INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Aside from knowing where business will come from, you also need to know how much and how fast the business can be expected to grow. Be able to articulate where, specifically, money will come from, as well as what operational expenses will be. For instance, initial and recurring costs must be recorded, as well as a loan repayment plan, and the level of profits that are expected each month or quarter. Forecast these figures for the first three years after opening. Decide on the prices your shop will charge for specific services. These can be used alongside your anticipated customer projections to determine revenue estimates. Establish a "break-even" point. This is the point at which the business will be generating revenue, as opposed to spending money as it gets up and running. It may take longer to "break even" than you initially realize. Simply stated, you need to know how much money you'll need to open the business and maintain operations until your shop starts generating revenue. If you intend to borrow money by way of a loan, it is especially important to determine a concrete dollar amount to ask for. Unfortunately, there's no ballpark number, since differences in location, equipment, and shop size can cause start-up costs for auto body repair shops to fluctuate considerably. This is partly why is so important to develop a solid business plan, as it is the best way to accurately estimate your start-up costs. Know that SBA-insured loans are one of the best sources of funding for a small business. This is another reason you should follow the SBA's guidelines when developing your business plan. Equipment expenses are commonly underestimated. While you may be able to save money buying used equipment, there is a greater chance of unforeseen costs associated with maintaining older equipment. A good rule of thumb: estimate your initial equipment and inventory expenses and increase the number by thirty percent. While this may seem like a huge amount of money, it's far better to wind up spending less than expected than it is to wind up needing to borrow more. For example, if you estimate needing $100,000 dollars' worth of equipment to open the shop, plan to secure funding for $130,000 dollars' worth of equipment. Make a detailed list of all the equipment you'll need and its cost. This should include everything: lifts, wheel balancers, hoists, paint guns, paint mask, and the decorations in the reception area. If you intend to lease some equipment, consider a SBA-backed loan, which may offer you a low interest loan with no down payment to pay for equipment. In simplest terms, plan to open an auto body shop in the best location you can afford. In particular, you want a location that is easily accessible from major roads. Ensure any location you're considering is zoned for commercial use. Taking out a slightly larger loan to help finance a business in a location where it is more likely to succeed may even allow for you to negotiate a lower interest rate. You have the option of franchising your business as opposed to opening and running your own business from the ground up. The main benefit of franchising is a considerable reduction in the likelihood that your business fails. This relative advantage is based on multiple factors, including name recognition, large scale marketing, and "tried-and-true" managerial and operational procedures. To find out about franchising options in your areas, contact the corporate offices for the auto body repair "chains" that are popular in your state. Be sure to contact them all, and be aware that they may be willing to meet or beat another franchise's offer. Seek the advice of an account and/or lawyer regarding any specific legal or financial questions you have. Of course, there are costs associated with franchising. The bottom line is that you'll make a smaller portion of what your shop pulls in, though this depends on your specific franchising agreement. On the other hand, you may also avoid costs that may be incurred if you open a business on your own and make errors that a franchising agreement may have prevented.

SUMMARY: Specify your expected revenue for the first few years. Determine the amount of funding you'll need. Over-estimate equipment and materials expenses. Be willing to invest in the best location you can find. Consider opening an auto body franchise location.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: in your basement or garage. Check for a metal box with a door; inside you'll see lots of glass fuses that screw into sockets. Typically, fuse boxes are located in basements, garages, laundry rooms, and attics. If you have trouble finding your fuse box, check the utility meter outside your home. Try to follow the wire that leads from the meter. Fuse boxes and circuit breakers are usually located near where power enters the house. Older homes have glass fuses that look like light bulbs. When fuses blow, they need to be replaced. Newer homes, on the other hand, have circuit breakers instead, which just need to be flipped and reset. Look for a large switch at the top of the panel and toggle it from "On" to "Off." In addition to shutting off the main power, unplug the appliances that turned off when the fuse blew. That way, they won't overload the replacement fuse when you turn on main power. If there's no main power switch, you should see a large block at the top of the panel. Pull it out and check for "On" and "Off labels. If it's labeled, reinsert it with the "Off" side facing up. If there's no label, set the block aside while you replace the blown fuse. See if there's a diagram or labels on the inside of the panel door. If you're lucky, you'll be able to look up the room where the power went out and track down the corresponding fuse. Twist that fuse counterclockwise, pull it out from the socket, and look inside the glass for black marks or a broken filament wire. If your fuse box is unlabeled, check each fuse individually for charred marks or broken filaments. Once you've found the one that blew, label it! If you label your fuses every time you replace one, you'll eventually have a full diagram of the box. Look for a number on the fuse, which indicates its amp rating. Write down the number or take the blown fuse with you to the hardware store to ensure you get an identical match. Then, plug the replacement fuse in and turn it clockwise to lock it in place. Fuse ratings vary by country, but common amperages include 15, 20, and 30. Once you've plugged in the fuse, double-check to make sure you disconnected all of your electrical devices from the broken circuit. When you're ready, flip the main fuse switch or reinsert the main block to restore power to your home. Then test the circuit by checking the lights or plugging in your electronic devices. If your electronics still don't work after replacing the fuse, shut down main power and make sure the fuse is tightly connected. If the fuse blows again soon after you replaced it, you may be using more electrical devices than the circuit can handle. Try using fewer devices or unplug non-essential appliances when they're not in use. If you still can't find the problem, call an experienced electrician. It could mean that your home's wiring is faulty.

SUMMARY: Look for the fuse box Turn off the power and unplug the appliances on the blown circuit. Check the fuses for charred glass or broken filaments. Swap the blown fuse out for one with the same power rating. Turn the power back on to test the new fuse.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: When you first wake up, you may have a creaky or cracking voice. This is caused by slow and uneven vibration of your true vocal cords. This buzz or hum that is found in your voice is what vocal fry is. Practicing the technique when you first wake up is easier if you've never done it before. Use the least amount of air as you can to vocalize the grumble. This cracking sound is what it should sound like when you are doing vocal fry. Isolate your vocal cords, and try to increase the sound of this grumble. You should feel your vocal cords vibrate in your throat. Adjusting the pitch of the fry will help you control it. Try slowing down the tempo of your fry and using less and more air to create it. Continue to practice until you have control over it and can adjust it whenever you want to.

SUMMARY:
Practice vocal fry when you first wake up. Open your mouth and grumble. Adjust the pitch of your fry.