Tips For Raising Money at a Small Business
No matter what type of industry you are in, running a small business takes a lot of work. Hours might be long, margins may get pretty tight, and unexpected challenges are sure to come up along the way. As the owner of the business, the burden will be on you to steer the ship through any turbulent periods.
One particular and almost inevitable challenge for a small business is raising enough money. If your business is thriving, great! But downturns can come on quickly, and you may be forced to raise cash to keep the lights on and pay staff. Plus, the costs just of opening can be exorbitant, so raising money at the outset is almost always necessary.
Fortunately, there are a few ways to raise money. Whether you’re looking at SBA loans, a crowdfunding campaign, or another method, it’s good to consider your options. Read on to learn a little more about how to effectively raise money at your business.
SBA Loans
All entrepreneurs should be familiar with SBA loans. These are a class of loans that are backed by the government, and are geared toward entrepreneurs of all types. There are loans for buying property, disaster loans, lines of credit, and more.
Don’t know where to start? Contact your local bank or credit union to ask about SBA loans, and you may be able to find an option that works for you.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding can be another effective option for many small businesses. Crowdfunding, as the name suggests, involves raising cash from the “crowd” — typically either a large group of small-dollar donors or wealthy investors (like venture capitalists). Crowdfunding can be a way to get more people invested in your business and works particularly well if you have a sizable social profile. Of course, in some cases, it does require giving up an equity stake in your business, which can be difficult.
Asset-Based Loans
An asset-based loan is usually a quick secured loan, lent based on something valuable you put up as collateral. Maybe it’s expensive equipment that your company owns or a vehicle or piece of property. Whatever it is, asset-based loans can be pretty quick to secure and are often flexible about terms. Just be sure you’re in a position to repay, so you don’t have to forfeit the collateral.
While the challenges of small business ownership are real, the rewards are substantial. These tips can help ensure you have the funds to make it through difficult times.