Posts Tagged ‘loan’

Grants For Small Business – Are They For Real?

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

You may have been intrigued by the allure of obtaining small business grant money from the federal government to start or expand your operation. As wonderful as it might sound to obtain a government grant that you don’t have to pay back, such grants don’t really exist. You didn’t think small business financing was that easy, did you?

While the federal government does not provide grants for starting or growing small businesses, it does provide a myriad of services to assist entrepreneurs in pursuit of their dreams. One of the mechanisms in place to promote small business growth and economic development is the CDFI Fund managed by the US Department of the Treasury. In the current fiscal year the federal government is allocating more than $12 Million to support CDFIs.

CDFIs fall into three categories:

Community Development Loan Funds

Community Development Credit Unions

Community Development Banks – Including Thrifts and Holding Companies

Community Development Venture Capital Funds

The genesis of the CDFI Fund was the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994. The reason for the fund’s existence is to foster economic revitalization and community development.

All participants in the CDFI program go through a certification process conducted by the Treasury Department. The certification enables CDFIs access to a variety of programs offered by the Fund. These programs provide financial and technical assistance to CDFIs through the CDFI Program, the Native American CDFI Assistance Program, the New Markets Tax Credit Program and the Bank Enterprise Award Program.

Small business owners should pay particular attention to the offerings provided by the CD Banks, CD Loan Funds and CD Venture Capital Funds.

CD Banks offer a wide variety of financial and consulting services to individuals and businesses living and operating in underserved or economically disadvantaged areas.

CD Loan Funds are set to to offer development and financing services to businesses, organizations and individuals in low-income rural and urban areas. They serve a variety of organization types including microenterprises, small businesses, and housing and community services organizations.

CD Venture Capital Funds are an excellent source of equity or near-equity financing for small businesses in underserved neighborhoods. Many of these funds provide business consulting services in conjunction with financial services.

While Community Development Banks are for-profit institutions with significant neighborhood representation on their boards of directors, Community Development Loan Funds are usually nonprofit entities. Community Development Venture Capital Funds can either be for profit or not-for-profit institutions.

CDFIs provide services around the nation to underserved and low-income populations. There are also a subset to these entities that focus on areas of extreme economic distress, including the Mississippi Delta, the Gulf Opportunity Zone, Native Communities, Colonias, and Appalachia.

If your small business operates in a area of that is underserved, has a significant low-income population or in an area of extreme economic distress, you should investigate how a CDFI can assist you in growing your business.

Michael Saunders has an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He edits a site on Government Grants for Small Business and another on Ideas to Start Your Own Business.

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New business loans: helping an entrepreneur wear the hat of a financer

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

Okay, so you are high on the clouds! You have a great business idea and you just want to get on with that. You have a business name, you have the intellectual force, management plan, you have everything. Well, almost everything. You don’t have the required funds. There is this major hurdle – raising funds. New business loans can channelize your business initiative in the right direction.

New business loans are a huge responsibility. A proper new business loans is fundamental to starting a business and ensuring its expansion. Raising money for new business will not be possible without proper information and preparation. The most common source of new business loans funding comes under banks and credit unions. There is no need to believe that new business loans are harder to procure.

Prepare written proposal especially if you are looking for new business loans. Approval of business loans considerably depend on how well a proposal is written by you. You would not find new business loans if you falter in your presentation. Every lender will be looking for repayment when he is making a decision about extending new business loans. A written proposal will contain general information and details about financial status.

Business name, name of proprietors, with their social security numbers will constitute the general information. Details about the new business loan, the amount required, its purpose and usage will be imperative. Also, mention the nature of new business you are trying to venture in. Provide some information about your education, experience, skills and achievements. Your personal financial statements and of partners will be required. Don’t forget to give details about the collateral you are offering.

New business loans proposal will be practically incomplete without business projections. Business projections will include details about how positive cash flow will be achieved. Give information in the profit and loss figures explaining income and expense. Provide concrete examples, easily identifiable from industry standards. Write in a way that can be described with industry standards and which is easily understandable.

New business loans can be either long term or short term depending on your financial demands. Short term loans will have a loan term up to one year. On the other hand, long term loans have loan term ranging from 1-7 years. This term can extend to 25 years in case you are applying for equipment and real estate new business loans. Entrepreneurs can get start up business loans ranging from £15,000-£250,000. Some lenders may be willing to offer more as new business loans. However, you should be able to prove that you will be able to repay it.

An important consideration of new business loans lenders is credit ratings. Credit history and credit score is the single most significant criteria that helps the lender to decide whether to provide the borrower with the loan or not. Many people are practically unaware of their credit score or whether they have a credit score or not. Three major credit scoring agencies – Experian, Trans Union, Equifax – will enable you to find your credit score. Check your credit report carefully and see if there are any mistakes or changes. They can be easily corrected if you happen to inform the credit reporting agency. Credit score above 620 is considered good credit. Anything below will start having problems finding credit on their terms. Below 540 is considered bad credit. New business loans are available for bad credit borrowers. But, only few borrowers are willing to work with them and will come with the drawback of higher interest rates.

When starting new business, dedication and passion are not enough. You will find that finances are something without which your skills and efforts will not be suitably translated. New business loans can provide you with the finance that you want and get you the success that you deserve.

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Helping The Newcomers – New Business Loans

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

No matter in whichever context we talk about the saying that ‘the first step is the hardest” holds true. The same is the case with the business. It does not matter how much experience a person or a body of persons have, it always requires some assistance when we venture into the unknown regions.

Business has tested out the most experienced and the shrewdest ones, so one can imagine that this is not one of the easiest things in life. However one thing that can make it relatively easier is the help from the others. The thing that is most appreciated is the financial aspect of any new step and that is where to help all the new businessmen we have the new business loans.

As the name would indicate the new business loans are available to people who want to start a new business. The new business can be started by a totally new businessman or a businessman who wants to start a new business along with a business which has already been in running.

Since the new businesses are never easy to start off with in addition there is no guarantee of the immediate success, new business loans are available to people with all the support that is required to make them comfortable. The support terms on the part of the creditors includes an option of choosing between a secured new business loan and an unsecured loan. The borrowers can also negotiate better deals which may include things like, the interest rates to be paid, the loan period and other trivial details related to the loan. With these the loan becomes easier to pay off then it usually is. New business loans are available to not only people with good credit but also people with bad credit as well. Considering the tough circumstances the people have to go through business loans offer the chance to start a new career for them. Not only that, new business loans offers them a chance to improve on their credit score as well.

Applying for the new business loans requires the same criterion as it would be for any other loan. And once that is fulfilled all you need to do is apply to the creditor that matches your requirement. The whole process can either be done online or in person depending on the circumstances then and there. After all the formalities have taken place, the loan decision would be made in a few days time.

A new business is test of many traits of an entrepreneur and the new business loans help in aiding the borrower to compete in the market on equal terms.

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New Business Loans: Give Shape to Your Dreams

Monday, August 9th, 2010

When it is about starting a new business, many things come up. You will have to buy things like machines, office accessories and will have to put some money too on the setting up and registration of your office. For such new business ventures you can go for loans particularly designed for that purpose only and one such loan is new business loan.

You can trust on the New Business Loans for any kind of help during the setting up of your office and business. For any kind of business plan, either it is a small or big one; you will get lenders ready to help you in every required expense. You will have to place your new business plan when applying for new business loans. Things that you need to mention in your plan include the type of the business, the place that you have chosen for your business venture, the total estimate and manpower etc.

New business loans are available as both the secured and unsecured forms. For availing cheap rates, longer repayment term and lower interest rate; secured new business loans are the best options. For getting this loan you just have to place collateral. With a repayment period of 5 to 30 years you can get an amount of £50,000 to £300,000.

However, for availing loan without collateral you can go for the unsecured new business loans. The amount offered in the unsecured loans is £25,000 to £250,000 and that is for a period of 3 to 15 years mostly.

Moreover, new business loans are open for the bad credit holders too, obviously with slight surge in interest rates. So you, in spite of having records like CCJ’s, arrears or late payments of installments; can freely go for the bad credit new business loans.

Online facilities are nowadays taking a good shape with various facilities to offer the borrowers. You will get to go through numerous lenders with whom you can match your needs and demands and thus go for a proper new business loan.

So, with aids from new business loans, now it’s really easy to dream ahead with lofty aspirations of doing business at an unmatched ease. New business loans are quite supportive in providing you every help for starting a new business.

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Overview of Business Cash Advance and Small Business Loan Options For Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs

Friday, June 18th, 2010

By Daljeet S. Sidhu

Getting the right business funding is critical for business owners to establish, renovate or expand their business. One can have an array of choices for raising the capital necessary for running and growing a business. However not all loans are suitable for every business owner. The key then is to evaluate your business situation and then approach suitable lenders. If they are satisfied with your capability to pay back the loan, they would be willing to lend with a set of terms and conditions that should be acceptable to you as well.

However, you must pay attention to detail, as there are few options at your disposal when it comes to getting a loan. The foremost step is to take stock of your current financial position and ask yourself few important questions before approaching a lender.

1. You need to be sure about the amount you want for your business. Having a business plan with the financial model will be helpful in estimating the amount. If you are a business start-up then it is prudent to list all expenses you think you would incur in the initial months of your business operation.

2. Once you know the amount you actually need for your business, outline your spending plan for the lenders. Typical small business will use the money to hire employees, advertise, buy equipment, buy real estate, or to pay off an outstanding debt.

3. You also need to lay out a repayment plan. Your financial statements and cash flow projections will come in handy to prove that yours is a profitable business and you would be able to pay back the loan in a timely fashion.

4. There is a possibility that you will be denied the loan. What would you do then? You will have to accept rejection gracefully so that you come across as a determined personality and not be easily discouraged.

There are many avenues to get a loan. Some of them are as follows:

Small business loans: This remains the most common way to get funding for your business. You can get such a loan from various sources, such as, credit unions, banks, small business associations or even from an angel investor. To get a small business loan you will have to furnish the business plan, your credit history and other relevant information.

Business or Merchant cash advance: This loan is sanctioned based on potential credit card sales and is perfect for the small and midsized business who find it difficult to get a loan approved from leasing companies or banks. The requirement for this loan is a credit card processing agreement with the funding merchant.

Unsecured business loans: Financial institutions offer such loans without securing the borrowers asset and are provided in many packages such as credit card debt, personal loans, credit facilities, overdraft facilities, lines of credit and corporate bonds. Interest rates on such loans can be in double digits if your credit score is less than perfect.

About the Author: Daljeet S. Sidhu is Co-founder at TradeSeam. Read our business cash advance advice. Compare quick business loans quotes. Sellers JOIN for sales leads.

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Free Liquor Store Business Plan

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Free Liquor Store business Plan for Loans

Obtaining Business Financing

 

When obtaining a business loan for a liquor store business, it is imperative that you have a properly structured business plan that will assist you in showcasing how you intend to operate your Liquor Store, how the business will operate, how you intend to market the business, the anticipated financial results of your company, and how you intend to repay your debt obligations. This sample loan business plan will provide you with the framework that you need in order to acquire a business loan for starting or expanding this type of business.

 

Executive Summary

 

Introduction

 

When obtaining a business loan for a Liquor Store, it is imperative that your business plan has a clear and concise executive summary that provides an outline of what are seeking to accomplish, how much capital you are seeking to raise, the management biography of the business owner, and an overview of the anticipated profit and loss statements of the business. Here is an example of how the title paragraph should be written:

 

Liquor Store, Inc. (“the Company”) is seeking a business loan of $100,000 in order to launch the operations of a Liquor Store business that will be based in San Francisco, California. The Company was founded in (Insert Year). The business was founded by Mr. John Doe.

 

Products and Services

 

In the next segment of the business loan and business planning document, you should showcase the products and services that you will be providing to the general public. For instance:

 

The Liquor Store will provide its customers with a broad array of wines, beers, and spirits for sale to the general public. At all times, the Liquor Store will comply with all applicable state and federal laws regarding the sale of alcohol to the general public. The business anticipates that it will generate gross margins of 40% on all alcoholic beverage products sold through the liquor store.

 

The third section of the business plan will further discuss the operations of the business.

 

Business Loan Terms

 

Now it is time to discuss the anticipated terms of the business plan that you are seeking. An example paragraph of how this is stated:

 

At this time, Mr. Doe is seeking a conventional business loan in the amount of $100,000. The interest rate, loan terms, and loan covenants are to be determined during negotiation. However, this business plan assumes that the business will receive a seven year business loan with a seven percent interest rate due on the outstanding principal balance.

Management Biography

 

Now that the summary of the business has been provided, it is time to provide a brief overview of the owner of the business. An example paragraph summing up the owner is as follows:

 

Mr. Doe is a highly experienced business person that has years of experience regarding the direct ownership and management of business. He will be able to effectively bring the operations of the Liquor Store to profitability while ensuring that the business loan’s payments and its covenants are met at all times.

Financial Statements

 

The most important thing to your lender when applying for a business loan is how you intend to repay the bank. In this section of the business plan, you should provide an overview of the finance’s of the business discussing the anticipated revenues, expenses, and profits/losses. You can also discuss the applicable collateral within the business plan that will be used to secure your business financing.

 

Expansion Plans

 

One of the most important aspects of your business plan is how you intend to expand the business over a three to five year period. Banks and finance companies always want to see that the business will experience a moderate to strong level of growth. This is especially true in business lending because as your business grows the cash flow that secures your business loan will decrease proportionality against your monthly credit obligations. An example of how this is stated is as follows:

 

The Liquor Store will continue to expand through organic means including increasing the Company’s advertising budget via the reinvestment into the after tax cash flows of the business. Additionally, if the business is highly successful then the Company may seek to establish additional Liquor Store locations after the third year of operations.

 

 

The Financing

 

Use of Business Loan Proceeds

 

In this section of the business plan you should focus on how the proceeds of the business loan will be used. An example of this would be as follows:

 

Liquor Store Establishment – $50,000
Opening Inventory – $10,000
Working capital – $40,000

 

Management Equity

In this section of the business plan you should discuss the percentage ownership of the business among the owners of the business. For example:

 

Mr. Doe will own 100% of the Liquor Store.

 

Board of Directors

 

When applying for business financing, the bank will also want to know who serves as the board of directors. For small businesses, usually the owner serves as the director of the business. An example of how this is worded:

 

Mr. Doe will be the sole director of Liquor Store, Inc.

 

Exit Strategy

 

Any bank or financing company is also going to want to know what you intend to do with the business over a set period of time. Many business owners will develop and expand a business with the intent to sell the company to a third party at a later time. When drafting this part of the business plan you should focus on what you intentions are in regards to potentially selling the business. This is often worded as:

 

Mr. Doe would most likely sell the Liquor Store to a third party for a significant earnings multiple. Liquor Stores usually sell for approximately one to three times earnings given the financial strength of the business. In this event, the business would be sold by a business broker and the business loan sought in this plan would be repaid according to the covenants of the business loan agreement.

 

Products and Services

 

When developing a business plan that is appropriate for obtaining a business loan or other business credit facility you need to clearly showcase the services or products that you will be offering to the general public. An example of how this section is worded goes as follows:

 

The Liquor Store will carry an extensive and diverse inventory of wines, beers, and spirits. Primarily the Company will focus on the sale of wine as it produces the highest margins for the business. At all times, the business will have appropriate checks in place to ensure that people under the age of 21 do not buy alcoholic products from the Liquor Store.

During the holiday seasons, the business will generate additional revenues from the sale of gift baskets that contain wine, chocolates, and other goods. This will substantially increase the revenues of the Liquor Store during the holiday season.

 

 

Industry and Market Analysis

 

The Current State of the Economy

 

It is important to let your financial institution know that you are well apprised of the financial situation of the general economy when you are applying for a business loan. This is especially true in today’s environment where lending has become more difficult and will remain more difficult in the foreseeable future. Specifically, you should gear this section of the business plan analysis towards the industry that you are operating within. For example:

 

The current economy has remained difficult over the past few years. However, Liquor Stores and drinking establishments tend to fair well during difficult economic climates. As such, the Liquor Store will be able to remain profitable and cash flow positive in any economic climate.

 

The Liquor Store Industry

 

In addition to providing your business loan officer with an understanding of the general economy, it is important that you showcase that you have an equal understanding of the industry in which you are operating within. As such, you will need to provide you business loan institution of a brief overview of your industry and any potential changes that may affect the way that your company does business. An example of how an industry overview is as follows:

 

On a nationwide basis, there are more than 45,000 stores that specialize in the sale of liquor, wine, beer, and other spirits to the general public. On an annual basis, these businesses aggregate generate more than $50 billion of revenue and employ more than 200,000 people. This is a mature industry and the future expected growth rate of the business is expected to mirror that of the general economy.

 

Target Market

 

In this section of the business loan application and business plan analysis, you should focus on the demographics of your localized market (or national market if applicable). This section should discuss how many people live in your area, the anticipated number of people that would require the use of Liquor Stores, the median household income of people living in the area, poverty line statistics, and any applicable laws that would apply to your operation of Liquor Stores.

 

Competition

 

Many people that are developing new businesses or expanding existing businesses often feel that their business does not have any competition or limited competition at best. However, this is almost never the case. Unless you have re-invented the wheel

Free Yoga Studio Business Plan

Monday, June 14th, 2010

Free Yoga Studio business Plan for Loans

Obtaining Business Financing

 

When obtaining a business loan for a yoga studio business, it is imperative that you have a properly structured business plan that will assist you in showcasing how you intend to operate your Yoga Studio, how the business will operate, how you intend to market the business, the anticipated financial results of your company, and how you intend to repay your debt obligations. This sample loan business plan will provide you with the framework that you need in order to acquire a business loan for starting or expanding this type of business.

 

Executive Summary

 

Introduction

 

When obtaining a business loan for a Yoga Studio, it is imperative that your business plan has a clear and concise executive summary that provides an outline of what are seeking to accomplish, how much capital you are seeking to raise, the management biography of the business owner, and an overview of the anticipated profit and loss statements of the business. Here is an example of how the title paragraph should be written:

 

Yoga Studio, Inc. (“the Company”) is seeking a business loan of $100,000 in order to launch the operations of a yoga studio business that will be based in San Francisco, California. The Company was founded in (Insert Year). The business was founded by Mr. John Doe.

 

Products and Services

 

In the next segment of the business loan and business planning document, you should showcase the products and services that you will be providing to the general public. For instance:

 

The Yoga Studio will provide a broad number of classes that pertain to training the body via yoga and related stretching practices. The business will generate income from the ongoing fees associated with yoga classes at the studio while concurrently generating secondary revenues through the sale of yoga mats and related accessories used during the course of yoga training.

 

The third section of the business plan will further discuss the services offered by the business.

 

Business Loan Terms

 

Now it is time to discuss the anticipated terms of the business plan that you are seeking. An example paragraph of how this is stated:

 

At this time, Mr. Doe is seeking a conventional business loan in the amount of $100,000. The interest rate, loan terms, and loan covenants are to be determined during negotiation. However, this business plan assumes that the business will receive a seven year business loan with a seven percent interest rate due on the outstanding principal balance.

Management Biography

 

Now that the summary of the business has been provided, it is time to provide a brief overview of the owner of the business. An example paragraph summing up the owner is as follows:

 

Mr. Doe is a highly experienced business person that has years of experience regarding the direct ownership and management of business. He will be able to effectively bring the operations of the Yoga Studio to profitability while ensuring that the business loan’s payments and its covenants are met at all times.

Financial Statements

 

The most important thing to your lender when applying for a business loan is how you intend to repay the bank. In this section of the business plan, you should provide an overview of the finance’s of the business discussing the anticipated revenues, expenses, and profits/losses. You can also discuss the applicable collateral within the business plan that will be used to secure your business financing.

 

Expansion Plans

 

One of the most important aspects of your business plan is how you intend to expand the business over a three to five year period. Banks and finance companies always want to see that the business will experience a moderate to strong level of growth. This is especially true in business lending because as your business grows the cash flow that secures your business loan will decrease proportionality against your monthly credit obligations. An example of how this is stated is as follows:

 

The Yoga Studio will continue to expand through organic means including increasing the Company’s advertising budget via the reinvestment into the after tax cash flows of the business. Additionally, if the business is highly successful then the Company may seek to establish additional Yoga Studio locations after the third year of operations.

 

 

The Financing

 

Use of Business Loan Proceeds

 

In this section of the business plan you should focus on how the proceeds of the business loan will be used. An example of this would be as follows:

 

Yoga Studio Establishment – $50,000
FF&E – $10,000
Working capital – $40,000

 

Management Equity

In this section of the business plan you should discuss the percentage ownership of the business among the owners of the business. For example:

 

Mr. Doe will own 100% of the Yoga Studio.

 

Board of Directors

 

When applying for business financing, the bank will also want to know who serves as the board of directors. For small businesses, usually the owner serves as the director of the business. An example of how this is worded:

 

Mr. Doe will be the sole director of Yoga Studio, Inc.

 

Exit Strategy

 

Any bank or financing company is also going to want to know what you intend to do with the business over a set period of time. Many business owners will develop and expand a business with the intent to sell the company to a third party at a later time. When drafting this part of the business plan you should focus on what you intentions are in regards to potentially selling the business. This is often worded as:

 

Mr. Doe would most likely sell the Yoga Studio to a third party for a significant earnings multiple. Yoga Studio usually sell for approximately one to three times earnings given the financial strength of the business. In this event, the business would be sold by a business broker and the business loan sought in this plan would be repaid according to the covenants of the business loan agreement.

 

Products and Services

 

When developing a business plan that is appropriate for obtaining a business loan or other business credit facility you need to clearly showcase the services or products that you will be offering to the general public. An example of how this section is worded goes as follows:

 

As stated in the executive summary, the primary revenue center for the business will come from ongoing yoga classes hosted at the Company’s retail storefront location. For each yoga session, Management intends on charging a fee of approximately $10. The average yoga class will have five to ten students. Classes will be held five to six times per day.

 

The business will also generate sales through the sale of yoga mats and other products as they related to yoga training.

 

 

Industry and Market Analysis

 

The Current State of the Economy

 

It is important to let your financial institution know that you are well apprised of the financial situation of the general economy when you are applying for a business loan. This is especially true in today’s environment where lending has become more difficult and will remain more difficult in the foreseeable future. Specifically, you should gear this section of the business plan analysis towards the industry that you are operating within. For example:

 

The current economy has remained difficult over the past few years. However, Yoga Studios have faired well despite the current economic issues. This is because yoga, by its students, as seen as an integral part of their lives. As such, the Yoga Studio will be able to remain profitable and cash flow positive in any economic climate.

 

The Yoga Studio Industry

 

In addition to providing your business loan officer with an understanding of the general economy, it is important that you showcase that you have an equal understanding of the industry in which you are operating within. As such, you will need to provide you business loan institution of a brief overview of your industry and any potential changes that may affect the way that your company does business. An example of how an industry overview is as follows:

 

Within the United States, there are approximately 10,000 locations that operate as Yoga Studios. The popularity of yoga has increased substantially over the past ten years as more Americans have become concerned with their fitness. Each year, the industry generates more than $600 million of revenues. The excepted growth rate of the Yoga Studio industry is expected to remain in line with that of the general American economy.

 

 

Target Market

 

In this section of the business loan application and business plan analysis, you should focus on the demographics of your localized market (or national market if applicable). This section should discuss how many people live in your area, the anticipated number of people that would require the use of Yoga Studio, the median household income of people living in the area, poverty line statistics, and any applicable laws that would apply to your operation of Yoga Studios.

 

Competition

 

Many people that are developing new businesses or expanding existing businesses often feel that their business does not have any competition or limited competition at best. However, this is almost never the case. Unless you have re-invented the wheel