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Jun 24, 2021
Applying for the SBA 504 loan program can be a daunting process, and you may find yourself wondering: Where do I begin? How do I apply? How long will it take? The entire SBA 504 loan process takes several steps to complete and requires participation between the lender, SBA, CDC, and the borrower(s) themselves. The timeline below shows a brief snapshot of what this process looks like and will give you an idea of the major steps involved…
May 28, 2021
Our team has witnessed hundreds of entrepreneurs and small businesses owners who were once in your shoes tackle the SBA 504 loan application and progress their way towards acquiring financing. While working with these business owners, we have also compiled a list of some helpful “do’s and don’t’s” that we have learned along the way to help make this process smoother and less overwhelming…
Mar 18, 2021
With the constant changes that owning a business brings, along with the current business climate, the temptation to put a plan aside and wing it is stronger now more than ever. To get a better understanding of what a strategic plan really is and why it is important, we sat down with Patrick Metzger and talked to him about why we cannot rely on our own luck to grow a successful business…
Feb 15, 2021
Whether you are a start-up or have been in business for many years, it is likely that there will come a point in your entrepreneurial journey where you will have to visit with your bank, credit union, or non-traditional lender like Dakota Business Lending about financing options to help you grow. Check out these five simple ways you can make a good impression on your banker and increase your chances….
Jan 12, 2021
Dig out the confetti and noisemakers – you made it through 2020! This year has been tough on everyone, and for that, you deserve to celebrate. But while we are all happy to see 2020 come to a close, the new year will still bring challenges and obstacles of its own. Small business owners: do you have a game plan to combat those? Our team sat down and brainstormed a list of goals and resolutions…
Dec 7, 2020
They say that “hindsight is 20/20”, and there could not be a better phrase way to describe this past year. Looking back at 2020, there may be some things we could have done differently, some things we see in a whole new light, and even some things we wish we could try again. Whatever the case, many of us see and know much more now than we did just twelve months ago.
Nov 23, 2020
Whether you are an entrepreneur in the early stages of business or have been owning and operating a business for 20 years, you’ve probably heard of something called a business plan. A business plan is one of the most critical documents your business will have for both the management and growth of your business. But what exactly is a…
Nov 2, 2020
Forming a partnership takes careful consideration, time, and strategy, but can have a huge impact both parties involved. Whether your business has established countless partnerships before, or you are considering forming your first one, here is just a few of the many benefits that this professional relationship can bring to you and your business…
Oct 16, 2020
There is a common misconception that little to no resources exist for women entrepreneurs in North Dakota. Financing, leadership, training, management…you name it. While many believe the challenge to find these resources still exists, we are here to “de-bunk” that myth and highlight a few resources available to help women business owners on their journey…
Sep 21, 2020
You hear it said over and over – “You should support small business”. You see the little stickers in every downtown window – “Shop Small.” There is even a day dedicated to it – “Small Business Saturday.” But why is it so important? And what does it really mean to support small business? With this week being “National Small Business Week”, we would like to…
