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I have literally no income. I have been looking for work for what feels like forever. I am here to ask for help either funding a small business venture or acquiring a job of any sort. What would truly be ideal is if someone would either be able to give me a micro-loan to startup my business or even invest in it. I promise you, I was successful my entire life - I have no problem giving my all to anything I do and would make my Studio a great success. In the meanwhile, I have no way to feed or house my two teenage kids and don't want them to drop out of school to work full time. In adiditon to having been an actress/writer et al, I was a Human Resources Manager for many years, but then left to raise my kids. Local work would not have covered daycare and I was in an abusive relationship. I am not separated for nearly two years and nearly legally divorced, but have not been able to find work. I have exhausted every job site and every place I can get to. I finally gave up looking and attempted to open up my own small business, a local Performing Arts Studio and Teen Dance Club, it was taking off very very well - but I could not obtain even a small loan to keep it going. I am sure my Studio could do incredibly well given the chance. I was just enrolling hundreds of eager students, when my husband walked out and left us penniless and I had to use my small amount of money I had to pay my business expenses (rent, lights) to survive and pay our home's rent and utilities and feed my kids. I was forced to close down what was about to be a very lucrative and rewarding, life changing business. A loan or grant of any sort just to start up my business would be a God send and could keep us off the street. We were homeless for a bit and are now just paying the rent through odd jobs and friends occasionally helping..that will not last and we cannot live in a shelter. Please, we worked hard our entire lives..my ex had lost his lifelong job and our marriage dissolved as he had taken a turn for the worse and was no longer possible to live with. He left and has another job, but doesn't make much and sends very little money - social services doesn't help other than helping me file for child support and maintenance from my ex and that has been taking over a year...and he threatens to quit his job anyway if I ask for support. Please, please, please help me help my kids. I want to work. I am fifty-one years old and there is an age prejudice out there I am certain, regardless of experience or ability. My kids had a good life, I've always worked hard and it all fell apart. We have nothing. We sold everything we could and had to leave everything else behind when my ex stopped paying the rent and had left us and we were quickly evicted. I have no clothing for an interview outfit, but go anyway whenever I am called, in ratty black jeans and an old blazer. I am trying each and every day to find anything. Please, I can provide my resume, references, both profesisonal and personal. If anyone can fund my Studio, know that I had excellent credit before my husband became involved. Without credit or a job, we will be in the street - again. Yet I have the potential to offer a great community school (I have gifted instructors and countless eager students, as well as the perfect location). I would also like to offer some free classes to kids in my situation and counseling and give kids in the area an opportunity to learn music and dance and be exposed to the arts who otherwise wouldn't be. I can do great things with this business. I love children and I'm very clever and can easily manage my business and the marketing thereof to make it a great success. I have crunched all the numbers; other than rent and a few basics, this type of business does not have a lot of overhead - during the short period I was open kids petitioned to keep the school from closing, it was very very popular. The small business administration representative thought my business plan was fantastic, but because my ex had destroyed my credit, I could not get even a mcroloan. I am stuck. I do not want a handout - I never have - but we literally run out of food, have been to pantries, we're desperate. We don't have household goods, not pots and pans, not utensils, no sheets, few towels, very old worn and tattered clothing, we barely ever have even soap - we've used what the pantry or friends have given us. It's really bad. I know others have it worse..but please, I don't have money for anything and I have two amazing teenagers also trying to find work while going to school. They've been wearing the same rags and holding their heads up, scrouging for money for the dollar menu at Mcdonalds when we can..please I just want to work. If anyone can help or knows of a job very close to where I currently am (I have no money to travel); please let me know. Again, I was an AVP Human Resources & Office Administration for an international banking institution in Manhattan for many years, and an HR Manager for years before in another foreign bank. I can work as an office manager, secretary, purchasing agent, facilities manager, file clerk, office assistant - anything. I have applied to every supermarket and bank - you name it, and nothing. I believe that companies are overwhelmed with online applications, as you never here back...and when I attempt to go in person, I am told to apply on line. Please let me know if you can help. A small business loan would certainly be best overall and could change our lives forever and help me help others - but at this point, I will work anywhere. Thank you for listening in any case.

Hello.  I own a restaurant with *perfect* frontage 1 block South of the geographical center of my hometown of ~35,000 people.

We have fallen on hard times in the last 3 months.  There were 8 different restaurants that closed their doors for good in that time, but we're still hanging on - but only by a thread.

I am interested in finding more information about any type of grant/loan that can help us pull through until the summer time, when we begin to actually *make* money.

Also, as a side note, I am interested in a grant that would allow me to purchase the entire block that my restaurant sits on.  It's actually 1 and 1/3 blocks that has my restaurant, an attached Best Western Hotel and another hotel (as well as separate buildings for laundry, maintenance, etc.)  They have frontage of our 'Main St.' as well as our 'Center St.' - literally right in the middle of our town.  I would like to tear it all down and build a destination resort...something with about 500 rooms, a nice restaurant, and several shops, all 'old-English' in style to go along with current plans of our University's plan to incorporate an entire stretch of 2 city blocks as a 'Medieval Village' for their Rennaissance Festival and Tony Award winning Shakespearean Festival right behind the property I've mentioned.

Any help on either subject would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any information that could be passed along to me!

Sincerely,

CGower 

I am a college student trying to start a small handyman company.  I was wondering if there is anyway to get a government grant to assist in the start up costs for insurance and equipment.  If anyone knows about this please let me know.

Thanks,

Dustin