Erica began writing on small business topics in 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and focuses on loans, accounting, and POS. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll. She has been cited in MSN, Reader’s Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a graduate of Limestone University and resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
One form of relief offered to small businesses is the Employee Retention Tax Credit. First introduced in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, this tax credit could be claimed by eligible employers on quarterly tax returns. This program was expanded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act signed into law in December 2020, making the credit accessible to more employers.
The SBA offers a variety of loan programs that vary according to business needs. Its flagship program is the 7(a) loan program, which offers loans for most general business purposes. However, it also offers special programs such as microloans and disaster loans. Find out more about SBA loans, including who qualifies.
QuickBooks Online is cloud-based accounting software. It has the complex accounting capabilities that small business owners need and supports numerous integrations. Quickbooks Online has a lot to offer in terms of features, accounting, and usability.
Loans expert Erica Seppala talks inflation with Nasdaq.
Financial expert Erica Seppala analyzes in Real Simple what people in their 40s can do to strengthen their finances.
Loans expert Erica Seppala tells Real Simple why an app might help people pay down their debt faster.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a number of loan programs designed to help small businesses grow. SBA loans are known for having some of the lowest interest rates available. We’ll explain the rates for three of the SBA’s most popular loan programs: 7(a) Loans (business loans for most general business purposes), CDC/504 Loans (business loans to finance real estate and other fixed assets), and Disaster Loans (loans to rebuild following a disaster).
Popular crowdfunding platform Patreon has become less popular recently thanks to policy changes. Monetizing your work online has long been a challenge, but there are good options out there. Let’s look at the several other great platforms for raising money from the public to support what you do.
Republic is an equity crowdfunding company. Be informed that besides the fees charged by Republic, there are additional costs associated with equity crowdfunding. Republic is exclusive and not suitable for small startups.
Ulule is a crowdfunder that takes a hands-on approach with helping their campaigners achieve their goals. Be cautious of the over-complicated fees.
Wefunder is an equity crowdfunding platform for non-accredited investors and the biggest regulation crowdfunding platform. It is good for startups with exponential growth potential. However, keep in mind that Regulation Crowdfunding is legally complex.
Whether your nonprofit needs to raise funds, you want to throw the wedding of your dreams, or you need help with a family medical emergency, FundRazr is certainly worth a look. While not necessarily the place to raise millions of dollars for an innovative new startup (look to equity crowdfunding for that), it’s a great way to raise funds easily and for projects close to your heart.
Reliant Funding is an alternative business funder that provides short-term loans and merchant cash advances (MCAs). There is no credit rating requirement to access its loans. Be cautious of Reliant’s transparency regarding its terms and fees.
A seasonal business isn’t without its risks and challenges, but if done right, can be rewarding and lucrative. You can get your business off the ground by doing your research, choosing the right business idea, and using the tools and resources available to you.
For minorities seeking business loans, the normal challenges of financing can be compounded by lending biases, systemic racism, language barriers, and geographical positioning in communities that have been written-off by many lenders. It’s not all bad news, though. Many institutions and organizations have programs designed to circumvent these issues and get money into the hands of minority entrepreneurs.
EquityNet is an equity crowdfunding platform connecting businesses to investors. EquityNet is definitely worth a closer look if equity crowdfunding fits into your grand plan. But keep in mind that equity crowdfunding is a trickier field to navigate than rewards crowdfunding.
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The vendors that appear on this list were chosen by subject matter experts on the basis of product quality, wide usage and availability, and positive reputation.
Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone.
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