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How to finance a small business

make a professional presentation to them:


Provide them with your Business Plan, and a specific Financial Proposal (how much money, purpose, type of investment, payback proposal)


You can probably be more liberal and favourable to yourself in the Financial Proposal.
Try to relieve the payback obligations in the early stages of the business, i.e. you have a greater prospect of finding patient money. This can be legitimately explained as a measure that contributes to the eventual success of your business, by relieving the "front end" debt pressure (leaving you with more working capital)


Be prepared to negotiate


Always prepare a written agreement. Never enter a verbal agreement.

3. FRIENDS

Approach your close circle of friends; people who know and understand your character. What applies to your relatives applies to you friends:


Provide them with a professional, written presentation


Be prepared to consider alternative terms of financing than represented in your own proposal


The may have contacts to whom they can provide an introduction and reference.


Consider the prospect of a partnership or a shareholder's loan (if you are incorporated).
There are different formats of partnership and of shareholding, so be sure you investigate the potential agreement very carefully with your accountant. (This option also applies to relatives)


Ask for feedback on your Business Plan

4. BANKS

Banks are an unlikely source of funding for new businesses. Banks get money at a certain rate of interest, and lend it at a higher interest rate. Over the years, banking practices have developed to maximize their profit. The reality for the new business owner is that the degree of risk the bank is prepared to undertake is much lower than you are prepared to take. The loan officer expects to lend money and have it repaid with interest - that is their job. If they make too many shaky loans that are not repaid, they fail in their job and have to face the consequences. Therefore, the loan officer will look at several basic factors when deciding to make a loan:


What is your credit rating? If your track record shows a trail of unpaid bills, the risk of lending money to you is too high.


What collateral
can you provide? What assets can be used to back up your loan? If you default, these will be seized by the bank. If you have no collateral, your chance of a loan is poor. (Banks might prefer to re-mortgage your house to release cash for your business.
Houses have an easily determined market value - easier to


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