While the old adage, “it takes money to make money” isn’t always true, in many cases, entrepreneurs and business owners have to have money or funding before they can build up their business and run it as they intend to. There are several ways to secure money for a business from getting a loan to bringing on investors. By using business tools and resources like eChecks to control cash flow, you can make the money go as far as it possibly can; unfortunately, sometimes it still isn’t enough. If you find yourself short on funds, then you may need to consider getting more; however, not all funding options are ideal for all businesses. For example, a small loan may work well for a startup, but an established business may need a larger investment.
While loans aren’t the right solution for every business, with so many different loan options, they can be a good solution for certain problems that many businesses experience. If you have found yourself dealing with one or more of the following issues, then you may want to consider taking out a loan.
When You’re Just Getting Started
Approximately half of all new businesses will fail in their first year. One of the biggest reasons for this is lack of funds and cash flow—you can’t keep a business open if there isn’t any money. If you’re just getting started and don’t have enough cash of your own to put towards your startup costs, then you may need to consider a loan. There are a lot of different loan options available for those starting up a small business, and you will likely be able to find one that suits your needs and gives you enough seed money without putting you in a tight financial spot.
If You Can’t Make Payroll in Time
Your employees are what keep your company running, and if they don’t get paid, they won’t stick around for long. Sometimes, (especially at young companies), you might be cutting it close when it comes to making payroll. That may not be because you’re running out of funds, but sometimes the timing of outstanding invoices, unexpected bills, etc. can throw off your cash flow and cause a minor hiccup. If you’re finding that you might not be able to make payroll on time one month, you may want to consider getting a loan to ensure that your employees are covered when they need to be.
During the Off-Season if You Run a Seasonal Business
If you run a seasonal business, you’re working all year round, but you won’t have the same cash flow during the off-season. That means that things can sometimes get tight, making it difficult to operate and prepare for the busy season. If you find yourself pressed too tightly for cash as you work through the off-season of your business, you may want to consider taking out a loan to cover the off-season costs. When the busy season rolls back around, you’ll be able to pay that loan back and keep things running smoothly.
When You Need New Equipment
Equipment is expensive. Whether you need heavy machinery or new computers for your employees, the cost of getting what you need can add up fast. If you don’t have money set aside to cover those types of costs, you may need to take out a loan. There are loans specifically designed to help cover equipment costs, so you’ll be able to get whatever it is you need when you need it.
When You’re Ready to Expand
When you start a business, you likely have plans to grow. Although it may take some time to get your business from the ground floor to where you’ve dreamed it will be, odds are you’ll get there eventually. Whether you’re expanding to a new office that better suits your needs, expanding your staff, or expanding your entire operation, it costs money that you may not have. Luckily, you can take advantage of loans to help you cover those costs and recoup them after you’ve grown down the road.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of different funding options for businesses, and depending on the type of business you run, one may be better than the other. However, if you find yourself in a situation where you need to expand but don’t have the cash, need to make payroll, or need to cover costs during the off-season, a loan may be the best option for you and your business. In what other situations might you consider a loan?