Reliant Funding https://www.reliantfunding.com Wed, 24 Nov 2021 18:04:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.2 https://www.reliantfunding.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/cropped-ReliantOrb-32x32.png Reliant Funding https://www.reliantfunding.com 32 32 November is National Entrepreneurship Month https://www.reliantfunding.com/national-entrepreneurship-month/ https://www.reliantfunding.com/national-entrepreneurship-month/#respond Wed, 17 Nov 2021 20:03:54 +0000 https://www.reliantfunding.com/?p=21704 The corporate community around the US celebrates National Entrepreneurship Month every year in November. Many businesses, such as Reliant Funding, offer discounts and deals to help small enterprises to commemorate the spirit of entrepreneurship all around. This week only, Reliant Funding is waiving Origination Fees, up to $495, for small businesses who fund before Friday …

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The corporate community around the US celebrates National Entrepreneurship Month every year in November. Many businesses, such as Reliant Funding, offer discounts and deals to help small enterprises to commemorate the spirit of entrepreneurship all around. This week only, Reliant Funding is waiving Origination Fees, up to $495, for small businesses who fund before Friday 11/19/2021.

The idea is to celebrate the efforts behind designing, launching, and operating a new business to make profits while avoiding risks.

National Entrepreneurship Month: A Brief History

In 2011, then US President Barrack Obama declared November to be the National Entrepreneurship Month to celebrate the achievements and success of innovators and entrepreneurs around the country. This initiative’s primary motive was to support upcoming entrepreneurs by providing them access to capital and utilizing mentorship opportunities.

Our standard of living grows as entrepreneurs realize better business opportunities to reap profitability while contributing to the betterment of society. So, every year the business community and local government gather to encourage the invention and innovation of new technology to solve problems.

Modern-day entrepreneurs are vital to the economies around the globe. Furthermore, the modern technology, social media, and globalization of marketplaces have ushered in an era of competition for entrepreneurs all over the world.

As the means of production get cheaper, it has allowed entrepreneurs to reap the rewards. However, it has also brought a challenge as more new entrepreneurs enter the market with newer business ideas every year.

What is the Date for National Entrepreneurship Day 2021?

The nation celebrates National Entrepreneurship month on the 3rd Tuesday of November every year. This year, the celebrations for national entrepreneur day will be on Tuesday, November 16, 2021.

Importance of National Entrepreneurship Month

Several benefits mark National Entrepreneurship Month as a significant annual event.

It is Beneficial for U.S Economy

With more entrepreneurs entering the market, the country’s economy will grow stronger. It not only generates money to drive the economy, but more businesses will also create more jobs.

Improving the Living Standards

With new entrepreneurs, come innovations, inventions, and technologies which then contribute to improving the standard of living of the US citizens.

One technology can help the new idea. For example, smartphones and social media can help entrepreneurs a larger target audience instantly and grow their business more rapidly than ever before.

National Entrepreneurship Month Contributes towards Social Development

This month brings along the sense of unity and community spirit amongst the people sharing common goals. Entrepreneurs highlight their products and services to fulfill customers’ needs better than before. This national unity within the business community nurtures innovation to contribute towards economic and social development.

How Can You Observe National Entrepreneurship Month 2021

While there is no set-in-stone rule to observe this auspicious event, you can follow the following steps to do your part in celebrating National Entrepreneurship Month in November.

  • You can support the local entrepreneurs and businesses in your city or town. Shop at your local retail store or go out for dinner at your favorite restaurant. In short, do whatever you can do to give your local entrepreneurs the business they deserve.
  • Are you a successful entrepreneur yourself? In that case, you can offer to mentor a budding entrepreneur. All they may need is a little nudge in the right direction to improve their business processes by leaps and bounds and contribute to making US economy better.
  • Do you think you have an idea that will be a great business venture? In that case, go for it and make your dream a reality. Who knows, your idea may be more helpful than you think. Therefore, become an entrepreneur yourself and contribute to making your community’s life better. There is a wide range of resources available out there, including social media, mentoring programs, and small business loans. All you need is a bit of motivation and confidence to take the first step towards entrepreneurship, and National Entrepreneurship Month is the best time to do it.

Continue Your Entrepreneurial Journey with Reliant Funding

In honor of National Entrepreneurship Month, Reliant Funding is offering a limited-time offer and waiving off origination fees of up to $495. Funding must be provided by Reliant Funding and funds must be deposited by Friday, 11/19/2021 to qualify. To get started and see if you qualify, visit ReliantFunding.com.

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How and Why to Become a Certified LGBT-Owned Business https://www.reliantfunding.com/certified-lgbt-owned-business/ https://www.reliantfunding.com/certified-lgbt-owned-business/#respond Tue, 12 Oct 2021 16:58:56 +0000 https://www.reliantfunding.com/?p=21604 In one study, about one-third of LGBTQ+ small business owners revealed that they lost up to 50% of their business due to the coronavirus pandemic. While various programs assist minority and women-owned businesses, LGBTQ-owned businesses lack similar resources and benefits. If you’re a business owner who identifies as gay, bisexual, lesbian, transgender/non-binary, or asexual, NGLCC …

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In one study, about one-third of LGBTQ+ small business owners revealed that they lost up to 50% of their business due to the coronavirus pandemic. While various programs assist minority and women-owned businesses, LGBTQ-owned businesses lack similar resources and benefits.

If you’re a business owner who identifies as gay, bisexual, lesbian, transgender/non-binary, or asexual, NGLCC allows you to become a certified LGBT Business Enterprise. In turn, you can enjoy various benefits.

Here we’ve made an in-depth guide to understanding how and why you should become a certified LGBT-owned business:

What is a Certified LGBT-Owned Business?

The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce created a certification program during its LGBT Supplier Diversity Initiative. Thus, NGLCCC is the certifying body that certifies businesses as LGBTBE if they meet specific criteria.

Here, we discuss the criteria that businesses must meet to become certified:

  • The businesses must be 51% owned, managed, run, and operated by a person(s) who identifies as part of the LGBT+ community. In addition, they must be either U.S. or lawful permanent citizens.
  • The company should operate independently from a non-LGBT business.
  • The organization should be headquartered in the U.S. as a legal, for-profit business.

Trans, non-gender conforming, and non-binary citizens are offered unique resources to get certified. Visit NGLCC’s website to learn more details.

The Steps to Becoming a Certified LGBT-Owned Business

In-depth research reveals that there are nearly 1.4 million LGBTQ+-run businesses across the U.S. In addition, these companies account for about $1.7 trillion in revenue annually.

If you’re planning to become a certified LGBT-owned business, it’s always a good idea to find out which documents you’re going to need. Follow these steps to get LGBTBE certification:

Curate Your Business Profile

The certification process may take anywhere between 60 to 90 days. However, most businesses end up getting certified within a single month.

To start creating your business profile, venture onto NGLCC.com. Here, you need to submit certain documents alongside the following information:

  • Contact info
  • Details about how you and your co-owners identify
  • Federal tax ID
  • Gross annual income
  • Number of full-time working employees
  • Social media accounts
  • Three references to help verify your information
  • Your business name

Apart from this, you’ll have to add a couple of lines to specify your industry and the services/products you offer.

Add the Required Documents

The next step to becoming a certified LGBTQ+-owned business is showing proof of your citizenship. It includes birth certificates, passports, and green cards. Simply scan your documents and upload them on the website.

You’ll also have to show your status as an LGBT+ business owner. Here, we’ve listed a couple of documents you can use to validate your status:

  • Documents for an apartment you leased with your partner
  • Certified document copy of civil union certification, domestic partnership registration, or marriage license
  • Documentation of petition for hospital visitation rights
  • Proof that you have joint property ownership or a domestic partnership health insurance
  • Two personal references that attest to your LGBTQ+ status

Verify, Pay, and Submit

Depending on whether you’re a partnership, sole proprietor, limited liability company, or corporation, the documents you’re required to fill may vary.

After completing your legal documents, NGLCC requires you to pay a fee of $400. Next, you need to submit everything to NGLCC and wait for them to review it.

Prepare for a Site Visit

Lastly, an NGLCC representative will visit your business site for a 30-minute interview. They will verify your info and understand how becoming a certified LGBT business will help you in your short-term and long-term goals.

If you work remotely, NGLCC allows you to schedule the interview at a public place such as a café. The representative will ask you straightforward questions like ‘why did you start your business,’ and so on.

After the interview and reviewing your application, you’ll get a decision. After the application is approved, you’ll receive an invite to join an orientation webinar. Here NGLCC helps you learn the benefits of its certification and how you can use them to the fullest.

Why Become a Certified LGBTQ-Owned Business?

Here we’ve listed the top benefits of becoming a certified LGBT owned business:

  • Certified LGBTQ-owned businesses can unlock an array of valuable and incredible corporate opportunities. You may even match with a supplier diversity professional who’ll assist you, and your business is reaching new levels
  • You can benefit from exclusive networking opportunities, NGLCC education and mentorships, and other business development tools
  • A study reveals that LGBTQ+ adults worldwide hold an incredible buying power of up to $3.7 trillion. It means that by becoming a certified LGBT owned business, you can boost sales and, in turn, your revenue
  • According to a study, an estimated of 5.6% U.S. adults identify as part of the LGBTQIA community. By becoming a certified LGBT-owned business, you can inspire young LGBT+ entrepreneurs to kick start their own business

The Bottom Line

According to in-depth research, businesses that promote gender and racial diversity and impose LGBT-friendly policies perform financially better.

Empower the LGBTQIA business community by becoming a certified LGBT-owned business. Visit NGLCC.org and get certified today!

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The Best Books for Small Business Owners https://www.reliantfunding.com/books-for-small-business-owners/ https://www.reliantfunding.com/books-for-small-business-owners/#comments Tue, 03 Aug 2021 22:42:58 +0000 https://www.reliantfunding.com/?p=21480 The way to success for small business owners isn’t a degree in MBA. Instead, you must educate yourself on game-changing tips, essential practices, survival strategies, insights, and advice. Luckily, you can read some amazing books that will help you strive for business goals, promote your business, manage your finances, and so on. Learn to navigate …

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The way to success for small business owners isn’t a degree in MBA. Instead, you must educate yourself on game-changing tips, essential practices, survival strategies, insights, and advice. Luckily, you can read some amazing books that will help you strive for business goals, promote your business, manage your finances, and so on.

Learn to navigate the business world with the help of inspirational stories about successful business owners and practical tips. Here we’ve compiled some of the best books for small business owners and entrepreneurs to tackle roadblocks and recognize opportunities:

Think and Grow by Napolean Hill

For at least twenty years, Napoleon Hill researched the life and business goals of the world’s most prominent men. According to his in-depth research, all leading businessmen shared thirteen everyday habits that helped them make their dreams come true.

Hill published his insightful findings in 1937; however, this classic book is considered the first and foremost among self-help books for small business owners. The primary takeaway is that you have to develop the right state of mind.

In fact, Napoleon Hill helps break down the steps small business owners need to follow to curate the winning mindset.

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink

In this exciting book, Daniel Pink tells entrepreneurs and small business owners the secret to optimum performance and satisfaction in all sectors of life.

Pink believes that no matter whether it’s your work life or personal life, we need to learn to direct our own lives, reflect our personality, craft brand new things, and treat ourselves better.

This book is the perfect way to learn to realign your priorities in your personal and work life.

Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman

The perfect solution to all your business problems, ‘Traction’ provides real-time answers to the big questions and roadblocks that decelerate your journey.

Read the book to uncover ways to deal with frustration, anger, becoming burned out, and losing control of your business. Most importantly, with this book, you can ask yourself; Do I control my business, or it’s the other way round?

Wickman provides readers with the innovative ‘Entrepreneurial Operating System’ that helps you fight burnout, frustration, and other road bumps. The book offers three various yet equally exciting ways of implementing the EOS. However, each is packed with revolutionary techniques and innovative tools to get you right back on track.

Plus, ‘Traction’ is a relatively simple read and doesn’t require small business owners to boast an MBA to understand its secrets.

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell’s ‘The Tipping Point’ is a must-read for small business owners and entrepreneurs. This exciting book explores the ‘tipping point,’ otherwise known as the exact moment a particular trend or social behavior bursts through the threshold tip.

As a result, the idea spreads like wildfire throughout the world. The book helps business owners learn how to rethink selling and advertising different products/services.

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World

The author of the famous ‘So Good They Can’t Ignore You,’ in this book Cal Newport discusses how chaos helps you drive at least 90 minutes’ worth of productivity in 60 minutes. Furthermore, ‘Deep Work’ reveals how small business owners can get more work done efficiently and quickly.

Furthermore, the book provides examples of the most prominent individuals and how they achieved success by leveraging this rule. Newport offers its readers proved and effective techniques and tools to tackle day-to-day distractions. Therefore, small business owners can focus on the more challenging tasks that help them walk down the road to success.

Newport’s advice is well-written and structured in 4 rules and comes with an in-depth training program.

To Sum it Up:

Kickstarting your own business is no easy task. From figuring out how to run your finances to hiring skilled employees, there are hundreds and thousands of jobs that need your attention.

Are you ready to establish your business but lacking funds? Then venture onto Reliant Funding and get access to flexible and simple funds within minutes.

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Keeping Business and Personal Finance Separate — Why Does it Matter? https://www.reliantfunding.com/keeping-business-and-personal-finance-separate/ https://www.reliantfunding.com/keeping-business-and-personal-finance-separate/#respond Wed, 28 Jul 2021 22:41:59 +0000 https://www.reliantfunding.com/?p=21475 Entrepreneurs, freelancers, small business owners, and even the executives of massive companies all eventually learn one important lesson: it’s wiser to keep one’s business and personal finance separate than it is to use a single bank account for all your transactions. Why? Turns out, this nugget of wisdom hasn’t persisted for decades because of one …

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Entrepreneurs, freelancers, small business owners, and even the executives of massive companies all eventually learn one important lesson: it’s wiser to keep one’s business and personal finance separate than it is to use a single bank account for all your transactions.

Why? Turns out, this nugget of wisdom hasn’t persisted for decades because of one single reason. Instead, there are lots of benefits to keeping your business and personal accounts separate.

Tax Benefits

For starters, you can only take advantage of certain tax breaks and other benefits if you keep your business and personal finance separate. Like writing off expensive business expenses, certain tax deductions are only possible if you have a distinct bank account and financial records to point to come tax time.

Of course, keeping tight books overall is very important in general. But if the IRS ever audits you and you took one or more tax breaks for your business, it’ll be easier to prove that your deduction was legitimate if you have your personal finances cleanly separated from your business records.

Build Business Credit

Both personal and business credit scores are important for our financial flexibility. But if you want to improve your business credit score over time, keeping your personal finances separate is the way to go.

Your business credit score can be improved by paying off business debts or loans on time, running your business successfully, keeping detailed records, and paying your taxes correctly. If your business and personal funds are mixed, it’s more difficult to prove your business income to banking agencies and credit bureaus. This, in turn, makes it harder to establish and grow business credit.

You’ll need high business credit if you want to be approved for business loans or to secure financing for your entrepreneurial endeavors in the future.

Limit Your Personal Liability

As another perk, keeping your business and personal funds separate will help to limit your personal liability if your company ever comes under fire for one reason or another. This is especially true for LLCs or limited liability companies, but it applies to any business organization.

Say that you’re sued because of an unhappy client or customer. If they are kept separate, your personal finances will not necessarily be on the hook for repaying any debts or costs for faulty products or any other court-ordered charges. By keeping your personal finances separate from your business finances, you may be able to prevent yourself from falling into financial ruin.

Make Accounting Easier

Lastly, keeping separate finances for business and personal expenses will make things a lot easier for your accountant or for yourself! Running clean, organized books is vital if you want to track your yearly expenditures, plan for next year’s budget, and spot new ways where you can save money.

Bottom line: separate your business and personal money as early as possible, preferably from your business’s launch onward. You’ll thank yourself later when you save yourself tons of headaches!

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MCA or Loan: Which is Better for Your Small Business? https://www.reliantfunding.com/mca-or-loan/ https://www.reliantfunding.com/mca-or-loan/#respond Thu, 22 Jul 2021 22:40:49 +0000 https://www.reliantfunding.com/?p=21472 Choosing between an MCA or loan can be a smart move for small businesses. According to a recent FTC Study, around 32% of small businesses apply for capital funding through online sources, like Merchant Cash Advances, instead of a traditional loan.   An MCA provides the borrower with a lump sum of money, often available …

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Choosing between an MCA or loan can be a smart move for small businesses. According to a recent FTC Study, around 32% of small businesses apply for capital funding through online sources, like Merchant Cash Advances, instead of a traditional loan.  

What is a Merchant Cash Advance?

An MCA provides the borrower with a lump sum of money, often available within a few days of application approval. This is repaid through fixed daily deductions from the borrower’s bank account via ACH payments, plus a fee called a factor payment.

This is different from a traditional small business loan, which requires a lengthy application process and anywhere from a 10% to a 35% down payment.

MCA or Loan: When a Merchant Cash Advance is Best

Depending upon your business’s financial situation, you may want to choose a merchant cash advance, a traditional small business loan, or some combination of the two for your capital needs.

Small Business Loans

Traditional loans are a debt-based funding solution. There is typically a fixed interest rate determined when the loan is taken out and then monthly payments are made. While the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is often lower, the qualification criteria are more extensive including credit checks and collateral.

Small business loans may be a better fit for your business if you need a longer loan term, have a very strong credit score, or have extensive collateral. They are also commonly chosen by small business startups who can afford to take time with the long approval process because they don’t need the funds immediately.  

In some situations, however, an MCA might be the better choice.

Merchant Cash Advance

By contrast, merchant cash advances are a financial product that has several perks for businesses not wanting to go through the long application process.

Funds are available quickly: Businesses like Reliant Funding offer approval in as little as 48 hours, as opposed to months for a traditional loan.

Easier to Qualify: Merchant cash advances don’t require extensive credit checks to quality, or collateral like a traditional loan.

Customizable Repayment: MCA’s are repaid fixed daily deductions from the borrower’s bank account via ACH payments.

Lump-Sum Funding: With an MCA, money is available in a lump sum upfront that your business can use for whatever it needs most.

Shorter Terms: Unlike a personal or business loan, MCA’s are more customizable because they often have a lifecycle under 18 months.

Good for Long Sales Cycles: If your business typically goes into the black at a certain time of year, MCA’s can help it get through months with lower sales volume.

Want to Save Time: Many MCA’s don’t require an in-person meeting with a lender. You can get approved online and handle repayments through automatic withdrawals.

Summary

Merchant cash advances allow small businesses to borrow money against the future sales of their business. In some cases, your business can be approved in as little as 48 hours. You can check rates and eligibility here

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How Does a Merchant Cash Advance Work? https://www.reliantfunding.com/how-does-an-mca-work/ https://www.reliantfunding.com/how-does-an-mca-work/#respond Mon, 21 Jun 2021 15:16:51 +0000 https://blog.reliantfunding.com/?p=19719 Managing cash flow is a high priority for most small business owners. Cash flow problems account for 82% of business closures each year. Securing a merchant cash advance, or MCA, can offer a short-term funding solution for your business. But what exactly is a merchant cash advance, and how does it work? An MCA provides …

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Managing cash flow is a high priority for most small business owners. Cash flow problems account for 82% of business closures each year. Securing a merchant cash advance, or MCA, can offer a short-term funding solution for your business.

But what exactly is a merchant cash advance, and how does it work?

What is a Merchant Cash Advance?

An MCA provides the borrower with a lump sum of money, often available within a few days of application approval.

This is repaid through fixed daily deductions from the borrower’s bank account via ACH payments, plus a fee called a factor payment.

A merchant cash advance is not technically considered a loan. Thus, extensive credit checks and long approval times are unnecessary, as the regulations surrounding them are different from traditional bank loans.  

What is the Application Process?

The chief benefit of an MCA is the quick application process. Many lenders have simple, online applications that take only a few minutes to complete.

You can expect to provide basic information about your business, like:

  • Business name
  • Annual revenue
  • Years in business

Funds are available as a lump sum and are often available within a few days of approval. Repayment periods are typically shorter than with a traditional loan; usually under 18 months.

How Does Repayment Work?

Repayments vary depending upon the lender. With Reliant, repayments take the form of a small, fixed deduction from your business’s bank account each day. This takes the place of large lump sum repayments, as with traditional bank loans.

This makes MCA repayment easy because it happens as small daily deductions. This helps manage cash flow issues because large sums are not being drawn out all at once, which might make it difficult for businesses to retain enough cash on hand.

What is the Interest Rate?

Merchant cash advance fees aren’t calculated as interest rates. They use something called a factor rate. This varies depending upon the borrow and lender in question, as well as the amount of money being borrowed and the repayment time.

Factor rates are typically between 1.2 and 1.5. So, a merchant cash advance for $20,000 with a 1.2-factor rate means you multiple the lump sum by the factor to get the total you are responsible for repaying.

This would mean that you are responsible for repaying $22,400. This is not recalculated as repayments are made, unlike with the interest on a loan. You simply chip away at the amount through the payments made as small daily withdrawals.

Why Choose a Merchant Cash Advance?

Small business owners often turn to credit cards, personal savings accounts, or loans from friends and family to try to resolve cash flow problems. An MCA offers an alternative that secures larger amounts of capital, more quickly than stopgap measures.

Final Thoughts

According to SmallBizGenius, About 64% of business owners begin with $10,000 or less in funding, while almost 25% start with no funding at all.

Traditional bank loans provide low-interest rates but are often inaccessible for many small business owners. Merchant Cash Advances provide an alternative source of funding for small businesses that is quick and easy to access.

It can take less than 30 seconds to apply here.

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The Best CRM for Small Businesses https://www.reliantfunding.com/crm-for-small-businesses/ https://www.reliantfunding.com/crm-for-small-businesses/#respond Wed, 02 Jun 2021 16:36:18 +0000 https://blog.reliantfunding.com/?p=19715 Customer relationship management software is successful if it handles your small business data in an intuitive, accessible way. The best CRM for small businesses will keep customer data organized and accessible while streamlining communications.  Small business owners are busy, often personally handling IT, finance, marketing, and more – which would have entire departments in larger …

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Customer relationship management software is successful if it handles your small business data in an intuitive, accessible way. The best CRM for small businesses will keep customer data organized and accessible while streamlining communications.

 Small business owners are busy, often personally handling IT, finance, marketing, and more – which would have entire departments in larger businesses. This makes a CRM tool more important for small businesses. It helps lighten the load and establishes record-keeping conventions that facilitate growth.  

What to Look for in a CRM for Small Businesses

Today’s CRMs are often integrated with other tech tools, like social media managers and analytics trackers. At a minimum, a good CRM manages customer data to facilitate sales and communication.

 Some key attributes to look for:

  • Multi-channel data entry
  • Call from interface
  • Customizable
  • Mobile-friendly
  • Simplicity

Your CRM should be able to gather data from your web interfaces as well as phone calls and emails with clients. Ideally, a voice-to-text transcription feature can help capture information from client calls so your customers don’t waste time repeating their concerns.

Best CRM Platforms for Small Businesses

Hubspot: An impressive free platform with a streamlined interface, Hubspot is an easy way to keep sales data updated and integrated with marketing, lead generation, and other metrics.

Salesforce: The best-known CRM platform has a tailored offering specifically for small businesses called Salesforce Essentials. It’s a good place to start if you think you may need to scale up later.

Close: Focused on “turning leads into revenue,” Close has a particularly good contact-from-interface function that makes it easy to follow up with leads and close the sale.

Zendesk: Relatively new to the CRM world, Zendesk offers a robust contact management tool that integrates with its audience analytics tools.

Final Thoughts

If you are just starting a small business, the sooner you can implement a CRM, the better. CRMs help you keep customer info organized, and it’s always better to maintain an existing system than to implement one from scratch.

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How to Determine Your Small Business Financing Needs https://www.reliantfunding.com/business-financing-needs/ https://www.reliantfunding.com/business-financing-needs/#respond Mon, 24 May 2021 11:03:55 +0000 https://blog.reliantfunding.com/?p=19709 Securing funding for your small business is easier than ever with 30-second online funding applications, but it can be a challenge to determine exactly what your business financing needs are.  While some home-based businesses can get off the ground with as little as $3,000, more capital-heavy businesses can require up to $50,000. So how do …

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Securing funding for your small business is easier than ever with 30-second online funding applications, but it can be a challenge to determine exactly what your business financing needs are.  While some home-based businesses can get off the ground with as little as $3,000, more capital-heavy businesses can require up to $50,000. So how do you determine how much you need?

Look at a Year-Long Balance Sheet

Your business’s financing needs will differ depending on:

  • The business type
  • Operating cycle
  • Stage of growth.

Some businesses need a larger cash-on-hand amount because they have a long operating cycle or carry large amounts of inventory. Consequently, your expenditures may exceed your revenue in certain months if you rely upon seasonal sales to put you in the black.

Similarly, a new or recovering business often requires more capital than an existing one that is looking to expand.

It’s better to calculate your business’s financial needs over the course of an entire year, rather than a single month.

Startup Business Financing Needs

Determining the correct amount of capital for your business depends on accurately predicting your expenses and income over the coming months.

Around 20% of new businesses close within the first year. Going the distance requires securing stable funding that allows you time to focus on other parts of growing your business, like training staff and securing a loyal customer base

One-Time Costs

The Small Business Administration estimates that most small businesses incur between $2,000 and $5,000 in one-time starting costs, over and above normal operating costs. These can include:

  • Office furniture or equipment
  • Incorporation fees
  • Purchasing premises
  • Designing a website

Your business might need extra cash to cover these expenses.

Ongoing Costs

Developing detailed financial projections is key to borrowing the correct amount of money for your business. In established businesses, this is found by reviewing your past financials. In the case of a new business, there’s no past history to draw upon.

Existing Business Financing Needs

Existing businesses need additional financing to weather unexpected crises, expand their businesses, or handle extra expenses.

Growth or Recovery?

To determine how much you need, you can ask what phase your business is in.  Financing an expansion or other investment in your business requires a financial projection like those used by startups. You should have a plan for when the expansion will yield added revenue.

You can also secure financing for ongoing operations to help your business recover from a setback. You should also plan to bolster your cash-on-hand in case of smaller unforeseen expenses.

History Lessons

For existing businesses, it’s crucial to base your future financial goals on your past experiences. Plan your future expenses based on what they have been in the past, so you don’t run the risk of underestimating the needed financing.

Final Thoughts

Good planning is central to your business’s financial future. Having a solid idea of your business financing needs over the course of an annual business cycle will help you determine the correct amount of financing you need.

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Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Solopreneur? https://www.reliantfunding.com/solopreneurs-vs-entreprenuer/ https://www.reliantfunding.com/solopreneurs-vs-entreprenuer/#respond Mon, 17 May 2021 20:24:57 +0000 https://blog.reliantfunding.com/?p=19704 If you’ve started your own business, congratulations! You are officially an entrepreneur. But are you also a solopreneur? While the two terms are similar, there are a few important distinctions. We’ll break down the differences and help you decide which business model will help you achieve your goals. Entrepreneurs are business owners who usually hire …

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If you’ve started your own business, congratulations! You are officially an entrepreneur. But are you also a solopreneur? While the two terms are similar, there are a few important distinctions. We’ll break down the differences and help you decide which business model will help you achieve your goals.

What’s the Difference Between Solopreneurs and Entrepreneurs?

Entrepreneurs are business owners who usually hire a staff of employees. Salary or wages are claimed on the entrepreneur’s tax returns. They also often co-run their businesses with other people and might delegate management tasks to others.

Solopreneurs also start and run their own businesses, but they do this without traditional hiring practices. Instead, they either complete the work entirely themselves or employ independent contractors when needed.

Another way of thinking about it is that solopreneurs are a subset of entrepreneurs who prefer to keep their business solo.

Solopreneur Industries

While it would be hard to run a coffee shop, automotive repair, or nail salon without employees, a smart solopreneur can find a niche for his or her talents and business idea.

For an industry to be a good opportunity for a solopreneur, it needs to be scalable and possible to run with just one person.

Some popular solopreneur businesses include:

  • Specialized Baking
  • Copywriting
  • Event Planning
  • Child Care/Home Daycare
  • Lawn/Landscaping Service
  • Cleaning Services
  • Handyman Services
  • Social Media Management
  • Photography
  • Bookkeeping
  • Web Design
  • Graphic Design

While many different skill sets can be suitable for a solopreneur arrangement, the common thread in this list is the ability to work on your own, control the amount of work, and set your own rate. While the skill set required for a photographer is different from a bookkeeper, they can both manage a solo business. 

Is Solopreneurship Right for You?

While starting any business takes commitment and drive, solopreneurs also need to be comfortable having full responsibility for all aspects of the business. A one-person business can be a great fit for someone who likes to be in charge and handle every aspect of the business hands-on. While it can be challenging to work without many delegations, many solopreneurs enjoy the freedom to scale their business up or back to accommodate other areas of their life, like a day job, education, or family. Many solopreneur ventures start out as side hustles and can later transition to a more traditional business model once the founder achieves some success. Whatever your work preferences are, you can be sure that a solopreneur lifestyle will present you with plenty of creative challenges.

Summary

As with everything else about running a business, knowledge is power for a solopreneur. Invest in yourself and your business with training and resources designed specifically for those running a business on their own. Before you rush to sign up for expensive conferences and training sessions, check out our free Business Guide for Solopreneurs. With a little additional information, you can be prepared for the opportunities ahead.

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New to Entrepreneurship? Use These 4 Strategies for Building a Happy, Loyal Customer Base https://www.reliantfunding.com/4-strategies-for-building-a-loyal-customer-base/ https://www.reliantfunding.com/4-strategies-for-building-a-loyal-customer-base/#respond Wed, 12 May 2021 16:23:23 +0000 https://blog.reliantfunding.com/?p=19701 One of the biggest goals of any new entrepreneur is to attract a steady customer base. Alongside this aspiration is the goal of keeping those new customers happy and ensuring that they return for more. With so much competition out there, it can be challenging to decide which customer retention strategies will be the most …

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One of the biggest goals of any new entrepreneur is to attract a steady customer base. Alongside this aspiration is the goal of keeping those new customers happy and ensuring that they return for more. With so much competition out there, it can be challenging to decide which customer retention strategies will be the most effective.

If you’re a new business owner searching for ways to build a happy and loyal customer base, review these four top strategies from Reliant Funding.

Understand What Your Customers Value Most

First and foremost, there is no single customer retention strategy that works with all audiences. Your customers will have their own unique needs, challenges, preferences, and values. Because of this, it is crucial to research and practice what they value most when doing business with a company that is in your industry. For example, do they value efficiency and speed above all else, or do they prefer a top-tier experience that spares no detail?

If you’re unsure about what your customers value most, send out a survey to those who are in your audience. Marketing and research groups can help facilitate a more formal survey if you would like an in-depth answer.

Hire an Expert to Build an Engaging, User-Friendly Website

Nowadays, having a quality website for your business is the bare minimum. Companies that do not have user-friendly websites that make it easy to shop online, find critical information, and get in touch are at a massive disadvantage. In fact, you may even lose customers and customer recommendations if your website isn’t up-to-date.

That’s why it is so critical to hire an expert to build an engaging, user-friendly website for your brand new endeavor. Since website setup is time-consuming and complicated, find a freelancer who can provide quality SEO services, website design, and online store setup. Today’s best online job platforms make it effortless to review freelancer profiles and to explore pricing and timelines.

Post Content with the Goal of Improving your Customers’ Lives

When posting content to your blog or social media pages, what drives your topic selection? If you are consistently producing content that is about things you are interested in or sales you want to push, you’ll have a difficult time engaging your audience in a meaningful way.

Before creating any kind of content, ask yourself the following question: “Does this improve the lives of my customers or potential customers?” If you cannot confidently answer in the affirmative, it is time to go back to the drawing board. Everything you publish should keep the needs of your customers top of mind.

Exceed Expectations as Often as you Can

Managing your customers’ expectations is one of the most effective ways that you can generate positive feelings around your brand. This can come in the form of delivering a product or service earlier than what was estimated, providing a better price than expected, or giving exceptional customer service. Strive to set realistic expectations with your customers from the very beginning, and brainstorm ways that you can consistently do more than what was promised.

While it may sound like a lofty goal, building a customer base that is consistently happy and returning for more is surprisingly achievable. Following the above strategies is a great way to kickstart your customer retention efforts — especially if you are a new entrepreneur. Reliant Funding makes it easy for small businesses to get the funding they need as soon as possible. Apply now — with no obligation — to receive anywhere between $5,000 and $250,000

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