Filing Bankruptcy

Filing Bankruptcy Alternatives and What You Should Know

Corporate Bankruptcy

Preventing Corporate Bankruptcy

As a woman business owner or someone thinking of starting a business, you're probably aware that the "deck's stacked against you" in your race for survival. 

Obviously, small businesses are critical to the overall support of the American economy. But, most women don't realize just how important small businesses are to every region of the United States.

Before we talk about preventing corporate bankruptcy, I'd like to share some facts and statistics that you may or may not be aware of. These statistics are shocking, but what's more important are all the real people (just like you) that lose their companies or their jobs: due to lack of sufficient corporate credit, better corporate credit terms, and open-end corporate lines of credit. 

19% of all businesses fail within their first year, almost 35% fail within 2 years, more than 51% fail by the end of year three, and approximately 67% fail after four years. Access to capital, owner's education levels, an established business plan, and the usage of professional accountants appear to be the most likely reasons for business failures today.

The United States Small Business Administration (also known as the SBA) keeps records and statistics on small business in the United States and some of their findings are surprising.

First, the typical picture of the local mom and pop country grocery store, beauty salon, barber, gas station, and more: is not the entire picture. 

By definition, the SBA defines an independently-owned business with less than 500 employees as a small business. More than 23 million businesses in the United States meet this classification. These businesses represent a major source of employment within small communities, throughout the US. 

In fact, these small businesses account for more than 99% of all the employers in the country and also employ more than half of all non-government jobs. From 1996 through 2006, small businesses have accounted for more than 73% of all new jobs. 

Retail and service-related businesses comprise more than 43% of new job openings each year, although small businesses are rapidly making gains in the technology sector too. More than 40% of engineers, scientists and computer programmers are employed by small businesses. And, oddly enough, small businesses produce 1383% more patents than larger companies. 

Now, let's talk about the main reason for business failures, as stated by small business owners, which is money. Unavailability to financing, the lack of available financial assistance, not cmprehending how to properly utilize credit, waiting too long before applying for credit are just a few of the reasons that cause businesses to fail... which is harmful to the economy. 

We all lose.when businesses fail.

More than 98% of all small business owners said they've used personal credit cards to fund the operation or startup of their businesses, and more than 68% said they still use their personal credit when necessary. 

Worse still, is that 82% of all small business owners were unaware of financing options other than their local banks, grants (for the few that could qualify), and use of personal debt. 

Lucky for you... there is a better way! 

Be proactive. Look for business credit offers every step of the way, and if you're uncertain where to go. Nonetheless, if you don't comprehend how to setup, structure and maintain your corporate credit file, which doesn't operate like your personal credit scores, you could be facing an uphill battle. 

Your personal banker, mortgage professional, financial planner and CPA will not be able to point you in the right direction. 

You need to find a corporate credit expert that can provide you with a corporate identity, unless you already have one, that will help you register your business with Dun & Bradstreet, thus establishing a corporate credit history, and that can help you achieve lines of credit .