Good morning, StormDawg fans!

You’ve probably noticed… (and if you haven’t, scroll down to the byline)… that there’s a guest writer on StormDawg.com this morning.  Introductions are always a good place to start.  Here’s mine… I’m Bryan Jennewein, and I currently work with StormDawg (a.k.a. Stormy Dean) as the Director of Social Media for infoGROUP.  In short, I help us figure out how best to use social media to communicate who we are, what we do, and who we do it for. I’m also a member of the StormDawg S.W.A.T. team (more on that later) and the geek who got StormDawg up and blogging (and what an adventure it has been!).  When StormDawg mentioned he was taking some vacation time (he deserves it) to move his daughter into an off-campus house and needed a few guest bloggers, I was only too happy to help.  And this morning, I’ll be bringing you a bit of small-business news that caught my eye and tugged at my heart.

Fox News featured a segment entitled, “Death of Small Business in America.”  Really?? Struggling, yes. And some are having to close their doors, but let’s hope it’s not the “death” of small business, or we’re all done for.  As I’ve been reading from the Stimulus entries, times are tougher than any of us thought. But must the media sensationalize these events? Personally, I’d like to see a message of hope (or heck, how about a message of “here’s how to survive”).  Perhaps I’m a bit biased, but that’s what I’ve enjoyed most about helping StormDawg get his message out… he’s actually helping small businesses with advice, tips, resources… and now he’s even picking one every month to sponsor with free marketing. Death of Small Business? Not if we can help it!!

There were two other articles about small business lending that caught my eye this morning: one from the Pacific Coast Business Times, “Big Cuts for Small Business,” and another from the Baltimore Sun, “Federal Small-Business Lending Plan Off To a Slow Start.”  It seems a new piece of legislation in California has suspended the state loan guarantee program. What’s worse, the Baltimore Sun article describes that even in states where funds are available and guaranteed, banks are slow to participate if they even participate at all.

What’s left for small businesses to do? Whip out the credit card? Think twice. In fact, think a third time… please. Economic researcher Robert H. Scott said in a report released earlier this month that for every $1,000 in unpaid credit card debt, a small business increases its likelihood it will close by 2.2%. So $10,000 equals a 20% probability of closure? Talk about rolling the dice.

StormDawg often advises us to stop and think. When it comes to making decisions about financing your business, his advice is paramount. Before you whip out the credit card or take out a high-interest loan, think about a few things…

What is your plan for utilizing every penny of this money? Will you pay down higher-interest debt? Buy new equipment? Increase production? How about market your business to existing and prospective customers? Make sure this plan accounts for a calculated return. If the spend won’t directly impact your business, bring you new customers, or increase revenue… ask yourself, “Do I really need the loan?”

It also occurs to me that many of you already know exactly what to do with some extra financing, and that you could easily strengthen your business or marketing more… but you’re wondering…

“HOW DO I GET THE HELP I NEED?!?”

Here are a few tips…

For Lending -
Check with your banks. Larger banks may not be participating, but what about smaller local banks and credit unions? They seem a bit more stable to me, and some of them here in the Midwest are even *thriving*.

Local Options -
Check with your local chamber of commerce. They’re here to help you, especially during troubling times. For example, the Detroit Regional Chamber put together their own Small Business Stimulus Package that bundles access to local healthcare options with steep discounts from Office Depot and local networking opportunities.

Retail Discounts -
Companies serving small business know that if small businesses don’t make it, they won’t either. That’s why many of them are offering big discounts right now. Check around and don’t be afraid to ask your suppliers and vendors if they can work with you on cost and pricing. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other business owners in the area and ask them for alternative vendors. You never know where you will find savings.

Finally, StormDawg S.W.A.T. is getting ready to bring you a phenomenal offering. StormDawg has been so moved by your stories, he’s pulling together every resource he can to help. Stay tuned for more on that, and for more from some great guest bloggers this week.

As StormDawg would say… “Don’t work too hard!”

Bryan D. Jennewein – StormDawg S.W.A.T.