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When it comes to dealing with issues such as debt management, loan qualification, and credit scores, everything is surprisingly interconnected. Most people's bad debt comes from misuse of their credit lines and loans. When credit scores drop, they discover that getting personal and business loans can be much more difficult. -

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.

A New Year means a fresh start for many, and what better way to kick things off than by opening your own business? Startup business loans are out there waiting for savvy entrepreneurs to snatch them up and put them to good use, but how exactly does one do that? These 5 tips should help you prepare to take on the world of business ownership by storm.

You may not realize it, but your website can damage your ability to get a loan. It would be crazy to imagine that if you have an existing business website when you apply for a loan your lender would not look at it. What do you want them to see? You want them to see a site that will draw and keep customers. After all, how can you pay back a small business loan if you do not have customers?

All businesses have strengths--and we hate to admit--weaknesses. So when it comes to running your operation, focus on the factor that best generates business. As an example, Helen Ling, owner of a gift shop called Enchantments that specializes in jewelry and other items hand-made by skilled artisans, uses the calendar to promote different gift items. In May, she features Mother's Day gift ideas, in June, the focus is on brides. Naturally, the holiday gift season looms large.

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.

Initiatives, such as product development, take some time to produce revenue, but there are other expenses that you can calculate right away, based on benchmarks in the industry and other financial projections.

Earnings and business credit scores of women-owned businesses soared in 2013, according to Biz2Credit.com, the leading online credit marketplace, which analyzed more than 10,000 applications from all across the U.S. on its platform during the past year.

Earnings and business credit scores of women-owned companies soared in 2013, according to Biz2Credit.com, the leading online credit marketplace, which analyzed more than 10,000 applications from all across the U.S. on its platform during the past year. Average earnings for women-owned businesses rose to $54,114 in 2013 from $35,135 in 2012 -- a whopping 54% jump in a year-to-year comparison. Further, the average credit score for women-owned companies rose to 610 in 2013, up from 592 in 2012.

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.

After going to school for the time and money it takes to become a veterinarian, most graduates are ready to get to work as soon as graduation is done. Whether you decide to jump straight into business for yourself or do some time in an established veterinarian's office first, when the time comes to branch out on your own you are going to need a lot of support. From finding loans for a veterinary practice to finding a location, there are going to be challenges. Where should you start?

Depending on what kind of business you have, you might not be able to turn to a bank for money. For those for whom a traditional bank is not a viable source of capital, a merchant cash advance can be the answer.

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.

The reasons for the big bank pullback, Arora says, are three-fold. First, big banks have more challenging underwriting standards and they may be waiting for 2013 tax returns from businesses. The harsh winter has also wrought havoc on business sales as customers stayed home and businesses themselves pulled in and perhaps sought fewer loans. Lastly, Arora says, banks haven't done a good job automating their loan processes, so it slows down their loan approvals

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.

A warm feeling has spread across the state of Florida for women business owners. In Biz2Credit.com 's second annual report of 10,000 small companies that applied for funding in 2013, on the average, the earnings of companies owned by women rose 54 percent.

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.