http://sondrafast.zoomshare.com/2.shtml SBW: Blog Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:02:51 -0600 http://sondrafast.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/a09ee53e4b28efe8919c5e61ee8adfcf_4954738b.writeback Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:02:51 -0600 Christmas season is a time that businesses in Chicago look forward to. People look to shop at stores with an immense reputation for giving quality service. They want to shop in a location that has many attractive features and luxuries. Customers look for sales people with the ability to make kind gestures as they help the shoppers in the stores. What makes the stores extra special is when their sales people talk to them and take the shoppers very seriously. People love generous stores with a big heart that can be loyal and make everyone feel like family. People want the right items and they want to see nice displays in the stores. They want to find exactly what they want. Two convenient and enjoyable shopping areas that Chicago residents have been known to shop at are Macy's on State Street, and State Street Shopping. Hereschicago.com notes that Macy's on State Street is not only a good place to shop, but it is an excellent place for exquisite dining service. It is noted by what is called "the first Great Clock," installed by Marshall Fields on the corner of State and Washington. People have been meeting under the clock for over 100 years- states hereschicago.com. It adds beauty and attracts visitors and shoppers. They decorate the clock to represent the city and events in the store. For many years people in Chicago have come to all floors of what is now Macy's to see the decorations and shop. They have a large decorated tree with sparkling lights and window displays with animated characters on State Street displaying Christmas themes. This attracts many tourists and Chicago residents who thereafter shop in Macy's for gifts for family and friends. According to hereschicago.com, State Street, identified as the "main street" in the center of Chicago, is always a place for shoppers. Many have heard the popular song of 1922 "Chicago," which named State Street. Since the 1900's State Street became known to attract shoppers by its name. The two main department stores for shopping are Macy's and Sears on State Street. There are also many other smaller elegant shops along State Street that shoppers can go to purchase gifts. If there is any place people can always go to shop in Chicago and enjoy a scenic view it's State Street. http://sondrafast.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/cf6da5a525170e5fcd6f75ba25a7bec1_4954732b.writeback Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:01:15 -0600 How many people can your business use? It can use loads of people. Let your business be known to countless individuals and get them involved. You can add more people to your contact list. There are three groups you can add: 1. People you know who help you build your business. 2. Customers/clients you do business with. 3. People you meet from others you know. 4. Your family. 5. Volunteers. The many people you know can help your business expand. We all heard the saying that it's not what you know, but who you know. True enough, this can be very helpful. You want to network with people who can be an important part in making your business successful and popular. Many of these people start off being an inspiration to their community first. You should stay in contact with these people often to get updates on business events. Help these people out whenever you can even if you do not get paid all the time. Those who give whole heartedly will be remembered. Don't always look to get something back. In the long run they will remember you helped them and welcome you into their family network. Build a network of people you know. What is essential is how many you know, not just who you know. They can be high- ranking officials, professionals or low paid internet representatives. Picture this: if you get to know ten people every day that are wonderful influences in your line of work and they each help you produce more business and generate customers! Your business would spread like a virus. The more you locate these people you are building your business like you build property. Make a list of the pros in the industry you know and successful business people. Their expertise and advice can help you. Customers you do business with are a good resource for many reasons. If you want to expand your business your customers can get new business for you. Once they recommend your business your sales will increase. Survival in today's business world requires a healthy customer referral system. You can meet people through others who know you. It takes some effort, but you can get people you can trust talking about your products and business. This system gets you referrals and contacts from other individuals you interact with. You have the option to get your family involved in your everyday business. Sometimes it is not so easy to handle everything by yourself. It is something you can get caught up in if you're not careful. Take time to explain the business, demonstrate how it works and make sure they do it right. The only thing you will need to do is make minor adjustments if it is not done totally to your taste. Having more family involved takes the burden off of you. When your spouse is involved you can have more quality time to spend with him/her. Your spouse can support a large amount. If you and your spouse are attracting customers every day, don't those numbers look better in your business? Get him/her interested in what you are doing. Young children do small chores like picking out supplies, sharpening pencils, and filing papers. There are many ways teenagers can get involved. Attend their sports events, music festivals and other gatherings. If their friend's relatives also attend they can be a lead to more business. Teenagers can type papers, make phone calls and place stock orders. Family help can lessen your workload and increase your customer list. Many people who volunteer their time have great skills that help everyone. You can always use fresh new ideas in your workforce. Starting internships for young adults and letting seniors volunteer their time can be an advantage to you. The business that has many people working for them and many people talking about them is usually a successful business. Your business will be a merrier one with higher productivity if you include many people with a high level of skills and good attitudes. The more voices that speak out for your business, the better off it will be. The strength of many people is greater than the interaction of one. http://sondrafast.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/0af883cb03b7b4434ac8e8b42c4551f9_495472c7.writeback Thu, 25 Dec 2008 23:59:35 -0600 Small Businesses are concerned about the economic crisis that our nation is facing. Small businesses make up 99% the total companies in the United States, states academic.mintel.com. Because there is a credit squeeze, businesses are not having an easy time getting financing. Also because of the financial slowdown some of their revenues may be decreasing. Businesses depend on the government to ease the penalty on our financial system. The present uproar in the financial sector has put pressure on families and banks as well as businesses in the country. Market specialists say that this financial downturn could turn out to be a serious recession that could lead millions to loose their jobs, destroy millions of peoples' retirement savings and hurt many innocent businesses. Businesses are worried that this could have an effect on their ability to purchase property, buy a car, or keep their saving safe. According to Senator Susan Collins (Collins.senate.gov), who was a regulator for financial services of Maine, this is a complicated issue and many are to blame. The main problem is the dangerous schemes of anxious Wall Street executives for their own financial advantage. Real estate has had complications for over a year now. Lenders rules have been too easy going. Regulation of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae has been inadequate. Misinformed borrowers took more loans out that they could not pay back. Lenders try to win the advantage over desperate consumers. Senator Collins recognizes that more effort could have been applied by both Presidents Clinton and Bush, and also Congress. They could have had stronger regulation on the financial sector and watched the mortgage notables Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Businesses might be happy to know that recently Congress passed legislation whose purpose is to improve the economic crisis. This legislation was quickly signed and made lawful. Some provisions in the law are to strengthen protection for taxpayers, cutback on overcompensation and stronger overseeing and financial recording. This agreement gives more protection to businesses and tax payers. The chances are small that businesses will be hit with a $700 billion tab, Senator Collins also explained. If the bill is managed effectively businesses will be able to recover their cost and implement a stable plan. Businesses can get more comfort in knowing that the new law bill increases the deposit-insurance protection for bank and credit union clients from $100,000 (for each account at each institution) to $250,000 for a short period of time only. This can remind businesses and consumers that banks are safe during this crisis. The new law is the first step in shaping the economy and use federal regulation in the best way it can be used. With this economic slowdown, there will be some differences in the workplace that people will need to adjust to. George Munchus, PD. Chairman of the Management and Organization in the UAB School of Business said this (at www. Newswise.com), "small-and medium-sized business owners should look for ways to adapt to a changing economic climate and warn employees that workplace flexibility will be necessary to continue operations. During this slowdown, many small businesses might close and se http://sondrafast.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/da5ca9bd55fabdff14f4ef6287c6cad0_4954724a.writeback Thu, 25 Dec 2008 23:57:30 -0600 Minority women should now be able to maintain a higher status of growth and development in the business sector by noticing recent findings in the country. Many women who are African- Americans, Latino, Asian, Hispanic and other ethnicities, sometimes called women of color, are starting businesses now at a fast pace. The Center for Women's Business Research revealed the results of a study at the national symposium called Research to Roadmap: Accelerating the Growth of Businesses Owned by Women of Color. According to their research, minority women initiate businesses three to five times quicker than their competitors. Even though their growth staggers behind other companies after they start up businesses; it still shows a tremendous growth. Our country can welcome minority business women as a diverse part of our culture and continue to help them. Those who are decision-makers in our community should encourage the women of color to carryout their commitment to help people. "It is important that as a country and a business community we learn how to support the growth of this dynamic sector of women business owners," said Margaret A. Smith, who is chair for the Center for Women Business Research. She also said, "This research encourages action and helps public-and private-sector policy makers formulate well grounded decisions to increase opportunities for the nearly two million businesses owned by women of color." The study found that many people have underestimated what a woman of color can do in business. Afterwards, they have a smaller amount access for material goods. They have more of a challenge of trying to meet the demands of a diverse tradition. Then there comes complications in trying to attract professionals with expertise. The research also noted that many minority business women are dedicated toward giving many of their earnings back to the community. There are five top issues that become challenging to them because of their status as women and they are: human resources, human resources and capital, marketing, access to decision makers, and possible partners. Women-owned minority businesses are important in the economy today. The Center for Women's Business Research released these findings at the symposium. The findings, which were underwritten by Wells Fargo, showed sturdy growth. From 2002 to 2008, the number of businesses increased by 32 percent, their revenues increased by 48 percent, and the employment by 27 percent. According to estimates by the center as of 2008, there are 1.9 million firms owned by minority women they employ 1.2 million workers that profit $165 billion in revenues. Minority women make up to 26 percent of all women-owned businesses. The Center for Women's Business Research has made many women aware of these trends in business. Sheila Brooks, national spokesperson for Accelerating the Growth of Business Owned by Women of Color said, "Even before I came on the board of the Center for Women's Business Research, I followed this nonprofit research institute closely as it brought credibility and visibility to women business owners as an economic force. The Center for Women's Business Research mentioned a prestigious group of sponsors- both corporate and associative-who funded the Accelerating the Growth and Success of Business Owned by Women of Color. Since the study began, a total of fifteen corporations invested in the 2008 research, which are: Sam's Club; Wachovia Corporation; Wells Fargo Bank; Verizon; OPEN from American Express, Time Warner; UPS Capital, Master Card; American Airlines; Ernst & Young; United States Postal Service (USPS) and PepsiCo. Corporations intend to build strong relationships especially with women of color, not as a separate group but as a people working for businesses. They want to help measure progress and alter it if required. Women business owners hope to expand networks outside of their community. Women of color who want to start their businesses have a better chance today than ever. The object is to break the barriers that hindered women of color in the past-to create an agenda that will provide for support for minority women on a local and national level. http://sondrafast.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/fbf0c6202899a15807d010fe02af204c_49546ef8.writeback Thu, 25 Dec 2008 23:43:20 -0600 Playing music in your home office can actually make you more productive. The music in the background can make you more creative. Music helps you relax and concentrate on your task. It can be a part of the workday. Beautiful classical jazz or blues music to keep you company can be soothing while you work your business. If you are fond of music, it can ease the tension on you. People find pleasure when they hook up their ipod at work or play some radio off the internet. Many people love listening to music while they work. It can be their secret outlet from being professional. Music is an art. Involvement in the arts promotes character, self-discipline, perceptiveness and creativeness. You might notice beauty in your creative work that you never seen before while playing music. Music gives pleasure and fun while working. Let's be honest. Is it really good for your well-being to immerse yourself in music while working? Yes, the special energy of a concert can bring on higher concentration. You can reaffirm your connection with the workers and clients. Most people are so familiar with their work that the music does not come as a distraction. They like to have music on in the background while they work. When the music is on they get extremely tempted to stop what they are doing and listen to it, but most of the time they probably don't give up. You might ask yourself which music is best? Or can some be a distraction? The radio station can be a good place to start listening. You can put in a CD. If you think your favorite music fits the work environment, include it. Everybody has their choice of music type to listen to. Since the turn of the 20th century, many like popular, jazz, classical, folk, rock or soundtracks. Many people love to listen to the great classical composers such as Bach and Mozart. They find the dashing awakening of Mozart or Beetoven improves the speed and liveliness of thinking. A large number of people find that a contemporary jazz band fits their mood while working. Movie music had been good background music. Music that is light and smooth fit the mood. All the singers are very good but there are many who prefer instrumental music. Not that the words are annoying, but it brings a mellow tone of concentration. People like to hear melodies they recognize. Some hum along while listening to the tunes. Music that introduces new weight can raise your energy level. Don't deny yourself the music you need. You might be able to teach yourself to work more productively with background music, eventhough you've been use to a quiet atmosphere. Some people who have their own office get customized music programming especially for their business. The business might call for instrumental or classical background to ease the nerves and soothe uneasiness. However, the managers find the source to create music specifically for them and their customers. Everyday millions of people create muzak for their customers. Music moves our souls, pushes us onward. It is difficult to picture a workplace without music. People use music to get through boaring work everyday. Even the dullest jobs can be made enjoyable. Music can have astonishing effects on mood. A bad mood can turn into a more workable, happy, energizing, down to business mood. http://sondrafast.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/23ca9bfaaedfc6a274237c493d8304f4_49546e7e.writeback Thu, 25 Dec 2008 23:41:18 -0600 If you're like a lot of busy business people you probably love holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas then spend many days after the holiday off of work trying to get your body back in shape so you can go back to work again. Thanksgiving is a favorite traditional American Holiday where families and friends in every part of the United States eat dinner together. The baked Turkey is so delicious, but store some slices in the freezer for the week after you eat a little bit. Don't try to eat it all up. Have a thin slice of pie and just a little cranberry sauce. Too much heavy meat and food can make you sleepy. You are bound to get drowsy at some point and want more than eight hours of sleep that night. It is not easy to bounce back into the swing of things anymore. Why? It is because the food is just making you sleep for days, have indigestion, heart burn and you're so snug in your bed, dreaming about food that you say" I'm not getting up." Afterwards, you spend hours each day working out and exercising to trim back down. A cup of coffee will not energize you because your metabolism is just too low. Time and energy get away from you. Although fasting is healthy, it is impossible to do during Thanksgiving Holiday. While visiting and dining with friends, family and business associates, it is almost a necessity that you eat at each place. Fasting can cleanse and heal the body, but the Thanksgiving Holiday may not be the time to fast. You will be amazed how easy it will be to continue your active life and business if you can cut back on some foods and substitute others. A different diet can revitalize your holiday thus make you more geared toward working your business. If you cook at home make sure the majority of your meal includes recipes such as salads, curried vegetables, bean salad, soup, thinly sliced meat, fish, water, lightly buttered potatoes, and lightly sweetened yams. Not too much sauce or gravy has health benefits; substituting olive oil in place of high fat oils can be nutritious and delicious. Try a beverage with less sugar. How do you cut back on that pumpkin pie that's just loaded with cinnamon and butter? Well, it might be difficult to get a small slice. If you can stop yourself, leave off the whip cream. If your meal consists of mostly raw uncooked foods you will feel light. You will be pleased to be alive. Eliminating the oils and fats can convert you into a healthier human being. You can rise from the table with new goals and ambitions. There are unbelievable health benefits from eating this way-which will benefit the way you work your business as well. Coffee does not help much the next morning when you have that overeaten-Thanksgiving- Holiday- dinner-feeling. What's the answer? Get a bowl of fruit. Eat more vegetables (especially broccoli and leafy vegetables). If you're eating out, have one biscuit and don't have your plate overflowing with ham and sweet yams. If you feel stuffed early in the meal stop eating and ask to have your plate wrapped to go. You can eat slowly to delay getting full to fast. When dining out, use conversation as filler instead of continuously filling your plate. Grab some nuts off the snack table. Drink a cup of water instead of a sugary drink. Be your own nutrition trainer. Build a better body for your business. Whether you dine in or eat out, have a good time. Get energized and ready for work during Thanksgiving (Christmas also)! http://sondrafast.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/9513a10bf0b479f67dd8c33b615eee89_49546de8.writeback Thu, 25 Dec 2008 23:38:48 -0600 What does it take for you to become a millionaire? You could arrange first on making more than you spend. Producing more money than you need will get you going in the right direction. Set your goals on building wealth and financial freedom. You must decide now what a million dollars means to you. You might desire a million in cash, a million worth of real estate, a million dollar business or something else. After you decide what to work for, jot down what you need to get on that route. Bring in some cash using your skills and talents-enough that you can use some to promote yourself. Invest some of your fortune so far in some project that will make money. Blacknews.com states that comedians Raven Symone and Martin Lawrence have invested their time (and most likely money) in a new Disney film called College Road Trip. Maybe you won't take on such a big project to start but more exposure on television and the media will help you. Start by creating CD's, books, videos, tapes and other promotional material to introduce your trade or business. Show people your talent. There can never be too much exposure. Next move to other more influential promotions such as radio, television, live interviews. Get ready to shift your work electronically to consumers. You could enliven record labels, publishers and production studios to want to hear more. You make money on your work and reinvest a little more each time on different projects to produce more sales. Start a high-speed revolving network that can deliver your product to just about every home and business. Get other companies involved in your sales and let them share in your profits. Real estate investing could capture your interest and make you well on your way to a millionaire. Prwebdirect.com tells how Doug Crowe of the Springboard Group has been continuously investing for more than 19 years in real estate. Today he has a set of real estate Investors. Many millionaires in this country landed success by having the time and know how to invest in real estate. Meet with other millionaires. Blacknews.com recalls that many females that are Black Millionaires meet at that they call "Rich Black Girls hubs." Blacknews.com goes on to tell how the Black millionaire females bond with others-to exchange resources, devise strategies and build ip each other and the Black community. Furthermore, they exchange inside knowledge on how to spend billions of dollars residing in the black community. You want to circulate around vibrant people who also want to be millionaires. They say people become like the crowd they go around. Find out what hotels the rich stay at and get a room there. Hear what millionaires are talking about. When small groups meet and start making millionaire decisions and plans, be a part of the crowd. Flow with the traffic. You have the potential to become a millionaire. All of us have suffered through devastating times of instability. They were difficult times, even embarrassing. However,, we jump back to bigger incomes and huge fortunes. Expect to spend some time on your plan to stay ahead. Take time everyday to put your creative plan on paper. Check off each plan as you carry it through. Make your plan automatic, that is have it running 24 hours a day. You will make money while you sleep. Like you fill up the gas tank on your car, fill up your business plan with many money-making ideas and innovations. Start in your city then spread your efforts throughout the United States. If you want to sell yourself to others, get many customers (100's or 1000's of customers), not just one. Sell many items. Multiply your efforts. Sell a lot of different goods to massive amounts of traffic. Build a company or organization with many people. Learning how to reinvest your money to multiply your interest income can make you a millionaire. Whether you invest in stocks, bonds, real estate, more products to sell, other business ventures or reinvest in the main business it will suite the plan. If you sell Laptops, sell 100 a week. Plan to sell more each week. There are many self-made millionaires. You too can be one of them. http://sondrafast.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/6668f31f6905c1d7f13b8975f737abac_49546d6d.writeback Thu, 25 Dec 2008 23:36:45 -0600 Step into the future of business! This is a place where many Internet businesses and homebased businesses are run from - the owner's automobile. An amazing number of cars drive in and out of cities everyday. Many of those drivers are working their business at the same time. How do you operate a business on the road? Most of it will probably be done on the phone. For those of you in music, electronics or repair, you can travel with your equipment already at hand. This can also work well for singers, actors, architects, consultants, marketers, property developers, politicians, farmers, accountants, sales people, home based-businesses and many other occupations. Stock your trunk before you leave in the morning and distribute, consult, perform and sell while you're out. Get more business and then some while you're out in the field. People arrange many luncheons, brunches, breakfasts and dinners with clients while they are out on the road. Many singers listen to demos, MP3 downloads, talk on the phone, and write songs in their cars. With an Internet-ready laptop you can keep track of your Web sites, e-mails, customers, schedule appointments, update presentations, do budgets, and plan on your computer. Let's be real, of course. Sometimes you may need to stop and have a cup of coffee while you're doing your work, but you can accomplish a lot. Remember - if you need to drive while using the phone, use a hands-free device. It's not only safer, in many places, it's the law. Some other advantages to having a business on the road: • You get a deduction on your taxes for the business portion of using your car. It can be for many expenses like gas, oil, auto interest from loan, mileage, some repairs and replacements, parking, depreciation, licenses and registration and cost of leasing a vehicle if that is the situation. Taxation may vary depending on your business and where you live but the few deductions can help. • You can have more face-to-face visits with customers and person-to-person conversation. You might hand out more promotional material while stopping at different coffee shops, office supply stores, restaurants, boutiques, food centers and other places. A car can be an office on wheels. Make sure it's outfitted like one! http://sondrafast.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/b670d64cd52a32ae3e44e806bdca4dda_49546cff.writeback Thu, 25 Dec 2008 23:34:55 -0600 The New Year is a time just about everybody loves. Many people optimistically look to accomplish things in 2009 that they were unable to do in 2008. It is a time for America to celebrate a new beginning. It is a time for small businesses to set some realistic goals-what is called resolutions. Here are a few New Years Resolutions that you can add to your list for your business. Add to your champagne toast an opportunity for a bright new start. Get to know where your business stands now. A good check is to ask others how they see your business. What do they see as its strengths and weaknesses? Know your business plan and how you want to work it out. Applaud your good points and plan to improve on your weaknesses. Write some lists out. Setting goals for your business on paper helps you to see where you are going. Make time in your schedule. Ok, so you don't have enough time to do everything you want to do. It could be that you're one of the smart ones who has taken too much initiative or over planned. Making time will help you get it all done. Give up unnecessary duties. For the New Year, look at some of your chores that create boredom and consume time and give them to someone else to do. Get an assistant to help you on the internet. Achieve more spending time with more important duties. Seek out new opportunities. Where else can you go to introduce your business? How many more ways can you advertise? Who are the people who really need your services? You might discover new ways to serve your customers. Celebrate with others often. Look for things that are making you happy. Take a breath and laugh a little bit. Plan some dinner banquet or lunch appointments with others. Relax and think about where you're going in 2009. Stay away from negative people. Negative associates only drive your business down and deplete your energy. They can be very offensive and unbecoming. Don't add fuel to the fire like they say. If you believe it can be done (sensibly), you can do it. Find new things to learn. Study sources to see what other businesses in the same industry are doing. Read the business publications. Go to seminars, take class sessions and plan to get new skills in 2009. The more you study the more you know-thereafter acquiring better ways to help your business grow. Try something new. Jot down three things that you haven't done yet that could help your business diversify. Try one at a time. Look for paths to expand your business. Change can be good. Organize your financial information. Tell yourself you'll keep better records starting January 1, 2009. If you're using a computer, get the latest hardware and software. Move up with technology, and upgrade. Get the updates. Clear up your credit. While banks and lending companies scuffle with a crisis, be certain that your business and personal credit is clean as you can make it. Always pay each one of your bills on time. Look at your credit reports. Look over 2008 again. What would you do different? How would you change it? Which way are you headed in 2009? Have a Happy New year! http://sondrafast.zoomshare.com/2.shtml/8ae6a83f04a835ab0fbc363a7fe2cbd8_49546c67.writeback Thu, 25 Dec 2008 23:32:23 -0600 Money is the central part of your financial life and all people should be fully noticeable if they have their money in a checking account. All of your activities revolve around it. Checks rotate from people to businesses to families. The truth is that one must take the right step to use their financial expertise with a checking account. Businesses especially must do their very best to manage their checking account. Once you understand exactly what a checking account is you will know how to use one. A financial company (bank, investment or savings and loan) offers checking accounts to individuals and business people so that they can withdraw and deposit money at their leisure. The accounts are protected by a federal insurance company. These financial institutions offer personal or business accounts to pay expenses. People can also use ATM cards to make deposits or withdrawals to their account. They usually require a small deposit to get an account and show identification and address verification. Low income applicants, seniors and students might decide to get an account with no fees. More experienced people like to keep a high balance and enjoy the interest payments. An account holder orders checks with the necessary routing and account numbers. A check is then filled out when a bill is paid or a purchase made. Account holders can also deposit checks into their account. The amount is withdrawn (debited) from the check writers account and deposited (credited) to the recipients account. Checks state that an actual amount of money is in the account. Account holders must keep accurate financial records. If you make use of your computer it will help you keep up with the spending in your checking account. It can be a tool to tell you how your money is manipulated and when you can plan to make new purchases for your business. Some people have stopped using their checking ledger and can still track every check they have written. Most important it eliminates bounced checks. The computer does the addition and subtraction. All you're left to do is compare your bank statement with your records and look for the difference if it doesn't balance. Always remember to save your data and back it up to ensure efficiency and safety. Don't be left out if your computer has problems. After your transactions are entered, the computer should be accurate. Then the comparison between the checking account statement and your computer will be the same. Check numbers should be in order with no missing checks. When the day arrives to pay bills everything is the same. It is most excellent to balance your checking account and to use software to record transactions can help you avoid costly mistakes. Sometimes fees from bounce checks can go up as far as $35 from your bank, then $35 from the other person's bank. It doesn't hurt to keep financial notes on your computer or in a notebook. You can record when you talk to your checking account bank representatives and what you talked about. Set up one set of accounts for your business and another set of accounts for personal. A business checking and savings account can make it easy for you to keep records for your business income and expenses. How well you manage your checking account have an effect on your credit and your life. According to the Dottie Marketing group, they have what they call a marketing campaign all over the nation that helps people who have a bad name with a bank get a new personal checking account. People using this service may include minorities, students, parents and others. At www.dottiemarketingroup.com they have more information on the accounts they offer. It's one way to get back on your feet again if the Bank Credit Bureaus are stopping you from getting a checking account. In any case, keep track of bank statements, deposit slips, withdrawal slips and bank notes in your note book. Keep a good running balance in your account at all times (especially to cover your checks). It's a good idea to keep records for at least six years. With your success at organizing and managing your business you are sure to also have many deposits to your account.