The results are in. This year’s winner of the 2M7 Forward Thinkers Scholarship is Claire O’Brien. As a member of The University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business, Claire was able to overcome stiff competition in this year’s contest. To do so, Claire not only demonstrated a strong performance in her academic journey thus far, but also clearly communicated a keen interest to harness the knowledge she acquired to this point, to succeed in the world of business as she moves toward her professional goals. Claire exhibited the enthusiasm, and aptitude that 2M7 Financial Solutions’ CEO, Avi Bernstein was looking to reward, and intended to encourage with the creation of this scholarship opportunity.
“Each year, university students face multiple challenges in their pursuit of their academic goals; and these stretch far beyond the classroom. Post-secondary schooling is extremely expensive and places a significant financial burden on those who attend, which can potentially negatively impact the studies of these students as they see to the financial obligations that arise with school funding. That is why I made it one of my goals to help lessen this burden: these students have enough “on their plate”; I want them to focus on what they are paying to study not on how they are going to pay for it. Claire’s essay not only exhibited her potential for business success, but also showed me a character that the 2M7 team strives to promote when we do business. Congratulations, Claire.
The 2M7 Forward Thinkers Scholarship is an annual scholarship that is available for post-secondary students studying in a business related field; and offers the winner a reward of $2,500 so they can better manage the expenses of their schooling. This year we had another strong applicant pool; and we encourage those not selected this year, to re-apply during next year’s contest, for their chance to get a generous amount of financial assistance. We at 2M7 would like to thank all those who participated in this year’s contest; and we wish all those that did decide to vie for this scholarship all the best in their future endeavours.
A merchant cash advance (MCA) is a popular alternative to the more traditional business loan, but these cash advances are not a perfect fit for every business owner. If you are looking for different financing options, consider some of the main reasons small business owners decide to choose an MCA.
The repayment of a merchant cash advance is generated through a percentage of future credit and debit card revenue. If you believe that you will have the funds to repay the MCA in a reasonable time period, an MCA is a great option for a temporary cash infusion.
The approval process for an MCA compared to a business loan is considerably faster. Most MCA providers can approve applications and provide funding within 24-48 hours. If you know you have money coming in, but need a little extra to cover over a cash flow gap, to buy equipment, or to invest in business growth, an MCA is a great option.
Some traditional lending options may put restrictions or dictate how you can spend any money you have borrowed. With a merchant cash advance, business owners are free to do what they need to do, and the approval is based on future revenue projections of the business, not its current value.Not having a constant supply of capital on hand shouldn’t stop you from growing your business. We can help you determine whether an MCA is right for you. Speak to an expert today.
When considering financing options for your small or medium-sized business, a merchant cash advance (MCA) may seem like the perfect alternative to a traditional business loan. While there are certainly many benefits to this type of lending choice, there are also some cons to keep in mind when determining whether an MCA is right for you. Learn more about pros and cons of a Merchant Cash Advance.
Business loans typically require a business owner and business to have good credit ratings. On the other hand, merchant cash advances consider your future sales projections, not your credit history. Since MCAs are repaid using future credit and debit revenue, a poor credit rating and collateral aren’t relevant to the lender.
The approval process for a merchant cash advance is much quicker than a business loan. In some cases, a business owner can have the money requested in their bank account in less than 48 hours.
The MCA industry is largely unregulated, which makes it possible for some lenders to charge hefty interest fees and take advantage of their customers. Be careful, read reviews, and ask questions of your lender before you decide on a merchant cash advance.
Repayment of a merchant cash advance occurs by deducting funds from credit card receipts, sometimes on a daily basis. Make sure to check with your MCA provider the repayment details of the plan you are signing up for.Merchant cash advances are an alternative lending method for small business owners who need cash fast and may not have the collateral or credit to get bank loan approval. However, before you apply for an MCA, make sure you do your homework, ask questions, think about pros and cons of a Merchant Cash Advance and if you need advice on alternative lending solutions, we are always here to help.
If you’re a small business owner, you know it can be difficult to maintain cash flow. While there are different financing options on the market, many people might consider a merchant cash advance (MCA) and a business loan to be the same thing. While these are both legitimate options to consider, there are key differences you should know before choosing between a merchant cash advance and a business loan.
A bank loan is the more traditional financing option and what many people consider when they are starting a business or require additional capital, for example. Once approved for the loan, the bank provides a lump sum of cash in exchange for monthly payments over a set period of time with either a fixed or variable interest rate.
The merchant cash advance industry is one of the pioneers in alternative lending options - these are not your traditional business loans.An MCA provides your business with a lump-sum payment, like a loan, but the repayment plan is not structured in monthly installments. Instead, the MCA is repaid using a percentage of future credit and debit card sales drawn directly from your future revenue.MCAs, therefore, do not qualify as a loan and don’t require personal guarantees or a stellar credit score.If your small business needs an influx of capital, consider a merchant cash advance before you visit your bank. If you have questions about the differences between lending options, we are always here to help.
There are all types of leaders. Some leaders are more hands-on – they teach and pass on lessons in a direct manner. Others like to lead by example, showing others with their actions rather than words. Although top merchant leaders Canada may take different approaches to leadership, there are underlying characteristics that help them to bring the most out of their staff and have continued success. The most successful leaders share the following initiatives below:
A successful leaders are able to inspire those they work with, getting them to believe in their vision and have confidence in the plan and strategy for the future.
People need to have trust in their leaders. Transparency, honesty and the ability to follow through are excellent qualities for the leader of a department or team.
When you are in charge of a group of people or overseeing a project, a leader should be able to face challenges and solve problems efficiently.
Respected leaders create a vision and are able to motivate others into wanting to achieve the same goals. Teams that are aligned and working together with a true purpose tend to have long-lasting success.
No matter how they choose to get their message across, a leader has to drive results. Great leaders have a high level of perseverance and aren’t satisfied until they have got the job done.
Whether it’s one-on-one meetings, emails, phone calls, or video chats, leaders make the time to communicate with their team. Having a two-way line of communication is vital to keeping everyone on the same page and motivated.Even the world’s best leaders need help making decisions and need to speak to experts for advice on their business. If you have questions about getting funding or about how merchant cash advances can help your small to medium-sized business, we can help.
Every new year brings new tools, techniques, and strategies that help small and medium-sized businesses succeed in an increasingly competitive world. Here are the top four business trends you need to look out for in 2019.
Cyber attacks are going to become a more common threat to small and medium-sized businesses. Everyone is a vulnerable target. Whereas many companies are actively preventing attacks, there will be a shift to proactive detection and response in the year to come.
The personal touch is going to rein in 2019. Personalized marketing campaigns, transparency, and personal calls-to-action are going to be the ways to connect with potential customers.
The remote office is becoming increasingly a part of today’s business trends world. Small and mid-sized businesses can now reduce operating costs by rethinking their staffing strategies with the use of a remote workforce. With so many low-cost telecommunications platforms available, the days of the cubicle are now on the decline.
Some business leaders resist social media use in the office, but social posting is a great way to connect with your local audience and get valuable reviews. Nearly 95 percent of shoppers read online reviews before making a purchase. It’s worth taking the time to gather testimonials and write case studies more now than ever.If you are looking to grow your business in 2019, there are alternatives to a traditional bank loan you should consider. For details on how you can get approved for a merchant cash advance, speak to one of our experts today.
Today’s small businesses don’t need to rely on big banks for financing options. Over the past decade, there has been a rise in alternative MCA Industry that make it easier and faster for startups and small businesses to find the cash they need when they need it.When business owners consider applying for a merchant cash advance (MCA), it is usually because they are in need of cash flow immediately, have poor credit, or haven’t had success with traditional loan applications. MCAs give business owners flexibility as funds can come through to their bank accounts within days and the transaction requires no personal guarantee. This is because MCAs are not considered loans, so there is no need to put up collateral to receive an advance.Merchant cash providers are strictly offering an immediate cash infusion for a portion of a business’s future earnings through repayment plans or a percentage of upcoming credit card transactions. As credit card use has expanded, this type of lending has become increasingly popular with businesses whose sales often come via card, not cash.As the MCA industry continues to grow, what will the future of MCA lending look like?
The success and growth of the merchant cash advance industry have led commercial banks to reevaluate their lending requirements to become more competitive with MCA providers. While banks must maintain strict lending standards, they may begin to partner or collaborate with MCA industry leaders like investors, advisors, or partners.Commercial banks are noticing the simplicity and necessity of offering small businesses quick and easy financing but may not be able to provide it themselves. By working with an MCA provider, they can give their clients additional options that have been vetted by the bank.
One of the main differences between merchant cash advances and other more traditional forms of funding is that MCAs are exempt from state and federal oversight. This means MCA providers with poor reputations can go unchecked and there are no set standards in place for interest rates or procedural best practices.With the recent boom of the MCA industry, it may be necessary for an increase in oversight to help clamp down on lenders who are mistreating clients or to set standards for this growing sector. This would help protect small businesses, as well as lend credibility to those MCA providers that are doing the best work for their clients.
Some MCA providers are beginning to diversify their offerings to compete with new financing options offered by prominent names like PayPal and Square. This means some MCA providers may consider offering more traditional loans, lines of credit, and cheaper rates than their larger competitors.In addition, since small businesses are beginning to have more and more confidence in the MCA process, the interest of venture capitalists and other investors has grown. This might mean the creation of new technology and credit score models that may disrupt how financing has previously been regulated.
