Business

Small businesses have more choices and options for loans and financing than ever. And the good news is you have access to a wide range of resources at your fingertips — all through the Internet.

Online lending marketplaces and alternative funding sources make getting financing so much easier today than a decade ago.

This article covers some of the common financing and loan options existing today and where to find them online. Much of your research can be done online, and you can even apply directly online for a loan or funds in many instances.

Every successful business in its early stages of development needs to create a sound, air-tight business plan.  This is important to define your strategy, detail deliverables for stakeholders and develop cashflow forecasts for investors.

Before you can do that critical step, you need to be able to first crystalize the idea behind the business.  You need a Business Concept Statement - a simple one- or two-page document that summarizes your voluminous business plan.

While some seasonal businesses hit primetime during the summer, many others see a major slowdown as clients and customers go on vacation (and as new projects are postponed until after said vacationing.) Never fear - here are a few steps your business can take to make the most of the summer months.

One of the most understood items in our modern economics system is the introduction virtual currencies, such as cryptocurrencies. There are dozens of them now, but probably the best know is called Bitcoin.

Wouldn’t it be nice to hold onto the money you work hard to make? Then, as a small business owner, you need to be able to determine when operating costs are too high.

A whopping 89 percent of small business owners in a recent survey by Endurance International Group say they work from home at least part of the time, and 67 percent report they love it.

As a home-based entrepreneur, I know both the joys and frustrations of working at home.

Cash flow problems are a common concern for entrepreneurs.  A new survey showed the 41 percent of small business owners have experienced cash flow challenges.  These challenges have a serious impact on their businesses.

Lending money is risky business for banks, suppliers, and other creditors. For any lender, it's all about finding a way to extend credit or a loan profitably while being able to sort out those who are good credit risks from those who are less likely to repay. Large lending institutions like banks, creditors and small business owners all take the same risk when they extend credit or loans to business owners.

The explosion of organic and eco-friendly products on retail store shelves is more than just a passing fad. It's big business. This reality presents opportunities for environmentally minded entrepreneurs ready to start their own small business.

Successful green businesses not only benefit the environment, but also use green business practices as a means to market their products. If you are thinking of starting a green business, consider the following tips:

Why work harder when you can work smarter instead?

Several office tasks are perfect candidates to automate - without sacrificing the well being of your business.

In fact, some of these tasks not only save time, but also can actually be done better through automation. Automation makes it less likely that (a) you'll forget; (b) tasks will fall through the cracks if an employee leaves; (c) mistakes will occur through repetitive entry of information.