Lauren McKinley

There’s such a wide variety of business loans available that it can be overwhelming when trying to figure out where to start, especially when trying to find one that fits your budget. Whether it be an SBA 7(a) loan, which has had over 70,000 approvals so far this year[1], or a more niche type of…

A rollover for business startups (ROBS) is a way for a business owner to access their personal retirement funds tax- and penalty-free. In fact, it’s an increasingly popular method of financing a business. In 2024, over half of the business owners surveyed in Guidant’s Small Business Trends study[1] reported using ROBS to finance their ventures….

Trade credit financing allows two businesses, a customer and a supplier, to purchase goods or services using a short-term financing agreement instead of paying cash upfront. This allows the customer to obtain goods and pay for them later, usually anywhere from 7 to 120 days. This form of financing is commonly used by B2B companies…

The best equipment loans for bad credit have flexible credit requirements, fast funding timelines, and responsive customer support. You may not qualify for a lender’s lowest rates, but the right option should still provide competitive pricing and terms compared with similar lenders. Here are my top picks for the six best equipment loans for bad…

Inventory financing allows businesses to borrow money specifically to buy products they plan to sell, and the inventory purchased becomes the collateral for the loan. This includes both finished products ready for resale and raw materials used to manufacture those products, which can offer flexibility to product-based businesses that may have difficulty qualifying for other…

American Express is well-known for its variety of credit card offerings, but perhaps the Platinum Card, one of its most popular, is worth the hype. It has both business and personal options, and choosing between the two can get a bit confusing. I’ll walk you through the details and differences between each card so that…

You can use your 401(k) in a few different ways to fund a business venture, whether you’re buying a company, contributing capital to an existing business, or starting one on your own. In most cases, you’ll access those funds through one of three paths: a Rollover for Business Startups (ROBS), a 401(k) loan, or a…

Lendio is a business loan broker that partners with over 75 lenders to help small businesses get access to financing that suits their business operations. It can be used by a wide variety of borrowers and offers flexible qualifications since its lender network is so vast. Additionally, the process of applying is simple, as you…

Editorial and Partnership Disclosure The best instant approval business credit cards should offer a decision within no more than a few minutes, requiring little to no supporting documentation. Additional factors that the best cards should have will vary depending on your specific qualifications and needs. That can include a combination of valuable welcome bonuses, strong…

American Express is a well-known financial services provider with a variety of products and services available to small business owners. Its line of credit is a popular option that can provide working capital for a wide range of business uses and offers competitive rates and terms. In this American Express business loan review, I’ll walk…

“Loan default” are words that no small business owner ever wants to hear. Believe it or not, neither do lenders. Getting to the point of loan default usually means extenuating circumstances that might be uncontrollable. Lenders will also want to avoid this at all costs since it means they might also be at risk. It’s…

Crowdfunding typically involves getting a small amount of money from a large number of investors and can be a good way to raise funds for your business. It can provide multiple benefits, such as eliminating the need to satisfy a lender’s loan requirements, getting access to larger amounts of money, and more. However, some downsides…