You’re here because you’ve got a great idea, and you’re ready to get your business off the ground. Kudos to you! You’ve come to the right place—Burkes Brothers is dedicated to supporting small businesses with advice and resources backed by years of successful experience.

One of the most crucial first steps to starting a small business is to find the right financing options. Every business needs startup capital to provide its products or services, pay employees, and open a storefront (whether that’s brick-and-mortar or digital). But where does that funding come from? 

The source will determine how your business is equipped to operate and many factors of your own personal finances as the owner of the business. This is why it’s important to know a few key things about sourcing your business capital, which we outline below. 

Don’t Use Your Own Money to Fund a Business

It may feel like putting your money where your mouth is is the best way to prove your belief in your business and ideas, but business funding is a serious matter that shouldn’t be based on idioms or feel-good thoughts. The best way to nurture your good ideas is to protect yourself and your loved ones from future financial disasters. 

Use the money of people who want to invest and who have the capital to spare. Running a business is hard enough without risking personal financial strain and a comfortable future for yourself and your loved ones. We’ll cover this in detail later, but what you need to know is that there are plenty of individuals and organizations in the U.S. dedicated to turning bright ideas into profits, and they are happy to support you with their money. And you should use them!

Smart Sources for Commercial Investments

Great! you’re thinking. Now where can I find these amazing investors with all their loose change? We’ve got a list of places to start!

The Bank

Seeking financing from your personal or local banks and credit unions is one of the best (if not one of the most obvious) steps you can take to find funding for your business. We recommend reaching out to nearby branches in your community to make an appointment with one of their loan administrators. 

A strong idea and a smart, strategic business plan can be just the ticket for earning the respect and attention of a discerning loan officer. But if you’ve had trouble making the right impression to earn funding, you may benefit from the guidance and support of business consultation services. Get in touch with the Burkes Brothers team to find out if we might be a good fit as business development partners. 

Freestanding Lenders

There are many national and local individuals and organizations who act as small business lenders, including Burkes Brothers! You may be able to connect with them online, through word of mouth from other business owners, or at small business expos and other professional conventions. These persons or groups often have resources and strategies available for helping your business succeed. 

At Burkes Brothers, we offer small business loans and start-up business loans to turn profitable, great ideas into functioning sources of income. Reach out to our team today to learn more about applying for one of these loans. 

The SBA

The Small Business Association is a popular resource for—you guessed it—small businesses across the country. What you may not know is that they offer small business loans for starting and expanding businesses. Find the application procedure on their website to learn more about the requirements and instructions. 

Why Saving Your Own Money Is Important

Don’t leverage your own funds, and especially don’t use your retirement funds to finance your business. You need to have your savings to fall back on in case your business fails—which can happen for any number of reasons. According to Forbes (citing the SBA), roughly 20% of businesses fail in the first year, and only about 50% make it past the five-year mark. It’s not a matter of “having the best idea”—success is a numbers game as well as a game of chance, opportunity, and circumstance. 

In regards to using your 401(k) and other retirement funds as a source of financing, it doesn’t make sense to leverage retirement capital for the now. That money is intended to go untouched and simply be a resource you save to protect a decent future quality of life, so let it do exactly that. Risking your own savings isn’t worth the security and comfort of your family. 

Build a Successful Path to Business Ownership

When there are plenty of financing options available in the world, don’t put your family’s safety or your future in jeopardy. Find financing and small business support that suits your present and long-term needs. Don’t know where to start? Having trouble searching for support or financial options? Turn to Burkes Brothers! We’re committed to helping great ideas reach their peak, and coaching small businesses on their path to success is our specialty! Reach out to our team today to get started. 

Top-Rated Business Consulting Services

Based in Huntington Beach, CA, Burkes Brothers delivers quality business development services to entrepreneurs across the country. Using investors is the smart business owner’s path to long-term financial success, but it isn’t the only strategy for developing a strong business. Contact us today to create a big-picture plan designed to accomplish your business goals.