Author: Adam Aberback
When is it the right time to turn to a bank?
Last week, we covered an appearance that OnDeck CEO Noah Breslow made on MSNBC, discussing how business owners can prepare before they apply for a loan. This week, we detail another set of tips he offered to small business owners: when is the right time to turn to a bank for a small business loan.…
It’s Time to Refocus after Tax Season
Tax season is over (yay!), which means now is the time to put the focus back on your business. There are a number of different things to consider now that your paperwork is filed and your information is in process. Here are four: 1. Catch up on the books from the past few months Your…
5 Signs that you’re an East Coast Business Owner
Perhaps no set of business owners are as idiosyncratic as the ones on the East Coast. Comment below if these signs describe you. 1. You keep clothes for every season at your office year round Whether you’re in New England or farther down the coast, you’ve got to be ready for the weather to change…
Blood is thicker than Water: Do’s and Don’ts for Family Businesses
Family owned and operated businesses are a large part of America’s small business history. According to The Conway Center for Family Business, family-run businesses make up 80% of all businesses in North America1. That’s why it was no surprise that our article on Do’s and Don’ts for Husband and Wife Teams was one of our…
Thinking about applying for a direct loan? Read this first.
While applying for a direct loan is faster and requires less paperwork than applying for a traditional loan, it’s important to still be prepared. Noah Breslow, CEO of OnDeck, sat down with MSNBC to discuss a few best practices for small businesses looking to start the application process with a direct lender. 1. Presentation matters…
Crucial Guidance for Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Certifications
Our recent post on how to get certified as a minority-owned business was our single most viewed blog post ever. In response to the article, we received several requests for similar benefits for women-owned businesses, which we will explore today. Most government agencies, including city, state and national entities, as well as public companies, allocate…
Mixing Business with Pleasure: Do’s & Don’ts for Husband and Wife Teams
Who better to run a business with than your significant other? At OnDeck, we come across many successful entrepreneurs that are partners both in business and in life. However, mixing business with pleasure doesn’t come without complications. Listed below are some helpful do’s and dont’s for couples to keep their personal and professional relationships in…
Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know about Angel Investing
In recent years, the number of accredited angel investors has risen sharply, providing many new financing opportunities for business owners. What is an angel investment? An angel investment comes from a specific affluent individual and grants a large amount of funds to an existing business or a start-up. Traditionally, these investments are not treated as…
A Brief Guide to Intellectual Property
As a business owner, it’s important to understand intellectual property and how it impacts your company. Defined as “a work or invention that is the result of creativity, such as a manuscript or a design, to which one has rights and for which one may apply for a patent, copyright [or] trademark,” intellectual property might…
The 5 Cs of Small Business Lending
When applying for a loan, lenders will evaluate your overall risk based on five factors: The Five C’s of Lending. As a small business owner, it’s important to understand what they are and how they impact your lending profile. 1. Capital Lenders will always check to make sure that you have some capital to your…
Getting the Most Out of Yelp
If you’re a small business owner, chances are you use Yelp to monitor your company’s reputation and track customer feedback. After all, your Yelp rating is a key factor in maintaining your current customer base and attracting new business. Here are three easy ways to make sure you’re getting the most out of Yelp: 1.…
What is a Bank Term Loan?
Here at OnDeck, we’ve been sharing a variety of small business financing options, from business credit cards to receivables financing to business equipment leases, and more. This week, we’ll be talking about bank term loans. What is a bank term loan? Bank term loans are issued by a bank and have long-term repayment plans –…
Payroll 101: What Every Business Owner Needs to Know
The least interesting part of every small business owner’s day is balancing the finance books, filling out paperwork and going through the motions of fulfilling the payroll. Yet, it’s also one of the most important parts of running a business. Here is everything you need to know to keep your payroll in order week-by-week: How…
How To Get Certified As A Minority-Owned Business
Business owners know all about certifications. You need them to practice within your industry, to qualify for certain employment opportunities and more. However, some voluntary certifications fly under the radar, taking with them a wealth of opportunity. Case in point: the minority-owned business certification. What qualifies as a minority-owned business? For a business to be…
The 5 Best Compliments To Hear As A Small Business Owner
Small business owners live to see their businesses thrive. Fantastic earnings are one thing, but hearing the compliments of satisfied customers and collaborators brings validation to an entrepreneur; it’s rewarding to know that you’re doing something right – and doing it well. Here are five of the best compliments to hear as a business owner:…