Articles
Use These 5 Steps to Ensure Your Business is Ready for Spring
Spring is finally here, meaning that many small businesses are getting ready for the onslaught of seasonal, warm-weather customers. In addition to stocking up and staffing up, there are steps you can take to ensure that your busy season runs smoothly, and even beats expectations. Audit Your Operating Systems Right now, in the calm before…
The Month-Long Financial Event You Might Not Know About
Did you know that April was Financial Literacy Month? I was tempted to call it a celebration, but admittedly, “celebration” would have been an overstatement. I understand that most entrepreneurs don’t jump into business ownership because they’re excited about the financial responsibilities like doing the books, filing taxes, or financing their businesses—but they are all…
How to do Market Research on a Budget
Have you ever dreamed of opening a bed & breakfast in a particular neighborhood? Imagined running an unusual business, like a greenhouse-meets-coffee shop or a pet playground? Or even pictured becoming part of a neighborhood with a company that’s more mundane, like a mover or an accounting firm for bed & breakfasts? Our imaginations can…
Building a Successful Small Business: Advice From Women Entrepreneurs
We know many small business owners have difficulty accessing capital, but women business owners have particular trouble. While women own roughly 36% of the small businesses in the United States, only 5.5% successfully find financing at the bank, and 50% of those who applied for funding received nothing, according to the National Women’s Business Council.…
Barbara Corcoran Seal of Approval Winners On Track to Meet Their Goals
It’s been over two months since our Barbara Corcoran Seal of Approval contest winners received $10,000 each from OnDeck to grow their businesses and their private consultation Barbara Corcoran. It was fun to meet them at OnDeck HQ in New York City. Our winners gave us an update of their progress in early February, and…
7 Ways to Get Ready for Tax Day
Tax day is almost here. But taxes don’t have to be a hassle! If you meet with your accountant or CPA and have your paperwork in order, filing your taxes will be a breeze. Here are some tips for ensuring a smooth process as you go. Make an appointment with your accountant. March is like…
Three Tricks to Paying Back Your Loan—Stress Free
A small business loan is sometimes necessary for many business owners to fund growth or meet other short-term cash flow needs. Whether you’re just starting out, looking to expand, building inventory, or just need a little extra capital, securing a loan is a process that many business owners will need to take at one point.…
Understanding Business Credit and 5 Ways You Can Build a Great Profile
Understanding how business credit works is critical as your business grows beyond the first few months or years. As a business owner, it’s important to understand what lenders see when they look at both your business credit profile and your personal credit score—because they both play a role in how lenders evaluate your credit worthiness.…
Does My Business’s Age Impact Its Credit Profile?
One of the things a lender considers when they’re evaluating your business’ credit worthiness is your track record. So the age of your business credit profile will help a lender make decisions about your business. In other words, the more years of credit history that demonstrate your business can properly use and repay its business…
6 Ways to Lower the Stress of Moving Your Business
Maybe you’ve outgrown your space. Maybe rent in your neighborhood has shot up. Or maybe you need to move to a different city for personal reasons. Transferring the physical location of your business from one place to another can seem like an overwhelming feat, but the details of moving an office space doesn’t have to…
Does My Business’s Age Impact Its Credit Profile?
One of the things a lender considers when they’re evaluating your business’ credit worthiness is your track record. So the age of your business credit profile will help a lender make decisions about your business. In other words, the more years of credit history that demonstrate your business can properly use and repay its business…
6 Small Business Podcast Recommendations
You might think of podcasts as pure entertainment, stories to listen to on your commute or at the gym. But today’s heyday of podcasting is bringing a variety of voices right to your ears, and many of them have expertise in small business or stories to tell about building and running companies. Here are recommendations…
What’s an MVP and Why Is It Important for My Business Idea?
In the garages and conference rooms of the tech industry, the acronym MVP has nothing to do with sports greats. Forget about “most valuable player.” In today’s businesses, the term stands for “minimal viable product” and refers to the simplest possible form of any merchandise or service you aim to bring to market. The reason…
5 Questions With…Metro Cobbler & Co Shoe Repair’s Sunny Yoo
Our blog series “5 Questions With…” takes a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of our small business customers. Our next installment is below! Name: Sunny Yoo Company: Metro Cobbler & Co Shoe Repair / Hakky Shoe Repair & Tailor Location: Owings Mills & Hanover, MD Products/Services: Shoe and Leather Goods Repair Years in Business: 5…
Cook, Serve, Grow: Financing Growth for a Foodservice Business
Is your restaurant, catering or grocery business thriving in the New Year? Are you considering plans for growth? The costs associated with growth can be expensive. And, accessing capital to fuel growth is a challenge for many small business owners. Fortunately, if you need to buy equipment, increase your staff, or expand your location, there…