Access to Capital

Not All Online Lenders Are Created Equal

7 Signs That You Shouldn’t Sign (or E-sign) on the Dotted Line

As a small business owner, you are probably used to doing just about everything online - from invoicing and paying bills to marketing and ordering inventory. So it might seem natural to look for a small business loan online too. And with platforms like Accion Opportunity Fund, and NYC Local Lending, there are some great options online.

Is Your Cash Flow Ready for the Holiday Season?

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.

Equity Funding Basics

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.

Write a Business Plan

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:

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