As a small business owner, it is necessary to make financial projections to give an accurate sense of what the future looks like. Year-end financial projections for the year ahead are crucial towards making better decisions and keeping your small business in check. These financial projections should be based on your small business's accounting data, such as expenses and cash flow. Using this information can help you better guide your company in a goal-oriented manner during 2014. Read on for some types of financial projections that could aid your small business.
The small business world can at times be very unpredictable. The government shutdown last year, for example, certainly did not do America's small businesses any favors. While there is no way to predict the future with 100% accuracy, here is a guide of what 2014 might hold for small business entrepreneurs.
If you're looking to start a small business and you don't have a trust fund, wealthy friends, a mega-rich godfather or haven't won the lottery, chances are you'll more than likely need a small business or bank loan. This means tons of paperwork and personal time. It's a process that can take months to get a green or red light and even longer to pick up the cash.
Can I Get a Small Business Loan from the Government? This is the question on many an entrepreneurs' minds, and the answer is not so cut and dry. The short answer is no, there is no such thing as a government small business loan. However, there is gray area.
In the process of starting your own small business, the first stretch is always the busiest and most difficult. Working every day for 12 hours straight is not uncommon. Even though you may be enjoying it, you're probably wondering when the craziness will let up a little. Here are four tips to ensure that your hard work will come to fruition, and that your small business will keep growing - slowly but steadily!
New York-based small business loan marketplace Biz2Credit said it analyzed average revenue, age of business, average credit scores and other financial data to determine the rankings. It defined "small businesses" as companies having fewer than 250 employees or less than $10 million in annual revenues.
At a time when peer-to-peer mortgage lending in the U.S. is actually feeding loans to small banks, the situation appears to have flipped for small-business loans: alternative lenders are approving fewer loans, while big banks are approving more, according to monthly numbers from Biz2Credit. In September, large U.S.
Within the last few years, social media has become a powerful tool that small businesses are increasingly utilizing. Neglecting social media platforms can be a big mistake. It provides small companies with the ability to directly communicate with existing customers and attract new ones. So what are the best ways to use this tool?
Podcasting is an inexpensive way to effectively reach and build your small business's customer base. But maybe you've never recorded yourself before, and what would you even say? Should you go ahead and try anyway? Podcasting is cost-effective and simple. Read on for more tips to start podcasting for your small business today.
Many people are under the impression that marketing is difficult and expensive. However, some of the most effective marketing strategies can actually be quite affordable. There are many ways to spread the word about your small business.
Do you need to make changes to your products' prices, in order to adjust your small business's bottom line? Many entrepreneurs are hesitant to do this because they are afraid of alienating their current customers. The success of your pricing policy depends on how the policy is implemented. Part of this means timing the pricing change carefully, and predicting your competitors' reactions to the pricing change.
Before you even write up your loan application, carefully consider how much money you need. Set a limit for your expenses, and stick to it! Think about the money you absolutely must spend on bare essentials (i.e. real estate, basic equipment), and avoid paying for things you don't absolutely need for opening your small business. (Remember, you can always buy them later if your start-up is successful!)
Starting a blog can do wonders for your small business! You can use it to emphasize your company's mission, position yourself as a leader in your industry, and attract the attention of potential customers. Not only will your company get on more people's radar, but your company will also gain more customer loyalty. Here are a few things to keep in mind when starting a blog.
Whether you are starting a new company, buying more real estate for your established business, or acquiring new equipment, you will most likely need to apply for a small business loan to secure financing. The process of acquiring capital can be a lengthy one.
Biz2Credit.com has identified San Jose as the Best Small Business City in America, based on a weighted average that includes annual revenue, credit score, age of business (in months), cash flow, debt-to-income ratio, incorporation (C-Corp or LLC vs. sole proprietorship), and business owners' personal credit scores.
How it grew: With a website that makes it easy for small companies to apply quickly for commercial loans online, seven-year-old Biz2Credit has positioned itself for profit. Biz2Credit's ever-expanding group of lenders, including a number of small banks, is eager to make deals with small firms at a time when bank loans under $1 million have stagnated, according to a Federal Reserve Bank of New York survey. Last year, Biz2Credit facilitated $380 million in loans, up from $200 million in 2012.
During the "credit crunch" of 2009 - 2011 when the largest financial institutions closed the spigot on small business lending, approval rates sunk to single digit percentages at many big banks. During this dry period, credit unions and alternative lenders filled some of the void and small banks, in particular, were the most willing to lend.
People often ask me how to get a loan to start a business, or what type of documentation is needed to apply for a small business loan. Although every bank has its own requirements, many documents are mandatory across lenders. Before applying, here are the basic small business loan requirements to keep in mind.
Denver is the Best Small Business City in America for Women Entrepreneurs, based on a weighted average that includes annual revenue, credit score, age of business (in months), cash flow, debt-to-income ratio, incorporation (C-Corp or LLC vs. sole proprietorship), and business owners` personal credit scores, according to an analysis released today by Biz2Credit.com