By James Pruitt, Senior Staff Writer

Short-term credit often provides vital sustenance to a new business. Short-term creditors also commonly predate on fresh entrepreneurs.  Regardless of need, business owners should use such lenders cautiously.

“Loan sharks” can suck businesses dry in their times of vulnerability. This stage of the pandemic likely exposes the vulnerabilities of many businesses. Small businesses now likely struggle with debts as well as labor and inventory shortages. Predatory lenders may circle like vultures at this stage.

Are there healthy routes to short term credit? Absolutely. Three outlets can provide safe short-term loans for the cautious small business owner.

Lines of Credit and Online Short-Term Loans

Always beware of unethical practices by creditors. Predatory lenders often exploit smaller business owners with exorbitant Annual Percentage Rates or APRs and crushing terms. Of course, businesses do need a cushion when a crisis arises. This cushion could be hard cash in a savings account or a line of credit from any of a variety of lenders, including mortgagers and small banks.

As discussed in our previous blog posts, cash flow poses issues for many business owners. You need money to make money, right? A trustworthy lender usually asks two things from a small business for a simple line of credit: At least six months in business, and at least $50,000 in annual revenue. Short of these requirements, Veteran Business Owners should give a second look to any lender offering short-term lines of credit. A line of credit may provide the “emergency fund” to protect a business in cases of a short-term crisis.

At a pinch, an online short-term loan may offer a tempting alternative. Direct cash from a lender may provide another “safety net.” However, absent reasonable terms, business owners should look elsewhere before contracting with lenders that seem too eager to dispense short-term capital. Their collections efforts will likely haunt them afterword.

Most online short-term loans have similar terms as lines of credit. A decent credit score tends to hold greater significance when the lender offers hard cash outright. These loans offer further risks, and the lenders use even more caution when approving short-term cash.

These loans can range from four to five digits. However, bear in mind that the payback period can range from three to eighteen months. Creditors will want their money in the meantime. Lenders will also wield greater leverage in negotiations for payment plans and repayment terms. In short, despite the occasional necessity of short-term money, lenders inevitably demand their pound of flesh afterward.

Equipment Loans

These loans are a different sort of animal. Lenders foreclose on the equipment itself in case of default on these loans. Such equipment may include kitchen equipment, warehouse machines, and even company-owned mobile devices. Most lenders expect more security from business owners for such loans, since damage to equipment can greatly decrease its value following repossession.

Trustworthy lenders generally expect eleven months in business, a decent credit score, and $100,000 in annual revenue before securing a necessary piece of equipment. The risk to the lender is greater, so the contractual terms place more responsibility on the borrower.

When to Use a Short-Term Line of Credit?

All businesses (and even individuals) should ideally have an emergency fund. Lines of credit and short-term online loans may plausibly furnish that cushion. Additionally, Veteran Business Owners may lack investment funds during their idea’s development phase. In the case of shorter loans and payment plans, both lenders and borrowers generally should recognize the urgency of repayment. Hence, everyone should apply a fine-tooth comb to short-term financing. Short-term lenders can be as sketchy as they are sometimes necessary.

VAMBOA, the Veterans and Military Business Owners Association hopes that this article has not only been valuable but provided some unique perspective.  We work hard to bring you important, positive, helpful, and timely information and are the “go to” online venue for Veteran and Military Business Owners.  VAMBOA is a non-profit trade association.   We do not charge members any dues or fees and members can also use our seal on their collateral and website.   If you are not yet a member, you can register here:

https://vamboa.org/member-registration/

We also invite you to check us out on social media too.

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Do not forget that VAMBOA members receive significant discounts on technology needs.   Check them out here:

https://vamboa.org/dell-technologies/

By Debbie Gregory.

Cash flows in and flows out. Cash flow is important and is a key indicator of a company’s health. As discussed in the previous article, cash flow is different from profitability. Cash flow measures the liquid assets on hand, while profitability relates more to the long-term expansion of the company.

Different types of income and expenses break into different categories of cash flow. We can break these down into (1) “operating cash flow,” (2) “investing cash flow,” (3) “financing cash flow,” and (4) “other cash flow.”

Differentiating types of cash flow helps businesses create a cash flow statement. These statements are important both for internal accounting and tax purposes. Each type of cash flow may require its own equation for records maintenance. These records are important for any company’s operations procedures, regardless of the company’s size.

• Operating Cash Flow

“Operating cash flow” comes from a variety of sources. On the incoming side of the equation, “operating cash flow” might include the direct cash revenue from goods or services is one such source. Outgoing cash flow might be employees’ wages, purchase of supplies or equipment, utility bills, overhead, or payments on loans. Other types of operating cash flow, besides direct revenue, may include interest on loans and payments from lawsuits. The most common formula for “operating cash flow” is the following: Net Income + non-cash expenses + changes in working capital.

• Investing Cash Flow

“Investing cash flow” may or may not be relevant depending on the size or operations of the business. Such cash flow may be incoming or outgoing.  Examples may include business acquisitions, insurance settlements, or loans originating from the business or business owner. Generally, the equation from “investing cash flow” is earnings from any investments minus any liabilities, such as loan payments or insurance liabilities.

• Financing Cash Flow

“Financing cash flow” moves between owners, investors, and creditors. The owners themselves could move cash into the company from their own savings or other income sources. Aside from owners, investors or creditors may contribute to the financing of the company. Investors, for their part, could overlap with creditors, who could issue loans or other financial arrangements.

In consideration of the interests of investors and creditors, owners should consider the appropriateness of moving cash out of the company coffers, depending on circumstances. The most common formula for “financing cash flow” is the following:

Financing Activities Cash Flow = CED – (CD + RP). This formula could help a company issue a cash flow statement.

• Other Cash Flow

Other types of cash flow might involve charitable contributions, earnings or costs for company events, or any variety of incentives for employees, assuming use for the company’s business purposes. Calculation methods may defer to the owner’s convenience and operations procedures.

• Cash Flow Statements

The above four categories suggest methods of organization for cash-flow statements, for record-keeping purposes. Companies should issue a cash flow statement at least quarterly. The company’s management may use the above classifications at their discretion.  However, the statements themselves are necessary records for any company’s archives, both for outside requests and internal reference.

We hope that you have enjoyed this article and the prior one on profitability.   We work hard to bring our audience timely and important information.

We do not charge members any dues or fees.  If you are not yet a member of VAMBOA, please join here:   https://vamboa.org/member-registration/

Members may use our seal on their web sites and collateral and will receive special discounts and other important information.

By Debbie Gregory.

If you need to raise money for your small business, there are several viable options available that are not your traditional bank loans.  One good one is Crowdfunding.    Crowdfunding easily allows a diverse set of people to invest in your business, idea, or project.

The Internet has many Crowdfunding sites and it can be confusing and challenging to find the right one to fit your needs.  VAMBOA staff has researched some of the best crowdfunding sites in 2020 and they are below in alphabetical order:

Chuffed 

This platform is exclusively for non-profit or cause-based organizations and is focused at funding projects that help animals, the environment, or your community. This platform has funded approximately 8,000 campaigns which have collectively raised over $18 million dollars.

Crowd Supply 

This platform’s mission is to “bring original, useful, respectful hardware to life.” So far over 70% of all projects on their site have been successfully funded and twice more than Kickstarter. Regardless of what business you are in, or what project you wish to bring to life, from a simple family recipe to a complicated electronic device, Crowd Supply can assist you in making your dream into a reality.

Crowdfunder 

This platform offers equity crowdfunding that translates into selling shares of your company to accredited investors. Currently they boast a community of over 200,000 entrepreneurs and investors.   They have raised over $150 million dollars in capital to help any business from startups to Pre-Seed to Series A companies.

Experiment 

This platform’s goal is funding scientific discoveries that “push the boundaries of knowledge.” The main focus is to help scientists move away from university grants that have a high overhead cost of as much as 50 percent to 60 percent.

Fundable 

This platform offers two different programs. One option is for consumer businesses helps them raise capital for products, pre-orders, or selling merchandise. There is a $50,000 capital limit. The other is an equity program for products, services, or B2B business. This option allows the company to raise a huge range of from $50,000 to $10 million dollars.

Fundly 

This platform allows you to “raise money for anything” with zero raise requirements and zero startup fees involved. They will fund any project from personal health needs, to politics, and even vacations.

GoFundMe

This platform is for raising money for a cause including a person, a group, or nonprofit.

Kickstarter 

This platform is perhaps one of the most widely known crowdfunding sites today.  You can raise money for anything you wish. The only stipulation is that you must meet your funding goal within the allotted timeframe. Otherwise the project is not funded, and the backers receive their funds back.  To date, they have helped well over 15 million people raise over $3.7 billion to successfully fund more than 143,000 projects.

Indiegogo 

This platform offers both live crowdfunding campaigns and a full marketplace for innovative products. They are the sister platform to the popular GoFundMe platform. With Indiegogo, you can also choose whether your backers receive equity, securities, revenue sharing, or even cryptocurrency. To date, they have helped entrepreneurs raise over $1 billion dollars to fund more than 650,000 projects.

LendingClub 

This platform will connect a borrower with an investor for a personal loan of up to $40,000 dollars or business loans up $300,000 dollars. This one is really recommended for large, one-time expenses. The investor purchases a note that corresponds to a fraction of the loan in exchange for a solid return.

Patreon  (not to be mistaken with my favorite tequila, Patron)

This platform helps artists, musicians, writers, and other creative types obtain funds by running a membership business for their fans. The revenue comes from the fans paying a subscription fee in exchange for exclusive experiences and behind the scenes content.

WeFunder 

This platform focused on any small business, from a small restaurant to tech startups. They currently have over 150,000 investors and campaigns can raise anywhere from $50,000 to $50 million dollars.

SeedInvest 

This platform is focused on high-growth, professional and early-stage companies to raise either preferred equity or convertible note funding.

Keep in mind that each of these platforms has a different pricing structure and different fees.   VAMBOA is not endorsing any of these Crowdfunding sites but providing information.  We encourage our audience to refer to please each platform’s site for more information on what they charge to raise capital for your business or idea.

If you are not already a VAMBOA member, please consider joining.  There are not any fees or dues.    We will also provide you our seal to feature on your web site and collateral.  Here is a link to join:   https://vamboa.org/contact-us/

By Debbie Gregory.

We hope that you have found the prior article on Business Loan Scams helpful.   It so important to be aware so you and your Small Veteran Owned Business do not fall prey to a scammer.  Remember that scammers often will contact you online or by phone.  Below we will provide you additional types of Business Loan Scams.

• Ghost Investors: You can receive a call about a “potential investor” lined up to provide you huge amounts of funding immediately and asking for a transaction fee.   Keep in mind when anything sounds to good to be true, it usually is a scam.  Ghost investors are more of a con trying to go after those who might be in the market for business loans and/or funding.   The scammer will act as the “agent” for a large investor, foundation, angel investor or fund who wants to give you money and make an investment in your business.

They are not too interested in hearing your plan or ideas but want to collect your private financial information online such as your social security number or tax identification number for your business.   They will say they need this private information to conduct a background check.  They also will try to obtain an advance fee of some type from you.  They want to hook you and then do a double whammy of taking your personal information and obtaining your money in advance fees.   Legitimate investors take a considerable amount of time to investigate you and they do not ask for fees.

• Loan Broker Swindlers: These scammers will promise to connect you with a reputable lender in the role of consultant of sorts.   They want your sensitive information and advance fees.

Yes, there are legitimate loan brokers out there, but the real ones will not ask you to pay upfront for their services.   Most ethical loan brokers work on a commission basis and are not paid their commission until the deal closes.  Please beware of any loan brokers who ask for their fees upfront.  If someone wants to buy your business or make a loan, there is a process and it should not cost you upfront.

• After Financing Business Loan Scams: Stay alert because after you have your loan, there are scammers who will come out of the woodwork.  Below are some of the scams after you obtain your loan:

1. Debt Relief Scam: It usually goes like this: “If you are struggling with loan payments, get out of debt with affordable monthly payments and we guarantee 48-hour approval”.   The target are people who have trouble keeping up with their loan payments.  The scammer often promises to significantly cut your loan payment or forgive all or part of it.  Once again, they will try to obtain your sensitive information and even your bank account info.   Anyone who promises you a “guaranteed approval” is usually not legitimate.  Again, they will try to obtain upfront fees.  If you are struggling with payments, talk with your existing lender and determine if you can revise the loan so the payments are more affordable.
2. Debt Collection Schemes: This is when debt collectors harass you, make threats of arrest and try to use fear to obtain money from you.    Collectors are regulated by law.  At the end of the day, they want to work out a plan with you and are not allowed to make threats.  If you feel threatened, it probably is not a legitimate collector.

There are many ways that hard working small business owners can be tricked by scammers and con artists.  We urge you to be on the lookout for the following:

• Unsolicited Contact
• Non-Traditional Advertising
• Upfront Money Requested
• Lack of a Physical Address
• Generic Email Address
• Guaranteed Approval
• High-Pressure Sales Tactics
• Too Good to be True

If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a business loan scam, below are a list of things you can do:

• Report to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
• Call local police
• Report identity theft
• Contact local credit bureaus

We urge you to be on the alert to avoid business loan scams.  As we previously stated, knowledge is power.  Take your time and confirm that you are dealing with legitimate sources.

If you are interested, we invite you to join VAMBOA.   There are not any fees or dues charged to members.  We will also allow members to use the VAMBOA seal on their collateral and website.  If you want to join, below is a link to register:

https://vamboa.org/member-registration

More Financing Info For Small Businesses

By Debbie Gregory.

Many business owners focus on the numbers on their balance sheet and don’t pay enough attention to their cash flow needs. To keep a company thriving, business owners need to take charge of their working capital.

Working capital is the daily, weekly and monthly cash requirement for the operations of a company.  It is paramount to the success of any business. Working capital ensures that a firm has enough liquidity to run its operations smoothly. Veteran business owners need to also be mindful of working capital.

Some of the additional benefits of having healthy working capital include:

• A higher return for every dollar invested in the business
• Improved credit profile
• Higher liquidity and profitability
• The ability to weather market ebbs and flows
• Favorable Financing Terms

While there are many options to finance your small businesses, be aware that finance terms and fee structures are hidden and don’t clearly display the true cost of credit.

To that end, StreetShares, a veteran-run company, is currently providing one of most transparent and fair business lending products that benefit entrepreneurship across the U.S., according to Mark Rockefeller than CEO and an Iraq War.

Streetshares is launching zero fee products with a low, straightforward interest rate, allowing business owners to more clearly understand the real cost of credit as they are increasingly accustomed to in the consumer lending space.   These products will be available until May 31^st.

Additionally, StreetShares is also providing a four-week interest rate rebate to small business owners so if borrowers choose to pay off their loan or line of credit draw within the four week period, they can do it without paying any fees or finance charges whatsoever.

“Our mission is to be the trusted financial solution for America’s heroes and their communities, this offering will help us achieve that,” said Rockefeller

Knowing how much working capital your business needs to function will vary, but it’s important to have a clear understanding, plan accordingly and manage your financial responsibilities.

Veteran and Military Business Owners Association, VAMBOA,