There are numerous growing businesses and a whole lot more in line wanting to start their own, but lack certain factors to do so. Financial aspects, in particular, would be one of them.
If you are starting your own business, you need to consider the amount that you are willing to pull out for your capital. According to a research, 29% of businesses fail because of insufficient capital, and one of the most common reasons why businesses do not last that long. This is why owners are adding “applying a loan” in planning their business ventures, to help meet the working capital requirements and to satisfy the operational costs until they acquire a certain volume in profit.
It is said to be ideal to fund their businesses with their own money. However, there is a huge risk of having to spend a lot in one go for the capital while being uncertain if your business will be a success. Thus, resorting to external sources by applying for business loans is recommended. This might be a good solution so it would not be too heavy on your end too.
Business loans can help owners with the start-up costs, enhancements in the business area, for purchasing the equipment and stocks needed for the business to operate, as well as the salaries you need to provide for your employees. You control the money you get from the funding. Thus, how you will use it all depends on you now.
There are quite a few advantages that applying for a loan for your starting business offers the owners. This includes the reasonable interest rates, the ability to retain business ownership even after taking out a loan and control all the money you borrow, the help it provides in building your credit, and the protection of your personal wealth as well. The said advantages might help you come up with the decision in pursuing your businesses, without worrying too much about the budget. Continue reading to learn more.
Reasonable Interest Rates
One of the reasons why people hesitate in applying for funding is because of the possibility of high interest rates. However, business loans for start-ups typically offer reasonable rates of interest. The bank where you take out a loan from will assess the type of business you have. They will use it to reflect on how high the interest rates would be. Though still, the rates are subject to how banks see a healthy return on their profits, and if the businesses appear less risky based on their assessments.
It is said that it is often better to apply for loans from banks than taking out personal loans or using credit cards for your working capital, especially if you are opting for a long-term funding option. Those who go for personal loans are charged with higher interest rates because they do not require collateral and in-depth background checks. With this, banks grant these loans easily. But with business loans, your business itself is the collateral, thoroughly looked over initially before granting them.
Can Retain Business Ownership
Apart from business loans, investor financing would be another option you could go for to secure your working capital. However, the downside of this is that they may ask for a share of equity with your business. They have the power to control the decisions you make. This may affect the flow of your business venture, and have the ability to share your business profits to them. And as a business owner, you definitely have your own plans, and you do not want anybody to go against any of it. Business loans are a better option for this.
One of the advantages of applying for a loan from banks is the ability to acquire a budget while not losing control of your business. You can be able to retain all the profits you gain from your business as well. And since you are just using them to finally start off your business, the loan you might get is not that huge. Thus, easy to pay off after you gain profits.
Taking Full Control of the Money You Borrow
Before your loans get approved, banks would probably be asking you your business plans to know how you aim to run and carry out the operations. But as mentioned earlier, they will not have to decide for your business and interfere with your choices. Once they grant you the funds you borrowed, they will not have a say on where you will use them. Just as long as you will be able to pay them back, together with the interest charges. You will have full control of the money you borrow.
Banks do not set restrictions on how you will use the budget they give you. This allows you to be flexible with your business plans. You get to retain the control of your business without interference.
Credit Building
Similar to personal loans, loans you apply for business have the potential to increase your credit profile. Taking out a business loan can improve your creditworthiness, especially if you consistently make payments on time. Because the better the credit score your business has, the more reliable you look in the eyes of the banks you apply loans for. It will be easier for you to get approved for future financing services. They might offer you a much lower interest rate and friendlier loan terms.
In contrast to that, if you have a bad credit, of course it would give you a hard time to qualify for future financing with lower interest rates and good loan terms. Thus, it is better to make payments on-time for a better credit history.
Protect Personal Wealth
Usually, the initial decision that first time business owners have to make is whether they will use their own money to establish their business, or do they need to borrow a certain amount for the costs. This is an important choice because starting a business is actually a huge risk to begin with. You cannot just pledge your personal wealth — your savings, the ownership of your home, and other valuable properties you own, for your working capital because everything is still uncertain at this early point in your business venture.
Getting a budget from external sources, such as applying for a business loan, can help you with your initial business expenses without having to touch your personal wealth. This would be a great solution so it would not be that heavy on your end.
Key Takeaway
Oftentimes, business owners tend to get overwhelmed with the amount of planning they need to do in starting up a business that they overlook the things that they need. They immediately pull out money from their personal wealth to resolve this without having to consider other options.
Applying for a loan could be a possible solution for your business expenses. It can give you reasonable interest rates, and the opportunity to be the only one to make decisions for your business without having anyone to restrict you. You also will not have a problem on how you will be dividing the budget you borrowed because you have full control over it. Loans will also help your business in improving its credit profile so the next time you apply again for one will not pose much of a problem and will be easier for you. Lastly, you will be able to separate your personal wealth from your business with this.
But by these means, you must still keep in mind that borrowing money is a really risky move, no matter which way you see it. So you need to weigh the situation, as well as the options, before deciding to move forward.
