My first business was a "Burglar Alarm Co".
When I told friends and relatives I was GOING TO START a "Security Co" where I would be "LEASING" the systems with 1/3 down (as an "installation" fee) and taking the balance over 3 years on a Note....and "selling" the note to my Bank (less their fees)....my "friends and relatives" told me that if I "leased" my alarm systems (in Illinois) I'd have to pay the FULL AMOUNT the First Year...even though I would not receive the full amount for 3 yrs.
AU CONTRAIRE!
Because I did not have the money to have a CPA "look over" what I wanted to do....I simply, against ALL "advice" WENT OUT AND BUILT SECURITRONICS, CORP into the 3rd largest burglar and fire alarm co in the Chicago Area.
AND...when it came time to "sit down and find out what I was doing wrong" (AND...when I had MORE than enough to pay ANY accounting firm for advice) I happily discovered that, even though I received the FULL AMOUNT of the 3 year lease NOW...for me to spend...I only had to pay taxes on the amount RECEIVED that year!
Thus...at the end of my first few years in business I was HUNTING for places to get deductions because we had all this CASH from the bank and only had to declare what we received from each client (1/3 a year) because it was considered a LOAN!
Thus...by my "stumbling thru" like a "bull in a china shop"...and keeping my "eye on the prize"...I was able to discredit all my "advisors" and come out "smelling like a rose"!
Had I heeded their "advice" I would've probably never started the biz.
As it was I sold the thing some yrs later and "semi-retired" to Aspen, CO.
So...even in THIS day and age...I'll bet you could find a WHOLE NEW MARKET for your PC's..."Small Businesses" and LEASE them the equipment over 3 yrs.
Set up a "downpayment" which covers your cost and a monthly "Lease" (you'd have to have an attny draw up a lease or get a Lease Ag from a Copy Machine Co and modify it)
Then...shop the banks to see who would accept your "Lease"...advance you the proceeds for 3 yrs (less their fees)...and you walk away like a tall dog wondering how you're going to get "deductibles" the first few years because you have (example) $300,000 in CASH from banks who advanced you the funds of your 3 yr leases YET...because these Leases are considered (in the eyes of the accounting community AND the IRS)...LOANS and you only have to pay taxes on the amounts you ACTUALLY RECEIVED from your clients.
This is called...."LEASE DISCOUNT FINANCING"...and...I guarantee you....you WILL have detractors to this BUT...ANY accountant worth his salt will tell you what I just did.
So...always remember....for you folks "thinking" about starting a business....the hardest part about "starting" a business is....TAKING THE STEPS TO START IT!
Many people just sit around and "think" about it!
That saying holds true here..."JUST DO IT!"
Don Alm
Some of my Unique, Home-Based businesses
http://www.pjbux.com