5 Ways To Raise Capital For a Business

One of the major challenges before any entrepreneur is to raise capital for his business. This becomes more important for a new entrepreneur as he starts the business without any contacts or experience. No doubt, a business plan, office, workers, contacts and and many more things are involved with a business but raising capital is the primary challenge. There are a number of ways to raise capital for a business and this post covers detailed information regarding those methods.

Loans From Banks

One of the easiest methods to get the required capital for a business is to take loan from a bank. In order to get loans from banks, you will have to submit security worth the loan amount. Even after the easy availability of loans, most of the entrepreneurs avoid bank loans as a medium to raise capital for business. This is bank loans are associated with high interest rates and various other complications.

Venture Capitalists

Another method to obtain necessary funds for starting a business is from venture capitalists. Since venture capitalists are very strict with approval and sanctioning loans, you must have a solid business plan based on an innovative idea. If the venture capitalists are impressed with your plan, you can easily get the required capital. In return, you have to provide them some equity in the business. One of the merits of this method is that you also get the opportunity to benefit from the experience of venture capitalists. As a result, you can modify your plan on their recommendation which can improve the chances of your success.

Private Investors

There are a number of people who are looking to invest in fresh business ideas. Most of these people are business man that want to diversify their income sources and thus are ready to invest in projects of other people. All you need to do is to search few private investors in your locality and then explain you business plan and possible returns to them. If you are able to convince them, you can easily raise the required capital for your business. Again, you should do proper planning before fixing a meeting with private investors. You should be able to justify your budget and business plans. Also, explain the whole plan from the perspective of the investors also so that they feel interested in the project. Once you have made good relations with private investors and showed him your potential, you can expect monetary helps for future projects also.

Family

If you cannot afford to pay the interest rates of banks or individual investors, you can ask your family and friends for help. This is one of the most conventional ways of generating capital for a business. These people simply give you the money for the bond they share with you.

Friends

If you are taking monetary help from a friend, you should offer him some share from the profits. Again, your attitude also plays a vital role in convincing your family and friends for investing.

About the Author: Our friend Sara Muler at www.loansforpeoplewithverybadcredit.net provided this free guest post. Please check out her website when you get a chance.

Finding the Cash to Start a New Home Business

You may have an excellent business idea, but lack the funds to get the business off the ground. This can be frustrating and often results in many people giving up on their dreams. While it may be difficult to find funding, it’s not impossible. There are a number of funding sources for small businesses. Whether you opt for something traditional or something new, you can find the money you need. Here are just a few tips for finding the cash to start a new home business.

Social Lending

If you’re afraid to approach a bank about lending, why not approach your peers? Social lending is a great option for new businesses. With social lending, you put in a request for the amount of money you need and then other individuals will fund the loan with interest rates that vary from less than 7% up to 35%. You will need a good credit score in order to get the money you need (660+) and it may take a while to get the funds you need. However, this a great, non-traditional option that is on the rise.

Local Investors

Another non-traditional method is to find local investors. A trick for doing this is to explain your business and offer free services for a period of time in exchange for start-up money. For example, let’s say you want to start a beauty salon from your home. You could offer free haircuts for several years or even a lifetime.

Government Programs

Small business has become big business with the government. There are a number of grants, loans and other financial programs that have been created to help small businesses. Start with your city government then move on to the state level and then the federal level. Chances are you’ll find at least some money to get you started.

Banks

Last, but not least, banks are the most traditional option. However, you will need to have all your ducks in a row before applying. This means having a great credit score and creating a business plan. You should also practice what you’ll say so that you are able to present your business idea in a professional manner.

There are a number of funding sources when it comes to small businesses. However, knowing about several different sources can make it easier to get all the funding you need. Just remember to only borrow what you need and not get in over your head.

About the Author: Brandon Reauish loves working with small businesses as they work to get their projects off the ground. He works closely with a logo design company to ensure each business he works with has a clearly defined brand.

Instant Payday Loans Can Get You Out Of A Money Crunch

It is not unusual to be short on cash when an unexpected expense arises. In fact, there can be a number of reasons why you might not have the cash you need at certain times. Whatever the reason may be, what do you do if payday is a week away and you need cash now? Instant payday loans may present a solution to your problem.

payday loans

Sudden Need for Cash

If you have just paid all of your bills and your paycheck is now depleted, it can be quite a hassle to have a sudden need for cash when the money is not available. If you cannot wait until your next paycheck, you may find that by obtaining an instant payday loan, you can quickly get the cash you need and pay back your loan when your next paycheck arrives.

Many individuals who may need cash in a hurry are afraid that they will not be able to obtain the necessary funds due to bad credit. There are a number of lenders who do not require excellent credit in order to issue a payday loan. If you have bad credit or even no credit at all, you can still obtain a loan that will tide you over until you get paid again as no credit check will be necessary. It can bring such peace of mind knowing that your sudden need for funds can be handled even if you are dealing with credit issues.

Short Term Loans are Easy

Since the loan is for a short period of time and will be paid back when you next receive your paycheck, you can obtain the cash you need just by meeting a few criteria. You will be required to have a steady source of income, be at least 18 years of age or older, reside in the United States and have a checking account. With a payday loan, you can receive your cash almost instantly, which can help you out of a financial jam.

Instant payday loans can be obtained through a neighborhood lender or online. It only takes a few minutes to fill out an application. With instant approval, you will find yourself with cash in hand in no time at all. If you establish a good working relationship with your lender, you will have somewhere to turn when tough times come along and you need a sudden influx of cash.

Use it Only for Emergency

Depending on the lender, you may be able to obtain up to $1,500 for sudden expenses. Whether your emergency is a medical bill, a car repair or some other issue, you will have the funds you need to pay your bill and get on with your life. You will repay the loan, plus any applicable interest fees, when you receive your next paycheck. If there is a problem with paying back the loan at the designated time, you may request an extension from your lender.

Instant payday loans can be a way to get out from under a financial burden when you are faced with sudden unexpected expenses.

Insurance Coverage – Is Your Small Business Protected?

You know that you need insurance coverage for your home, car, and even your health, but did you know that your business needs protection, as well?

Many entrepreneurs find themselves starting a business by chance, stumbling into being an entrepreneur, and making it up as they go along. The thought that they might need to purchase a business insurance policy probably doesn’t cross their mind.

Even the smallest of companies should look at what type of insurance coverage they need. While many small businesses probably could get away with a basic business owners policy, many other companies need specialized coverage. Depending on what industry you are in, what your company does, and if you have employees, your business insurance needs may include specialized coverages not found in a basic policy.

Basic Protection

If you are in business, then you need business insurance, period. The simplest policy you can get will include basic liability insurance protection, and should also have coverage for business property. If your company owns a building, you will need a property policy that covers the structure, as well as all of your other business property including computers, office furniture, etc.

No matter the size of your company, you need liability insurance for small business coverage. After all, if you are in business dealing with the public, or other companies, your company will be liable for its actions, as well as the actions of its employees. Depending on your situation, there is other specialized liability coverage that may be applicable to your business.

Specialty Protection

Business liability insurance coverage comes in many different forms, depending on the needs of your company. Following are some examples of liability coverage you may need to consider:

  • Vehicle insurance – Any company operating vehicles in the normal course of business should have a commercial auto insurance policy. Also, if you use a personal vehicle for business use, you will need a commercial policy. Most personal auto policies don’t provide coverage for business use.
  • Workers compensation insurance – If you have employees, then you may need to purchase workers compensation coverage. Most states require you to purchase this coverage once you have a certain number of employees, such as 4 or more. Workers compensation is a no-fault coverage that protects employees that are injured on the job.
  • Other coverage – You may need to purchase other specialized coverage including product liability insurance, surety or fidelity bonds, and errors and omissions insurance coverage. Discuss your company’s specific needs with a licensed commercial insurance broker to see what insurance coverage is right for your business.

Correct Coverage Levels

Once you have determined what type of business insurance coverage you need, you want to determine what levels of coverage you require. Your insurance policy limits should reflect the amount of exposure your business has. It does your company no good having the right insurance policies if the coverage limits are set too low.

No matter what type of business you own, you will need one form, or another, of business insurance coverage. Unless you are in the insurance business yourself, you may be having a difficult time figuring out what coverages you should purchase. This is where seeking professional advice is a great idea. Talk to a business insurance broker about what insurance your company needs, and discuss with your accountant what your coverage limits should be.

It is cheaper in the long run to purchase the business insurance coverage that you need now, rather than waiting until it is too late and being found liable for amounts that have the potential to put your company out of business. If you don’t have business insurance coverage, then get it today!

About the Author: Marshall Davis started Talking Small Biz (TalkingSmallBiz.com) to provide a source for small business services and product reviews. His website features products and services that help the entrepreneur start, grow, and maintain a successful business.

Finding Money for Your New Business

If you are thinking about starting a new business, chances are you are looking for ways to finance your new venture; very few entrepreneurs have saved enough money to launch their businesses without outside funding. The number of choices available to entrepreneurs for business financing can be bewildering, but some of the most popular options are below:

Bank Loan

This is perhaps the most traditional route for entrepreneurs to obtain financing for their new businesses. Banks have a large source of funding available to them, even if they are less than eager to lend it out in this economic environment. However you will be hard-pressed to find a better interest rate on a business loan than from a bank. Of course, in order to get that prime interest rate, you will have to jump through a few hoops. Most banks have very strict lending standards, and they will want to see a detailed business plan that specifies your goals and profit projections. Although this is a time-consuming task, it is something you already should be doing.

Credit Cards

If you are unable to acquire a bank loan, it is always possible to finance your business with a credit card. The benefit of this approach is that it does not require approval, which greatly expedites the process. However you will pay for this speed with a very high interest rate on the borrowed money. This will put extra pressure on your business to become profitable quickly so that you can pay off the debt on your card. Generally speaking, credit cards should be considered just a short-term source of cash.

Family and Friends

Another way to finance your business may be to obtain money from family and friends through a personal loan or by selling shares of ownership in the business. Family and friends will tend to be far better partners than a bank, which may be quick to call in a loan if things go poorly at first. However tensions could easily arise if the new business eventually fails, which could lead to considerable tension within the family as everyone wonders where their money went. If you decide to go this route, it is very important that you clearly spell out the risks associated with a small business before asking for seed money.

Of course, there are many other options available to the budding entrepreneur, and you would be wise to investigate many of them. There is a lot of money available to finance new businesses, and if you have a good idea, there is a decent chance that you will be able to obtain some of that money for yourself.

Article provided by Touch Financial an online business finance service and solution company.