Fundera

NOVEMBER 15, 2016

As a small business owner, you know how things always come up. No matter how hard you try to stay in control of everything , you’ll always hit roadblocks along the journey of growing your business. So when you need small business advice to get over a hurdle or clear your mind of unnecessary distractions, what’s your go-to resource? It could be a book , a business blog , some trusted advisors, or maybe even family and friends.

Small Businesses 112

Small Businesses 112

Abrigo

NOVEMBER 16, 2016

The following is written by Mary Beth Koester , Manager of Business Valuations at Rae & Associates. As you prepare clients for an exit, there are a few key areas and metrics to consider. Keeping in mind that exit planning can, and should, begin years in advance, you will be able to watch as these metrics change over time. You’ll become an important advisor to the business owner, making your role critical to their success.

Transactions 103

Transactions 103

Fundera

NOVEMBER 17, 2016

Women’s Entrepreneurship Day is coming up on November 19th—meaning this is the best time to celebrate influential females in the small business space. The number of women-owned small businesses is at an all-time high. To honor the female entrepreneurs who are changing the face of small business with innovative and valuable companies, we picked their brains for advice for other women setting forth with their own small businesses.

Small Businesses 111

Small Businesses 111

Fundera

OCTOBER 24, 2016

Every small business owner wants to cut down on costs and save money for their small business. Why spend your hard-earned cash when you don’t need to? But if you’ve ever sat down and tried to cross off items on your list of expenses, you know that cutting costs is easier said than done. Looking for tips on how you can cut costs for your small business?

Small Businesses 111

Small Businesses 111

Fundera

NOVEMBER 7, 2016

As a savvy consumer, you probably have Black Friday and Cyber Monday marked on your calendar as the best days to score deals at almost any retail store in the United States. But did you know about an equal—if not better—shopping event that falls on that same weekend? It’s Small Business Saturday—an event that any smart shopper or small business owner should take advantage of on Saturday, November 26th.

Small Businesses 110

Small Businesses 110

Fundera

OCTOBER 18, 2016

Ever needed some advice or a little inspiration to keep driving your business forward? You’re not alone. At some point down the line, all small business owners find themselves in a quandary or rut that they need to get out of. Luckily, there are a lot of small business resources available to small business owners who need a little help along the way.

Small Businesses 110

Small Businesses 110

Fundera

OCTOBER 17, 2016

As an entrepreneur growing a small business, it’s hard to take a step back, turn off your devices, and just… Relax. . But finding time to put your work responsibilities on hold is crucial to your wellbeing —and your business’s. Need some tips on finding that work-life balance? Well, the best advice comes from people who are in the exact same boat as you are.

Small Businesses 110

Small Businesses 110

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

Wouldn’t it be great to work from anywhere? It’s every office worker’s biggest daydream: sleep in late, set your own hours, take long lunches, vacation whenever you want, be your own boss. Running a successful online business combines all the independence of small business ownership with the freedom of the internet. Plus, online businesses tend to be a heck of a lot cheaper to manage.

Deductions 110

Deductions Small Businesses 110

Fundera

NOVEMBER 29, 2016

Stress is a reality for everyone. But as an entrepreneur running a small business, you have your fair share of stress to deal with every day. From finding new customers, managing your current customers, financing a business , keeping your employees happy, paying your small business taxes …. The list of daily stressors can go on and on. But as the owner and lifeblood of your business, all you can do is bottle up your stress and forge ahead, right?

Small Businesses 109

Small Businesses 109

Fundera

NOVEMBER 29, 2016

Stress is a reality for everyone. But as an entrepreneur running a small business, you have your fair share of stress to deal with every day. From finding new customers, managing your current customers, financing a business , keeping your employees happy, paying your small business taxes …. The list of daily stressors can go on and on. But as the owner and lifeblood of your business, all you can do is bottle up your stress and forge ahead, right?

Small Businesses 109

Small Businesses 109

Fundera

OCTOBER 12, 2016

Ever wonder how you and your business stack up to your neighbors? The U.S. has almost 330 million people (with one birth every 8 seconds! ) and nearly 30 million small businesses … So where do you fall? When it comes to small business financing , we can tell you exactly how you compare in terms of annual revenue, personal credit score , and years in business—and what loan sizes and APRs you should expect if you’re financing the business.

Credit Scoring 109

Credit Scoring Small Businesses 109

Fundera

OCTOBER 4, 2016

So… You want to be an entrepreneur. Maybe you love the idea of being your own boss and growing a successful business, but one roadblock is keeping you from moving forward: You’re having trouble coming up with an actual business idea to execute on. Some entrepreneurs are lucky enough to stumble across a million-dollar idea and start a business. But if this isn’t you—don’t panic.

Small Businesses 109

Small Businesses Brokerages 109

Fundera

OCTOBER 26, 2016

Busy work: We know it when see it. It’s the stuff that feels like it’s supposed to be done a different way. It’s slow, it’s not fun, but it has to be done. In the age of technology, we sometimes become bogged down with more busy work than ever—transferring things over, adding clients to mailing lists, other menial administrative tasks. Our tools should work seamlessly together, not independently.

Small Businesses 109

Small Businesses 109

Fundera

DECEMBER 14, 2016

If you’re like most adults today, then running a business was the last thing on your mind as a child. With school, sports, and activities filling the day, the closest most kids ever get to entrepreneurship is setting up a lemonade stand on a hot summer afternoon. But for some kids, the spirit of entrepreneurship catches on at an early age. And today, there are more kid entrepreneurs changing the small business landscape than ever—we’re talking way beyond the lemonade stand.

Nonprofit Organizations 108

Nonprofit Organizations Small Businesses 108

Fundera

OCTOBER 21, 2016

When you’re a small business owner , you’re always busy—and when you’re always busy, staying in shape is ridiculously hard. But it’s not impossible. These 9 fitness hacks will help even the busiest among us stay in shape. 1. Keep it simple. Let’s face it: Some fitness routines are easier than others. If you’re working 24/7, forget about driving to the gym, changing into your swimsuit, swimming laps, showering, drying off and getting dressed again.

Small Businesses 107

Small Businesses 107

Fundera

DECEMBER 6, 2016

Have you ever made a mistake as a small business owner? Who hasn’t? If it’s any consolation, you’re definitely not alone. The 11 mistakes below are so common that every entrepreneur I know (including me!) has made at least one of them. 1. Failing to plan. “When you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail,” as the saying goes. Without a business plan to guide your startup and growth, you’ll struggle to make decisions, get loans, or bring investors on board.

Small Businesses 106

Small Businesses Default 106

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

As a mother herself, Suz O’Donnell knows plenty about trying to balance a new baby and a small business—arguably two of the toughest jobs in the world. She’s the president of Thrivatize , a business that focuses on helping ambitious career moms create a work-life balance that sets them up for success. In a way, the two endeavors are similar: They need almost undivided attention and commitment, as well as a nurturing sensibility.

Small Businesses 107

Small Businesses 107

Fundera

OCTOBER 7, 2016

No matter how experienced you are as a entrepreneur—whether you’re just opening your doors or have already started a few successful businesses—you can always benefit from advice from someone who has followed a similar journey. Maybe you need a little inspiration to rev up your engines, or you could use some advice on how to be a better manager and bring your business to new heights.

Small Businesses 106

Small Businesses 106

Fundera

NOVEMBER 8, 2016

Do you hire, manage, and pay employees? If so, you’re probably aware of how tough payroll and HR can be. There are forms to fill, checks to sign, taxes to pay, regulations to comply with, paid time off to track, and so much more. And if you make even a single mistake, you could wind up paying off those fines and fees. ( 1 in 3 business owners experience this, in fact!).

Small Businesses 106

Small Businesses Deductions Transactions 106

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016

Buying real estate for your small business? It’s an exciting move, but also a stressful one. Expanding to a new location or just renovating your current space is a big step for a small business owner—so you should know the ins and outs of the process before you get too far in over your head. By learning how to navigate commercial real estate loans, you’ll be well equipped to get the best rate and terms for your business.

Credit Unions 106

Credit Unions Small Businesses Default 106

Fundera

NOVEMBER 16, 2016

In a world dominated by ecommerce giants like Amazon and big box stores like Wal-Mart and Target, it’s easy to overlook the importance of the family business. But family-run businesses play a huge role in creating wealth and stability in today’s economy: According to the Conway Center for Family Business , they make up 80-90% of all firms in North America, account for 78% of new job creation, and are less likely to lay people off.

105

105

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 26, 2016

Do you need a business accountant? You might answer, “No way.” You can use an app or just do it yourself, so why spend the money? We get it—whether you’re a seasoned vet or just starting up, every small business owner wants to cut down on costs. So you only spend on what’s absolutely necessary for your business. Well, we’re here to tell you that hiring a business accountant is absolutely necessary for your small business—and well worth the cost.

Accounting Firms 105

Accounting Firms Deductions Small Businesses 105

Fundera

NOVEMBER 2, 2016

Bruce Springsteen, John Bon Jovi, Frank Sinatra, Martha Stewart, and Meryl Streep—what do they all have in common? That’s right: they all hail from the Garden State! While New Jersey is the 4 th smallest state by land area, it’s the 11 th most populous state in the USA. Being the most densely populated state in the country has helped create a great business climate for the state.

Small Businesses 105

Small Businesses 105

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 15, 2016

My friends at Fundera asked me to write an article comparing Freshbooks vs QuickBooks. I did indeed do that, but I have to say this before you read any further: I’ve owned a bookkeeping and consulting business, Kildal Services LLC , for the better part of 15 years. We only support QuickBooks products, and I’ve exclusively used some version of QuickBooks since 1998.

Transactions 105

Transactions Credit Sales 105

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 15, 2016

My friends at Fundera asked me to write an article comparing Freshbooks vs QuickBooks. I did indeed do that, but I have to say this before you read any further: I’ve owned a bookkeeping and consulting business, Kildal Services LLC , for the better part of 15 years. We only support QuickBooks products, and I’ve exclusively used some version of QuickBooks since 1998.

Transactions 105

Transactions Credit Sales 105

Fundera

NOVEMBER 3, 2016

Not every successful small business is glamorous. In fact, many of the small businesses in the United States are stressful, dangerous, tiring, and downright icky. But you’ve heard the phrase: “It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it.” Well, these 6 small business owners aren’t just “doing it”—they’re doing it really well in industries you couldn’t even imagine operating in.

Small Businesses 104

Small Businesses 104

Fundera

OCTOBER 5, 2016

Technology has made it easier than ever to run a successful business all on your own. But for those small business owners hoping to grow their companies, at some point you’ll likely need to consider hiring your first employee. But how do you know when the time is right? Here are 4 questions to ask. 1. Are you busy enough to hire your first employee?

Small Businesses 104

Small Businesses 104

Fundera

NOVEMBER 1, 2016

As a busy small business owner, I know how hard it is to eat healthy when your schedule is crazy. Between clients, business travel, and catching up on emails, it often seems like I work 24 hours a day. So take it from me: Running a business doesn’t have to mean wolfing down cold cereal over the kitchen sink every night. Here are a dozen easy, healthy go-to meal ideas (and a couple of to-go options) for even the busiest entrepreneur.

Small Businesses 104

Small Businesses 104

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 20, 2016

As a small business owner, you’re always on your toes—ready to deal with any curveball that’s thrown your way. But even the most prepared small business owner can get blindsided by an unexpected cost or a blip in your business’s operations. Maybe your store’s pipes burst, your delivery van broke down, or computers just refused to turn on. Whatever the reason, your business is on the line, and you need capital— right now.

Credit Scoring 104

Credit Scoring Credit and Collections Small Businesses 104

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 13, 2016

If you’re a small business owner on the hunt for business loans , you probably know the deal with traditional banks: big banks just don’t lend to small businesses. That’s partly true. More than 80% of banks reported that they tightened their lending standards for small businesses after the recession. Today, only about 20% of small business owners who apply for bank loans are approved.

Small Businesses 104

Small Businesses Credit Scoring Credit and Collections Credit Card Payments 104