Articles
Looking for the Right Short-Term Small Business Loan?
There are a lot of options for small business owners looking for financing these days. And, more small business owners than ever are looking online—with online lenders providing an estimated $7.9 billion in small business loans last year. According to Morgan Stanley, that’s up 68 percent from 2014. Traditional financing at the local bank is…
5 Questions With…Modwalls’s Rebecca Lonergan
Our blog series “5 Questions With…” takes a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of our small business customers. Our next installment is below! Name: Rebecca Lonergan Company: Modwalls Location: Aptos, CA Products/Services: Online modern tile store Years in Business: 12 Years Facebook: Modwallstile Twitter: @Modwalls 1) Tell us about your business – what do you…
Can Small Restaurants Get Rid of Tips?
The idea of getting rid of tipping has reached a tipping point at some restaurants–most notably high-end dining rooms in big cities. But is the trend here to stay? And will it trickle down to smaller restaurants? In many states, waitstaff at restaurants depend on tips to round out their paychecks. Minimum hourly wages dip…
The Easiest Ways to Start Building a Strong Business Credit Profile
It can sometimes feel like a catch-22. Part of building a strong credit profile is responsibly using your business credit, but obtaining that business credit so you can responsibly use it is sometimes easier said than done—especially for young companies just getting started. As a result, it might be tempting to use your personal credit…
Does a Grant Make Sense for Your Business?
Access to capital is a big concern for many small business owners. Whether it’s to open a brand new company or to expand an established business, a grant can be a potential source for this much-needed funding. Nevertheless, there are differences between applying for a grant compared to applying for a loan; and in the…
5 Questions with…Force Fin’s Susanne Chess and Bob Evans
Our blog series “5 Questions With…” takes a behind-the-scenes look into the daily lives of our small business customers. Our next installment is below! Name: Susanne Chess and Bob Evans Company: Force Fin Location: Santa Barbara, CA Products/Services: Underwater equipment Years in Business: 31 Years Facebook: ForceFin Twitter: @ForceFin 1) Tell us about a day…
Planning a Successful Succession for Your Business
Sometimes in business, you may come to a point where the best option is to shut down. Making the decision to close the doors of your company is difficult, but at times, the hardest choice to make is the right one. This does not mean you’re in dire straits. Perhaps you know the right path…
Three Things that Nobody Told You About Paying Overseas Suppliers
There are many small businesses that do business overseas either importing merchandise to sell in their local markets or exporting products to other countries. When James Cole, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Align Commerce, reached out to me about making a contribution to the OnDeck blog I thought it might be helpful for those in…
Start the Year Off Right: Six Things You Should Do This January
This time of year it’s natural to think about resolutions and how we want to make progress within our business and personal lives. These six things aren’t resolutions, but they’re things we can do right now to start the year off right and prepare your business for a healthy and prosperous year. Review your business…
Your New Year’s Resolution Should Be To Plan Strategically
At the beginning of the new year, business owners are often as eager to make resolutions for their companies as for their personal lives. There’s no better time to turn over a new leaf, to embark on previously neglected projects, or to commit to a change you may have been considering than the start of the New…
Are You a Savvy Borrower?
A love of accounting is probably not the primary reason most entrepreneurs decide to start a business, but I think most of us would agree that at least a basic understanding of good accounting and bookkeeping practices are an important part of running a business. Likewise, mastering the ins and outs of financing is important…
Feeling Flush: How to Optimize Extra Cash
You work hard, you put in the hours, and now you’re seeing the effort pay off. When your profits leave you with extra cash in hand, what’s the best way to spend it? Setting up a proactive savings plan can make extra cash a normal thing for your business. However your coffers fill up, here…
What You Need to Know About Personal Guarantees
If you’ve ever applied for a small business loan, you might have been asked to provide a personal guarantee. A personal guarantee reduces a lender’s risk associated with a small business loan because it gives lenders the right to pursue your personal assets if your business defaults on its business loan. It’s important you understand…
How To Get Happy Customers To Write You Online Reviews
In the age of the Internet, reviews of your business are easier than ever for customers to write, and for potential customers to access. Before checking out a new store or the latest restaurant, potential customers frequently whip out Yelp or the company’s Facebook page. Positive reviews boost your visibility, give you a good reputation,…
Borrowing Through the Small Business Lifecycle
There’s no question there’s a difference in the financing options available to a startup, a growing company with two or three years under its belt, and an established business that has been around for ten or more years. Considering the small business lifecycle as we talk about small business financing will help point you in…