“GROUP ECONOMIC ACCESS TO CAPITAL”
PART V
BY TED HARVEY
In the world of sports competition, there is a saying “preparation meets expectation.” First you must play the game before you play the game. In other words, see yourself, or a better word, visualize every move you are going to make to beat your opponent.
There are certain words that come to mind like intensity, being physically and mentally strong, using affirmative words that can build your confidence. Know your opponent weakness and strengths, always give 110% and it ain’t over until it’s over.
Right now you are probably saying to yourself what does this have to do with attaining capital, Ted? Well it has a lot to do with it because in sports you will always win some and lose some. When you lose a game you don’t stop playing, in fact you can’t wait for the next event to prove yourself “I can do this”. You start the process over again until you win (quitters are not winners).
To have access to capital and what I mean is access to money there are many ways. I will name the top five.
- Build a relationship with your bank. Sit down with a business banker and speak to them about your plans and needs. The preparation on your part is first your credit and your credit score personal and business. Your goal should be having a credit score of 700 or better. You must prepare a business plan that explains your business in detail. If you are a small business who has been in business for two years or more, you may qualify for a small business loan up to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. If you are a startup with less than two years in business, you will have to use your personal credit. If your credit is good to excellent, some banks automatically give you a ten to twenty five thousand unsecured line of credit. If you own a home with equity you can get a secure line of credit or you can inquire about a second mortgage. Let the truth be told, there is a possibility that you can get access to capital up to three hundred thousand dollars. If all your T’s are crossed and I’s are dotted, it can happen.
- If you want someone to invest in your dream. You have to invest in yourself. If they hear that you put all your savings in your business, potential investors will invest in you when they hear your dedication and passion.
- Family and friends are another way to get money. However dealing with family and friends can be very tricky or in a word complicated. If you can convince your friends and family that this business is your passion. But business is business and you have to treat them like an investor and give them the royal treatment like any investor.
- Venture Capitalist: using venture capitalist is the number one way of getting money. A venture capitalist is an investor who either provides capital to startup ventures or supports small companies that wish to expand but do not have access to equities markets. There are thousands of venture capitalist companies that are looking for that one new thing or that one hot company that brings something new to the technology sector and needs a fusion of cash to expand.
5. Hard Money: my suggestion don’t use this service because their interest rates are too high. In my opinion, the risks are too high. However if you are really strapped for cash and you know that you can pay it all back plus interest in thirty days it might be worth it to you. Case in point, you have a retail store and there’s a hot style of clothing that’s out and everyone is asking for it. Your budget is tight and you need fifty thousand dollars. And you know you can triple your profits. Hard money can cost you fifty thousand plus 30% or higher. You can find these hard money types on google and classifieds. If you haven’t thought of this and it really works. Network go to every function you can go to and introduces yourself and hand out your card. Reach out to professional people who’re looking to make money off your hard work. In my next blog I will give you a few scenarios that can get you started.