Course Content
Your Loan Packaging Course
Learn to craft a persuasive loan package to secure financing. This concise course covers essential financial documents, integrating your business plan, understanding credit scores, and presenting your business effectively to meet lender expectations. Gain insights into legal compliance, submission tips, and strategies for engaging with lenders, all aimed at showcasing your business's growth potential.
0/6
The Business Entity Course
Navigate the complexities of choosing the right business structure with "The Business Entity Course." This focused course demystifies the process of selecting an entity type—such as LLC, corporation, or partnership—that aligns with your business goals, legal protections, and tax implications. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of each entity type, the impact on your personal liability, and how your choice affects funding opportunities. This course provides the foundational knowledge needed to make an informed decision on structuring your business for success.
0/11
Personal Credit Enhancement Course 101
Boost your financial credibility with the "Personal Credit Enhancement Course 101." This essential course offers strategies to improve your personal credit score, a critical factor in securing business financing. Dive into understanding credit reports, identifying and rectifying errors, and employing tactics to enhance creditworthiness. Learn how personal credit impacts business funding opportunities and master practical steps to elevate your score for better loan terms and access to capital. This course is your guide to building a stronger financial foundation for both personal and business growth.
0/10
Business Credit 101
Unlock the potential of your business with "Business Credit 101," a course designed to guide entrepreneurs through the intricacies of establishing and managing business credit. Discover how to create a robust business credit profile that lenders trust, understand the key differences between personal and business credit, and learn strategies for building creditworthiness. This course covers the essentials of business credit reporting agencies, how to secure credit lines, and the impact of credit on your business's funding capabilities. Equip yourself with the knowledge to leverage business credit as a powerful tool for growth and financial stability.
0/11
A Bankable Business Plan Course
Transform your vision into a viable financial strategy with "A Bankable Business Plan Course." This comprehensive course guides you through crafting a business plan that not only articulates your business model and market potential but also appeals to investors and lenders. Learn to effectively communicate your business's value proposition, operational plan, and financial projections. Discover the components that make a business plan compelling, including market analysis, competitive edge, and financial forecasts. By the end of this course, you'll have a polished, professional business plan ready to open doors to funding and growth opportunities.
0/14
Lender Strategies and Tips Course
Navigate the lending landscape with confidence through the "Lender Strategies and Tips Course." This insightful course equips you with the knowledge to approach lenders effectively, understand their criteria, and improve your chances of loan approval. Delve into the nuances of different financing options, learn how to present your business in the best light, and uncover the secrets to successful loan negotiations. From building strong relationships with banks to preparing for common lender concerns, this course offers practical advice and strategies to secure the financing your business needs to thrive.
0/8
Funding Source Overview
Explore the spectrum of funding opportunities with the "Funding Source Overview" course. This essential guide introduces you to the diverse world of business financing, from traditional bank loans and SBA loans to innovative online lending and venture capital. Understand the pros and cons of each funding source, eligibility criteria, and how to align them with your business needs. Gain insights into navigating the application process, optimizing your chances for approval, and strategically choosing the right mix of financing to fuel your business growth. This course is your roadmap to identifying and securing the optimal funding sources for your enterprise.
0/8
Become Lender Ready
About Lesson

“5 Critical Questions Before Seeking Financing

These next questions deepen your financing strategy, ensuring readiness for the application process. As we explore these in the course, you’ll gain insights into choosing the right financing, understanding your business’s financial health, and planning for repayment. This section helps you make informed decisions tailored to your business goals.”

 

1. How quickly do I plan to pay it back?
Small business financing is often categorized as short term (usually less than 24 months), medium term (often 2-5 years) and long-term (5 years+). While short-term loans may carry higher interest rates, longer term loans may cost more in the long run because the repayment period is longer.
 
2. Do I need collateral?
Some lenders prefer to make loans secured by real estate, equipment or other assets such as outstanding invoices. When you pledge collateral, the lender will use a “UCC filing” to protect its interest in your property. UCC filings appear on business credit reports and, in some cases, multiple UCC filings may affect your ability to get financing.
 
3. What is the impact of a personal guarantee?
If you sign a personal guarantee, the lender can try to collect from your personal income or assets if the business doesn’t repay the debt. Lenders often prefer personal guarantees. The stronger the qualifications of your business (time in business, revenues and/or business credit scores), the sooner you can move away from them.
 
4. What’s my industry?
Lenders may place restrictions on the types of businesses they will fund. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes and the newer North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes are used by the government to categorize businesses by industry. These codes typically appear on business credit reports and may be used by lenders to identify the types of businesses they will or will not lend to. It’s not uncommon for the wrong code to be listed so check your business credit reports to make sure your SIC or NAICS code is correct.
 
5. Am I ready to apply?
Businesses often fail to qualify because they fail to complete the application process. Gathering the information you need to apply ahead of time will save you time — and quite often, money.