By Alvin E. Terry, MBA/ Business Consultant, Dynamic Business Builders
Now that you have decided to take the leap of faith and make that “Great Idea”, a real business venture, what will it take to manifest it and make it into a reality?
Money, Moolah, Dinero, Cash Dollar Bills, Cha Ching, The Benjamin’s
The above comes in many other names depending on where you hail from. Having adequate amounts and sources of capital is paramount to the survival of any business. It’s like having an extra tank of oxygen available when you are experiencing “thin air”. This can usually lead to that syndrome of “I can’t breathe”, someone please help. I have been there and done that. That’s not a good feeling. You have to be realistic with yourself in your upfront preparations. If you don’t you will be one of those statistics of other small businesses that fail in the first three years of starting up.
This can be avoided with proper cash flow planning, fiscal management and a good financial team. Understanding the everyday activities that you will encounter is very important and so is understanding cash flow cycles.
Here is a partial list of questions that may arise at any given time.
- Where can I get start-up capital, what is required to qualify?
- What is the best way to finance my business?
- Who can I trust without getting involved in a high-cost loan scenario?
- How can I avoid people that will waste my time?
- Are there non-traditional sources of funds that are available?
- What if my credit is marginal?
- What if I don’t have a history of sales, but I have many years of experience?
- Will I need collateral? What if I don’t have collateral?
- Etc…Etc…ETC…
The list goes on and on, but for time sake, I know that you get the drift of where this can lead too.
If you are a start-up or a new business with relevant experience, you might want to start with a Lender that specializes in funding businesses like yours. That Lender has to have lots of experience with specialized loan products, services and understanding of how to guide you through those special situations.
I am going to recommend a couple of entities that fully understand and can help you achieve your goals. They are AccionTexas Inc., doing business in several States and Houston Business Development, Inc. if you are doing business in the City of Houston.
Here are some examples of the types of loan products that they offer:
AccionTexas, Inc.
- Individual Business Loans
Loans from $500.00 to $5,000.00
- Credit Start Loans
Maximum Loan Amount of $500.00 to help establish credit
- Pronto Loans
Unsecured Loans from $500.00 – $5,000.00
- Lines of Credit
From $5,000.00 – $50,000.00 for Working Capital, Inventory and Seasonal Fluctuations
- Loans to Immigrants with I-Tin Status
- AccionTexas Loan Access Program
Loans up to $50,000.00 to help Entrepreneurs with limited or no collateral
Contact info: www.acciontexas.org
Shirley Brooks
Vice President Operations East Region
888-215-2373 ext. 1501
sbrooks@acciontexas.org
The next best source for Houston based businesses is:
Houston Business Development, Inc. Their “Fast Track” Loan Financing Workshop is highly recommended in order to be successful in this program.
A “Fast Track” loan may be the answer for you. Here are some of the examples:
- Micro-Loans
$5,000.00 – $100,000.00 processing time 7 – 21 business days
- Fast-Track Loans
$5,000.00 – $25,000.00 processing time 1 – 3 business days
- Small Business Loans
$50,000.00 – $250,000.00 processing time 7 – 21 business days
These loans can be used for Working Capital, Inventory, Equipment, Furniture & Fixtures, Machinery and Real Estate. As always, each type of loan has its own set of lending criteria that must be met.
Contact info:
Marlon D. Mitchell
Executive Director
713-845-2400, Direct 713-845-2418
m.mitchell@hbdinc.org
These two entities are very customer friendly that will be delighted to guide you through the process with as little pain as possible.
Once again, I sincerely hope that this information will give you some added value and momentum in your initial quest for funding and achieving your goals. May your business be a success.
You can contact Alvin E.Terry, MBA
Directly at 713-392-9107 or by email at alvin.terry@rocketmail.com
www.dynamicbusinessbuilders.biz
