Like The Smell of Money? Get A Loan

Halle Berry is a genuine tinsel town success story: She's gone from humble origins to earning 8-figure salaries and winning an Oscar. Now she wants to capture the sweet smell of her success, so she can sell it to you.

The Monster’s Ball actress announced last week that she is developing her own scent with perfume giant, Coty. Steve Mormoris, senior vice president of global marketing at Coty commented, "Halle is an iconic actress and symbolizes beauty to many generations. [She] has always been a little more mysterious, not quite as open with her personal life as some other stars. Her fragrances will allow her to present another facet of her personality to her fans." Those fans will be able to get a whiff of that personality when her perfume reaches stores in spring 2009.

Whether it is a perfume line, a restaurant, or even a lemonade stand, starting a new business can be an exciting time and an expensive process. However, there are some ways for entrepreneurs to get their ideas off the ground without draining their wallets.

Before doing anything a budding entrepreneur should sit down with someone who does not have a vested interest in their company.  Many turn to groups like SCORE for help.  SCORE is a group of more than 10,500 retired business volunteers who provide business advice and can help organize a plan so that it is investor and lender friendly.  Ridgely Evers, the CEO and founder of NetBooks, says it is important to have a strong plan because, “Whatever you think it is going to take [financially], you are wrong.  Everything always takes longer and costs more than planned.”