One of the biggest difficulties most new businesses face is raising capital. Unless we’ve already got money, we’ll have to persuade other people or institutions to part with theirs. Some people automatically approach their families. Do thing carefully, though, before asking family members to trust you with their life savings. If the business fails, how will you tell them? Another possibility is to find a business. Sadly, angels are in short supply. You can use a credit card, of course, but after loan sharks this is the most expensive way of financing your borrowing. This leaves us with our bank manager who should be the top of our list if we want to negotiate a loan.