Getting a small business loan/finding investors

I have never done this before but I can guess you are going to need:
1. A good idea
2. Said idea has an untapped market
3. A business plan
4. ????
5. Profit

down payments/collateral
business plan
resume
references
anything else they ask for

Be sure and say "pimp" and "ballas" alot when talking to the bank. Sure fire way to get them behind your plan.

I am currently going through this process with the owner of the business I currently work for to start up another business where he will take me along with him, so I am very involve with this deal. This is how this is working.

The owner and I met with the Area President, Credit Analyst, and VP of commercial lending. We pitched the business plan, showed projections for year 1, and provided financials for his current business venture with more positive projections on bid jobs we have recently secured. We also had to show/explain losses on certain bid jobs of the current company. The package was submitted to the board and we should hear of the approval on Monday.
This owner has been dealing with this same bank / commercial banker for approx. 20 years so he has a proven track record of success, but he still has to come up with the initial working capital from personal funds, put a down payment on the loan, and maintain a certain $ amount in liquidity which coincides with the debt to equity ratio figured. The liquidity amount required will step down as the debt to equity ratio lowers closer to industry average.
The bank did offer a six month interest only period on the loan to assist the new company in stocking up its own working capital.

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Are you trying to become the world's next billionaire T-shirt chairman?

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Whoever you are, you are correct.

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free chicken wings to all of your best customers.

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1) You need a solid business plan.
2) It will help if you have potential (sold) business.
3) An investor is going to want a percentage of your company. The more they invest, the higher the percentage.
4) Bank lending and credit lines will be based on your personal credit and assets. You're going to have to personally guarantee any debts. If you don't have great credit and good assets you aren't going to get a loan.

Best of luck to you. I've been self-employed since 2000 and I can't imagine working for someone else again.

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C) How do I "pimp" the idea to investors/find the investors?

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If you're talking about soliciting investors from the public, then you do so with a seasoned business/tax attorney so you don't run afoul of SEC regulations (or tread at your own risk).