Savings is a good way to fund a business. You don't have to give away ownership/profits to investors.
Of course if you want to spread your risk around and not take on all the financial risk (whether you have the savings or not) then investors/partners are an option.
Partners = some level of involvement.
Investors = passive = no involvement (or minimal at least, depends on how much they invest/own)
I have an SBA loan (not for startup costs, but for saving us after the 2009 slowdown in my industry). It is a lot of red tape but it is a great loan program.
For any kind of a bank loan you will likely have to show your background in the niche you are getting into. That's where the question above comes in - what kind of retail business? Do you have the experience?
Small business is the heartbeat of America.
