Lauren McKinley

This guide is for entrepreneurs who want to use eligible retirement funds to start or buy a business without taking an early withdrawal or paying taxes upfront. A rollover for business startups (ROBS) lets you invest eligible retirement funds into a business without triggering taxes or early withdrawal penalties, provided the plan is set up…

This guide is for real estate investors who need short-term financing for a renovation project and want help choosing the right fix-and-flip lender. Fix-and-flip loans can be expensive, so it is important to find a provider that fits your budget, timeline, and project goals. The best fix-and-flip loans typically offer fast funding, short repayment terms,…

Access to business financing is no longer limited to banks, credit unions, or traditional lenders. Increasingly, small business owners are finding loan offers directly inside the software they already use to run their companies. This model is known as embedded business lending. In this guide, I’ll explain how embedded business lending works, why accounting software…

QuickBooks Capital is a financing option designed specifically for businesses already using QuickBooks accounting software. Instead of applying through a traditional lender, eligible users can access funding directly through their QuickBooks dashboard. But convenience does not always equal the best financing option. In this review, I break down how QuickBooks Capital works, the types of…

If you’re in the market for financing a purchase for your small business and wondering what options you might have, it’s worth comparing the pros and cons of various loan types. For example, an equipment loan vs a business loan can offer you varying levels of flexibility with regard to loan terms and qualifications. To…

If you’re considering getting a small business loan, it’s important to understand the whole process in order to increase your chances of approval. While it can be a complex process, it can be easier to attack when broken down into steps. After you’ve determined how funds will be used for your business, you’ll need to…

The best investment property loans typically offer a mix of low fees, competitive interest rates, and flexible qualification criteria. Many top lenders also stand out for responsive customer support, quick funding timelines, and streamlined underwriting that can reduce the amount of paperwork required. This guide can help you compare the best loans for investment properties,…

Editorial and Partnership Disclosure The best fuel cards for small businesses help reduce operating costs through fuel and maintenance discounts, tiered rebates based on usage, and robust tracking and reporting features. Whether managing a single vehicle or a growing fleet, the right card can streamline fuel expenses, help build business credit, and provide broad network…

Business travel insurance is a policy that helps cover unexpected costs associated with work trips. Depending on your plan, it can reimburse eligible expenses if you need to cancel a trip, experience delays, receive urgent medical care, or deal with lost baggage, among other situations. Some policies also allow you to add coverage for work…

Raising capital doesn’t always mean you have to give up ownership in your business. Non-dilutive funding offers a way to access money without handing over equity, control, or future profits. For many small business owners, that tradeoff makes non-dilutive financing one of the most attractive ways to fund their business needs. In this guide, I’ll…

If you’re planning to use your own money to start a business in 2025, you’ll need to open a business bank account, choose your funding source, complete the transfer, and record it correctly for accounting purposes. Each step comes with specific rules that can impact how you access and report your funds. Understanding these details…

Editorial and Partnership Disclosure The best purchasing cards, also called procurement cards or P-cards, are designed to support day-to-day business buying with stronger controls and clearer tracking. In this guide, I’m covering various options, spanning designated P-card programs and corporate cards, that can be used in the same way, since many offer similar tools for…