Raising Capital is hard and it can take some time if you’re starting cold. Here’s some of the ways we’ve funded the business and growth internally and the lessons we’ve learned.

Wisdom #1 — Interest is cheaper than equity. When you’re starting out it sounds great if someone wants to give you $300k for for 50% of your business. The catch, you’re loosing a ton, but it gets you into business.

Wisdom #2 – A small piece of big pie — Bezos owns just under 5% of Amazon, yet he’s the richest guy in the world. How big is your startup idea?

Wisdom #3 – USE THE SBA.gov – its the best way to get financing that’s fair.

Ok so now back to the financing side: How did we get started?
BULK beef jerky started with sweat equity and a cash out from my first a partner split . After that money came out of my own pocket and the profits the company started generating. It had a snowball effect, natural organic growth as they would call it. I had a job, ran it part time and started with low dollar amounts that grew and profit was reinvested to keep it growing.

PTG RULE #1 —

AVOID using MCA – merchant cash advance and selling of future sales. They are DANGEROUS and Scammy.

Merchant Cash Advance / Daily Paybacks – This is the most expensive % payback of cash you’ll easily be able to get. Yes its EXPENSIVE when you break it down into a APR formula, shoot -its just ugly and criminal, but when you need cash, its a way get get it.

Example.. FUNDBOX wants to loan me $5k for 2 weeks, then have a pay back $5,800 – wowwww, ouch.

Check out the calculation below – long story short the APR comes down to about 150% a year. That’s just ridiculous

THE MCA counter argument – Merchant Cash Advance / Short term loan

You can buy $5k of inventory that you know you can flip in the next 2 weeks for 10k. So, does it make sense to make $4200 – sure it does. The scary side is if you fail to make that flip and payment you’re going to regret it. If you can get approved with FUNDBOX, you’re probably better off using your credit card anyway.

Lets put it this way.. if you can avoid using these types of lenders – please do. Use this as your last resort. I’ve been there, I’ve paid my dues and my interest rates. Got back to wisdom # 3 — use the SBA

Other High Interest Lenders – When you need cash you’ll do anything right? Here’s other groups and some news behind them:

  • Kabbage.com – Purchased by Amex for 890 million!
  • Ondeck.com –> notice how these guys were sold recently for pennies of what their valuation was years ago.
  • Propsper– also investigated and fined
  • Lending Club – LendingClub is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, the company said last month, and a number of its large investors have halted investments in the wake of its chief executive´s resignation.
  • Lendio.com — these guys are based out of Utah, anyone that’s been scammed knows FTC warning letter . This group also “franchises” its platform so there can be other high interest loan sharks out there , using a new business name.

I get it, these companies are here to make $, the premise of helping small business out is noble, there’s a huge market out there for capital –Capital is the reason all of us are in this business game in the first place. But beware — you’re going to pay for it, make sure you have a plan .

P.s. Look OUT for scammers

I’m pretty sure I have 3-5 calls or texts a day from some company offering me cash for my business. I just hang out, I don’t trust any of these people, they all want bank statements, credit pulls, etc. Then you get emails like the one below:

Hello Pete,

My name is Zach Gold, I am an underwriter with USD Funding, we are a Direct Lending company based out of Boca Raton, Florida. I received a submission in search of working business capital for Bulk Inc, from a broker, I wanted to reach out and see if we can cut out the need for a broker and work directly alongside each other. 

In order for us to send your file to underwriting, where they will review the file and generate offers, options and approvals, cash or lines of credit for your company, we need the following information and documentation. 

A filled out signed application. 

some guy trying to sell my information

Here’s another one:

WHY BLACKSTONE IS DIFFERENT

Applying for funding for your business can be a confusing and expensive process if you go to the wrong lender. Blackstone focuses on facilitating the fastest loan decisions at the lowest rates with the least amount of hassle. The Blackstone team is equipped with the best financial technology in alternative lending so that we are equipped to better serve you.

Business owners need more than just a quick funding decision and a competitive rate. Blackstone stands out from the competition by providing business owners a relationship they can depend on now and into the future.

FUNDING THROUGH BLACKSTONE

Simplified Lending Process

Fastest Turnaround Time

Low Time In Business Requirements

No Collateral Requirements

An industry-changing process that leverages technology to provide you with the capital you need to run your business, swiftly and efficiently.

Apply Here

A TRADITIONAL BANK LOAN

Troublesome Lending Process

4-6 Weeks Average Funding Time

At Least 3 Years of Business Operation


Nixon Ruben <viperrt74@gmail.com>

Notice the email “viper” – exactly, scum coming from some email address.

I’ll update a resources page on lenders soon.