How can I grow and improve my small business?

[Net Advisor]

I have tried to help people both professionally (financially) and offered countless hours (1000's of answers) on Y!A during the 2nd biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression.

I also have given more to my church. I think giving back and helping 1000's of people; especially in time of need will put good kudos out there for ya.

I knew people would have many questions about financial matters over the last 2 years. I knew I could not reach out and help everyone in person, so I moved to address questions on Y!A.

I felt a little guilty for racking up huge gains for clients and making a few bucks for myself for correct calls for shorting the financial, mortgage, banking, brokerage, etc., industry since 2007.

"What's the most you've gained and lost on the Stock Market?"
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...654AAJItsa

I don't say this to impress anyone. Just got lucky maybe (and a couple decades of professional trading experience). Saw this like a neon light. I tried to pass on what I saw so that other people could profit or protect what they have from potential losses in the markets since 2007.

I wish I had known about Hedge Fund King Paulson who shorted the Sub-prime Index. I didn't even know there was a sub-prime index to short or I would have been all over that too.

"Trader Made Billions on (shorting) Subprime "
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB1...90423.html

No matter what one's experience is one can't know everything. We'll, maybe Paulson does.

How I saw it. Posted 2 years ago (2007):
"Why would easing interest rates by the Fed help housing? Why it's in trouble in the first place isn't it?"

Scroll down and see my answer:

I cited (2007):
"Companies currently in financial trouble in my opinion in this order:

1. Countrywide (CFC)
2. Merrill Lynch (MER)
3. Washington Mutual (WM)
4. Citigroup ©
5. Bear Stearns (BSC)

And all the mortgage insurers (PMI, MTG, MBI, ABK), and other mortgage companies holding alt-A and subprime and adjustable mortgages where borrows had debt-equity of 50/50 or worse, and have adjustable loans over the last 3 years."

I also posted around Nov 2007 (if I recall correctly) some 29 problem companies, and where I state that: (scroll down to read my post):

"...The market is going through a HISTORIC "shake out."
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...vQp08k6kaa

I also wrote a letter to the major banks in summer 2007 warning them what I thought was about to unfold. I even offered to help them. (Oh, in case anyone was wondering, no bank responded to the offer. So I told people to short their stocks.)

This letter incident and the lack of response reminded me of a scene in Oliver Stone's, Wall Street (1987):

"What the hell is Cromwell doin' givin' a lecture tour when he's losing 60 million a quarter? Guess he's giving lectures on how to lose money. ....if this guy owned a funeral parlor, no one would die!"
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Wall_Street
(full quote is 7 points down from link above)

A Classic Movie - based on a true story.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094291/

I saw this coming back in spring 2004 upon when the FED began raising interest rates.

Fed Funds Rate went up 425% (2004-2006). And no one else thought this was going to impact adjustable rate mortgages?

Posted 1 year ago:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...t#openions

So paying attention to what is going on in my business, knowing what can impact a business, and other people's business can give one a competitive advantage.

---- Also a VZ customer for over 10 years. I like the new TV phones. Just upgraded.

I listen to CNBC when I have to be away from the trading desk. VZ TV phone helps me keep close to what is going on in the markets.

Have refereed other customers to VZ.

The economy can be good or bad. There are ALWAYS opportunities to make money. Right now might be a good time to start a bank.

<05.11.2009>

edit:
Not sure about the thmbs dn. Is it b/c

(a) some people prefer not to hear the truth.
(b) some people don't want help on Y!A.
© some people are generally pi-ssy or
(d) some people just dislike any recognition toward corporate questions.