any do not realize it. Any company can become public if they have the will to do so.

When most people talk about going public they think of an initial public offering (IPO). In an IPO, two things are done simultaneously: raising capital and going through the process of becoming publicly traded. Alternatively, the customized registration process separates these two actions to enable a company to go through the procedure of going public alone—filing with the SEC, preparing the listing application to the trading market, filing with the NASD and having a market maker as a sponsor.

The customized registration process is less expensive, and gives the business owner greater access to capital. With this method a private company becomes publicly traded at a lower cost, in a shorter time frame, and with less stock dilution than through an IPO. In essence, these methods separate the process of going public from the process of raising capital.

Ultimately, it is important to remember that you have the power

Welcome News for Small Businesses

Publicly traded companies typically receive clearly established benefits that include the ability to:

* raise capital quickly and more easily;

* use stock to acquire other businesses and assets (mergers and acquisitions);

* provide employee stock options, as an incentive and/or compensation;

* create wealth and liquidity for investors;

* obtain loans from financial institutions using their stock as collateral;

* gain prestige and respect;

* reduce the need for expensive venture capital and bank financing; and

* formalize estate planning.

In addition, companies that go public typically see higher valuations, meaning that the market value of a public company is, on average, substantially higher than the same private company. This increases the investors’ wealth, allowing one to use stock for acquisitions. It can also increase the company’s value if one in considering selling the business.

Some consider a public company the ultimate status symbol. For companies that may want to be public for the many advantages it has, such as the increased market value of the stock to acquire other companies, the ease of raising capital, the ability to attract key personnel and to provide an exit strategy for investors—the fact that any company that wants to go public can go public, is very empowering.

More significantly, the company gains prestige and respect, because a public company is more often perceived as stable and competitive. This perception can lead to expanded business relationships and added confidence for the consumer. Prestige can assist in recruiting key employees, marketing products and services, gaining additional exposure and enhancing the company’s overall reputation. Often, suppliers and consumers become shareholders as well as joint venture partners, which may encourage continued or increased business. Once public, lenders and suppliers may perceive the company as a safer credit risk, which can enhance opportunities for favorable financing terms.Clearly, small companies receive many of the same benefits as large public companies, including increased company value, the ability to use stock for mergers and acquisitions, and liquidity for investors.

Raising Capital

Typically, in this scenario,a public company will sell stock to private investors through a private placement at a substantial discount to the price it is trading at on the open market. In this scenario the company is able to raise capital more easily because investors know they can call any broker worldwide or go on the Internet and buy a company’s stock. When a public company makes stock available to private investors at a substantial discount to the market (typically 20-50 percent, usually with the stipulation they do not sell the stock for 12 months), investors are compelled to buy. The large price incentive and the fact that the stock price can be monitored daily and sold through any online brokerage firm gives investors incentive and confidence to invest in even the smallest public company.

A Needed Strategy

Many small corporations have been routinely overlooked and denied by investment bankers. But there are options for these underrepresented size firms. For example, a customized registration process, which is gaining a great deal of popularity among small corporations as well as minority- and woman-owned firms, is an easier method of going public that does not require an underwriter or an investment bank. Since most underwritten initial public offerings through an investment bank require a long and stable earnings history and significant assets, smaller enterprises may prefer this customized registration process because the only requirement is the desire to go public.

The customized registration process is ideal for small businesses run by entrepreneurs and corporate executives with great vision.Going public using this method enables executives and business owners to take matters into their own hands and control their own destiny, and many do not realize it. Any company can become public if they have the will to do so.

When most people talk about going public they think of an initial public offering (IPO). In an IPO, two things are done simultaneously: raising capital and going through the process of becoming publicly traded. Alternatively, the customized registration process separates these two actions to enable a company to go through the procedure of going public alone—filing with the SEC, preparing the listing application to the trading market, filing with the NASD and having a market maker as a sponsor.

The customized registration process is less expensive, and gives the business owner greater access to capital. With this method a private company becomes publicly traded at a lower cost, in a shorter time frame, and with less stock dilution than through an IPO. In essence, these methods separate the process of going public from the process of raising capital.

Ultimately, it is important to remember that you have the power

y the ultimate status symbol. For companies that may want to be public for the many advantages it has, such as the increased market value of the stock to acquire other companies, the ease of raising capital, the ability to attract key personnel and to provide an exit strategy for investors—the fact that any company that wants to go public can go public, is very empowering.

More significantly, the company gains prestige and respect, because a public company is more often perceived as stable and competitive. This perception can lead to expanded business relationships and added confidence for the consumer. Prestige can assist in recruiting key employees, marketing products and services, gaining additional exposure and enhancing the company’s overall reputation. Often, suppliers and consumers become shareholders as well as joint venture partners, which may encourage continued or increased business. Once public, lenders and suppliers may perceive the company as a safer credit risk, which can enhance opportunities for favorable financing terms.Clearly, small companies receive many of the same benefits as large public companies, including increased company value, the ability to use stock for mergers and acquisitions, and liquidity for investors.

Raising Capital

Typically, in this scenario,a public company will sell stock to private investors through a private placement at a substantial discount to the price it is trading at on the open market. In this scenario the company is able to raise capital more easily because investors know they can call any broker worldwide or go on the Internet and buy a company’s stock. When a public company makes stock available to private investors at a substantial discount to the market (typically 20-50 percent, usually with the stipulation they do not sell the stock for 12 months), investors are compelled to buy. The large price incentive and the fact that the stock price can be monitored daily and sold through any online brokerage firm gives investors incentive and confidence to invest in even the smallest public company.

A Needed Strategy

Many small corporations have been routinely overlooked and denied by investment bankers. But there are options for these underrepresented size firms. For example, a customized registration process, which is gaining a great deal of popularity among small corporations as well as minority- and woman-owned firms, is an easier method of going public that does not require an underwriter or an investment bank. Since most underwritten initial public offerings through an investment bank require a long and stable earnings history and significant assets, smaller enterprises may prefer this customized registration process because the only requirement is the desire to go public.

The customized registration process is ideal for small businesses run by entrepreneurs and corporate executives with great vision.Going public using this method enables executives and business owners to take matters into their own hands and control their own destiny, and many do not realize it. Any company can become public if they have the will to do so.

When most people talk about going public they think of an initial public offering (IPO). In an IPO, two things are done simultaneously: raising capital and going through the process of becoming publicly traded. Alternatively, the customized registration process separates these two actions to enable a company to go through the procedure of going public alone—filing with the SEC, preparing the listing application to the trading market, filing with the NASD and having a market maker as a sponsor.

The customized registration process is less expensive, and gives the business owner greater access to capital. With this method a private company becomes publicly traded at a lower cost, in a shorter time frame, and with less stock dilution than through an IPO. In essence, these methods separate the process of going public from the process of raising capital.

Ultimately, it is important to remember that you have the power

for favorable financing terms.Clearly, small companies receive many of the same benefits as large public companies, including increased company value, the ability to use stock for mergers and acquisitions, and liquidity for investors.

Raising Capital

Typically, in this scenario,a public company will sell stock to private investors through a private placement at a substantial discount to the price it is trading at on the open market. In this scenario the company is able to raise capital more easily because investors know they can call any broker worldwide or go on the Internet and buy a company’s stock. When a public company makes stock available to private investors at a substantial discount to the market (typically 20-50 percent, usually with the stipulation they do not sell the stock for 12 months), investors are compelled to buy. The large price incentive and the fact that the stock price can be monitored daily and sold through any online brokerage firm gives investors incentive and confidence to invest in even the smallest public company.

A Needed Strategy

Many small corporations have been routinely overlooked and denied by investment bankers. But there are options for these underrepresented size firms. For example, a customized registration process, which is gaining a great deal of popularity among small corporations as well as minority- and woman-owned firms, is an easier method of going public that does not require an underwriter or an investment bank. Since most underwritten initial public offerings through an investment bank require a long and stable earnings history and significant assets, smaller enterprises may prefer this customized registration process because the only requirement is the desire to go public.

The customized registration process is ideal for small businesses run by entrepreneurs and corporate executives with great vision.Going public using this method enables executives and business owners to take matters into their own hands and control their own destiny, and many do not realize it. Any company can become public if they have the will to do so.

When most people talk about going public they think of an initial public offering (IPO). In an IPO, two things are done simultaneously: raising capital and going through the process of becoming publicly traded. Alternatively, the customized registration process separates these two actions to enable a company to go through the procedure of going public alone—filing with the SEC, preparing the listing application to the trading market, filing with the NASD and having a market maker as a sponsor.

The customized registration process is less expensive, and gives the business owner greater access to capital. With this method a private company becomes publicly traded at a lower cost, in a shorter time frame, and with less stock dilution than through an IPO. In essence, these methods separate the process of going public from the process of raising capital.

Ultimately, it is important to remember that you have the power

nvest in even the smallest public company.

A Needed Strategy

Many small corporations have been routinely overlooked and denied by investment bankers. But there are options for these underrepresented size firms. For example, a customized registration process, which is gaining a great deal of popularity among small corporations as well as minority- and woman-owned firms, is an easier method of going public that does not require an underwriter or an investment bank. Since most underwritten initial public offerings through an investment bank require a long and stable earnings history and significant assets, smaller enterprises may prefer this customized registration process because the only requirement is the desire to go public.

The customized registration process is ideal for small businesses run by entrepreneurs and corporate executives with great vision.Going public using this method enables executives and business owners to take matters into their own hands and control their own destiny, and many do not realize it. Any company can become public if they have the will to do so.

When most people talk about going public they think of an initial public offering (IPO). In an IPO, two things are done simultaneously: raising capital and going through the process of becoming publicly traded. Alternatively, the customized registration process separates these two actions to enable a company to go through the procedure of going public alone—filing with the SEC, preparing the listing application to the trading market, filing with the NASD and having a market maker as a sponsor.

The customized registration process is less expensive, and gives the business owner greater access to capital. With this method a private company becomes publicly traded at a lower cost, in a shorter time frame, and with less stock dilution than through an IPO. In essence, these methods separate the process of going public from the process of raising capital.

Ultimately, it is important to remember that you have the power

any do not realize it. Any company can become public if they have the will to do so.

When most people talk about going public they think of an initial public offering (IPO). In an IPO, two things are done simultaneously: raising capital and going through the process of becoming publicly traded. Alternatively, the customized registration process separates these two actions to enable a company to go through the procedure of going public alone—filing with the SEC, preparing the listing application to the trading market, filing with the NASD and having a market maker as a sponsor.

The customized registration process is less expensive, and gives the business owner greater access to capital. With this method a private company becomes publicly traded at a lower cost, in a shorter time frame, and with less stock dilution than through an IPO. In essence, these methods separate the process of going public from the process of raising capital.

Ultimately, it is important to remember that you have the power to decide to be a public company. Before concluding that your company is too small to go public, consider all of the benefits. The increased prestige of a stock symbol and a benchmark trading price makes it easier to raise capital and gives a company instant credibility. The benefits can enable a company to grow to the next level, regardless of the company’s size or ownership concerns. Explore your options and reconsider them—you might just be able to go public.