BusinessWeek Online - It was the 31% interest rate that forced James and Heather Hills to rethink their approach to startup capital. The couple had tried to get a bank loan to launch their Elgin (Ill.) company, MHN Internet Marketing & Public Relations, in early 2006. But three loan officers told them that without equipment to use as collateral, they wouldn't get a loan. So the Hills team took out a $50,000 home equity line of credit and signed up for two personally guaranteed small business credit cards.

--- BusinessWeek Online ...