For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), rising costs, shrinking customer budgets, and increased competition from tech-driven disruptors, fuel hikes and shipping delays are just a few of the challenges that could stand in the way of your success as a small business owner. However, one way you can overcome these hurdles is by securing funding to invest in growth, innovation, and competitiveness by acquiring funding.
Here what small business owners say about the importance of funding:
Access to Capital:
With traditional financial institutions remaining risk-averse, it can be challenging for SMEs to secure the funding they need to grow their business. However, financing options such as online lenders and banks, crowdfunding, and peer-to-peer lending offer new opportunities for entrepreneurs to access the capital they need to take their businesses to the next level.
“The biggest issues that we’ve experienced over the last couple of years is access to funding. Banking is traditionally slow and cumbersome to be able to access funding. Where on the other hand, Lula is fast, they’re responsive, and they’re actually not traditional, which makes our lives a lot easier as business owners and entrepreneurs because eventually, or ultimately now we have somebody that buys into what we are trying to create and what we are trying to do.
Craig Ford, Owner of Express Holdings.
Increased Competitiveness:
In today’s rapidly changing business environment, SMEs need to stay ahead of the curve to remain competitive. Funding can provide small businesses with the resources they need to invest in technology, marketing, and innovation to stay ahead of the curve and meet the changing needs of their customers.
Business Expansion:
Expanding a business can be a daunting prospect, but with the right funding, it can also be an opportunity for growth and success. Whether it’s opening a new location, investing in new products or services, or hiring new employees, securing the right funding can provide SMEs with the capital they need to grow their businesses and achieve their goals.
Improved Cash Flow:
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any small business, and without it, growth and success can be challenging. Business funding can provide SMEs with the working capital they need to cover short-term expenses, invest in new opportunities, and manage their cash flow more effectively.
“One of our biggest dreams was to launch a product that nobody else had. To launch a product that we can research and develop and grow. That still boils down to cashflow concern because if we had to take the money out of our bank account to design and develop a product that didn’t exist, we wouldn’t have had the cash flow to continue our day to day business on the other side. That’s where Lula came in, that’s where Lula made the difference.”
Nick Bekker, Owner of LRG Solar.
In conclusion, small businesses that want to succeed will need to be proactive in securing the funding they need to grow, innovate, and remain competitive in a rapidly changing business environment. Whether it’s through traditional financial institutions, alternative financing options, like Lula or a combination of both, SMEs that invest in funding will be better positioned to overcome the challenges of the year ahead and achieve success.