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Pros and Cons of Startup Business Loans

There are numerous ways that entrepreneurs can acquire funds to jump start their new business ventures. Many turn to their personal savings, family and friends, crowdfunding, equipment financing, Small Business Administration (sba) loans, or business credit cards. In addition to these options, some entrepreneurs pursue startup business loans.
1. You’ll Have Money to Start Your Business Starting a business requires enough working capital to afford initial expenses, such as inventory, equipment, payroll, rent, and other necessary costs. Depending on your business’s industry, you may need more than you can borrow from savings, family, or credit cards to get off the ground. If your business requires a large initial investment, such as inventory or equipment, a startup loan may be one way to get needed funds. That way, you can make sure that your putting your best foot forward as you start this new venture and have the needed funds to make it happen. 2. You Can Retain Ownership A startup business loan may be an alternative to seeking investors, who may ask for a share of equity in your company. By funding your venture with a loan, you’ll have more leeway when considering potential partnerships. For example, you’ll have the option to choose investors based on strategy, rather than monetary value. Also, it’s important to note that investors may have the power to make other decisions that directly affect your business. If you feel strongly about maintaining control over your business, applying for a startup loan may be a better option. 3. You Can Protect Personal Wealth A startup business loan can help separate your personal wealth from your business’s finances. Every new enterprise comes with risk; the most well-planned venture may face obstacles out of your control as the business owner. Therefore, you should think twice about pledging personal wealth such as the equity on your home, retirement savings, or money needed to live. Having a startup loan can allow you to open your business, without putting your own finances at risk to do so. 4. You Can Build Business Credit Your business may eventually need a large cash infusion to keep growing. When it does, it helps to have a history of responsible credit use. As with personal loans, having a strong credit history indicates reliability as a borrower, and lower investment risk for the lender. By taking out and paying back a smaller loan amount first, owners increase the chance of their business being approved for a bigger loan in the future. It may also help secure lower interest rates.
1. They Can Be Hard to Qualify For From a lender’s perspective, startup loans are a risky venture. New companies fall short in all the metrics banks use to determine loan eligibility: revenue, financial records, credit history, or proof of business longevity. The difficulty of obtaining a startup business loan is perhaps it’s biggest caveat. This is especially true when the applicant lacks strong personal credit, assets for collateral, and large down payments. 2. These Loans Can Restrict Cash Flow Loans typically need to be serviced monthly with payments for some combination of interest and principal. Missing loan payments can mean irreparable damage to business and personal credit. Small business owners should consider how regular loan payments factor into their budding organization’s finances. Having monthly payment obligations could restrict cash flow to run or grow the business. Before applying, review your business plan and consider all the consistent expenses that your company has. For example, if you’re already paying for rent, utilities, rent, and inventory, and your cash flow is considerably low, it might be too challenging to also have loan payments to worry about. 3. Less Need for Bootstrapping Limited capital can be a powerful motivator. Well-funded entrepreneurs may be tempted to throw money at issues, whereas lack of funds might force them to be more creative in stretching what funds they do have. Startup history is littered with stories of expensive failures. When it comes to building new businesses, deep pockets do not guarantee success and may sometimes even hamper it. 4. Your Personal Credit Might Be Put at Risk A business loan is no guarantee that personal finances are protected. Given the extra risk of lending to small businesses, many financial institutions may require a personal guarantee, which means banks can come after you for repayment if the business defaults. This means that even your personal credit score and assets may be impacted. If you’re concerned about how your personal credit might be affected, we suggest waiting a few months until your business is more established. That way, you can be more confident that you’ll be able to repay your loan on time. In turn, you can be sure that your personal credit will remain in-tact. 5. You Might Not Know How to Best Utilize the Loan Yet When experienced business owners receive a loan, they’ve had ample time to understand their operations and know how the loan can benefit them. However, as a new business owner, you’re probably still identifying the ebbs and flows of your company. Currently, you’re simply trying to attract new customers and ensure that you can afford necessary expenses. But in a few months, you might decide that you want to invest in a certain type of inventory that’s selling out, or that you need to hire more employees. By waiting a few months to apply for a business loan, you can make sure that you’re using the financing for the right areas. 6. You Might Not Even Qualify! Many alternative and online lenders won’t supply financing to startups. Other loan providers have a time in business requirement (they won’t provide a loan to businesses who haven’t been operational for at least six months, etc.). Before taking the time to apply, you should conduct research, or contact lenders directly to find out if they provide financing to new businesses. By doing this, you won’t waste your time applying or compiling financial information, only to be declined due to your short time in business. Conclusion: Consider All Aspects of Startup Business Loans Before Applying There are pros and cons to pursuing a startup loan, including issues concerning ownership, eligibility, risk to personal credit, and the cost of repayment. However, qualifying for a small business startup loan could mean money to start a company unattached to friends and family, who may expect repayment, or investors, who may want ownership for their investment. Small business owners should weigh all considerations before deciding to move forward with a startup loan.

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