Be wary if planning to run your business Q:I have been out of work for more than nine months and have little hope of securing a job in the near future. I have been thinking of starting a business of my own and would appreciate any insights you can offer.—Philip C., Midlothian Answer: Philip, you have not indicated what kind of business you wish to start, so I will try to offer some general advice for your consideration.

Out of the office? Use mobile technologies Q:I own and operate a small service business. It is necessary for me to travel and meet with clients on a regular basis. As a consequence, many necessary back-office functions are put on the back burner until I return. Any suggestions?—Timothy R., Sandston Answer: In business, time is money. Worse still, if you’re the only person who can make responsible decisions, business is at a standstill until you return.

With startups, plan financial strategy Q:I want to start an auto-repair business. I have some savings but will need a business line of credit to tide me over until I can generate enough revenue to pay the bills and provide a steady income for my family. What are my options?—Daniel M., Colonial Heights Answer: A number of startup-capital options are available to aspiring entrepreneurs. The key is planning.

Build customer loyalty with trustworthiness Q:We try very hard to cultivate and maintain customer loyalty. However, it seems that no matter how hard we try some customers seem to focus only on price. What does one need to do to get them to appreciate the value-added services we offer?—Jonathan S., Colonial Heights Answer: Your frustration is understandable, but no matter how hard you try, some people are price-conscious “bottom feeders.“

SBA has big plans to ease credit crunch Q:I have heard that the government is finally providing some funds to assist struggling small business owners. Can you provide any details?—Cynthia L., Hanover Answer: The government is determined to make a big dent in the small-business credit crunch, according to the Small Business Administration.

Sean Cantrell, owner of Marshall Mechanical LLC. on West Leigh Street in Richmond, heard a presentation about using Twitter, the online social networking site, as a business tool. Cantrell went home after listening to David Saunders of Madison+Main, a new media and advertising firm, and discussed what he heard with his wife. He decided to try it out. He created a free Twitter account and got started. He posted “tweets”—a message that is up to 140 characters-long—on his Twitter page: SeanHVAC.

The business counseling group SCORE will hold a workshop Friday for people who want to start a business or operate an existing one better. So often, people have a wonderful idea and they want to begin a business immediately without the proper planning, said Fred Eyerman, chairman of local SCORE chapter. “Everything should start with a great plan,“ he said.

Temporary workers can be short-term fix Q:We need additional staff for our insurance agency but, in this uncertain economy, are reluctant to hire full-time employees. We are thinking about using temps. What is your opinion?—Jonathan S., Colonial Heights Answer: If you have a need for extra help but aren’t sure the time has come to hire additional full-time employees, temporary or contract workers can provide the ideal short-term solution.

Here are some ways to keep good employees Q:As a small-business owner trying to grow our business, I can only afford to pay my help so much. How can I retain good people and not break the bank?—Jack N., Sandston Answer: Jack, the expression “good help is hard to find” has never been more accurate. Competition for talented workers is intense in most locations and specialties, and the “best of the best” know it.

Q:With all the billions of dollars being given to megabanks and insurance companies, is any help available for America’s small business?—Clyde L., Mechanicsville Answer: Help for small business is on the way. President Barack Obama recently announced a plan to inject $15 billion into the small-business loan market. The money will be used to buy securities backed by the Small Business Administration’s guaranteed-loan programs. This is an attempt to jump-start the secondary credit market.

Q:I am an owner of a successful small business and would like to take it to the next level. I know I need to hire a manager or good salesperson. But in this uncertain economic environment, I am reluctant to make such a move. What would you suggest?—Anthony F., Richmond Answer: Your dilemma is not uncommon for a small-business owner.

Bill Allen is interested in opening a wine bar and restaurant. Sidnee Dallas dreams of starting a health-food store in the inner city. Ruby Sabir is looking into land-development options but is struggling with financing. They were among the Richmond-area residents who attended a workshop yesterday to get advice on starting and expanding a business in a down economy. Hosted by the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce and SCORE, a nonprofit organization that provides business counseling, the workshop at a Days Inn hotel on Midlothian Turnpike drew about 40 people of many backgrounds and ages. Some were business owners looking for survival strategies; others were considering starting a business.

With the recession making for a tough job market, the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce is offering help for people looking for opportunities to start their own business. The chamber, working with nonprofit business counseling group SCORE, has scheduled a workshop tomorrow on starting and growing a business in a difficult economy. Business counselors will be at the workshop, which is free and open to anyone considering starting a business, a chamber official said. It will cover topics such as how to secure financing and manage money, legal and tax issues, writing business plans, and import and export trade.