Getting funding

Entrepreneurship is alive and well in America, with more than 30 million small businesses operating in the country, according to the US Small Business Administration.1 Still, cash flow management is a common concern for entrepreneurs, leading many businesses to apply for a line of credit to help them invest in new projects, run their day-to-day operations, and more.

If you want to know how well you're really operating your business, you'll need to know your business's working capital, also known as net working capital. It's a moment of truth for your company's financial health – telling you the difference between what you owe and what your business owns at any given time. Plus, it's one of the most important numbers lenders often rely on to decide if your company is worth financing.

Businesses often need financing to buy inventory, invest in equipment, expand operations, or smooth out uneven cash flow. In recent years, a number of new sources of small business funding have sprung up – so many, in fact, it's hard to keep track of all the options. Here, we'll discuss some of the more common small business financing options. For a fuller look, download our ebook, Financing options for small businesses.

When it comes to business loans, there are a lot of opportunities that women entrepreneurs may find appealing. There are loans that can help you grow your business as well as loans designed to meet day-to-day financial needs in the short term.

As a small business owner, you most likely encounter situations where it’s helpful to have additional cash on hand to manage the ups and downs of your business. However, to get the funding your business needs, you’ll need to understand how to get a business loan. This guide walks you through the five phases of how to apply for a small business loan so you know what to expect.

Gone are the days when there was only one place to turn for a business loan, your brick and mortar bank where you held your business checking account. Now, new online lending options have cropped up that use technology to speed up the application and underwriting process to provide business funding much faster.

Learn the types of small business financing options, and pros and cons of each.

Many business owners rely on credit ─ to get up and running, for working capital, and to fund growth. And in some ways, business credit reports are like personal credit reports. Credit bureaus use a variety of metrics to determine the risk associated with providing financing based on your business credit history.

Your successful holiday season will depend on one thing: cash. To make everything work - marketing, investments, hiring, processes - you'll want to make sure there’s cash available to fund these activities. Start tackling the items below to make sure you're well financed through the holidays.