Articles
How many business credit cards is too many?
Business credit cards are commonly used as a source of small business financing. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 65% of small businesses use credit cards to fund their budgets, at least partially. There are many questions that all small business owners know they have to answer when they take out a credit card…
A guide to properly thanking your customers
As a small business owner, what keeps your customers coming back again and again? It isn’t simply having the best products and services. And it isn’t having the best promotions or marketing. Rather, creating an environment where your customers feel valued and appreciated is what fosters loyalty among your most important audience. 1. Don’t undervalue…
You know you’re a west coast business owner when….
It seems that West Coast business owners live in a different country than most others – one with year-round sunshine and organic products aplenty. If you want to see whether you could fit in that box – or if you’re a West Coast business owner yourself – then check out the maxims listed below. 1.…
What’s the difference between secured and unsecured loans?
As a small business owner, it’s important to understand the distinction between “secured” and “unsecured” when searching for financing. Secured business loans A secured business loans means that you need to offer collateral alongside your repayment. By offering collateral, business owners afford lenders a way of knowing that they can collect on the balance of…
4 Ways to Start Raising Your Credit Score
If you’ve already taken steps to separate your personal credit from your business credit, then congratulations! However once you’ve taken this initial action, it’s important to maintain your business credit score in order to make your business as attractive as possible to potential lenders. Listed below are four tips for understanding how you can keep…
How to stay healthy while managing your business
Running a small business isn’t a 9 to 5 job, and often times it’s easy to let your health fall by the wayside. However, if you continue to put the company first and your own health second, you’ll eventually burn out. Here are some tips to keep in mind that will keep you feeling healthy,…
When is it the right time to turn to a bank?
Last week, we covered an appearance that OnDeck CEO Noah Breslow made on MSNBC, discussing how business owners can prepare before they apply for a loan. This week, we detail another set of tips he offered to small business owners: when is the right time to turn to a bank for a small business loan.…
Personal Credit Vs. Business Credit
As a business owner, it’s important to understand the difference between your personal credit score and your business credit score. Personal credit is what you build by showing trustworthiness when it comes to paying your bills on time and in full, from credit cards to automobile loans to home loans. Doing so increases your credit…
It’s Time to Refocus after Tax Season
Tax season is over (yay!), which means now is the time to put the focus back on your business. There are a number of different things to consider now that your paperwork is filed and your information is in process. Here are four: 1. Catch up on the books from the past few months Your…
5 Signs that you’re an East Coast Business Owner
Perhaps no set of business owners are as idiosyncratic as the ones on the East Coast. Comment below if these signs describe you. 1. You keep clothes for every season at your office year round Whether you’re in New England or farther down the coast, you’ve got to be ready for the weather to change…
Blood is thicker than Water: Do’s and Don’ts for Family Businesses
Family owned and operated businesses are a large part of America’s small business history. According to The Conway Center for Family Business, family-run businesses make up 80% of all businesses in North America1. That’s why it was no surprise that our article on Do’s and Don’ts for Husband and Wife Teams was one of our…
Thinking about applying for a direct loan? Read this first.
While applying for a direct loan is faster and requires less paperwork than applying for a traditional loan, it’s important to still be prepared. Noah Breslow, CEO of OnDeck, sat down with MSNBC to discuss a few best practices for small businesses looking to start the application process with a direct lender. 1. Presentation matters…
Crucial Guidance for Women Business Enterprise (WBE) Certifications
Our recent post on how to get certified as a minority-owned business was our single most viewed blog post ever. In response to the article, we received several requests for similar benefits for women-owned businesses, which we will explore today. Most government agencies, including city, state and national entities, as well as public companies, allocate…
Mixing Business with Pleasure: Do’s & Don’ts for Husband and Wife Teams
Who better to run a business with than your significant other? At OnDeck, we come across many successful entrepreneurs that are partners both in business and in life. However, mixing business with pleasure doesn’t come without complications. Listed below are some helpful do’s and dont’s for couples to keep their personal and professional relationships in…
Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know about Angel Investing
In recent years, the number of accredited angel investors has risen sharply, providing many new financing opportunities for business owners. What is an angel investment? An angel investment comes from a specific affluent individual and grants a large amount of funds to an existing business or a start-up. Traditionally, these investments are not treated as…