Introduction

Every businessman or entrepreneur needs capital to start their business. This capital formation is basic and important. There are several ways that businessmen can raise money for their business activities.


SOURCES OF FUNDING

Family sources
One of the common methods for raising money to start a sole proprietor is to approach a family member. Some of the family members that are approached are uncles, aunties, and spouses. The family system in Africa in general and Ghana, in particular, is very strong. Most of the proprietors use this source of funding as the first step and later add other sources.


Private money lenders
Another source of funding for the sole proprietor is to borrow money from money lenders. These money lenders abound in the various communities and are ready to lend money to anybody willing to accept the terms.


Facilities from banks
Another source of funding for the sole proprietor is to contract loans from commercial banks. With a good business proposal, it is possible to get a loan from the banks. Mostly, this is one of the best sources of funding for sole proprietors, especially, when the interest rate is good.


Hire purchase
Some sole proprietors just go to producers or distributors of goods and collect a quantity to go and sell. The payment for the goods or products is made after they have been sold. The profit from this activity when put together becomes their business capital. This system is called hire purchase and it is one of the sources of funding for sole proprietors.


Savings or profits from the business
After all the above methods are used and profits start to be generated, the sole proprietors now roll back all or some of the profits made into the business. One can, therefore, say that businessmen use savings or profits from their business enterprises as seed capital to start other businesses or inject them back into their business in the form of expansion. 


TRIAL QUESTION
1. a. Who is a sole proprietor? 
    b. Highlight five sources of capital for the sole proprietor.