1.      Supporters – Why is it important for a small business venture to gain support from prospective financers and key customers? If you started a business venture, how would you describe your venture to gain support from prospective financers and key customers?

2.      IPO – What is involved in a public offering and why do companies decide to go public? If you owned a small business, what factors would you consider when deciding to make a public offering to raise capital?

3.      Inventory and AR – How might inventory and accounts receivables be leveraged for short-term financing? Suppose you own a water purification company that sells and installs reverse osmosis systems for homes and businesses. You have a large profitable job lined up two months away, but after buying all of the supplies, you do not have enough capital to sustain the business until that time. What would you do?

4.      Financial Partnerships – What types of financial partnerships are available for small businesses? What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a financial partner in a small business? If you were opening a small business selling and installing floor tile, why might a financial partnership be of interest to you? What potential problems, if any, might a financial partnership lead to in the future?