Q: I am a recent grad (6/97) and i am now looking to start my own Practice. I have a lot of student loans and had to file bankruptcy about 1 year ago. What i would like to know is if you know of any financing Options that you could suggest. I am trying to start up with as little as Possible and i am planning to have the office in my home howevere i still Need to finance the tables and x-ray unit at least. Please let me know If you have any suggestions about leases, loans, or grants A: Thanks for the e-mail. I wish I had some sage advice to give you. Going bankrupt forces your financing ability to be frozen for a number of years. There may be individual DC's or equipment companies ready to take a risk but you'll have to search. Call Hessco .. they have both used and new equipment and find finacing for you. There number is 1-800-466- 2307. I would ask them if they would finance you first and then decide what limited equipment you'll need. Remember .. a tree starts off as a seed and then grows from there. If you have your head on right and plan your growth with a positive attitude and most importantly do what must be done to boith survive and prosper .. you can make a living in this profession and live the life you deserve. Nothing come from nothing and often we place our foot on the gas pedal but leave the car's transmission in neutral. We put the energy out but get nowhere fast. I recommend you sit down and create a strategic plan week by week for four months on hoiw you paln tyo get new patients .. keep new patients .. promote from within and from without. If I were consulting you I would have you create the physical forms that you'll use to educate the patients and community and write your purpose statement and goals (reachable) and well as scripts in your words on what you'll say in consultation and report of findings. If you wish to do this homework assignment .. just e-mail it to me bit by bit and we'll fine tune it together. In the meantime .. visit my webpage .. and check out the practice tips and cyberconsulting .. there are many ideas for you. If you do not own my Smart Start Book you should .. get it at student prices from the Life University Bookstore or call my office and tell Heather to bill you for $35 rather than $59.95 .. 770-491-3639 .. all the info I mentioned above is there. Please keep in touch .. and for used equipment .. check my webpage under Previous postings and contact the DC's with equipment .. they may finance it for you Good Luck Have a Great Day Dr. M