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How to Start a Small Business in the
US People from other countries often take America as the "land of opportunity". Americans, too, believe that the country gives no end of chances to those who want to open their own businesses. Today, many Americans are still trying hard to become small business people, although only one out of two remains in operation after the first two years. Many people start their small businesses for the wrong reasons. They want to get away from the paper work of their present jobs, or to exchange the responsibility of their present jobs for free life styles. But more, not less, paper work and responsibility come with ownership of a small business. Thomas is the owner of the news magazine Mother Earth, which is now quite successful. He says that he had to work sixty hours without stopping when he was trying to bring out the first issue. Thomas had waited for years after he came up with the idea for Mother Earth. During that time, he collected as much information as he could about his business. He borrowed books from the library, talked to successful people in the field, and began planning carefully the amount of money and the kinds and numbers of supplies he would need. When he finally opened with a capital of $ 1,500 ,he set up his office in the kitchen and his printing press in the garage. Owing to his devotion(投入)to business, his talent, and his skill in management, Mother Earth now has a circulation(发行量) of 300,000. Not all small businesses are doing as fine as Mother Earth as 50% of the 450,000 that start in America every year fail. Still, 95% of businesses in the US can be called "small". Altogether these businesses amount to 40% of America's gross national product(国民生产总值). |