Tag Archives: small-business
Trends in Financing Your Business In 2010
Business trends change over the years and for people who run businesses, being aware of those changes is an important factor to survive the market. In the following paragraphs, we will take a look at the developments in financing a business for the year 2010.
Angel Investment
Angel investors can be individuals or groups in search for promising business ventures. Angel Investors started to become a favorite financing option in the late 90s and since that time, has went on to be one of the most highly regarded methods of business financing, especially with small enterprises.
Equipment lease financing
Equipment leasing has become the most recommended methods for business financing not just for small enterprises but for large and established companies as well. Through equipment leasing, a small working capital doesn’t need to be a major barrier in delivering those brilliant business ideas to reality. Business equipment lease is paid in installment so the business owner gets the chance to acquire all equipment needed for the operations without a great deal of upfront cost.
Supplier Credit
A number of wholesale vendors provide credit lines to their small business customers particularly if they can present an outstanding credit history. Be sure to check out prospective vendors who can provide you with your needed supplies and if you can be extended a credit line.
SBA Loan Programs
For business owners who are having trouble acquiring a business loan from banks or commercial lending companies, they can get support from the Small Business Administration (SBA). By being guaranteed by the SBA, it will be easier to get approved for small business financing. Nevertheless, remember that the SBA has its own requirements in approving small business loan applications. Check from the SBAs website for the prerequisites in applying for a small business loan.
Business Credit Cards
At present, a growing number of business owners are realizing the benefits of using small business credit cards. As opposed to using their personal credit cards for business expenses, entrepreneurs are making use of business credit cards to separate their personal and business finances. Business credit cards are also perfect tools in building business credit history. Over time, maintaining an impressive business credit rating will be a major advantage in the future development of a business and one of the simplest strategies to build credit is by using a credit card for business.
Bank Business Loans
Despite the emergence of fast loans, a lot of small business enterprisers still favor the traditional approach to business financing. The reason for this is that banking institutions generally provide a bigger amount of funding and when matched up against other types of loans, a bank loan is still more reliable. For business owners who are willing to use their homes as collateral, a secured small business loan gives them the opportunity to obtain the financial assistance they need for starting a business. Secured business loans are known to have lower interest rates and longer repayment period compared to unsecured business loans.
Business Startup Loan – Negotiations, Thieves, and a Pot of Gold
Small business startup loan, lets keep this simple. If you are trying to get a larger loan (one over $100,000), then you will probably need collateral. You probably already knew that. But what you may not know is that for some smaller loans, you may be able to get by with several other alternativeshome equity and unsecured loans. You may even be able to negotiate your accounts receivable as a form of collateral if none of the other options work. The government provides several programs to help you as well.
USE THE MONEY IN YOUR BACKYARD
If you have no collateral and your lenders require it, you may be able to convince them to use your home equity as collateral. This should be exciting news for all of you homeowners that are starting businesses with less than sterling personal credit. However, this tactic will not work if you have already borrowed significantly against your home equity.
TAKE THE THIEF APPROACH (LIKE BANKS DO)
You may not understand why you need collateral for smaller small business startup loan amounts when you are already paying interest for borrowing the money. This is a perfectly good question. And the answer is simple: for small amounts, they dont. So either find a lender that provides unsecured small business startup loans or convince traditional lenders to give you money without requiring collateral. If you are looking for $15,000 or less and your preferred lender will not do the deal without collateral, make like a thief and run (to the next lender.) Just dont do anything illegal on your way out.
TAKE THE MONEY FROM YOUR CUSTOMERS POCKETS
Instead of trying to use assets you dont have, try using the cash that customers already owe you. Some banks let businesses use accounts receivable as a form of collateral instead of real estate or other assets, so if your banks primary objection is your lack of collateral, negotiate to see if they will accept accounts receivable. This may reduce the amount a lender feels comfortable providing, but any number is better than zero when you are desperate.
CALL YOUR UNCLE SAM
If all else fails, ask lenders if they can distribute SBA funding. The 7(a) Guaranty program can help allay their doubts for larger small business startup loans, and the Microloan program can help for start up loans. You must qualify for these programs, so do some research about the SBA loans to make sure you are eligible. Be aware that even if you qualify and are approved for an SBA loan, banks can still choose not to loan money to you.
Some states have grant programs to foster business growth. Consult your local chamber of commerce for information about those or use the internet for additional information.
DONT GIVE UP
If you are completely out of options, keep a positive attitude. Learn from your mistakes and do everything in your power to correct them as soon as possible. If you do this, the small business startup loan check will appear in your bank someday. In the meantime, maybe one of your family or friends will decide your business is great and provide some funding. You never where a pot of gold may be hidden!