6 Easy Ways to Finance Your Seasonal Business

Not all businesses operate with full steam around the year. There are seasonal businesses which have periods of high sales followed by lower cycles. This cyclical nature can add to the challenge of running a business – especially when it comes to financing.

Since seasonal businesses tend to have money coming in sporadically, it’s important to find ways to manage the cash flow and finance the business. The good news for anyone considering launching a seasonal business is that solutions are out there. Here are six ways to finance your seasonal business.

1. Getting a business line of credit

Seasonal businesses should consider getting a business line of credit. It allows you to draw funds against a predetermined credit line instead of receiving a lump sum such as in a traditional loan. The good analogy for a business line of credit would be to compare it to a credit card – you can use it as you need and pay only for the amount you actually use.

2. Utilising your credit card

Speaking of credit cards, special small business credit cards can be a good financing option for a seasonal business. If you are able to get a maximum credit line, it could allow your business to draw anything from a few thousand to tens of thousands. You’ll also only need to pay back what you need and the credit card will reward early repayment. The extra benefit of a business credit card can be the introduction of reward points and cash back opportunities.

3. Applying for a short term business loan

Short term loans are another good option to consider, as these loans usually allow up to 6 months to repay the loan, allowing lending of anything between a few hundred to a few thousand. The interest rates can be relatively high but short term loans don’t have strict qualifications and they can positively impact your credit score. Short term loans are a viable solution for getting past the initial cash flow hiccups.

4. Opting for invoice financing

You could also consider invoice financing. This method means financing your business using your own invoices. An invoice financing service will pay unpaid invoice into your account and your business will pay these back over the course of the next weeks. This can ensure you get a steady stream of money to finance running business needs without having to worry about when your invoices are paid.

5. Using Merchant Cash Advances (MCAs)

MCAs are another easy-to-obtain financing option. They are available for business with bad credit score and you don’t need to have any collateral to get it. You don’t have to pay at the same rate and therefore, having slower cash flow won’t necessarily hurt your repayment. However, you do need to continue paying it on a regular basis and the interest rates for MCAs can be higher than some of the other means on the list.

6. Checking out equipment financing

Finally, you might want to consider an equipment financing plan. These are suitable for seasonal businesses with valuable assets, such as cars, machinery or other such equipment. You will, essentially, receive a loan with the asset as collateral. It’s similar to a traditional loan in everything except this aspect – having your assets as the collateral and taking the risk of losing them if things don’t go according to plan.

Running a seasonal business can be trickier than launching a traditional business – there is quite a bit of risk you must manage. The highs and lows of cash flow are a challenge and they require careful attention. But you can smoothen your journey by using all or some of the above ways to finance your seasonal business.

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