Insights into the world of small business lending and development

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This is your target credit score to secure an affordable business loan

This post originally appeared on the blog of our partner, CDC Small Business Finance.

Think quick — what was your childhood phone number? I bet those 10 digits came spilling out without hesitation.

If you’re in the market for an affordable business loan, you should be able to recall your credit score with similar ease. That’s because your score helps lenders gauge your financial fitness and the likelihood you’ll repay your loan. So if it’s in the right range, you can increase your odds of getting a business loan with great terms.

While traditional...

Popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones: Alabama business treats the world

This post orginally appeared on the blog of our partner, The Export-Import Bank of the United States.

Summer is coming and across the country that means state and county fairs. And cotton candy. And snow cones. Or maybe a trip to the air conditioned movie theater to beat the heat. With popcorn, of course. If any of these stir your memory or make your mouth water, you, and people around the world, can thank Great Western Products.

Great Western, a 65 employee company headquartered in Hollywood, Alabama has been supplying concession products and related equipment for over 5...

Resources to boost your business during Women’s History Month

This post originally appeared on Small Business Majority.

To kick off Women’s History Month in March, Small Business Majority recently hosted a Twitter chat, “Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs” to share tips and resources for women entrepreneurs from business organizations and entrepreneurs around the country. Many of our wonderful partner organizations participated, included the California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity (CAMEO), SBDC East Los Angeles, Washington D.C. SBDC, the Women’s Business Development Center in Chicago, SBA’s Nebraska District Office a...

Why franchising is a good idea even if you are happily employed

You might be perfectly content at work. Maybe you like your co-workers, your boss is a great person, the company seems to be doing really well and you are totally satisfied with your current salary.

If this describes you, than we just have one thing to say: You should join a franchise.

This may seem counterintuitive. After all, why would you leave a job you’re perfectly happy with to take a risk on business ownership? There are actually several reasons why you should do this:

1. No job is safe.

You are just one economic downturn away from losing your jo...

The Export-Import Bank of the United States 101: Protecting small business exporters and driving economic growth

Are you one of the 300,000 U.S.-based small businesses that export your products and services to international markets? Do you know there are ways to protect your company’s assets from non-payment by foreign buyers and to improve your cash flow?

Established in 1934, the Export-Import Bank of the United States is an independent federal government agency whose mission is to support U.S.-based jobs by facilitating the export of U.S.-produced goods and services. EXIM Bank is the official export credit agency of the United States and fills in the gaps when private sect...

USBC shares how to support black entrepreneurs during Black History Month and throughout the year

This post originally appeared on Small Business Majority.

We are proud to partner with the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.(USBC), a national organization that promotes economic empowerment for Black entrepreneurs through advocacy work and by providing resources and tools. USBC is the umbrella organization for over 100 Black Chambers and small business associations through the country that deliver local support to small business owners. In honor of Black History Month, we talked with USBC President Ron Busby to share insight into tools and resources that c...

Need to fix your credit? Do it like a financial pro (for free) with this self-guided video series

This post originally appeared on the blog of our partner, CDC Small Business Finance.

Are you looking into a small business loan? Before filling out an application, you’ll want to know whether you have a high enough credit score to qualify for financing. And if your score is not quite there yet, don’t give up — you have the power to fix your credit yourself.

Believe it or not, you don’t need a credit-repair company to spot and correct common credit issues. Financial experts with proven methods will walk you through this very process in this five-part video series, produc...

Finance 101: How to build wealth as a small business owner

This is the fourth post in a series on the basics of small business finances. Check out our posts on small business bank accounts, small business credit cards and accounting software. Stay tuned for future posts in this series.

Hopefully you’ve been reading other posts in this series, designed to help you navigate the early steps you need to establish your small business finances. But once you have a bank account, a credit card, an accounting system and your finances are running smoothly, what’s next? While it might take you several years of operation to feel like you’r...

How to make the most of your relationship with your mentor or mentee

As a small business owner, your relationships with your community and your peers are essential to your success. Your fellow business owners can provide much needed support and advice as you grow your small business. This is why many new entrepreneurs turn to a mentor who has already paved their own path. But, a successful mentorship takes effort. Here are some tips on how to have a successful mentor-mentee relationship.

4 ways to make the most of your mentorship

1. Have open communication. A good mentor-mentee relationship has open and honest communication. As a...

Small business owners: Ask yourself these 5 essential financial planning questions to ensure you're on the right track

This post orginally appeared on the blog of our partner, CDC Small Business Finance.

If you’re a business owner, money matters are often top of mind. Is my company bringing in enough revenue? Will I have enough saved up for retirement? How much will I owe in taxes this year?

Handling it all may seem insurmountable. But with the right financial planning and experts on your side, you’ll be able to stay on top of your short-term and long-term priorities. This includes everything from the day-to-day management of your business to your well-deserved retirement.

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