Escape the MCA trap. While we do not recommend stiffing anyone who has lent you money, you do have strategies available to escape the MCA trap. You either exit the MCA or workaround the MCA. But first, know what you are getting into. Look for warning signs before you sign the MCA. Confessions of Judgment Read More

Who should NOT use them? It’s a rough way to start the day.  You are a restaurant owner and sales have been inconsistent lately. Your power bill is past due, and you must pay it today, or the utility will disconnect your electricity for nonpayment. Last night when you checked, you had sales transactions that Read More

Who should consider using them? Merchant Cash Advances (MCAs) have developed a bad reputation, but they can serve a purpose and provide quick capital in an emergency. They provide funding (often within 24-48 hours) and lenient approval based on revenue. That makes them accessible for businesses with poor credit or urgent cash needs.  However, they Read More

By James Chittenden If you are looking to buy an existing small or medium business, protect yourself by looking for red flags in small/medium business finances. If you are looking to sell a business, clean up your books and implement the controls we recommend below. Clean finances increase the value of a business. Sloppy books Read More

To get your new business ready for credit approval, you must establish the business as a separate legal entity and ensure all public records are consistent. Because lenders rely heavily on automated underwriting systems, minor discrepancies in your business name, address, or phone number will cause delays or trigger immediate denials.  Structuring your business correctly from Read More

For many small businesses, late summer is the perfect time to get financial records organized, strengthen cash flow management, and prepare for the final months of the year. Right now, there are two particularly good reasons to act: QuickBooks Online is offering 90% off for three months, and businesses should start preparing now if they expect Read More

Summer can be one of the busiest times of the year for many small businesses. Whether you’re managing seasonal demand, coordinating employee vacations, or preparing for growth opportunities, staying organized is essential. The right financial tools can help you as a business owner save time, improve cash flow, and make better decisions. Here are three Read More

By Derek Goodman Before you invest tens of thousands of dollars and two to four years of your life in a college credential, you need to know what the data actually says about whether that investment pays off, and for whom. If you’re a small business owner thinking about going back to school, or weighing Read More

By James Chittenden Businesspeople can get lost and discouraged when looking for their first round of business funding. Surprisingly, they can have greater success if they use a simple but often overlooked key to fast funding approval.  Loans, investment, and other ways that businesses can obtain capital for growth seem mysterious. The overwhelming number of Read More

By James Chittenden Fortunately, AI is still our servant and not our master, at least for the time being.  For a long time, AI was of poor quality and unreliable. Then it rapidly became quite good, and available to everyone with a Wi-Fi connection and mobile device. Its proliferation offers opportunities and hazards. One fantastic development is the Read More