Depending on their capital, finding the necessary funds to operate their business is one of the most difficult tasks that a small business owner must face. At one point, expansion becomes necessary for growth and before this happens, the small business owner must be prepared. Before expansion and a small business loan to fund it become necessary, the small business owner should take the necessary steps to help him minimize the difficulty involved. It pays to know what you need to help you increase your chances of getting approved for a small business loan.Risk is your enemy when applying for a small business loan because it’s the only reason that lenders such as banks will turn down your loan request for your business. With the right preparations, you help yourself seem less risky in the perception of lenders so that you can get approved for your loan.Government and community grants are now a thing of the past and if you think you can start with that, think again. This is one common error that entrepreneurs make. You’re more likely to be able to get funding from family, your own savings, friends, or from conventional lenders.Here are some of the things that lenders look into in their applicants for small business loans:Credit score and history
Business plan and its feasibility
Business history and performance
Education
Business cash flowThese are just some of the many things that you should prioritize in taking care of when applying for a small business loan.You need to ask yourself several questions first, before applying for a small business loan. These questions are most likely questions that lenders will ask you too when you apply for the loan. Prepare your business plan and know that this is very important. The business plan needs to be able to show the lender that your business is feasible and can gain profit which in turn gives them gain in their investment. This means that the lower risk they see in lending you money, the better chances you have on getting approved.How much money do you need for your business expansion? This is the first thing you should ask yourself first because this determines the direction of the loan application. Be sure that you request only for the amount of money that you need, nothing more and nothing less.Where will the money go? Lenders also want to know how you will invest their money so they’ll know the kind of risk involved. Provide detailed information where every dollar will be invested in such as operations and acquisition of new equipment and/or facilities.When will you pay off the loan? Be sure that you also give the lender an idea when they will be able to get back their investment. Convince them that you’ll be able to pay in the expected time you give them.Lastly, many people think this is unnecessary but it’s a plus on the part of lenders. Tell lenders what you’ll do if you won’t get approved for the small business loan. This tells lenders that you have persistence and will not get discouraged if they turn down your application. This portrays a confident and determined personality – someone they can trust.Sometimes all you need is a little more cash. If you have bad credit you should consider a bad credit loan from a company like BHM Financial. Bad credit loans can give you the cash you need to achieve your goals.
Increase Your Chances of Getting Approved for a Small Business Loan
Finding The Right Home Based Business Is Critical To Your Success When Working From Your Home
Starting a home based business can be one of the fastest ways to get out of the rat race while simultaneously creating the opportunity of “firing your boss” but make no mistake, it’s not all glamour and glitz. The fact is, developing a profitable home based business requires hard work, determination and a strong desire to succeed.Finding the right work from home opportunity revolves around a combination of items, such as the initial start-up costs, the actual opportunity itself, the quality of the product or service that is being offered and your own personal tastes and interests. With all that said; one key component that can not be duplicated or replicated is the actual asset of any home based business and that is the “You Factor”.The “You Factor” is what I consider to be the most important asset for any successful home based business. It is the driving force behind becoming unsuccessful, slightly successful or highly successful.Let me give you an example, if you are a hands on type of person that enjoys doing mundane tasks that other people avoid doing such as lawn care/landscaping, window washing, car detailing or house cleaning then those types of home based business opportunities might be just the ticket you are looking for in order to break out of the rat race lifestyle.Sure, each of those jobs represent hard work and require an individual who enjoys those types of activities but the fact is there are many money making work from home opportunities that can be taken advantage of within those fields.Of course, if you’re anything like me and prefer the direct sales route as the basis for your home based business then opportunities such as selling baskets, rubber stamping products or wickless candle warmers are exceptional ways to start working out of the comfort of your own home.As a home based business owner who has participated in several money making work from home opportunities along with several other direct sales companies I have determined that the only way to truly succeed is by finding a company that allows you to take full advantage of your individual “You Factor”.Of course, it also helps tremendously if you join a company that offers products that are impressive looking, easy to use and extremely easy to market. Those factors combined with the very low initial start-up costs make it easy to see why so many people are starting their own home based business.Of course, this direct sales opportunity is no different from any other because you will still have to approach potential customers, develop a viable marketing strategy and grow your business by recruiting others to join your sales team.Additionally, you will still require the skills necessary to conduct your business in a professional manner allowing you to provide first rate service to your customers and leadership, guidance and mentorship to the downline members on your team.With the current world economy being what it is, starting a small home based business with a minimum start up cost could be just what you need to escape the rat race.
Five Tips for Selling at Live Auctions
Ah, the old-fashioned country auction! The idea of a country auction conjures up certain images for people. The image of a fast-talking auctioneer offering up an antique table or chair is a popular example.
People who are buying household goods or collectibles are looking to get their items at the lowest price possible. However, the people who are selling their items at auction are hoping for the highest price!
Unless a person is in the business of buying and selling antiques or other items, not a lot of thought goes into how goods are prepared for sale via the auction process. However, if you are one of the growing number of people using auction venues to sell your collectibles or other inventory, there are a few things to learn first about how to sell at auction before you bring a truckload of stuff over to the next event.
Tip 1: Make sure the things you want to sell are a good “fit” for the auction house you’ll be using.
Never bring a load to an auction house without actually having been to one of the previous auctions. It’s important to get a feel for the type of goods that the house sells. For example, at one very rural country auction it was common for the owners to sell live chickens, pots and pans, car parts, and farm equipment.
After close investigation, this would not be the right venue for selling your daughter’s “Hello Kitty” collection. On the other hand, the spare John Deere parts that you bought at last week’s yard sale might be just the right thing for the buying crowd at this auction.
Tip 2: Be sure you clearly understand the terms and policies of the auction house.
Visit with the auctioneer ahead of time. Call to find out what the best days and times are to visit. One of the worst possible times to drop in for an informational visit with an auctioneer is the day of the auction. Call ahead and ask. While you’re at it, find out what are the best days and times to drop your stuff off.
Once you have a little time with the auctioneer, you’ll be able to find out what type of commission he or she takes from consigners (which is you), and what type of paperwork might be needed. Some auction houses send out Form 1099 tax forms at the end of the year. An auctioneer may need to see your identification and have you fill out a W-9. Be prepared.
Find out what happens to your items if they don’t sell. For example, some auctioneers may have a minimum starting bid. If, for some reason, one of your items does not sell, it may be grouped with another one of your pieces. Know the auctioneer’s strategy beforehand so that you aren’t surprised on pay day.
Tip 3: Make sure the auctioneer knows what you’re selling.
It might be perfectly obvious to you that the signed print you are consigning is a rare and valuable piece of art. However, the auctioneer may not know this particular artist. Make a note of anything particularly special about your items, and leave the note with the piece. Be sure to tell the auctioneer about it as well. He or she might determine that this is something to highlight on the company website or in the newspaper listing.
Tip 4: Present your items neatly.
No one likes to have to dig through a box full of grimy and greasy car parts to see what treasures might be in there. Separate the parts and lay them out on a flat, or use more than one box to de-clutter the lot.
There is no need to buy fancy display boxes. It’s easy enough to go to the local convenience store or supermarket and ask if you can have the emptied boxes or flats that they are discarding.
While it’s good to present clean items, take care not to ruin the value of anything by over cleaning. For example, if you find some old cast iron cookware, clean the obvious dirt and grime, but don’t scrub it to its original finish. For many people, this ruins the value of the item. So, clean and tidy and organized is the key here.
Tip 5: Don’t complain to the auctioneer if your stuff doesn’t sell for as much as you’d like.
The phrase to remember here is, “You win some; you lose some.” That’s just the way it is. There are some days where an auction house is loaded with people who all seem to want what you’re selling. There will be other days where the crowd is sparse, and the bidding is simply not competitive.
Remember that it’s in the auctioneer’s best interest to sell your things for the highest possible hammer price. But sometimes, it’s just not going to be a stellar sale. The auctioneer is only human, and is also disappointed if a sale doesn’t go as well as planned.
If you notice that every time you bring a bunch of goods to sell that you’re not realizing as much as you think you honestly should, try another auction venue and compare apples to apples. That is, bring the same types of items to the new auctioneer and compare the results.
Unless the auctioneer is particularly disagreeable or inconsiderate to you or buyers, there is no reason to confront him or her about a sale. If you find you just don’t care for an auctioneer’s style or methods, find another one. Believe me, there are plenty of them out there!
The primary thing to remember as you learn how to sell at auction is that the business is unpredictable at best. You will have good days, some not-so-good days, some great days. The more you sell, the more experience you will gain, and the more enjoyable the business will be.