How Do Business Loans Really Work: The Fundamentals Business loans are well known for feeling overwhelming. They can be confusing. They often lack clarity. And most of all, they can feel impossible to secure. In reality, business loans are similar to personal loans.  The process is much the same. You first apply to the borrower, generally a bank. You request a set amount, go over the details, and wait to find out whether the firm will lend you the money. If they agree, you will then have some requirements or interest rates involved. This is where the confusion comes in. […]

A new year. The perfect time to assess where your business sits today, what went well last year, what didn’t go as planned, and how you can do better going forward. If you’re currently looking at the objectives for 2022, you are likely looking at your business finances as well. Any moves, big or small, typically involve working capital. For example, are you looking at buying new equipment to take your business to the next level and take on multiple or larger orders? If so, you’re likely going to need some financing for such a large purchase. As you look […]

Alternative funding can be the safety net for a business in a tight spot, but it can also be the worst bane of your existence–and the beginning of a debt cycle. A Merchant Cash Advance is common among phony alternative lenders looking to rip off needy small business owners.  Unlike traditional loans, these products feature painless applications and instant funding (in as soon as 24 hours). It’s no wonder most entrepreneurs rush to accept these offers even before reading the fine print. What’s a Merchant Cash Advance? A merchant cash advance is a short-term loan that allows businesses to access […]

It’s safe to say the past two years have been a continuous cycle of trying to adapt and overcome, especially for small business owners. New restrictions were rolled out in rapid succession, consumers shifted their purchasing habits and employees’ workplace arrangements changed. People got used to this “new normal” as smoothly as they could to keep moving forward. Unfortunately, many businesses were negatively impacted by the pandemic. The biggest challenge of all was their lack of preparedness. Most companies were simply not in the strong position necessary to handle overnight change and are still struggling with the effects.  Moving forward […]

Running a successful business involves an interesting combination of risk, sacrifice and discipline. From time to time, it requires investment to see improvements. At other points, it means giving up something in the pursuit of something bigger. Above all, it demands discipline to achieve your ultimate goals.  Of course, one of the biggest risks for a business – whether a startup or an established company, is debt. Choosing to take on debt to secure much needed capital can be a smart decision, as long as you have a plan and capability to pay it back in a timely manner. However, […]

At one point or another, every entrepreneur and established business owner faces the issue of funding. There is a long list of reasons why a company may need additional capital, from rapid growth and expansion needs to unexpected costs and new trends. The big question is, should they turn to a personal loan, or should they reach out to a business lender?  Some business owners shy away from traditional and alternative business loans because of the perceived risk, debt and interest involved. In reality, there are many advantages in using the right lending option for start-ups, small businesses, and large […]

The current situation for small businesses amid the COVID-19 economic shutdown can be described as messy at best. Small business owners are scrambling to manage these unprecedented times and preserve their livelihoods. According to a nationally representative survey conducted by WalletHub, 87 percent of small business owners say they are struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic. The first round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds ($349 billion) intended to help small businesses was gone in less than two weeks, claimed by around 1.6 million small business owners. While that sounds like an impressive amount, that number only accounts for […]

If you need additional working capital that can help you start your business and keep it running, expect to find more than one option. Since merchant loans and a merchant cash advance (MCA) come with several differences, this article will tell you about them in detail. As a result, you’ll figure out which option can best fill the gaps in your cash flow or serve for other purposes. Merchant Loans & Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) When shopping around, you’ll find a variety of loans available to business owners, including short and long-term loans, secured and unsecured loans, and lines of […]

Are you looking outside your company for additional working capital? Any business may need financing to improve cash-flow problems or for other purposes at some point in time. This article will help you draw a parallel between 2 popular types of business financing, a merchant cash advance and a loan. Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) First of all, remember that an MCA isn’t a loan. A merchant cash advance was originally called to serve as a lump sum payment that business owners could obtain in exchange for a set percentage of their future credit/debit card sales. One of the top advantages […]

The rise of alternative lenders has made it so much easier for small business owners like you to obtain the necessary working capital. This article is about merchant funding, specifically, a merchant cash advance (MCA) and where you can get it without challenges. Merchant Funding: Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) What’s the concept behind an MCA? It’s simple. The provider advances you funds that you’ll need to pay back over time based on your business sales. Importantly, an MCA isn’t a loan: it’s just a sale. Namely, you get an opportunity to effectively pre-sell your future debit/credit card sales at a […]