Fundera

SEPTEMBER 15, 2018

If you’re thinking about starting a business, you’re definitely not alone. About 540,000 people start businesses in the U.S. every month , according to the Kauffman Index of Startup Activity. But not all of those businesses will last. Almost 80% of new businesses survive the first year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. About half survive five years or longer, and about one-third make it to their 10-year anniversary.

Credit Scoring 105

Credit Scoring Small Businesses 105

GoCardless

SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

Find out how member demands and preferences will evolve over the next few years and whether your current Direct Debit solution can handle these changes.

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Fundera

SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

Few things are as intimidating for entrepreneurs as maintaining their brand’s presence on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Social media management for small business owners can feel like a daunting process: you have to keep on top of trends, produce content, and promote your business without coming off as sales-y or promotional. Or, if you delegate your small business’ social media management to an employee, you have to make sure they’re keeping the channels active (and that their follower inte

Small Businesses 100

Small Businesses 100

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

Benefits of Getting an EIN. File Business Taxes and Avoid Tax Penalties. Prevent Identity Theft. Add Credibility as a Freelancer and Independent Contractor. Speed Up Business Loan Applications. Open a Business Bank Account. Build Trust With Vendors. Establish Business Credit. Easily Hire Employees. Get More Options as an Overseas Entrepreneur. An employer identification number (EIN), or business tax ID, is a unique nine-digit number that you use when filing taxes for your business.

Deductions 100

Deductions Bankruptcy Credit Scoring Small Businesses 100

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 13, 2018

Hand-knit dog booties? Portraits made of gum? “Seinfeld”-themed enamel pins? Whatever objects you love to craft, no matter how niche they are, there’s a horde of consumers out there looking for your product—and most of them are browsing the Etsy marketplace. If you don’t have previous experience with the platform, opening an Etsy shop may seem like a complicated prospect.

Credit and Collections 94

Credit and Collections Credit Scoring Transactions Default 94

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 18, 2018

When a credit bureau computes your credit score, their job is to produce a number that estimates—given your past and current financial history—how likely you are to default on future debts. Exactly how each bureau calculates your credit score is a bit of a mystery, but we do know that they take into account various indicators of your fiscal health. There are five notable components of a personal credit score.

Credit Scoring 93

Credit Scoring Small Businesses Credit and Collections Collector 93

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 4, 2018

The last time you walked into an independently owned bookstore or cafe, or even your local McDonald’s, chances are good that a baby boomer owned the business. According to nonprofit group Project Equity, individuals born between 1946 and 1964 own over 2.34 million small businesses , employing almost 25 million people nationwide. Instead of retiring, many older individuals are becoming entrepreneurs.

Credit Scoring 84

Credit Scoring Small Businesses Default 84

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

8 Best Credit Unions for Small Business Owners in 2018. America First Credit Union. Alliant Credit Union. Navy Federal Credit Union. First Tech Federal Credit Union. Self-Help Credit Union. Consumers Credit Union. Digital Federal Credit Union. Boeing Employees Credit Union. One of the most important decisions you’ll make as a small business owner is finding a hub for your business’s finances.

Credit Unions 81

Credit Unions Small Businesses Credit Card Payments Transactions 81

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 21, 2018

For most entrepreneurs, the early days of starting a business involve a massive learning curve. Whether you’ve graduated with an MBA or you’ve never taken a business class in your life, there will always be a new problem to face, and you’ll always need to recalibrate the processes that allow your business to function and grow. That’s when the best online business courses can come in handy.

Small Businesses 75

Small Businesses 75

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 12, 2018

1099 vs. W2 Employee. 1099 workers are self-employed independent contractors. They receive pay in accord with the terms of their contract and get a 1099 form to report income on their tax return. In contrast, a W2 employee is entitled to a regular wage and employee benefits such as sick leave. The employer withholds income taxes from the employee’s paycheck and has a significant degree of control over the employee’s work.

Small Businesses 75

Small Businesses Default 75

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 29, 2018

Over the past few years, you might have seen a Facebook page for a life coach promoting their services, or noticed that your yoga instructor has taken on the role of personal, spiritual, or professional advisor to some of your classmates. And if you have a zest for life and enjoy helping others reach their full potential, then perhaps you’ve considered becoming a life coach yourself.

Small Businesses 75

Small Businesses 75

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

What Is Business Bankruptcy? If you’re struggling to pay off business debts, filing for business bankruptcy might help. Business owners can file for Chapter 7, Chapter 11, or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, depending on the business’s debt levels and financial situation. A Chapter 7 filing typically ends in the liquidation of the business, with the assets distributed among creditors.

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Business Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 11 Chapter 7 74

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 1, 2018

Like many small businesses, family-run operations often seek business financing to expand operations and develop new products. But business owners will likely take a different approach to funding the family business than other entrepreneurs or startup founders would—they want to stay in business, of course, but they’ll prioritize retaining management of their company, and think about how their financial decisions impact future generations.

Small Businesses 72

Small Businesses Credit Scoring 72

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 13, 2018

For women in the workforce, the gender wage gap is a very real problem. And according to research from FreshBooks, women employees aren’t the only ones contending with lower wages: Self-employed women also earn 28% less than their male counterparts , on average. A disheartening 70% of women surveyed by FreshBooks said discrimination and the “glass ceiling” were big factors in their decision to pursue entrepreneurship.

Credit and Collections 71

Credit and Collections Small Businesses 71

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

There are few businesses as exciting or creative as those within the music industry. But, at the same time, funding a music business tends to require much more capital than other lines of work—if you’re looking to open up your own recording studio, rehearsal space, or propel your band to the top of the charts, you’re going to need a surprising amount of music business funding to reach those goals.

Small Businesses 67

Small Businesses Credit Scoring 67

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

Adding the word “business” in front of “credit card” can make the whole thing feel stuffy, but it doesn’t have to be that way—in fact, there are plenty of cards available with perks just as cool as the latest consumer cards. We’ve done the dirty work and not only found the seven best perks on the market but figured out how to use them to your business’ advantage. 1.

Credit Scoring 65

Credit Scoring 65

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 6, 2018

If your search for a business credit card has brought you to the Bank of America secured card—and secured business credit cards in general—then you’ve figured out something very important about the business credit card process: Your personal credit score is crucial in determining whether or not you qualify for a business credit card. As counterintuitive as this may seem, it makes sense if you think about it: Your personal credit score indicates what kind of spender you are.

Credit Scoring 63

Credit Scoring Transactions 63

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 23, 2018

It’s not uncommon to see temporary storefronts selling Halloween costumes suddenly cropping up during the autumn months in empty strip mall spaces or shopping centers. Meet the pop-up shop, an industry segment valued at $50 billion in the United States in 2016. Unlike many small businesses, these shops tend to cater to a specific season or for a certain promotional reason.

Small Businesses 63

Small Businesses 63

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 25, 2018

No matter where you work, there are some personality types you’ll find in pretty much every office you encounter. Learning to navigate office dynamics is crucial to your success in climbing the corporate later — in fact, some think emotional intelligence is responsible for 58% of performance at work. If learning how to better interact with your coworkers sounds like yet another mind-numbing task on your to-do list, have no fear!

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Fundera

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

Ecommerce is no longer just an alternative to buying in-store; in fact, ecommerce mega-platform Shopify predicts an increase in worldwide ecommerce sales from $1.3 trillion in 2014 to $4.5 trillion in 2021. (That’s a 246.15% uptick, for those keeping score.) So, finding funding for ecommerce business is, well, serious business. You’re following in the footsteps of big companies across both B2B and B2C—not just Etsy shops.

Credit and Collections 59

Credit and Collections Small Businesses Credit Scoring 59

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 24, 2018

A whopping 70% of U.S. businesses are owned and operated by sole proprietors or sole traders. But while it’s the most common business structure, many people know surprisingly little about sole proprietorship. Whether you want to learn more about sole proprietorship or are already a sole proprietor who wants to educate your friends and family, read on as we dispel five common myths about this business type.

Investment Firms 59

Investment Firms Credit Scoring Small Businesses 59

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 7, 2018

There are countless resources that educate entrepreneurs about the various small business loans they can pursue. But once you choose the right financing option for your business, it can be more difficult to find information about how to negotiate with a lender. And if you’re lucky enough to secure an SBA loan, you might find it difficult to navigate your loan’s complicated terms, let alone renegotiate them—if it’s even possible to negotiate an SBA loan offer at all.

Default 58

Default Credit and Collections Small Businesses 58

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 8, 2018

Like the weather, business revenues fluctuate. In fact, for many businesses, the very reason business revenues fluctuate is because of the weather. If you’re the owner of a seasonal company, you know the ups and downs of seasonal cash flow all too well—which is why the best seasonal loan options can really be a help when you’re in a crunch. Many business owners who are dependent on the hot or cold temperatures to make their products or services thrive have come to depend on business financing to

Credit Scoring 57

Credit Scoring Small Businesses 57

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 9, 2018

Online advertising, social media, and your company website are all useful tools for promoting your small business. A clever online ad campaign or Facebook post that goes viral can boost visibility and help drive sales, but it could also put your business at risk for an advertising injury lawsuit. Here are three mistakes that can arise from online marketing, along with tips on how to protect your business from the financial repercussions of online advertising errors with general liability insuran

Small Businesses 55

Small Businesses 55

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 4, 2018

No matter how much you love your job or how passionate you feel about the business you’re growing, it’s easy to slip into habits that may not have the best impact on your work — or your life. The first step toward reforming a bad habit is to identify that the problem exists. By understanding what types of situations in the office might trigger a bad habit, you’ll be better prepared to redirect your behavior when you catch yourself slipping.

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Fundera

SEPTEMBER 1, 2018

What Is an SBA Loan Equity Injection? An SBA loan equity injection is a down payment that certain applicants must provide to qualify for an SBA 7(a) loan or SBA 504 loan. Startups, applicants acquiring a business, and all 504 loan applicants must provide an equity injection, typically 10% of the loan amount. When you apply for a small business loan , the lender’s main concern is whether you’ll be able to pay back the loan on time.

Small Businesses 55

Small Businesses 55

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

For any B2B business, billing is one of the most significant practices. This is what keeps your cash flowing and your finances healthy. There is a plethora of invoicing practices, and choosing the right one may be overwhelming for your small business. This is why you need to do thorough research, set clear goals, and build a solid billing strategy that will work for both you and your clients.

Transactions 54

Transactions Small Businesses 54

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 18, 2018

If you’re reading this article, the chances are pretty good that you’re already a QuickBooks Desktop loyalist. You might be deciding whether you should upgrade from QuickBooks Pro to QuickBooks Enterprise. Intuit says Enterprise has six times the capacity of Pro, providing users with “ more flexibility and more functionality.” We’ll walk you through all the factors you should consider when deciding whether QuickBooks Pro vs.

Default 54

Default Transactions Small Businesses 54

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

Mare-Mare owner and designer Maria Salcino has always been a fashion lover. Years ago, she was lucky enough to snag a business administration job at one of the largest specialty stores in the country, which got her foot in the door of the industry she loved. But both in and outside the office, Salcino couldn’t help but notice that all the clothing she and her friends coveted was way outside their budgets.

Small Businesses 52

Small Businesses 52

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 6, 2018

Understanding your business financing options for any kind of company can be challenging. But if you’re looking to get a home business loan for a company operating out of your house, it can be even harder. As small business lenders evaluate your company, they’ll be looking for essential elements including time in business, your assets, and business credit history.

Credit and Collections 49

Credit and Collections Credit Scoring Small Businesses Transactions 49

GoCardless

SEPTEMBER 9, 2018

We surveyed 500 millennial organisation members about their preferences on payment methods, billing cycles, security and more.

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