Small business owners should always be thinking about how they can save money. And while saving money in business isn’t always easy, it is certainly possible by doing some critical thinking. Figuring out how to do this is one of the biggest challenges for small business owners, who often have to deal with tight finances […]
For small businesses, getting a loan to secure funding isn’t always easy. In fact, 77% of small business owners are worried about limited access to credit affecting their ability to expand or achieve other goals. In light of common lending challenges, many lenders are willing to offer a loan when the business owner provides a […]
Loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) can feel like your golden ticket to profitability. SBA loan terms are favorable and also offer competitive interest rates. However, SBA loans are notoriously difficult to qualify for, especially if you have bad credit. Your business might be too small to qualify, or you might not have enough […]
Small business growth is an important consideration for any business owner—especially since it can look very different for each company. For some, expanding a business simply entails increasing their customer base and potentially hiring a few additional employees to manage the extra workload. For others, the growth plan involves expanding to new cities or states. […]
Your business credit score can have a huge impact on your ability to effectively manage your company. A high score makes it easier to secure credit cards, lines of credit, loans, and other funding to keep your business afloat. But what if it’s your first time opening a business, and you have zero credit history? […]
When starting your own company, one question you might be wondering is whether your new endeavor will be considered a startup or a small business. While startups and small businesses have several similarities, there are also key differences that distinguish them from each other. By understanding what constitutes a startup or small business, you can […]
If you’re a small business owner, you’re likely going to run into working capital problems. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a lack of adequate working capital is one of the biggest challenges for small businesses with 77% of owners citing a concerning lack of access to capital. To combat this issue, the SBA […]
It’s a problem no business owner wants to face but also a challenge that almost everyone will encounter sooner or later—an invoice that doesn’t seem like it’s going to get paid. When one of your customers is delinquent on their invoice payment, it can create serious cash flow problems that disrupt your operations. Most of […]
It is estimated that there are 33.2 million small businesses in the U.S. On the surface, this can make it seem like running a successful small business must be an easily achievable undertaking. In reality, the vast majority of these companies are deal with significant obstacles, whether they’re tied to aspects such as sales, cash […]
Imagine being the owner of a small staffing agency. Over the last few months, you’ve noticed fluctuating profits. Some weeks boom. Others are worryingly low. Still, your goal is to expand into a second location. You feel like you can do it, but you don’t know the details. It’s vital you understand your overall performance […]
Of the many things that will affect the bottom line of your business, few are more important than building relationships with customers. Your ability to build and maintain relationships with customers will make all the difference in your ability to achieve sustainable long-term growth. With strong customer relationships, you’ll enjoy higher levels of client satisfaction […]
Every business owner needs to know the three major financial statements to gain a comprehensive and holistic overview of your company’s financial condition. Together, these documents provide valuable information for business accounting and strategic decision-making regarding investments, expansions, and cost-cutting. If you’re looking for investors, they’re going to want to see and review these statements […]
Say you’re a business owner looking to expand. You’re preparing for a loan application or seeking investment from outside sources. In this scenario, you must demonstrate your company’s financial health and stability to lenders or investors. Understanding the link between the three major financial statements—the balance sheet, cash flow statement, and profit and loss statement—means […]
How to measure success in business is perhaps the biggest question on the minds of small business owners. Regardless of industry, finding what qualifies as true “success” can be a challenge. Understanding which business performance metrics indicate that your company is in good shape will help you take steps that will keep your business in […]
Consumers hoping for relief from the elevated Fed interest rate will have to wait further, as The Federal Reserve announced on Wednesday it is holding steady on its 5.25-5.50% lending rate in a continued effort to combat inflation. The 23-year-high, which peaked in July 2023, has remained unchanged following five consecutive policy meetings. Policymakers insist […]
Interest rates have been a hot topic of conversation for small businesses over the past year after the federal funds rate hit a 23-year high in July 2023. The Fed rate had then remained steady (5.25% – 5.50%) until a September 2024 decision to cut rates by a half point, a significant reduction. However, questions […]
Every day, more than four billion people open their email. So how do you stand out as a staffing agency owner who is introducing your business to potential clients? The answer isn’t obvious, but with a little bit of research, you’ll learn how to craft a perfect staffing agency introduction email to your target clients […]
There are a lot of perks as a business owner: you can set your own schedule, be your own boss, and make every decision. But one of the few downsides of running your own business is relying on clients to pay on-time in order to keep your day-to-day operations on track. Even if just one […]
Inventory, accounts receivable (AR), and accounts payable (AP) should be familiar terms for business owners. Where it gets tricky is figuring out how to tie these three components together. Fortunately, there’s a concept that encompasses all three: the working capital cycle. Evaluating your working capital cycle is a must if you’re aiming to manage your […]
Ground Picture // Shutterstock The economy has small business owners in a conundrum. Objectively, small businesses are doing well. Consumers are still spending. Retail sales rose to more than two times what economists predicted as of September 2023, according to the Commerce Department. But, confidence among these business owners is waning, and many are pessimistic […]
Creating a budget is essential when running or starting a small business. When doing so, setting attainable goals, knowing your limitations, and understanding the best business budgeting tools will give your small business the best shot at profitability and sustained success. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of budgeting for your small business, […]
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock Americans are being rejected for loans at rates unseen in at least five years. The difficulty getting approval is hitting applicants across the board—including those in the market for homes, mortgage refinancing, vehicles, credit cards, and credit card limit increases. altLINE analyzed data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Credit […]
If you’re new to running a business, you’ll also be a new possessor of a business credit score. Your initial score as a first-time business owner won’t allow you to obtain all the funding you might want, but the saving grace is that you’re not alone. A common struggle of starting a new business is […]
mavo // Shutterstock Inflation has nothing on the American entrepreneurial spirit, which, judging by the volume of new businesses formed, continues to see potential in the post-pandemic economy. To better understand the post-COVID-19 outlook for entrepreneurship in the U.S., altLINE analyzed data and reports from the National Bureau of Economic Research and the Census Bureau. […]
The ever-evolving modern business landscape is filled with apps focused on boosting efficiency for businesses. As an entrepreneur, it’s important to remember that leveraging mobile apps for running a small business is one of the most efficient ways to grow your company. When utilized correctly, the right apps can significantly improve your team’s workflows, collaboration, […]
