To learn about small business trends and life as a small business owner, Guidant Financial partnered with online lending marketplace LendingClub for our annual State of Small Business survey. More than 2,700 current and aspiring business owners across the country responded to questions ranging…
The Guidant Blog
Essential Resources for Franchise Financing
How you fund your franchise is one of the earliest and most important decisions you’ll make as an entrepreneur. Fortunately, knowing which franchise financing resources to turn to makes the process both easy and equitable. Purchasing a franchise is an exciting way to become an entrepreneur.…
The Value Of Hiring For Emotional Intelligence
Guidant Financial’s State of Small Business report found that more small business owners are struggling with hiring and retaining the best talent. The CEO of MyCorp, Deborah Sweeney, points out that hiring the best talent might not be about traditional intelligence — great talent might be found…
The 4 Best Small Business Funding Methods
Before you can fling open the doors on your franchise or go live with the app for your start-up, you’ll need to make sure you have your funds ready and available. If you’re like some entrepreneurs, you’ll finance your dream venture by dipping into your personal cash reserves, and then apply…
How to Get Small Business Funding with Bad Credit
Many small business owners rely on traditional business loans and other debt-based financing methods to launch their ventures. But for aspiring entrepreneurs who need small business funding with bad credit, the ability to secure financing can be challenging and seemingly impossible. Thankfully,…
4 Ways You Can Take Advantage of Brick-and-Mortar Locations
It’s no secret e-commerce has had an impact on brick-and-mortar businesses, and you can point to its growth in annual sales as proof: a steady 17 percent increase in annual sales year over year. However, people often miss out on the fact that e-commerce shopping is still tiny compared to…
Small Business Struggles: 3 Challenges of First-Time Financing
If you’re a first-time entrepreneur, one of the most significant small business struggles you’ll face is acquiring the funds to start or buy your venture. Since few individuals have enough cash stashed away to cover start-up costs, many rely on financing options to fund their business — from…
Should You Get an Estimated Small Business Valuation or a Small Business Appraisal?
As the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Whether it’s because you’re looking to sell your business and spend your golden years relaxing in a hammock on the beach or you’re an eager entrepreneur who is ready for your next challenge; to sell your business you’ll need to…
5 Easy Steps to Get Your Business Up and Running
Great business idea? Check. Ready to put in the time and energy necessary to own and operate a small business? Check. Prepared to take on what comes next? Um…half-check? You’ve got the passion, the drive, and the idea but aren’t sure what to do next before announcing that you’re officially…