12 Tips To Help You Get The Financing You Need To Start Your Small Business

Finding the appropriate small business loans you need is no easy process. Receiving money to start a business is difficult, and getting it at times can feel unattainable.

Fortunately, there are many options accessible in the market today for obtaining business capital from outside sources, through revenue streams, or through other channels that you can create yourself. Whatever amount you require to launch or expand your business, the following tips can help you secure small business funding.

Tips to get funds to start your small business

If you are planning to start a business, here are some tips to help you get funds.


1. Use your personal funds

Using your funds to launch or expand a firm puts you in an ideal financial situation. Using your funds prevents you from taking on more debt and maintaining your ownership stake in the company.

Additionally, there is no debt to be paid back and no interest to be accrued. Ensure you have the partner's permission before using any jointly held accounts.

Read How to Avoid Accruing Debt and Start Saving

2. Contact banks

Your chances of getting a loan from a bank are better if you have operated a firm for one or two years. Banks often demand a guarantee and collateral for business loans if you are a new entrepreneur. Banks receive loan guarantees from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to entice them to lend to small businesses. The SBA will reimburse the bank if you don't repay the loan. The business owner is, however, still liable for debt repayment in full. As your company expands, you should set up a line of credit with a bank as an established company to assist you in managing your cash flow.


3. Sales/Income

The best strategy to expand your business is to leverage customer sales money, especially if you have already run a firm or have clients lined up before opening your doors. You receive the same advantages from utilizing your own money without diminishing your savings. 

ALSO READ 10 Important Business Skills Every Professional Need

You won't have to repay a loan or pay interest, and you won't have to give up equity or take on more debt. Without a loan payback plan, your growth might be slower, but you'll be more at ease.


4. Approach angel investors

Angel investors are often wealthy people who want to put money into emerging companies. They resemble venture capital corporations, albeit they are mostly individuals. If you use angel investors, be aware that when the company buys outstanding stock within seven years, it will expect to receive a return in the form of stock or stock repurchase.

Entrepreneurs seeking angel investors should network with small business-focused attorneys or accountants; they may know of investors they can recommend.


5. Take out small business loans

These loans are available to companies with limited assets and low yearly revenue. To qualify for small business loans, your company must meet specific criteria. Small businesses are typically assessed based on variables, including the size, kind, and value of their assets, their sales and income, the number of people they employ, and the number of years they have been in business.

For small business loans, most financial institutions demand collateral and a guarantee. The SBA doesn't make loans, but it does provide guarantees to help small businesses get loans from commercial banks, finance companies, and government agencies if they meet specific requirements.


6. Vendor Finance

If you and a vendor have a solid working relationship, the vendor might be prepared to finance a portion of your company by extending their payment terms for a defined period. Vendors can be approached, and you can present them with your business plan and the orders you've previously gotten.

The vendor might be willing to give longer payment terms if they are confident that your company will succeed and become one of their best clients in the future.

A longer period of credit terms may also be swapped for establishing supplier exclusivity for a specified period. Your company may have to pay more for this agreement.


7. Peer-to-Peer Lending

Companies employ this type of lending because it is less expensive and simpler than obtaining a loan from a bank. It is also known as online lending or person-to-person lending.

These loans will appear on your credit report as personal debt, reducing your credit score. A peer-to-peer loan requires a high credit score, typically 640 or higher, and loans are typically capped at roughly $25,000.

READ Applying for Personal Loan: Basic Things You Need to Know

8. Look for federal grants

Companies that fulfill the SBA's size requirements for most of the economy's industries may be given small business loans and grants.


9. Watch out for state grants

Start by looking at the state where your company is located when seeking small business grants. To promote the expansion of small businesses in their regions, several states have organizations that can provide grants and other forms of business help.

Small Business Development Centers are present in most states (SBDC). The Small Firm Development Centers (SBDC) are a worldwide network of locations, usually located at colleges and universities, that offer training and consultation to small businesses on all facets of launching, financing, and managing a company.


10. Borrow from credit cards

Due to the high-interest rates and potential for credit damage, financial experts advise against using credit cards. Using a credit card can occasionally be more convenient than applying for a traditional loan. An instance would be using a credit card to address immediate cash flow issues while future revenue is assured.

Only use a credit card if you can pay it off monthly. You will spend much more on interest and late penalties if you cannot pay off the credit card each month. Additionally, you can be charged even greater interest rates if your payments are late.

There are several instances where entrepreneurs have failed to make credit card payments and, as a result, incurred debt. Many of them consolidate their credit cards for affordable monthly payments.


11. Borrow from friends and family

Although initially, it may seem like a good idea to borrow money from them, you should examine your options. The ultimate query is, "At what cost am I acquiring these funds?" It is not necessary to repay funds received as gifts.

But you must decide how the arrangement will function if the money is offered to buy interest or ownership. Will they be consulted before decisions are made? Or will they become partners? Whatever their function, you should use caution.

Make sure you have loan or investment documents prepared in each circumstance with precise ownership, investment, and repayment terms.


12. Obtain unsecured business loans

Unsecured business loans, often known as lines of credit, are loans made without requiring security. Due to the lack of collateral as a guarantee of repayment, these loans are riskier for the lenders. The loan amounts are less, and the interest rates are greater due to this risk.

Note: Please note that the last 3 tips are a little bit risky. So, you should use them only if there are no other options.


Final note

Finally, you can opt for crowdfunding, which is done by asking many people for money on websites made just for that purpose. They usually get a gift or the product you're making in exchange for their money.




Author Bio: Lyle Solomon has extensive legal experience, in-depth knowledge, and experience in consumer finance and writing. He has been a member of the California State Bar since 2003. He graduated from the University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, California, in 1998 and currently works for the Oak View Law Group in California as a principal attorney.