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Karlene Sinclair-Robinson Articles

Guest post by: Karlene Sinclair-Robinson

CASH FLOW – What is That? - Click To Read Article
I am sure you have heard the term “Cash is King”. This is true. Those with cash have stronger buying and/or borrowing power than those without it. With today’s lagging economy, many businesses are experiencing negative cash flow. The business owner who has yet to get up close and personal with their cash flow issues will see their doors close sooner than later.

Top 3 Reasons Why Banks will Close a Small Business Credit Line - Click To Read Article
Small businesses access to credit lines is still stagnant. Entrepreneurs continue to face tight credit and limited access to loans. Some business owners who once had excellent credit are now facing financial strains. This is due, in part, to the decline in business sales or other opportunities. This could also be due to the cost of goods or services, in order to perform at their best.

Do You Know Your Breakeven Point? - Click To Read Article
An episode of the popular ABC TV show “SharkTank” presented the opportunity to focus on a critical area of a business – its breakeven point. Business owners seeking venture capital on the Shark Tank program could not effectively present their breakeven point. This is all too often the case for business owners. Some startups and business owners have never heard of their breakeven point, or do not have a clear understanding of how to come up with the figure it represents.

Small Businesses and Banking Lines of Credit - Click To Read Article
Small business credit lines are certainly monitored by banks. Banks keep an eye on all accounts and will check the business and personal credit of its clients from time to time. This is not just a practice by Bank of America, but is common practice amongst banks and other financial institutions. In closing small business lines of credit, the small business closure rate has increased and it has even impacted the bankruptcy rate of small businesses. With so many small business owners being affected by these credit line closures, instead of keeping quiet about it, they are now fighting back.

The Small Business Administration and Your Business - Click To Read Article
The Wall Street Journal article headline read: “Should the Small Business Administration Be Abolished?” The internet buzz is swirling with conjecture. There is, of course, no concrete evidence to this and organizations such as WIPP (Women Impacting Public Policy) are against the Small Business Administration (SBA) closing. This action would devastate many local programs supported by this government agency in many areas of the country.

9 Things Business Owners Must Know Before Seeking Capital - Click To Read Article
Business owners are always seeking ways to improve their business. These improvements can include updating equipment, hiring new staff, developing a better marketing strategy or figuring out how to improve cash flow. When cash is not flowing effectively, a business owner must take any and all necessary steps that can and will lead to financial growth.

Creative Financing For Small Businesses - Click To Read Article
Creative financing is an interesting concept that has many business owners wondering how it could work for them. Many business owners are still not aware of the non-traditional financing methods that are taking the place of traditional bank loans or are working in conjunction with banking institutions. Some of these creative financing methodologies are not loans. They cannot be accessed through traditional financing sources based on their conceptual makeup. The conceptual makeup of some of these options could include the use of your creditworthy clients, government contracting capabilities, current paper or tangible assets, or even the use of your future expected payments.

The Importance of Your Business Financial Statements - Click To Read Article
The topic of financial records or statements has always created some anxiety for entrepreneurs. For those individuals thinking of jumping into the world of business ownership, this can be a daunting part on the path to entrepreneurial success. Not knowing the importance and meaning behind each financial document can certainly set anyone up for failure. It is critical that you understand and address the reason and need for each financial document that is applicable to your business.

Peer-To-Peer Lending and Your Small Business - Click To Read Article
Before the internet, before computers, before the stock market, businesses still needed money. Terms like ‘Barter’, ‘Partner’, or even ‘Susu’ were a critical part of the financial vernacular. With the advent of the internet, so much has changed. Here is one such major change – “Peer-to-Peer Lending”. This form of financing has drastically changed and improved because of the internet. Due to its supercharged online growth, this is now a term you must know.

Diversifying Your Small Business – Part 2 - Click To Read Article
In part 1 of 'Diversifying Your Small Business' I addressed the factors that impact your business’s need for change. The “Why” and “How to” factors driving this need for change were covered in detail. Finally, it was made clear that because of the ever evolving trends in business, business owners must get on board or fail in their endeavors. In the second part to this diversification concept, I will address in more detail some of the areas business owners need to work on in order to meet these growing demands. Without addressing these key areas of business development, the cost to your business includes losses in both your customer base and income level.

Factoring Your Small Business Receivables - Click To Read Article
Over the years I have asked business owners, “What do you know of Factoring?” Many times the answer is “I have never heard of it”. For those who answered, “I know little about it”, this is for you, too. Factoring your small business receivables is when you sell your invoices. This is considered the sale of an asset at a discount.

Diversifying Your Small Business – Part 1 - Click To Read Article
Many entrepreneurs learned early on that diversifying their business was a key strategy to their success. Their current success hinged strongly on how well they were able to adapt and change with the shifting tide of the business world and what their clients demanded of them. Without diversification, many businesses can and will go bust.

Why Micro Loans Could Be The Answer to Many Small Business Owners Financing Needs - Click To Read Article
Small business owners, if you have never considered accessing a Micro Loan, you might want to take a look at this viable financing option. Some of you might think that these types of loans are used only in Third World countries. Perhaps you have heard of lending sites such as Kiva.org, which primarily finances individuals living in countries other than the United States who are starting their own businesses.

Growing Your Small Business with Non-Traditional Financing - Click To Read Article
Small business owners are always seeking ways to grow their business. Whether you are going after business-to-business (B2B) clients, business-to-government (B2G) contracting opportunities, or business-to-consumer customers (B2C), growing your business is the foremost thing on your mind.

5 Things Business Owners Must Consider During Growth or Survival Periods - Click To Read Article
Growing a business in today’s market is all about survival of the fittest. Surviving through the uphill battles of being an entrepreneur is critical. Surviving through the growth stages of the business is just as vital as when your business is in a negative cash flow period or downhill mode.

5 Reasons Why Your Website is Important to Financing Your Small Business - Click To Read Article
Today’s small business owners have so much to do when engaging their customers. Staying hyper-focused on bringing in new customers is important. It is also important when courting a financing source, whether traditional or nontraditional. When you are in need of financing, especially if you are a start-up or small business owner, your financing source will become a vital part of your business.

Dwindling Cash Flow is a Big Problem - Click To Read Article
Business owners today are tapping into whatever available cash reserves they have. This is not always the best thing to do but they might not have an option. Survival is the primary reason entrepreneurs are using their cash reserves. It is vital to stay afloat and be able to come through our current economic situation that is affecting many.

6 Questions You Should Ask A Lender Before Applying For A Loan - Click To Read Article
Many small business owners today are finding that qualifying for bank financing is not easy. Even if you are using non-traditional lenders, there are important things to know before approaching them. Having great credit scores and tangible assets does not necessarily mean you can get the loan amount you need. Traditional lenders must follow strict guidelines in their lending procedures that small business owners might not be aware of. As for non-traditional lenders, they have also tightened up their lending guidelines. It is important to know what questions these lenders might and can ask. The questions below will assist you, the business owner in knowing what the lenders are looking for before you complete their application.

Business Loan Fundamental: What Small Business Owners Need to Know - Click To Read Article
Small Business owners seeking capital to grow their business or just to survive through the current economic downturn are at their wits' end. Money to these businesses is not flowing as freely as in years gone by. Here is one business fundamental to consider.

The Small Business Grant Misnomer - Click To Read Article
Business owners seeking grants for their businesses must understand the process. Grants, just like other methods of financing, have their unique qualities. Knowing how and when to access grant funding is important in not wasting time and money, then not winning the grant.

What Are Recourse and Non-Recourse Loans? - Click To Read Article
Understanding the difference between a "Recourse" and "Non-Recourse" loan is vital to every entrepreneur. Whether you are seeking financing or not, it is important to know what these terms mean and how they apply to you, the business owner. It is widely acknowledged that if you don't understand them, it can be very costly. This information just might come in handy in the future.

Why Your Financial Statements Are Important - Click To Read Article
In today's business financial market, it is important to understand what bankers and other financial sources require of business owners. When accessing capital through traditional sources such as banking institutions, they must have specific financial documents from the party seeking to borrow their funds. Alternative Sources require said documentation but can take a different approach based on the borrower's situation.

Failure Is Not An Option - Click To Read Article
Many individuals are starting their first venture into the entrepreneurial world for the first time. Some have been at it for some time. Whether you just got started or have been around the block, you will be faced with similar issues from time to time. Realizing that startups have a high rate of business closures, especially in the first year, it is important to know the trigger points.

Access To Alternative Financing for Small Businesses - Click To Read Article
Many small or startup business owners seeking financing are caught between a rock and a hard place. Are you going to let this stop you? Are you going to give up on your dream of owning your own business or growing the current one?

5 Sources To Consider When Accessing Capital - Click To Read Article
Knowing where to go to access capital is vital to any business owner. Entrepreneurs are experiencing a high rate of loan applications being denied, so know where to go is very important. In understanding how a financing option can work for a given business, makes things much easier in accessing that particular solution.

5 Things Every Startup Business Owner Must Know - Click To Read Article
Start-up business owners are not always aware of financing options outside the banking industry. They are more likely to be turned down by the banks, especially if they have not been in business for at least two (2) years.





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