Q: I recently graduated from college, and want to start my own restaurant. I wasn't able to save any money while in school. What are my options for start-up money, besides building up my own personal savings?
Bridget Ryan, Carbondale, Ill.
问：我最近大学毕业，想自己开一家餐厅。学生时代又没能攒下钱来。那么现在除了自己攒钱之外，还有别的什么途径可以获得启动资金呢？
──布里奇特·赖安(Bridget Ryan)，伊利诺斯州卡本戴尔市(Carbondale)

A: Your best option is a cash infusion from friends or family, or a contribution from a wealthy or 'angel' investor. Good thing you're used to homework, as you'll need to do some.
答：最好的途径就是从朋友或家人那里筹钱，或者寻求哪位有钱人士或“天使投资人”的投资。需要你做些功课，好在你对做功课已经是得心应手了。

Here's what I suggest: Craft a well-written business plan that clearly explains your innovative concept while also communicating your passion, abilities and work ethic. Define your target market, your competition, your marketing strategy and of course, your start-up costs. If you've never worked in a restaurant, now's a good time to get some experience.
我的建议如下：起草一份详尽的商业计划书，明确阐述你的创业构想以及你的激情、能力和工作理念。说明你的目标市场、竞争力、营销策略──当然还有你需要多少启动资金。如果你以前没有在餐厅的工作经验，那就趁现在赶紧去积累一些经验吧。

Once you can clearly explain your great idea, ask your parents, family friends, neighbors or other 'informal' investors for either an outright gift or a loan. If it's the latter, make sure the person putting up the money is fully aware that it could take you some time to repay. Use a service that provides documentation for peer-to-peer lending, such as Virgin Money USA in Waltham, Mass., a Virgin Group company, so that you can deduct interest payments and if your restaurant doesn't succeed your friendly lender can claim a capital loss.
在你理顺了你的大构想之后，向你的父母、亲戚朋友、邻居或其他“非正式”投资人寻求无偿的援助或是借款。如果是借款，一定要跟借钱的人说清楚，你得过些时间才能把钱还上。找一家可以提供点对点贷款服务的公司，比如维珍金融集团（Virgin Group）下属的位于马萨诸塞州沃尔瑟姆市（Waltham）的美国维珍金融公司（Virgin Money USA），这样你就可以少付利息，而且一旦你的餐馆没成功，那位好心的借款人也能申报资本损失。

You might also turn to any number of high-net-worth individuals such as doctors, lawyers, professional athletes, developers or successful entrepreneurs for backing. 'There is plenty of money available for good concepts,' says Howard Cannon, chief executive of Restaurant Consultants of America in Chelsea, Ala., a consulting firm that connects investors and aspiring restaurateurs. 'The concept doesn't have to be sexy or complicated; it just has to be good.' Angel investors typically like fast-food or casual-dining concepts that can be built into a chain; fine-dining establishments built around one chef's personality are usually deemed too risky, he says. Keep in mind, an angel who's willing to invest will likely want to exert considerable influence and demand an ownership stake.
你也可以去寻求某位高净值人士的支持──比如医生、律师、职业运动员、房地产开发商或成功企业家。阿拉巴马州切尔西市（Chelsea）全美餐饮顾问公司（Restaurant Consultants of America）首席执行官霍华德·坎农（Howard Cannon）说，“要投的钱是很多的，只要你有好的创意。不必非得多吸引人多复杂，只要是好创意就行。”他说，天使投资人一般都喜欢那些可以连锁经营的快餐店或是休闲餐厅；而那些对某位大厨有着严重依赖的精致美食餐厅风险就有些高。全美餐饮顾问公司是一家在投资者与有志于从事餐饮行业人士之间牵线搭桥的公司。切记，有投资意向的天使投资人通常都会希望自己对于经营管理能够施加足够的影响，并要求占有多数份额股本。

One other suggestion: find a business partner who can bring financial resources to your eatery. But pick a partner 'similar to the way you choose a husband,' advises Stacy Francis, a financial adviser in New York. 'Don't take the first person who comes along; make sure they're committed to the project; and make sure you like being around them.'
还有一个建议：找一位能够给餐厅带来财源的合伙人。纽约理财顾问斯泰西·弗朗西斯（Stacy Francis）说，找合伙人“要像找老公一样。不要谁先来就选谁；要确保对方能够全心投入这项事业、确定你自己喜欢跟对方打交道，然后再做决定。”

 


 

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