Entrepreneurs often use business financing to make their companies grow, expand and give them the boost they need. It is very likely that if you have a growing business and haven't applied for a loan yet, you are thinking about doing it.
However, although small business financing is a great help to boost any project or business, you need to know if you and your company are ready for that step.
5 Signs That You Are Not Ready for a Business Loan: eAskme |
Before requesting some small business financing, you should evaluate your financial situation very well and see if it can afford.
Below you will find a list of signs that indicate that you are not yet ready to ask for a loan.
If you meet any of them, take it as an incentive to improve what you are failing at.
If you are starting your business
Obtaining a loan to start your business sounds like a very good idea.
However, the reality is that if you are beginning, there will still be things that you will not be completely clear about, and you will not be sure if you will have the financial solvency to meet the payment deadlines.
It is not so common for new businesses to be approved for loans. In fact, in the United States, only 7% of those businesses that have been in business for less than a year get to receive a bank loan.
The reason is that most banks will ask you to review your bank transactions, your income, investments, company strength, among others.
Therefore, if your business is not even one year old, it will be difficult for you to consider small business financing.
You don't have clear objectives
Don't take the money from a financial institution just because you have the opportunity or because the institution is giving you the easiest requirements.
Even if you are pre-qualified and they offer you the small business financing you would love to receive.
If you don't have an investment or action plan for your business, you will likely spend it on matters that are not a priority or not related to your business's growth when you receive the money.
Even if you aren't thinking about getting a loan yet, you should list the short, medium, and long-term goals. This way, you will be clear about what you should invest money in if you can do so.
In addition, these goals should be so defined that it would be good to establish how much money you would need to reach each goal.
If it's a hasty decision
If you need quick money and haven't yet applied for a loan, it is recommended to be aware of your financial situation and evaluate if you will face the debt comfortably.
Many times, people go for something without being sure if it is a good idea.
In this way, it may be that you need money so urgently that you do not stop to think if you are going to be able to return it, and that is never recommended.
Therefore, opting for companies that practice responsible loans assures you that they will only grant you credit if your financial situation will allow you to face the return of it comfortably, thus preventing you from rushing into the decision.
Not rushing does not mean that you can't apply for a quick loan when you need money with some urgency.
It is enough to have evaluated your financial situation beforehand and stop for a couple of minutes to reflect on whether it is the best alternative.
By going to a company that practices responsible lending, you will have much more security on this point.
If you have a lot of debts
Sometimes it is possible that you have several accumulated debts and, even so, you consider requesting another loan.
This is not a good idea in most situations since that will only make the situation worse, adding one more debt that you will have to pay back.
This point, however, has an exception.
Sometimes, the situation may arise that you can request a loan and, with that money, cancel the rest of the debts and, in that way, be left with only one debt (the credit you have just requested).
Applying for a loan to cancel those other debts can be a good alternative if these circumstances arise.
However, it will always depend on the flexibility of the other loan and the amount that you are going to repay.
To do this, it is best to analyze your situation and your solvency to evaluate if it will be more comfortable for you to refinance your other loans like this or if, on the contrary, it is better not to request a new loan.
If you are not sure of being able to comply with the payments
If you are not going to repay a loan, it is better not to request it since it will only cause your debt to increase without stopping.
Companies that set a maximum limit for the debt to increase, but it is still not a good idea to ask for a loan that you will not be able to repay.
If you study your financial situation and have doubts, it is better not to ask for credit or go to companies that offer you loans that suit your conditions.
A serious decision to make
Applying for a bank loan involves much more than filling out an application and meeting the requirements they ask for.
Among other things, you need to consider the status of your personal and business accounts.
You must think about how you will pay the loan and how much money you need.
While it is true that financing can allow you to make large investments and take your business to the next level, it is a decision that has serious implications that should not be taken lightly.
Speak to fellow business owners, know their experiences with business financing, how they got them, and apply it for expansion.
Of course, their story won't necessarily be the same for you, but that will give you a better picture of your possibilities.
If you still have any question, do share via comments.
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