Clear solutions in a complex world®
Russell G. Lowry
CFP®, CRPC®
Wealth Planning Advisor
Sagemark Consulting
100 Northfield Drive
Suite 200
Windsor, CT 06095

ph: 860.298.1800
fax: 860.298.1812
toll free: 888.921.8455

russell.lowry@lfg.com
So You Want to Finance Your Own Business

Starting a new business can be an exciting prospect. In fact, finding a location, formulating a business plan, and hanging the "Open" sign might be one of your long-cherished dreams.

However, securing capital to begin operations can often be frustrating and difficult. There are a number of potential sources of financing to explore. Some entrepreneurs are able to secure bank loans or venture capital. For owners who qualify, the Small Business Administration (SBA) guarantees loans, thus easing the route to financing. Other prospective business owners may turn to family members or friends for support.

Typically, however, personal funds are one of the most common primary sources of start-up capital. Indeed, many successful entrepreneurs believe they are their own best sources of financing. In some cases, they may prefer to finance their start-ups out of their own pockets because they would rather assume the risk than share the equity in their businesses. In other cases, they may simply be unable to raise sufficient capital from outsiders.

The dream of owning your own business may be within your reach. However, if you are contemplating launching your own venture, local banks, business organizations, trained professionals, and, occasionally, family members and friends may be ready to lend a hand. A sound financial plan outlining your capital resources and requirements is a good first step on the road to fulfilling your vision.

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Copyright © 2008 -- Liberty Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

Meet Our People

Russell G. Lowry, CFP®, CRPC® , Wealth Planning Advisor

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner

888-921-8455

Russ Lowry's fee based financial planning and investment advisory practice specializes in serving the business owner and high networth family markets. His services include helping business owners and high net worth individuals accumulate and transfer wealth in tax efficient ways through unique strategies that help support their personal goals and family values. He is a Certified Continuing Education Instructor for the CT. State Insurance Department, for The DARES Institute, Pride Real Estate University and others. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Fairfield University and is a graduate of The American College and The College for Financial Planning and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Practitioner and has received the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®) industry designation. Russ is also a member of the Financial Planning Association and a member of the board of directors of The Society of Financial Professionals, a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a broker/dealer (Member SIPC) and an Investment Advisor Representative with Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisor Corp., a registered investment advisor.

Prior to joining Sagemark Consulting, Russ held numerous Vice President and General Manager positions for both private and public technology companies. His personal forte' includes designing and installing financial control and monitoring systems. Russ was co-owner of Lincoln Computer Company, a network design and installation firm. During that time he invented a computer monitoring, help and security system called NetLinc™ which is in use today in hospital and healthcare systems supporting tens of thousands of users throughout the United States. He successfully sold his firm to an international, publicly traded company in 1998.

During his prior 25 years in business, Russ was responsible for the design and implementation of numerous financial planning, foreign currency and accounting systems for numerous well known global public corporations as well as many more local and regional companies.

He is a frequent contributor to Habitat for Humanity, the Hunger Project, Wooster School and a member of the Advisory Board of Technoserve a non-profit charity building self-sufficient businesses in third world rural communities.

Currently living in Coventry CT. with his wife Peggy; Russ is a golfer, boater, skier and an experimental helicopter test pilot and mechanic.

Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its registered represetntatives do not give legal or tax advice