INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Finance companies tend to specialize in the types of loans they make as well as the customers they serve. The financial, marketing, and operational requirements vary from one specialty to another. Focusing on a single business model is critical to the successful creation and operation of a new company. Private finance companies range from the local mortgage broker who specializes in refinancing or making new loans to homeowners to the factoring companies (factors) that acquire or finance account receivables for small businesses. The decision to pursue a specific finance company specialty should be based upon your interest, your experiences, and the likelihood of success. Many finance companies are founded by former employees of existing companies. For example, former loan officers, underwriters, and broker associates create new mortgage brokerage firms specializing in a specific type of loan (commercial or residential) or working with a single lender. Consider the business specialty that attracted you initially. Why were you attracted to the business? Does the business require substantial start-up and operating capital? Is there an opportunity to create the same business in a new area? Will you be competing with other similar, existing businesses? A new finance company must be able to attract clients and produce a profit. As a consequence, it is important to research the expected market space where the business will compete. How big is the market? Who presently serves potential clients? Are prices stable? Is the market limited to a specific geographic area? How do existing companies attract and serve their customers? How do competitors differ in their approach to marketing and service features? Identify your target market, or the specific customers you intend to serve. Explain their needs and how you intend to meet them.}} Describe your area of specialization. For example, if your market research indicates a growing number of small start-up companies needing loans, describe how the financial products and services you offer are strong enough to gain a significant share of that market. Consider the companies already in the competitive space. Are they similar in size or dominated by a single company? Similar market shares may indicate a slow-growing market or the companies' inability to distinguish themselves from their competitors. What are the likely fixed costs to operate the business - office space, equipment, utilities, salaries, and wages? What business processes are necessary for day-to-day operations - marketing, loan officers, underwriters, clerks and accountants? Will potential clients visit a physical office, communicate online, or both? Will you need a financial partner such as a mortgage lender or a bank? Mortgage brokers act as intermediaries between borrowers and lenders, sometimes with discretion up to a dollar limit. Factors typically leverage their own capital by borrowing from larger financial institutions. How much capital is required to open the business? What is the expected revenue per client or transaction? What is break-even sales volume? Before risking your own and other people's capital, you need to ensure that profitability is possible and reasonable, if not likely.{{greenbox: Tip: Develop financial projections (pro formas) for the first three years of operation to understand how the business is likely to fare in the real world. The projections should include month to month Income Statements for the first year, and quarterly statements thereafter, as well as 'projected Balance Sheets and Cash Flow Statements.

SUMMARY: Select a finance company specialty. Confirm the business opportunity. Identify the business requirements. Crunch the numbers.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Most adults who follow a healthy, balanced diet that contains milk, dairy products, and fish should be able to meet their iodine requirements. But supplements containing iodine can help you meet your iodine needs if you do not or cannot consume iodine-rich foods. It's important to speak to your doctor before you take iodine supplements to ensure you are taking the correct amount and you are taking the iodine supplement that is right for your body. You should always talk to your doctor before taking supplements, especially if you have thyroid disease, are taking other medications, or if you have experienced iodine deficiency over a long period of time. Keep in mind that these supplements are dangerous for people with kidney disease, so talk to your doctor first. The capsules should not exceed the daily adult requirement of 150 mcg/day. Do not take seaweed or kelp supplements as sources of iodine. The amount of iodine in these supplements can vary and in some cases, provide excessive quantities of iodine. It can be difficult to meet the higher recommended iodine intake when you are pregnant or breastfeeding through just diet alone. But many multivitamin and mineral supplements contain iodine. Check the labels of these supplements to make sure they provide 140 - 150 mcg of iodine. The remainder of the required iodine intake can be met by your diet. If you consume high quantities of iodine-rich foods while pregnant, you may not need to take an iodine supplement. Check with your doctor about your iodine levels before you take any supplements.

SUMMARY: Talk to your doctor before you take iodine supplements. Look for 'potassium iodide' supplements. Take multivitamin and mineral supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Flies (which reproduce and lay maggot eggs) breed mainly in decaying meat and fish. Never allow excess meat and fish into your trash to decrease the chances of maggot infestation. Here are a couple solutions for attacking the source of the problem: Make meat stock using excess bones and meat. Dump the leftover bones into a pot of boiling water, add a few bay leaves and spices, and set to simmer for at least an hour. Save some of the meat/bones in a separate refrigerator (or freezer) until garbage day, and then dump it all at once. Your meat won't spoil as easily if it's refrigerated or frozen. If you have to throw excess meat and fish in the garbage, wrap them in paper towels before you toss them. If flies can't get at them, they'll have a difficult time laying eggs. Essential oils repel flies. Dilute 4 to 5 drops of any essential oil in a spray bottle filled with water and lightly spray affected areas. You can also spray a dry cloth with the diluted oil and use it to apply the mixture. Mix 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water into a bowl. Afterward, dab a cloth into it and scrub the inside and outside of the trash can. Wipe it down with a dry cloth when you're finished and let it dry in the sun or a dry room before putting a new bag in. Keep on top of emptying your trash cans whenever they are full and clean them at least once a week. Always insulate with garbage bags to avoid bits and scraps of food becoming lodged in your trash can. Add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil to your detergent when you choose to clean the trash. if you think the maggot infestation has affected it. Turn off the fuse that controls your garbage disposal and use pliers or tongs to remove any trapped pieces of food. Afterward, dilute 1 tablespoon (15mL) of liquid bleach into 1 gallon (3.8L) of water and pour it slowly into your disposal. Run your garbage disposal for a longer period of time when you use it. This will help ensure that all the food is properly disposed of. Avoid letting grease down your sink drain. Maggots really like moisture, so take it away from them. Make sure your trash bags aren't leaky and wipe away moisture that does make it to the bottom of the bin as soon as possible. Keep food preparation areas and other maggot-friendly regions dry as often as you can. Keep a few silica packets (which come with new shoes) at the bottom of your trash. Silica is a natural absorbent, so it draws away moisture effectively. Mothballs are chemically treated orbs that are filled with insecticides. If you place 1 or 2 mothballs in the proximity of affected areas, such as the bottom of your trash can, they can be effective at repelling and killing intruders. Moth balls and carcinogenic and toxic, so only use them if you've tried all of the other methods above. Never place them near food.

SUMMARY:
Avoid throwing meat and fish in the garbage. Coat the affected areas with essential oils like peppermint, bay leaf, and eucalyptus. Clean your trash can with vinegar and water once a week. Clean your garbage disposal Keep affected maggot regions as dry as possible. Place mothballs near affected regions as a last resort.