Hi Dan,
I agree with Bob a basic business class can do nothing but help.
Regarding the grants, very difficult to get. The current administration is not "small business friendly"...unless you are hiring people. Veterans, the disabled and minorities will be looked at first. If you are a physically able white man...good luck.
The SBA (Small Business Administration) will provide loans. You will generally need a business plan (with your marketing plan included in that) and probably some collateral to put up. You will need probably a 750 FICO score for their best rate. They will ask for a Dunn and Bradstreet (D&B) report...you probably don't have one. However, D&B will be happy to provide you one for $500...or so I was told 18 months ago...by D&B). You can get a D-U-N-S number for fee...however to get any real info will cost you money.
If you go to a Bank for business loan...very difficult to get...again you will need your business plan, marketing plan and your financial's. Again a 750 + FICO and they will want your house or car as collateral. They will of course try to talk you into a re-fi or loan modification (which you can then take money out of the equity in your house). Then there is the HELOC...home equity line of credit.
The HELOC will run you between 4-5% interest (depending on your FICO and credit/debt ratio).
The way to do this for your business is....You first become a business entity (no not a sole-proprietorship)...more like a LLC (limited liability company). You do a contract between you and your business. You sell all of the equipment and materials you have bought to date to your company (fair market value). You company then pays you back the loan in monthly installments.
Note..this money is not taxable, nor do you pay Social Security or Medicare..Only the interest is taxable
As well if your company pays you rent this is taxable as regular income...but you do not pay SS or Medicare (you save 8-9%).
So if the Bank will give you a HELCO you can loan your company the money...and the company would pay your back. You of course charge the company enough interest to cover the interest for the HELOC.
You then write the interest for the HELOC off your personal taxes and the interest the Company had to pay (back to you) for the loan...and you write that off your company taxes.
I know that is sounds confusing...I will also tell you I know it works.
Long answer to a short question...attend the seminar. Remember if they are offering something that sounds too good to be true...look for the hook underneath that worm.
If you take nothing else away from this...find a good CPA and talk to them about your business....they will be worth every penny you pay them.