After being in business for a while, every entrepreneur comes to a stage where they likely have to consider getting an injection of funds to boost the company's growth. It's a big move and is bound to be met with all kinds of opinions from others. From outright objections to cautionary advice, many people will have something to say about it: Can your small business qualify for a bank loan? What if your plans don't take off and you can't pay it back? Why can't you just borrow from family and friends?
It's daunting but you are a business owner and you know what's best for your company. The why is important and the following may be some of the issues you are trying to address by getting a loan.
Once you've decided on your motivations, use that as an anchor to answer the rest of these questions to ensure that the loan application process goes as smoothly as possible:
Many entrepreneurs get caught out in the paper chase – getting rejected simply because a document or two wasn't in order. It seems tedious but treat itas an exercise in discipline in laying your plans out in order. And who knows, in this process you may be able to spot gaps in your plans, answer questions you didn't even think of in the first place or even identify new areas of opportunity for your business!