Running a business is hard work (but you know that already). Running a successful business is even harder, requiring years of developing and perfecting pertinent industry skills. Knowing your customers, creating a positive work environment, and mastering your own abilities are common practices for entrepreneurs. But what about the skills that take you from good to great and set you apart from your competition? Some things are better learned under the guidance of an experienced mentor—someone who has been there, done

Establishing and building credit for your business should be at the top of any small business owner’s to-do list (or at least as close to the top as possible—we know business owners have a lot on their plates). If you’re operating a new business, you might not have a business credit score, and you may rely on personal credit cards or assets to support your business. While this type of arrangement may work in the short-term for fledgling businesses, it can

Managing your business’s finances is one of the most challenging elements of operating a small business, especially if you don’t have a background in finance. What the heck is a balance sheet? What’s the difference between gross revenue and total revenue? When is the right time to expand? As a business owner, the best thing you can do is educate yourself. Having a functional knowledge of financial management makes it easier to conduct day-to-day operations and stay on top of your

No matter what industry you operate in, you can’t ignore the importance of online reviews, especially if you’re a small business. A whopping 86% of consumers now read reviews for local businesses, including 95% of people aged 18-34—91% of whom trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. So what does this mean for your small business? If you want your business to survive in the online age, you will need to create a strong online reputation. A reputation is different

You’re ready to grow your business—congratulations! Whether that means expanding your space, acquiring more inventory, or jumpstarting your marketing program, many growing businesses are stymied by limited cash flow or lack of access to working capital. That’s where banks and small business loans come in. Not so fast—getting the working capital you need from a traditional lender like a bank is harder than you might think. What does it take to get a small business loan? You’ll have to compile up

If it’s time to grow or expand your small business, your first step may be to acquire funding to help support your ambitions. With a little extra money lining your company coffers, you can do great things for your business—if it is used wisely. If you’ve already devised a step-by-step plan for how you’ll expand your small business into a nationwide empire, you’re off to a good start. Knowing exactly how you intend to use a working capital loan makes it

Hello! 2020 is a chance to set the bar high, so we’re setting our sights, and intentions, on making it the most successful year yet for our customers! We’re committed to helping you as your funding partner and becoming an indispensable resource in growing and managing your business. Why? Because we love small businesses and are genuinely passionate about helping people like you achieve their dreams. How? We’ll be bringing you tons of useful tools to help you grow your business and stand

Applying for funding is an experience many small business owners share, especially when they’re just starting out. Once you’ve repaid your initial start up financing and have settled into a comfortable rhythm, it can be difficult to take the plunge and apply for another loan. After all, why should you apply for funding if you’ve gotten your day-to-day operations down to a science? It’s not always obvious when it’s the right time to apply for funding, but there’s one telltale sign

Hello! We’re excited to bring you the second installment of our newsletter, Straight Talk. In this edition, we’ll teach you the importance of Business Funding + The Signs it’s Time to Apply, Why Business Credit is Key to Your Success, Trends to Keep in Mind for the new year, and more! We’re committed to bringing you rich content every month to help you grow your business and we hope you enjoy learning with us. Happy reading! Jordan Fein, CEO 8 Signs