You’ve got a great idea for a business, but you need a little working capitol to get it off the ground. How do you go about getting it?

We address this question to start-ups, but it’s really a question that can be put to any small businesses looking for cash to expand, just get by, or whatever. A recent USA Today article looks at a number of different sources for small businesses funding, including angel investors:

For the new small business, angel investors could not be better named. Typically, angels are individuals who have made a lot of money in a particular industry and are looking to invest in new start-ups, often (but not always) in that industry. Deals with angels can take several different forms:

• They may ask for a piece of the company, some “equity.”
• They may just offer a loan, but probably at a considerable interest rate
• They may even want to be part of the business, either as an advisor or principle

Where do you find angels? Usually through networking. Speak with your accountant and lawyer, with real estate agents, bankers, customers, with people where you worship, and with sales reps and business associates. It is also possible to find angels online by doing a Google search.

Other sources include credit cards, venture capitol, friends/family, and banks. Read the whole thing here.