Full Answer Section

1. Maturity Stage: The business reaches a plateau, and sales growth slows down. The focus shifts towards maintaining market share and optimizing operations.
2. Decline Stage: As market conditions change or new competitors emerge, the business may experience a decline in sales and profits.
3. Death Stage: If a business fails to adapt to changing market conditions or address internal problems, it may eventually cease operations.

Five Sources of Capital for Starting a Business

1. Personal Savings: Using personal funds is a common way to finance a new business, especially for small businesses.
2. Debt Financing: This involves borrowing money from lenders, such as banks or credit unions. Loans can be secured or unsecured.
3. Equity Financing: Raising capital by selling ownership shares in the company to investors. This can be done through venture capital, angel investors, or initial public offerings (IPOs).
4. Crowdfunding: This involves raising funds from a large number of people, often through online platforms.
5. Government Grants and Loans: Government agencies may offer grants or loans to support small businesses, especially those in specific industries or regions.