Key Points Entrepreneurs Should Know about Small Business Finance Transactions

There are entrepreneurs who start their businesses with the purpose of seeing their ideas come to fruition, to prove their worth and make a profit on the side.  Unfortunately a lot of them rush into making business loans without reading the fine print.  This may be because they were never into finance in the first place or that they find money matters a little too trivial compared to “the next big thing” they have up their sleeve or that they are just too eager to start the business, they will accept any deal being offered them. 

The truth of the matter is that there are a lot of small business owners who discover that they could have done things differently when it comes to their small business finance dealings.

Total Loanable Amount

The estimated budget for any business project should at least fall well within the value of the collateral and not substantially below it.  If the small business finance facility does not require collateral, then the loan amount should come close to what is needed and it is important not to go overboard either. 

Revolving Credit Line

Remember that you still pay interest on and excess cash from the loan. If you wish to have a revolving capital and would want to pay interest only for the loan amount actually being used get a credit line facility instead of a lump sum loan.

Penalties and Surcharges

Small Business Finance services have fixed interests, which are what you pay for the temporal use of other people’s money. But before signing and agreeing to anything, pay close attention to the penalty rates and surcharges.  Everyone thinks positive and hopeful at the threshold of a new venture, but the wise prepare for any eventuality.  Inquire about the extra charges in case you fail to meet an amortization deadline. Let the reality sink in first especially of the collateral is something you value.

Amortization and Interest

When aspiring entrepreneurs are presented the initial computation for the small business finance facility, they tend to look at the monthly amortization often ignore the total debt amount. It is usually presented by the small business finance provider after the loan is approved and the documents and promissory notes are prepared for signing. Remember that if the loan interest is at 2% per month, it is 24% a year and 96% in 4 years. That is almost double the amount of the loan amount. 

Alternatives

Small business finance sourcing do not have to come from traditional financing institutions.  Inquire about Merchant Cash Advances, Business Cash Advance and Unsecured Loans.  These alternative financing models may be better suited for your needs. 

How to Sell a Business – Steps To Make a Profit

Business owners sell for many reasons and somehow, these reasons correlate with the possible outcome of the business sale.  For the most part, reasons are personal such as retirement, health issues, partnership problems, relocation, being burned out and still others who just find that there is another more profitable or challenging venture.  Whatever the reason is most people who sell a business wishes to sell at a profit – the bigger the better, of course. 

Step 1.  Determine the value of your business.  Knowing how much the business is worth is a good starting point.  It will also give you an idea if you can sell a business as it is or if you can make changes to improve the value. You will need an accountant and a financial adviser.

Step 2. Prepare for the sale. Based on the valuation and advice, start cleaning house.  Do the necessary improvements from operations, structure, and financials. Prepare documents – bank statements, financial statements, client lists, supplier lists, inventory lists, lease documents etc.  It is a good idea to bank all sales to boost cash flow profile even if it means you pay higher taxes.  Higher verifiable profits add value to the business.

Step 3.  Put together long term business plan that includes a marketing plan.  When you sell a business, you need to present a profitable future for it.  It gives prospective buyers and their investors a positive perspective.  Remember that they do not value your business the way you do.  You may be proud of where it has been and its performance means a lot to you while buyers put weight on its potential profitable future.

Step 4.  Choose a business broker with a marketing plan.  Do check credentials and referrals, however, when interviewing for the right business broker it is important that the business broker is able to present his marketing strategies and timeline.  Ask how he will be able to ensure confidentiality and at the same time advertise the business to the right buyer. Inquire how long it usually takes him to sell a business.

Step 5. Choose your buyer well.  Your choice will depend on what your goal is. Is it profit or the assurance that your business will continue as you wish it to?

Step 6. Be prepared for the sale.  When you sell a business, be emotionally ready too. Work out the possible negotiation issues with your business broker, lawyer and financial advisor.  Aim for a smooth exchange of ownership. 

Small Business Finance – How It Can Work For You

Most small businesses start with some form of small business finance facility, often drawing collateral from the owner’s personal assets.  Because of this, most owners pay closer and more personal attention to their businesses. It is also for this reason that most small businesses are single proprietorships. However, access to small business finance facilities is much more difficult for a small business.  Conventional financing institutions such as banks find that small businesses have very low survival rates and are therefore high risk clients.  This is no cause for despair h however, because there are alternative ways to get the needed funds.  Business cash advances and small business loan without collateral are just two types of small business finance facilities that are easily accessible and features a lighter payment scheme.

                These newer funding facilities do not require business plans or extensive financial statements and near perfect credit scores but they do evaluate their applicants based on capacity to pay and the current market conditions.  It is up to you to determine how much you need and how much of your profits you are willing to part with. This is why a closer analysis of your cash flow is as important to you as it is to the financiers. Understand that you have to add another cost to your operations which is cost of money. 

                It is also crucial that prior to applying for and small business finance facility, you have already determined the loan amount that you will require.  It is a mistake to underestimate your funding needs.  It is better to give allowances than end up with an incomplete project, which could translate to loss of profits. 

                It is also not a good idea to overestimate the funds you need.  This could add unnecessary burden to your business and put a strain on your cash flow.  The higher the amount borrowed equals higher cost of money, a cost that does not generate income.

                Small businesses tend to renew their loan account after a complete loan cycle.  This is why it is important to review the business’ performance before the loan cycle ends.

                Small business finance is about helping small businesses overcome the challenges of daily operations, the hurdles of innovation, research and much needed marketing to boost sales and market presence.   Financing companies recognise these needs and have found ways to make access to funds easier and even easier to repay.  Growth for small businesses also means the growth of the institutions that finance them.