Startups form the lifeblood of modern Canadian business, yet they are also one of the most volatile forms of business. 23% of new startups will fail within the first three years, according to the Government of Canada Business and Industry authority, with the figure rising to 57% over 10 years. One big reason for these failures is cash flow.
With modern business funding a mix between crowdfunded cash, investors, and direct assets, it’s more important than ever to appreciate the importance of each distinct funding source and make it work for you.
That being said, there are plenty of businesses flourishing in Canada as a result of their good organization: check out, for instance, Mellow. The success of these businesses is grounded in financial responsibility; now, more than ever, that includes personal finance.
The bottom line
Poor personal credit matters when it comes to business loans. That’s it. As outlined by the Globe and Mail, having a poor credit score, or one lacking in detail can have a serious impact on your ability to gain funding for small business loans. This immediately affects one of the safest and more predictable ways of gaining credit for the purposes of starting up a business.
Small business loans can help you to buy assets, pay a salary if you need development time, or purchase premises through which to develop your products or build a physical presence. Betterloans recommend taking remedial action to rectify your situation before building a startup. Taking cleaning action on your score, settling issues with financial institutions, and taking small steps to start boosting your score once again will put you on the right footing.
Improvement through assets
While investors, crowdfunding and credit lines are all hugely beneficial, they all come with stipulations, whether that be a share in the business, an interest rate, or expectations of regular product releases. By funding your big idea with your own money, you are, effectively, the only person you need to answer to. Managing your personal finances in such a way that you can devote the maximum amount of your own funding towards your project will help you to remain financial independence in the long-run and guarantee the success of your project.
Managing the stress factor
A startup is exciting, but it’s stressful too, and so is money management. Troy Media have even found research that suggests many business people could be diagnosed with a form of PTSD stemming from the trauma and strain their bodies are put under from the business management cycle; similarly, impoverished families have, according to the Canada Without Poverty advocacy group, exhibited symptoms of trauma-based illness.
You need to keep your mental health well looked after, and this is best done through a frank and thorough assessment of your own finances, updated regularly through time. This will help you to keep your balance in check while also giving as much mental space and time as possible to your business.
While perhaps a more existential threat, this is an important aspect of business management. Consider your personal finances a clean base of operations on which to build your business. Operating in a clean and comfortable fashion with your personal finances will give you the comfort and security to grow your startup.
Know Your Figures
It’s always amazing to know how many business owners and entrepreneurs these days don’t actually understand their figures, or keep a handle on their company’s money. There are so many avenues to explore here, and you need to make sure you come up with ideas that are going to help you in this regard. One of the key elements of bossing your business financials that little bit more is understanding what you’re spending and what you’re making. This means you need to be meticulous and look at some of the best ways of achieving this.
Try to use plenty of online resources that can help you to take better care of your money right now, and this is so important for the future. For instance, percent calculators are vital for helping you work out complex sums, and being able to keep on top of your financial situation. You have to make sure you are a business professional who is managing your money as well as you can, and this is something that plays a part in this process right now. Try to think about what you need to do to be better with your money, and whether you are going to be looking at taking things forward in the best way you possibly can right now.
