As the problems of producing the right software package begin to be solved, a new business is born. What happens next has become a daily occurrence in the Northwest. An earnest entrepreneur with a great idea starts a new business, often professing to be so busy that there isn't time to send out bills or to market for new customers. It quickly becomes apparent that money is needed to add staff, to market the product, to find a larger and more suitable place for the business. Business and occupation taxes have to be paid, even though there is no positive cash flow.
Licenses have to be paid for.
A thousand expenses never dreamed of before become an overwhelming nightmare. Failure to hastily answer to that question can spell the end of the fledgling company. Another problem for new entrepreneurs is understanding what questions to ask and how to evaluate the answers. For example, a family member may invest a limited amount of money and only expect to be repaid eventually and to share in the riches if there are any. But a venture capitalist may expect a web of strings attached to the deal, perhaps so many that the deal is not worth doing.