Business, once the exclusive domain of men, has seen many women business owners coming onto the scene in recent years. Between 1992 and 1997 the growth of women-owned businesses was nearly three times the percentage of the increase of all other business enterprises. In 1997, the number of women-owned firms stood at a figure of 5. 4 million. In another ten years when people are analyzing the first decade of the twenty-first century, this figure will most likely have grown.
Why Loans Are Needed
Home-based businesses run by women continue to increase, since many women prefer the convenience of looking after their children and homes in addition to running a business. Loans for running such businesses are essential as essential for women as for men. Many women have also proven they are adept at buying existing businesses and running them successfully. This necessitates loans for a variety of purposes, including buying and running a business, expansions, buying special equipment, maintaining sufficient inventory, and maintaining retail trade.
How Small Business Administration Helps
If women are unsuccessful in obtaining loans from conventional sources, the US Small Business Administration (SBA) guarantees small business loans on reasonable and convenient terms to women entrepreneurs. These loans can be used for any of the purposes mentioned above. If a lending institution does not feel confident about granting a small business loan to a particular applicant, the applicant can approach SBA for a loan guarantee, which means that if the loan recipient falters in repaying the loan the SBA will reimburse the lender.
The Criteria For Getting An SBA Loan Guarantee
Provide historical financial statements and projections to prove that the business can repay the loan. The ability to incur more debt should be exhibited. Some form of collateral should be provided, although it need not cover the full extent of the loan. A good personal credit report is essential and if it is tainted, there should be enough evidence that determined efforts were made to rectify the problem. The small business and its owner should fulfill all their tax obligations. There must be no attempt to get any loan from other sources at the same time. The loan request must demonstrate that the loan could not be obtained elsewhere and that the loan will benefit the business substantially. The business owners must prove that their personal resources are not adequate to cover the loan amount needed.
The tremendous growth of female owned firms is evident from the 1997 Economic Census, which stated that such firms constituted 26% of the nation’s 20. 8 million non-farm businesses and employed 7% of the 103 million workers. The growth rate has increased considerably since then and it is expected to go up even further over the years to come. Keeping in view the high economic and employment potential, it is apparent that business loans for female small business owners are a necessity.
Additional Help
There is software that can help in the starting and the running of a business. This software is reasonably priced for small business owners and much of it is geared toward the operations of small business.
Posts Tagged ‘Women Business Owners’
Understanding Small Business Loans For Women
December 31st, 2009Small Business Loan for Women
December 28th, 2009Universities are showing more and more women enrolled in fields such as account, finance and economics. Single women have become a strong and powerful force in the U. S. economy. Women are now starting business ventures of their own, showing just as much if not more vitality and success than their male counterparts. Some lenders even have programs for small business loan for minority women.
The importance small business loan for women are quickly catching the eye of many lenders today. Today, many lenders are establishing special programs to cater to the needs of women. And it’s no surprise. Women business owners are critically important to the American economy. America’s 9. 1 million business owned by women employ 27. 5 million people and contribute 3. 6 trillion dollars to the economy each year. There are all kinds of specialty programs for women entering the business world today—from small business loans for minority women, to special seminars and government grants available to female entrepreneurs of any kind.
Women business owners have unique needs. Their success in the business world has caught the eye of many lenders that have created specialized programs that offer unique opportunities and guidance for female entrepreneurs. The small business loan for a woman has allowed females to gain a strong foothold in the business world today.
A business loan for woman is designed to fit the needs of the modern businesswoman. A variety of lenders today are offering specialized programs. As a woman, whether you are just starting to think about a business idea, or have a fairly developed scheme, your lender will over you key pieces to the success of any stage of your business. When seeking financing, ask your loan representative about special programs for a small business loan for woman.
For a woman, getting a small business loan has historically been a far different process than that for men. Traditionally, is simply hasn’t been as easy. But today, women have become a dominant part of our economy and of the business world, and government programs and other lenders have stepped up to assist them in their forward thinking business ventures. Women business owners are critically important to the American economy.
Of course, women have to face the same obstacles in the business world as men. While poor management is cited most frequently as the reason businesses fail, inadequate or ill-timed financing is a close second. Whether you’re starting a business or expanding one, sufficient ready capital is essential. But it is not enough to simply have sufficient financing; knowledge and planning are required to manage it well. These qualities ensure that entrepreneurs avoid common mistakes like securing the wrong type of financing, miscalculating the amount required, or underestimating the cost of borrowing money. That’s why meticulous planning is important before a woman applies for a small business loan.
A woman’s unsecured small business loan can sometimes be easier to obtain today than for a man. The government and lenders have created special programs for female entrapaneurs and business owners. Women are becoming increasingly dominant and successful in the business world. Today, they can find financing products to keep up with them.
Today, many companies have become strong advocates for female entrepreneurs, offering unique services and programs for small business loans for women. They also offer opportunities and guidance to help them women business owners succeed. This trend continues to experience growth as awareness for women’s issues and needs are becoming a more important factor in the economy of the nation.
Small Business Grants for Women Starting a New Business
October 4th, 2009If you as a woman own 51% or more of your business or business start up it is considered a woman-owned business and as such qualifies you for a variety of small business grants for women. The beauty of going this route instead of the more well known bank loan or finding willing investors route is the simple fact that business grants do not need to be repaid.
This of course helps relieve the stress of paying back that loan or the group of investors that fronted you the money to get your business off the ground. Being able to concentrate solely on your business without worrying about cash flow is a sure fire way to ensure its success.
This is important when you consider that the vast majority of small business start-ups are being done by women every year. Not only that but women are also 75% more likely to succeed in their business venture then men are. Because of this there are more and more resources becoming available for the woman who starts or owns her own business. Everything from small business grants and loans to free business plan help and tax strategies can be had for any woman in business.
When considering getting grants for women owned businesses there are four things that can make the process quicker and easier.
1. Create a workable business plan – This can be the most important part of any new business start-up. In fact most grant applications require a business plan so that the grantors can make an informed decision as to who receives a grant and who doesn’t.
2. Grant research – There are literally thousands of government and private grants available to women business owners. Some are for specific areas of business while others are more general. It is also important to find out what the requirements for each grant you may be interested are.
3. Hire a professional – Finding an accountant or lawyer who is familiar with the grant request and application process can greatly increase the chances of success. They can help with everything from building the business plan to double checking all the paper work before it is submitted to the granting agency.
4. The internet – There are many websites that help the woman grant seeker find the grant or grants that she is looking for. They also provide an abundance of information on successfully applying for the different grants that they track. These sites can be a great resource for the woman trying to start a new business.
Finding small business grants for women can be done quickly and easily on the internet. To successfully apply for those same grants will take some time and effort but the payoff is well worth it when you consider that the government and private organizations are giving away billions of dollars every year.
By: Andrew Bicknell
