Lauren McKinley

Lauren McKinley

Staff Writer - Finance at Fit Small Business
Group of people is having a discussions and brainstorming for a projects.
What Series A, B, C & D Funding Is & How It Works

Series A, B, C, and D funding are rounds of financing that are provided after an initial investment of funds, typically known as the “seed funding stage.” Each round allows investors to partake in an investment of a high potential startup or small business in exchange for a stake in equity. These rounds typically have…

Feb 18, 2025
Two construction worker wearing a hard hat are having discussions.
6 Best Construction Factoring Companies

The best construction factoring companies should offer large funding amounts, competitive rates and fees, and quick access to funds. They should also have a combination of flexible qualification requirements and favorable financing terms, such as long repayment periods and no long-term contracts. Here are my top picks for the six best invoice factoring for construction…

Feb 17, 2025
hand checking UCC Filing document
What Is a UCC Filing & How Does a UCC Lien Work?

UCC filing vs lien: What’s the difference? Before we dive deeper, I’d like to kick off with the fact that a UCC filing and a UCC lien cannot be used interchangeably — that’s a common misconception. Instead, they are differing elements that are part of the process of placing a claim on an asset. A…

Feb 17, 2025
business woman using calculator
SBA Loan Calculator: 7(a) Loan Payments & Amortization

Our SBA loan payment calculator will help you determine what your potential SBA loan payments may look like. It also provides a full amortization schedule that can demonstrate what amount of principal and interest you’ll be expected to pay. SBA 7(a) loan calculator inputs The inputs necessary for our SBA (7(a) loan calculator include items…

Feb 12, 2025
Blue tractor without driver near a farm field.
6 Best Equipment Financing Companies

The best equipment financing companies should offer competitive rates, flexible repayment terms, quick access to funding, and excellent customer service. The application process should be simple and require limited documentation to make the approval process easy. Depending on your business equipment needs, I’ve compiled a list of some of the best equipment financing lenders for…

Jan 28, 2025
Moving Boxes And Furniture In Office.
Equipment Lease Calculator: Calculating Your Lease Payment

By using an equipment lease calculator, you can determine the costs associated with an equipment lease, including the monthly payment amount, buyout cost, and residual value. Our free equipment lease calculator can provide you with all of that information and is designed to also supply figures for three lease structures: fair market value (FMV), $1…

Jan 24, 2025
A plant growing on a golden coin inside the jar.
5 Alternative Funding for Startups

Startups needing funding often have to source financing by untraditional means. This is because getting a traditional business loan often involves a hard credit pull and close review of finances—and since many startups have limited resources, they may have difficulty qualifying for various lending products. Sourcing alternatives has become a more common way for startups…

Jan 23, 2025
pay off credit card debt
Getting a Business Loan to Pay Off Credit Card Debt

I’ll walk you through the process of getting a loan to pay off credit card debts, from considering your current credit card debt obligations and comparing lenders to applying for financing, signing the lender’s agreement, and obtaining the funds. By using a business loan to pay off credit card debt, you can optimize your cash…

Jan 21, 2025
Lightbulb graphic showing accounts receivable financing ideas.
4 Best Accounts Receivable Financing Companies

The best accounts receivable financing companies will have advance rates of 90% or more, flexible qualification requirements, and offer funding within just a few days. These lenders should also provide a combination of excellent customer service, large funding amounts, and repayment terms of 90 days or more. Based on those criteria, I’ve selected the following…

Jan 21, 2025
hand protecting a plant with coins around it
14 Microfinance Statistics You Need to Know for 2025

Microfinancing allows borrowers who may have difficulty qualifying for a traditional loan the opportunity to access smaller financing options, usually up to $50,000. These loans are typically designed to help underserved communities or businesses with limited resources be able to financially support their business. While the loans used in microfinance may be smaller than those…

Jan 21, 2025
Man writing and entering numbers on calculator.
6 Best Alternatives to Merchant Cash Advances

The best alternatives to a merchant cash advance (MCA) should provide a combination of better rates, fees, and repayment terms. Many of the best will also have flexible qualification requirements and excellent customer service. We’ve selected lenders that issue different types of loans. Some examples include equipment financing, working capital loans, and credit lines that…

Jan 21, 2025
Teacher and students.
Daycare Insurance Costs, Coverage & Best Insurers in 2026

Daycare insurance is an ongoing cost of running a childcare business. The right coverage helps protect against common risks like third-party claims, property damage, and other losses tied to business operations. For many providers, the core policies are general liability and commercial property insurance. Pricing varies based on factors like location, services offered, and the…

Jan 9, 2025
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