businesses. But you can still clinch that loan with the proper preparation.

You will want to avoid the error of thinking you can start with grants from the government and community agencies. You won’t want to count on money from your own savings, family or friends either.

The main requirements of obtaining a small business loan are your personal credit history, business plan, experience, education and feasibility of the business you are starting or expanding.

The most important task you will have when trying to obtain that loan is preparing a business plan. The plan needs to show the lender that providing you with a small business loan must answer the questions a lender would ask. These questions include:

• How much money do you need? If you are starting a business, this should be included at least in the start-up capital estimate. Accuracy is important, so ask for enough money.

• What are you going to do with the money? You will have to provide details on the designated use of every dollar you’re asking for. A small business loan is often needed for operations, assets or to pay off business debts.

• When will you repay the loan? Explain in detail how this loan is a stepping stone for your business. You will need to convince the lender that you are able to repay the loan through the expected success of your business.

• What will you do if you don’t get the loan? Let lenders know that rejection will not deter you from starting or growing your business. Be confident and determined, and let the lender know you will keep trying until you get the loan you need.

If you are rejected for the loan, be sure to ask the lender why. Learn from the answer, and move on to a different lender.

To find out more about unsecured business loans and how they can help you achieve your professional dreams, check out American One Unsecured.