Focus on interests, strengths in business

Are there reliable firms that I can work with to show me how to put together a financial package and how to evaluate the buy? I have some capital, but I would like to use as little of my money as possible.- Reader, via e-mail

Dear Reader: If you are going to be looking for someone to carry paper for you, they are going to want a decent amount of money on your side to keep your interest even when things aren't going so well.

Going into business and having that desire is one thing, but to attack it with the “I just want to be in business, and there are a lot of things that I can do” approach is not the right way. Focus on something that you really believe you can do well and is available to you. That isn't to say you shouldn't look in the “for sale” section; you might find something that never occurred to you.

You should be shooting in a very narrow direction.

Bruce Williams is a national radio talk show host and syndicated columnist.