How to Borrow Sensibly for Your Business
If you're the owner of a small business, you'll know that you need to spend money if you want to get ahead. Whether you're able to spend a little or a lot will depend on your budget, and this is important to know – it's far too easy to get carried away and find that you've overspent, just as it's easy to be too frugal and not spend enough to boost your business. This is why borrowing can be exactly what is required.
With this in mind, you'll need to understand how to borrow sensibly for your business. Once you know this, you can be a lot more confident in what you're doing and ensure that you can get what you need without leaving yourself short. Read on to find out more.
Know How Much You Need to Borrow
Before you can start spending, you need to ascertain how much you might need to borrow to allow you to do whatever it is you need to do. If you don't do this and you apply for a large loan that's too big for your needs or a small one that won't give you enough cash to spend, you could find yourself in trouble. You'll either have to pay back money you didn't need, or you'll need to borrow more, which can be difficult if you already have a loan. Ideally, you'll want to have a list of things you need to buy, and a contingency fund for emergencies, such as if you needed a business litigation attorney.
Not only this, but if you borrow too much, you'll be tempted to spend it, even if it was never in your plans to do so. You might feel as though you have to spend it because you have it, and that can lead to rushed decisions that you hadn't initially planned for and the money (which you didn't need to begin with) becomes wasted.
Know Your Options
Don't just assume that you have to go to a bank to borrow the money you need because this is not the only route open to you. The best thing to do is to look around and determine what options you have when it comes to borrowing money. The bank is there, of course, but so are angel investors or crowdfunding or borrowing from other types of lenders. Each will have their own set of criteria, so even if you are turned down for one line of credit, that doesn't mean you have to give up on your plans. Do enough research to know what it going to work best for you and your business and borrow accordingly.
Don't Let Things Get Out of Control
The key thing to remember when borrowing sensibly for your business is not to let things get out of control. It's exciting to see a large amount of money coming into your business but remember this is not yours – you can use it well, but it must always be paid back.
The best thing to do is to create a budget that includes the repayments and reminds you not only how much you need to pay but when you need to pay it. If you can do this, you'll always be able to stay in control.
If you need access to capital for growth and expansion needs, connect with a Old National Banker today.
This article was written by SmallBizViewpoints from Small Biz Viewpoints and was legally licensed through the Industry Dive publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.
