“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”-Benjamin Franklin. Introduction As we approach the new year, it’s time to prepare your business for 2025. Now is the time to assess the successes and challenges of the past year and set a proactive course for the months ahead. Whether your business surged due to seasonal demand or encountered unexpected challenges, the new year brings a fresh canvas to drive growth, boost profitability, and achieve your goals. This guide outlines essential strategies to successfully prepare your business for 2025. 1. Assess the Competitive Landscape In today’s dynamic marketplace, staying ahead requires...
The Working Capital Cycle
An RBF Framework for Making Credit Decisions In the landscape of alternative finance, where small businesses often seek capital when traditional banks decline to lend, understanding the working capital cycle is crucial. This financial metric not only provides insights into a company’s operational efficiency but also serves as a more reliable indicator for lending decisions compared to revenue-based financing. What is “Working Capital”? The term “Working Capital” is often used casually, but entrepreneurs frequently overlook its deeper significance and the financial metric behind its common usage. Working Capital refers to the operating liquidity that is accessible to businesses and organizations....
Understanding Your Guaranty: Personal, Performance, and/or Validity
Is your lender asking for a guarantee? A guarantee is the assurance that you will fulfill a commitment or obligation. When used in lending, a guaranty is a legal covenant and financial promise that you will fulfill your end of the bargain in its entirety. Understanding your guaranty is crucial to any borrowing decision. There are three main types of guarantees in commercial lending: Personal, Performance, and Validity. Depending on the transaction, it’s possible that lenders require a hybrid of the foregoing. In this article, we’ll explore these three guarantees in more detail, helping you make an informed decision on...
Selling Equity vs. Borrowing: The Advantages and Disadvantages
Business owners often face a critical decision when seeking capital: should they sell equity or borrow funds through debt? Each option presents its own set of advantages and disadvantages, making it essential to evaluate the broader implications before committing to one strategy. In startup/founder circles and spheres of influence, “Equity” is the most understood and commonly discussed method of raising money for early stage ventures. With respect to growth stage ventures, “Venture Debt” however is not commonly understood as an alternative to selling equity. This article explores the pros and cons of both selling equity and borrowing capital, aiding you...
Understanding Embedded Finance
If you operate a business through platforms like Shopify or Square, you may have encountered loan offers that promise quick cash in exchange for a portion of your future income. This phenomenon is a prime example of Embedded Finance, a growing trend that integrates financial services directly into non-financial platforms. Understanding embedded finance and its advantages and disadvantages is essential before making a decision. What is Embedded Finance? Embedded finance refers to the seamless integration of financial services—such as lending, payment processing, insurance, and investment—into non-financial applications and services. This integration allows businesses to offer financial products directly within their...