Hi.

There are a few local businesses in my area that I feel have the potential to grow. Are there any good books (or other resources) that deal with investing in small local businesses?

I'm not sure if my question deals with becoming either an angel investor or Venture Capitalist - I simply see opportunity here. But I want to educate myself before I invest. In general, I want to properly analyze the business, its market, come up with solutions to increase its potential, and (most importantly) structure a deal that allows me to capitalize on its growth. Any ideas on where to get started?

Thanks.
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Finding local investments
Obviously, the first step in making investments in local companies is finding the companies to invest in. One of the easier ways to do this is to consult the financial section of local newspapers and inquire at a local chamber of commerce or other community commercial center. Larger businesses and local banks tend to be more likely to offer local investment opportunities to the public, so if you're still having problems finding available local investments then you should make an inquiry to managers or owners of your preferred local banks and businesses.

Making local investments
Once you've found local banks or companies that offer investment opportunities, it's time for you to make your decisions as to which local investments to make. You can, of course, make investments in several different local companies, but as with all investments you should make sure that you consider the potential for growth that each particular company or bank shows and take the time to decide whether or not this is the right investment for you and your financial needs.