At some point, almost every small business borrows money to either start, expand or otherwise manage its operations. When that time comes for you, it's smart to understand as much as possible about the loan papers -- or promissory notes -- you will need to sign....

If you’re thinking of starting a business, you need to take some time to consider your competition. Exactly what this means depends on the business itself. If it’s going to be a local brick-and-mortar store, for instance, you only really need to consider the close...