How External Conditions Impact Your Business Valuation
/Beyond your company's walls, a complex interplay of economic conditions, industry dynamics, and market trends can significantly impact your bottom line…
Read MoreHow to Obtain SBA & USDA Loans
/For many small businesses and agricultural ventures, securing funding is the critical first step towards achieving growth and long-term viability…
Read MoreKey Factors for Successfully Applying for a USDA Business Loan
/Applying for a USDA business loan can be a crucial step for rural businesses looking to expand or improve their operations. However, the application process is rigorous, and understanding the key factors that influence the success of your application can make a significant difference…
Read MoreSBA Microloans vs. Traditional Loans
/When looking for funding to grow your small business, it's essential to understand the differences between SBA loans and conventional business loans…
Read MoreUnderstanding SBA 504 Loans: Strategic Insights for Business Growth
/The SBA 504 Loan Program can be a game-changer. It provides long-term loans with fixed interest rates to help businesses acquire these assets. But before you jump in, it's important to understand how the program works…
Read MoreHow A Business Plan Writing Service Can Help You
/Imagine bringing your dream business to life. Investors are impressed, lenders are eager, and your path to success is clear. That’s the power of a well-written business plan. But crafting a plan that achieves this impact requires time, expertise, and a strategic eye…
Read MoreAdding Working Capital to Your SBA Loan: A Possible Mistake
/Securing an SBA loan is a significant milestone for many small and medium-sized businesses. While it might seem like a smart move to include working capital in your SBA loan application, this decision can lead to several challenges that might outweigh the perceived benefits.
Read MoreTop 10 Myths of Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans by guest author Steve Lasiewicz→
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For example, many believe the SBA provides direct loans to small businesses, but in fact lenders like banks, credit unions and other financial institutions provide the loans, while the SBA provides a guarantee.
Read MoreWhy Financial Projections Make Your Business Plan Fly→
/A well-crafted business plan is essential for any small business owner aiming to turn their vision into reality. At the heart of this plan lies a critical element that can make it soar…
Read MoreCommon Business Planning Mistakes
/Creating a well-crafted business plan is a crucial step for any entrepreneur or business owner looking to lay the foundation for success. Here are 8 common business planning mistakes and actionable insights on how to avoid them.
Read MoreTypes of Small Business Loans and Qualification Tips
/Understanding the different types of business loans available and the qualifications required can significantly enhance your chances of obtaining the right financing.
Read MoreWriting a Winning Business Acquisition Plan
/Navigating the complex world of business acquisitions, imagine the process as meticulously piecing together a puzzle where each piece symbolizes a critical component of a broader, strategic vision.
Read MoreThe Advantage of Market Research for Your Business Plan
/Just like a comprehensive map reveals the lay of the land, market analysis provides a panoramic view of your competitive landscape. It's about gaining an edge over rivals, spotting opportunities for growth, and turning risks into actionable plans.
Read MoreWhy Personalized Business Plans are Key to SBA Loan Approval
/To secure an SBA loan, a generic, cookie-cutter business plan simply won't cut it. Lenders are looking for a clear, compelling vision for how entrepreneurs will use the loan funds to propel their growth.
This is where the power of a personalized business plan with Rapid Business Plans comes into play.
Read MoreNavigating SBA Financing: A Step-by-Step Guide to Business Plan Approval
/The path to securing an SBA loan involves a detailed application process, central to which is the submission of a comprehensive business plan.
Read MoreMaximizing Your SBA Loan Approval Odds: Essential Tips for Small Business Buyers
/As a small business owner, you know that the path to success is filled with both victories and challenges. One of the most significant obstacles many entrepreneurs face is…
Read MoreHow Rapid Business Plans Revolutionizes Planning for SMBs
/For many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), the traditional business plan has felt like a cumbersome brick, heavy with formalities and time-consuming to create. This often leads to procrastination, outdated plans, or worse…
Read MoreThis is what happened when I used AI to write a business plan
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ChatGPT doesn’t even think it should be writing business plans. I asked it for the top 10 reasons why not.
The Key Elements of a Business Plan for an SBA Loan
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Are you thinking of applying for an SBA loan? Before you do, make sure you have all the key elements of a business plan in order. It's not just about the numbers - it's also about the story behind your business and how it will succeed. Here are some tips to help make sure your business plan is ready for submission:
Know Your Market - Make sure you understand who your customers are and what their needs are. This will help you create an effective marketing strategy and ensure that your product or service meets their needs.
Set Goals - What do you want to achieve with this loan? Make sure to set realistic goals so that you can measure success and adjust as needed.
Financials - This is one of the most important parts of any business plan, so make sure to include accurate financial projections and plans for repayment.
Management Team - Showcase the experience and qualifications of your management team, as well as any outside advisors or consultants who may be helping with the project.
Unique Selling Point - What makes your business stand out from others in the same industry? Make sure to highlight this in your plan so that potential lenders can see why they should invest in you!
Writing a business plan can seem like a daunting task, but if done right it can be a great way to show potential lenders why they should invest in you and your business! Just remember to include all these key elements when writing yours, and don't forget to have some fun with it too!
Rapid Business Plans Honored as 7th Fastest Growing Florida State Alum Owned Small Business
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Rapid Business Plans, based in Jacksonville, FL, has been named as one of the fastest-growing companies owned or led by Florida State University alumni.
Rapid Business Plans was founded in 2015 by FSU alumnus Bethany McClellan (Biology, ’03), and since then has been providing custom-written business plans and feasibility studies for clients seeking SBA and USDA business loans. In 2017, the company was first recognized by Expertise.com as a top business consultant in Jacksonville, and has appeared on the list each year since then. The Rapid team has written over 1,000 business plans and reports that service the SBA and USDA small business government guaranteed lending industry.
“I am thrilled to be honored by FSU among the Seminole 100,” said Mrs. McClellan. “I share this honor with our world class team of 18 staff members who have worked tirelessly the last few years.”
Florida State University’s Seminole 100 is powered by the Jim Moran Institute of Entrepreneurship in partnership with the FSU Alumni Association. The top 100 fastest-growing FSU alumni-owned or alumni-led businesses are recognized at a celebration each year on FSU’s campus, during which each company learns their numerical ranking and receives their award. This event recognizes and honors FSU's entrepreneurs and allows them to share valuable business insights with each other.
“The alumni on the Seminole 100 list represent 12 schools and colleges across Florida State University and show the immense value of a degree from FSU,” said Julie Decker, president and CEO of the FSU Alumni Association. “The accomplishments of these alumni exemplify what is possible with tenacity and innovation. We are proud to recognize them for all they have achieved as leaders and entrepreneurs.”
The 2023 Seminole 100 includes companies from several industries such as construction, finance, legal, marketing and realty. Of this year’s 100 companies, 80 are based within the state of Florida and a total of 12 U.S. states are represented as part of the 2023 Seminole 100.
