Raising start up capital is important for starting a new business. Although the most common source of funding for women run businesses comprises friends, family, grants and private investors, the popularity of loans has also sparked interest in recent years. Several agencies offer special small business loans for women based on individual credit record, experience and the assets owned. Some lending agencies also offer loans for women with young children so as to allow them to start their home run businesses.
Small business loans for women are available for varied kinds of businesses such as:
These loans can be used to start up a business, or meet its daily cash requirements.
The most preferred source of small business loans for women comprise varied government run programs. Although angel investors and venture capitalists are a good source of funding, they have a clear say in the functioning of the business.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is the biggest and the single largest financial backer of small businesses. The federal agency does not lend itself but guarantees up to 75% of the loans provided by the private lenders to the women run businesses.
The SBA is of great help to small women run businesses that may not have collateral to get secured loans. The SBA offers a pre qualification program for women entrepreneurs. This program trains the women entrepreneurs in preparing their loan applications in a smart way and to finally secure loans. The federal agency reviews the business plans of these proposed units. It also acts as a link with the lending agency. Once the SBA agrees to guarantee a loan, an intermediary agency such as the SBDC helps the borrower to locate a lender that offers the small business loans for women at competitive rates.