Personal Loans for Entrepreneurs

When establishing a small business, securing funding is one of the most essential steps for an entrepreneur. However, early-stage businesses often struggle to obtain bank loans or investments if they don’t have collateral, credit, or sales. To access funds, start-up founders and small business owners should consider personal loans.

A personal loan for business can help you kickstart and grow your business. In this guide, we’ll go over the pros and cons of personal loans for entrepreneurs.

The entrepreneur's dilemma in funding

Overview of common financial challenges faced by entrepreneurs

Certain financial hurdles complicate the entrepreneurial journey. Here are some ones you might encounter on yours:

• Limited access to capital
• Market volatility
• Operational costs
• Poor cash flow management
• Lack of substantial collateral assets

Traditional business financing options and their limitations

Bank loans: While bank loans are still a popular choice for businesses seeking funding, they aren’t suited for small business owners and startup founders. This is because banks require you to have extensive credit history and/or substantial collateral to take out a loan.

Venture capital: Venture capitalists will evaluate your business and invest in return for equity. While the assistance of a venture capitalist can be invaluable, many business owners don’t want to give up substantial equity in their business while they’re still trying to grow their business.

Angel investors: Angel investors often seek equity in return for their investments, similar to venture capitalists. Finding a suitable angel investor whose interests and visions align with your business can be difficult. The equity dilution is another serious concern with long-lasting implications.

Small Business Administration (SBA) loans: SBA loans are greatly appreciated by entrepreneurs for their favorable rates. However, these loans come with a lengthy and difficult approval process. You need to meet the eligibility requirements, which may involve collateral.

Personal loans for business funding

Personal loans are a valuable financing strategy to consider for entrepreneurs looking to launch their startups. The personal loan funds can help you cover various business expenses. However, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of this option. Mismanagement of a personal loan can hurt your individual creditworthiness and hurt your personal opportunities in life. Let’s go over what you should know about personal loans for business uses.

Understanding personal loans for business use

Definition and basic characteristics of personal loans

Personal loans are issued to individuals in the form of lump sum deposits of money. If you obtain a personal loan, you must pay the principal (borrowed) amount back plus interest. Borrowers often use personal loans for debt consolidation, medical bills, unexpected expenses, and home renovation projects.

Most personal loans are characterized by:

• Rates based on your credit score, financial stability, and loan purpose
• Average interest rates between 6 and 36 percent
• Fixed interest rates
• One to five years of repayment term
• Collateral is optional
• Granted by financial institutions, banks, and online lenders
• Versatile with a wide range of permitted loan purposes

If you default on the loan (i.e. fail to pay off the debt according to the loan agreement), your individual creditworthiness will take a hit and your credit score will drop. This can make it harder to obtain credit extensions and loans in the future. A lower credit score also means you will obtain higher interest rates, costing you more money on loans.

Differences between personal loans and business loans

There is a distinction between personal loans for business and business loans.

Personal credit: For a personal loan, the borrower is the individual, who is responsible for repayment. All credit implications affect the individual. The borrower can then use those funds for a wide variety of purposes, which may include business expenses. The approval depends upon the individual’s credit score, income, and personal credit score.

Business credit: For a business loan, the borrower is considered the business itself. When you apply for a business loan, you’re doing so on behalf of your business, which will be held responsible for loan decisions and repayment. Approval depends on the business credit history, financial performance, and financial records of the business. The business owner’s personal credit score may also be considered for loan decisions.

Collateral: While personal loans may be secured with almost any valuable, legal collateral asset, business loans are typically secured by business assets. Securing a loan with collateral makes it easier to qualify for better interest rates. However, it risks losing the collateral asset.

Application and funding speed: It often takes far longer to obtain a business loan than a personal loan. Business loan providers will ask for details and documents regarding the business’ financial stability, plans, and other relevant aspects. Personal loans offer beneficially fast funding, with some loan providers even granting same-day loans.

Pros and cons of using personal loans for business purposes

Personal loans are a viable financing strategy for business purposes, but they’re not suitable for every business. Here is an overview of the common pros and cons you should consider.

Pros:

• Accessible funding
• Quick approver
• Flexible fund usage
• No business collateral is required
• No business history required
• Easier to obtain for smaller businesses

Cons:

• Smaller loan amounts
• Higher interest rates
• Terms depend on personal creditworthiness
• Personal liability
• Shorter repayment period
• Can hurt personal credit
• Fewer tax benefits for the business
• Not scalable for larger businesses

Choosing the right personal loan

Factors to consider when selecting a loan

When shopping for a personal loan, make sure you consider the interest rate, loan term, and fees. Common fees you might encounter include origination fees for the application process and prepayment penalties if you pay off the debt early.

Also make sure you look at the annual percentage rate (APR), which is a more comprehensive indicator of the total cost of borrowing than the interest rate.

Here are a few reputable lenders to get you started with shopping for a suitable personal loan.

• Credible
• SoFi
• Discover
• Avant
• Upgrade

Comparison of different lenders

Your chosen loan provider greatly influences your borrowing experience and the overall cost of taking out the loan. Make sure you find a suitable lender with a good reputation.

You can obtain personal loans from banks, online lenders, and credit unions. Each option has its own advantages and drawbacks. If you’re a member of a credit union, check out its current offers to see whether you can secure a more favorable rate for a loan.

Importance of reading and understanding the loan agreement

Understanding the loan agreement before you commit to obtaining a loan is critical. Carefully review the loan terms, rates, fees, requirements, and other relevant details. Some lenders will use predatory practices to lure in business owners in need of fast funding. Here are some red flags to watch out for when obtaining a loan:

• Guaranteed approval regardless of your credit
• Unrealistic promises from the lender
• Shady website lacking in verifiable details
• Bad reputation
• Interest rate significantly different from the average rates

Alternatives to personal loans

Exploring other funding options available to entrepreneurs

The path to successful financing differs for every entrepreneur. Make sure to explore funding avenues other than personal loans for business, such as:

• Traditional business loans
• Venture capitalists and angel investors
• Secured loans and lines of credit
• Personal savings
• Credit cards
• Crowdfunding
• SBA loans
• Friends and family loans

How to choose the right financing mix for your business

Take the time to evaluate your business’ financial needs to determine what kind of financing strategy aligns best with your interests. For example, you might want to avoid venture capital if you have already given out a significant amount of equity. Instead, loans and credit cards might be preferable so that you don’t dilute more equity.

If you have a poor credit score, a personal loan might be too expensive to be worth it. Instead, consider a business loan or other funding method. That way, you can receive better interest rates and terms.

Meanwhile, personal loans can be great for startups who need to take advantage of the market conditions to start and grow quickly. Personal loans depend upon individual credit and are far more accessible. The application process is faster than that of business loans, which means you can gain the fast funding you need to cover urgent business expenses.

At the end of the day, each entrepreneur faces unique challenges and has different goals. Take into account your own needs and priorities before choosing your mix of financing.

If you’re struggling with funding for your business or debt management, you might want to consult an expert. Professional financial advisors can assist both individuals and businesses. They can help you devise a personalized strategy to tackle financial gaps and business needs.

Preparing for loan application and approval

The loan application process can be completed either in person or online. Here are some general guidelines to follow for a successful loan application.

• 1. Know your credit score
• 2. Determine your loan purpose and amount
• 3. Gather the necessary documents
• 4. Compare lenders
• 5. Prepare a comprehensive loan proposal for your business
• 6. Review loan offer carefully

Documents needed for the loan application

Different loan providers will have their own eligibility requirements and checklist of documents to go through. It’s good to check with the lender to see what documents they may need. However, preparing the typically required documents beforehand can expedite the application process.

Here are the documents you should have on hand:

• Proof of income (e.g. pay stubs, tax returns)
• Proof of address
• Two forms of government-issued identification

Tips for increasing the likelihood of loan approval

Before applying for a personal loan, you might want to take the time to increase your credit score. The better your credit score, the more favorable a loan you can obtain. This can help you save money in interest and reduce how much you need to pay each month to repay the loan.

After you have applied for the loan, regularly check the lender’s online application portal to see whether there are any updates. The loan provider may request extra information or clarification if necessary.

Another method to increase your chances of loan approval and mitigate credit impact is to pre-qualify for a loan first. The pre-qualification and pre-approval processes both allow you to quickly see your expected loan application results through a rapid soft credit check.

Long-term financial planning for entrepreneurs

Strategies for sustainable financial management post-loan

After you’ve taken out a loan for business expenses, it’s important to practice sustainable financial habits. Prioritize loan repayment and cut down on non-essential business expenses. Budgeting for a business is challenging but important.

The importance of establishing a strong business credit profile

A robust business credit profile opens up valuable opportunities for your business. The main advantages include:

• More access to financing
• Better loan rates and terms
• Improved relationships with investors and suppliers
• Lower business insurance premiums
• Competitive advantage

Planning for future funding needs

Effective planning paves the path toward success and business expansion. Always try to set clear business goals with realistic budgeting and attainable milestones. Make business payments on time to maintain good business credit and supplier relationships. These best practices increase your business’ chances of generating profits and enjoying financial stability in the long run.

Not sure where to start looking for a personal loan? Here are some of our top picks.

About The Author

Ru Chen

Content Writer

Ru Chen is a content writer with several years of experience in creating engaging and well-researched articles. She mostly writes about business, digital marketing, and law. In her free time, she can be found watching horror movies and playing board games with her partner in Brooklyn.

Articles by Ru Chen

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