Where there’s money, there’s growth; this is just one of the standard facts of the business world. If you want your business to grow in 2019, you’ll have to find the best way to finance it, keeping in mind where you want to see yourself at the end of the year. With an ever-changing landscape out there, it’s important for business owners to stay up-to-date on the best options to fit the circumstances.

General Loans

These have always been a constant in the world of the small-business owner and entrepreneur. You need capital to start up your projects and lift them through the various stages of growth you experience as your business turns from an idea to a reality — and from a reality to a profitable player in your field. There are certain ways to stack the odds in your favor to get approved for loans, like having an acceptable personal credit history and some collateral to offer up if worse comes to worst. While only a quarter or so of small-business applications are accepted by larger banks, you’ll see that number rise to 50 percent if you choose to work with a smaller bank. If you’re in a pinch, a short-term general loan can help get you out of a slump, but be wary of larger interest rates.

Crowdsourcing

We have seen crowdsourcing explode in recent years on sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, but what you may not realize is that there are more industry-specific sites that may correlate directly to your field. Sites like iFundWomen and CircleUp help specific markets of the business world that need a lift to get started. If you’re a woman with an idea that needs backing, iFundWomen will help get you started by hosting your fundraising on its site. More excitingly, a portion of their fees go right back into investing in the businesses they feature. CircleUp is used specifically for crowdfunding early-stage consumer products that may have not gotten their fair share of attention yet. Whatever site you land on, these new options for the modern entrepreneur have opened doors for successful businesses around the globe.

Article by
Wayne Goshkarian,
Senior Advisor

Wayne Goshkarian in front of his jet