Capital is often considered the lifeblood of any business—especially one that’s just starting out or in the process of growing. There are many ways to get additional business capital, such as using personal savings, finding investors, or applying for a business loan. In this article, we’ll focus on the option of taking out a business loan to help scale your business—and offer insights on the best times to do it.
There are several factors to consider before applying for a business loan, including your current financial condition, how the funds will be used, and your ability to repay the loan. Find out more in the article below.
The Best Times to Apply for a Business Loan, According to BFI Finance
1. When You’re Just Starting Out
Many people are held back from starting a business simply because they lack the capital. Don’t let that stop you from launching the business you’ve been planning. Just make sure you have a clear financial plan in place before getting started. Your plan should include how you’ll repay the loan, along with projections for profit and loss—especially in the early months.
2. During the Business Growth Phase
At this stage, applying for a loan can be a strategic move to support your business expansion.
When your business starts showing signs of growth and you need to innovate, you can confidently apply for a loan. Loan funds can help you purchase equipment, expand your business space, hire more staff, or develop new products or services.
But how do you know if your business is truly growing? Here are some key indicators:
- Consistent Sales Growth: Review whether your sales have been steadily increasing over the past few months. A consistent upward trend is usually a sign that the market is responding positively to your offerings.
- Demand Exceeds Production Capacity: Check if customer demand for your products or services is higher than what you can supply. If you’re struggling to keep up or running out of stock frequently, it’s a sign that your business is ready to scale.
- Financials Are Stabilizing: Take a look at your financial reports. If your cash flow is positive and net profits are increasing, you can consider your business financially healthy and ready to move to the next level.
- Growing Customer Loyalty: An increase in repeat customers or referrals indicates that your product or service has high value in the eyes of consumers.
- Employees Are Overwhelmed or You Need to Hire More Staff: If your team is having difficulty handling daily operations, or if you’re short-staffed, it likely means your business is growing and needs more manpower.
- Missed Opportunities Due to Limited Resources: You might be getting partnership offers, out-of-town orders, or digital market opportunities—but can’t take them due to limited capital or resources.
3. When Your Business Is Thriving
If your business is booming, this could be the best time to apply for a loan and take advantage of the momentum. Here are some smart ways to use the loan:
- Increase Production Capacity: High customer demand often requires a boost in production. Loan funds can help you purchase raw materials, hire more staff, or expand your production space.
- Reach New Markets: A booming business opens doors to new markets. Use the loan to expand your marketing reach, open new branches, or enter digital platforms.
- Improve Product or Service Quality: When business is booming, don’t forget to enhance quality. Use loan funds to train your team, upgrade raw materials, or adopt technology that elevates your service. These efforts help ensure your business stays top of mind for your customers.
4. When You Have No Other Outstanding Debts
A debt-free business is ideal for applying for a loan. Lenders are more likely to approve your application if your financial risk is low. It also means your cash flow won’t be overly burdened by new loan repayments.
5. When You Have a Strong Business Reputation and Track Record
Financial institutions will be more inclined to approve your loan if your business has a solid operational history, healthy cash flow, and well-maintained financial records. A good reputation shows that you’re a responsible borrower.
6. When You’re Financially Prepared
The best time to apply for a loan is when you’re fully prepared financially. That means you’ve accurately calculated your funding needs, developed a realistic return-on-investment projection, and planned out your repayment schedule. With the right preparation, a loan can help strengthen your business—not weaken it.
As a trusted financing institution with 43 years of experience, BFI Finance is here to provide reliable funding solutions. If you need extra capital to grow your business, BFI Finance can help ease your worries.
With collateral options such as a motorcycle registration (BPKB), car registration (BPKB), or house/shop certificate, you can apply for a loan that fits your funding needs—offering a simple process and flexible repayment terms.
No need to worry—BFI Finance is licensed and supervised by the Financial Services Authority (OJK).
#SelaluAdaJalan with BFI Finance
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