Owning your own small business can be a very rewarding experience, but it can also be a stressful time. Even if you handle everything properly, there are still mistakes that can be made if you aren’t prepared for what comes next. Before you make any investments, or sign any contracts, there are a few things that you should know when it comes to common mistakes that business buyers tend to make. Any company that you purchase is never going to be a risk-free opportunity, but the more that you know about these common mistakes, the more well insulated you could be from financial disaster.

In the life of many business owners, there will be a moment when you realize that you could make some money if you decide to sell your business. How do you know when it’s the right time to sell? There are quite a few factors which could influence when that time is, and if you’re paying attention, you may see an opportunity that is too good to miss.

Georgia is known for its history, beautiful weather and Southern charm, but in recent years has also gained renown as a hotbed for new business development. Atlanta ranks at #7 in the nation for number of metropolitan area businesses, up from #8 last year. Further proof of this can be seen in a report on the large growth of women-owned businesses in the state. Georgia has an estimated 308,200 businesses owned by women, more than half of them located in Atlanta. These businesses alone contribute $44 billion in revenue for the state of Georgia, making them important contributors to the state’s economy.

The dream of financial independence is deeply ingrained in the DNA of  Americans. Day and night, across television, radio and the internet, advertisements tempt us with the promise of financial freedom: to be your own boss, to set your own hours and to reap all of the benefits of your efforts. Recent trends indicate that, in spite – or perhaps because of – a sluggish economy, there are now substantially more people pursuing this dream every day. It often said that the beginnings of Silicon Valley weren’t in the offices and computer labs of big businesses, but instead in the innovation of small technicians and thinkers working in their garages. And many would-be entrepreneurs are concluding that if you have the talent to run your own business, there’s no need to waste it working for someone else.