☕ Grab a cappuccino. Let’s talk about giving business debt the boot. 

The processes that supported your last stage of growth may not be ready for what comes next. Attend TechRepublic and EverCommerce’s webinar on September 22, 2026, at 11:00 AM ET to identify operational bottlenecks, strengthen field and back-office coordination, and improve visibility before existing gaps become embedded in future plans.

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Business debt can fund growth, cover unexpected expenses, or simply help manage cash flow. But when it comes time to pay it down, every owner has a different approach.

🗓️ Don't let Sept. 15 sneak up on you: The third-quarter estimated tax payment deadline is Sept. 15 for individuals who make estimated payments. Partnerships and S corporations that received six-month filing extensions also have Sept. 15 deadlines. Check your calendar and cash flow now, rather than discovering the deadline the night before.

👨‍👩‍👧 Paid family and medical leave could come with a tax benefit: The IRS recently highlighted enhancements to the federal paid family and medical leave tax credit. Eligible employers, including small businesses, may qualify for the credit when providing paid family and medical leave to employees. If you're already offering paid leave, it's worth checking whether your business qualifies before leaving a potential tax credit on the table.

🌪️ Your disaster plan should include your financial records: Within the last week, the IRS reminded businesses and individuals to protect important tax and financial records before disaster strikes. Keep electronic copies of tax returns, insurance documents, bank records, and other essential business records somewhere you can access them even if you can't get into your workplace.

🔒 A quick privacy note: Keep it anonymous. Don’t enter bank or lender names, account numbers, or other identifying financial details. We only need a few basic numbers to do the math. 

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Sometimes your first business investor is you

When I started my business, no investor was waiting with a check. I was the investor.

And that's not unusual. Many entrepreneurs use their own savings to get a business off the ground. The latest SBA data shows that personal savings are a common source of startup capital.

Using your own money can feel like the obvious choice. You believe in the idea. You want to get started. And every dollar you put in feels like an investment in something you're building for yourself.

But here's what nobody tells you: There can come a point when you're no longer asking whether the business needs the money. You're asking how much more of your personal financial security you're willing to give it.

That's a much harder question.

Your savings, credit cards, home equity, and retirement money aren't just sources of business capital. They're also the money that protects you when something goes wrong. 

The SBA specifically cautions owners who self-fund not to spend more than they can afford and to be particularly careful about tapping retirement savings.

Decide how much you're willing to invest. Decide what needs to happen before you put in more. And perhaps most importantly, decide what number you're not willing to exceed.

Believing in your business is important, but so is protecting the person building it.

Top three things to remember 

1. Set your limit before you need it. Decide how much personal money you're comfortable putting into the business.

2. Keep the finances separate. Even when you're funding the business yourself, keeping personal and business accounts separate makes it easier to track what's really happening.

3. Don't automatically reach for more personal money. If the business continually needs cash, stop and figure out why before writing yourself another check.

Compare when your business debt payments are due with when money typically comes into your business.

If several payments hit during the same week, or right before your strongest cash-flow period, ask the lender or card issuer whether you can change your payment due date.

It won't reduce what you owe, but lining up payments with your cash flow could make managing that debt a little easier.

Sometimes a better debt plan isn't about finding more money. It's about better timing.

Rayanne Harmon

Senior Small Business Writer and Entrepreneur

Rayanne Harmon is an entrepreneur and finance professional with decades of experience building businesses while working in banking, accounting, and business finance. Inspired by a family of entrepreneurs, she successfully owned and operated a photography studio for 20 years before launching a social media marketing agency dedicated to helping small businesses grow. Through Small Business Insider, Rayanne shares practical advice, real-world insights, and actionable strategies to help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of starting, managing, and growing a successful business.

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