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Starting a Small Business/Expert Profile
Expertise
As an extremely successful business woman, business owner and author on business, I can answer questions about starting a collection agency, running a business, business debt, credit and debt as well as selling a business in the U.S.
Experience in the area
I have been in the credit & debt collection industry for over 21 years, I started my own collection agency and ran it successfully for 8 years before I sold it to write business books full time and to run my Credit & Collections Association full time.
Organizations
My 10 year old American Credit & Collections Association, Women Inspiring Women, and many other business related networking and assocations to help grow and educate myself and my business.
Publications
Wall Street Journal, Smart Money Magazine, Forbes.com, MSNBC, CNN, trade publications, local magazines and newspapers and much much more. I am a contributor to more than 13 business books, as well as being the author of 12 business books and a columnist for 9 publications.
Education/Credentials
I was named one of the Top 5 Women in Collections, one of the Top 50 Collection Professionals for 2007, I have won a Business Excellence Award from the NH Business Review, my books have won awards from Writer's Digest as well as winning first place in the 2007 New York Book Festival. I have been nominated for the Inc.com Entrepreneur of the year award for 2007, and have many other awards and credentials to my name.
Awards and Honors
Top 5 Women in Collections, one of the Top 50 Collection Professionals for 2007, Business Excellence Award, Inc.com Entrepreneur of the year award, and many more.
What do you like about this subject?
I am an entrepreneur and like to help others who want to work for themselves and be independent and successful.
What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?
I learn something new every day, it is amazing how much there is to know!
Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:
How tough it is to start a collection agency, there is more to know than people are aware.
Something controversial or provocative about this subject
Debt collection is still a predominately male dominated field.
Average Ratings
Recent Answers from Michelle Dunn
2009-10-15 Consulting Business:
If you have a partner that you are starting this business with, you may want to start it as a partnership. Talk to the other person and decide if that is how you would like to form your business. Look
2009-10-01 State Resale Number:
Kimberly, When you started your business and registered it with your state, they would have signed you this number. If you can't find your paperwork, just give them a call or go to their website and email
2009-07-02 Credit Score:
Kee, You would want to let them know since it will affect your business in the beginning. I would suggest that all three of you get copies of your credit reports from all three credit bureaus, you
2009-06-16 business name:
Edward. Some people use a portion of their name or last name, but a name that tells your customers what you can do for them is the best. Look in your phone book and see what companies that are similar
2009-06-10 please help me to chose:
MansoorKhalid, That would be your "tag line" to go along with your logo for brand recognition. For example, when I had my collection agency, the name was "M.A.D. Collection Agency" and my tag line
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