You may not be trimming the tree just yet, but it’s definitely time to make sure your business is ready for the biggest shopping season of the year. From retailers to restaurants, the majority of small businesses will significantly boost their bottom line in Q4. According to a recent survey from Vistaprint, 75% of consumers indicated that they’re likely to do at least some of their holiday shopping with small businesses this year.
One of our most engaging tweets last month featured a link to our mission-driven lender locator map. It’s not a surprise that the resource caught our followers’ eyes, as gaining access to capital is not exactly smooth sailing for most small businesses.
For most businesses there are two types of financing: debt and equity. Debt financing is a loan. The lender gives you money and you promise to pay it back with interest—the cost of borrowing the money. Equity funding means selling a piece of your business. An investor gives you money in exchange for owning a piece of your company.
When it comes to equity funding, women and minority owners have historically had a harder time accessing capital. Luckily, there are a growing number equity firms looking for women-led businesses to fund.
When it comes to equity funding, women and minority owners have historically had a harder time accessing capital. Below are some of the groups looking to change the status quo.
Starting a small business is hard work. The list of things you have to do in order to turn your dream into reality may seem overwhelming at first. When faced with such a formidable to-do list, it is easy to think of a formal business plan as something to table for later. After all, organizing a list of responsibilities and checking off items one by one as you accomplish them is itself a form of planning. Why waste time creating and perfecting a business plan at this early stage of the game?
The answer is that even the simplest business plan will help you:
You know that writing a business plan is critical tool for planning your business and for getting a loan, but it’s hard to know where to start. Like everything else, it’s easier to begin when you have a template to follow.
You’re working on your business plan, great! Here are a few tips as you work.
Have you heard about federal procurement as an opportunity for your business, but don't understand how to get started? This overview serves as a starting point for small business owners interested in learning more.
Have you heard that federal procurement is an opportunity for your small, women-owned, minority-owned or disabled veteran-owned business, but don't understand the advantages or how to register? This overview serves as a starting point for small business owners interested in learning more.
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