Sponsored by
Funding Circle business loans, a lending platform that helps small businesses access funding in as little as 48 hours.
Getting the right cash flow can make or break a business. And for small businesses who are knocking on the bank’s door for a lifeline, how quickly they receive that funding can mean the difference between sinking or swimming.
Going after funding from traditional banks can sometimes result in long funding wait times, unfavorable loan terms, or flat out rejection. We took a look at five small business owners, many who faced it all. Luckily they acted fast and found a quick and easy solution to get the money they needed to thrive.
From dealing with the aftermath of wildfires to navigating operational losses, these five businesses found their lifeline through Funding Circle, a lending platform on a mission to help small businesses get the money they need to grow.
1. Flower Casita
Flower Casita, a vibrant flower shop studio nestled in Petaluma, California serves the local community by personally delivering retail flowers and bouquets to their clients. A staple of Sonoma County and the North Bay, Flower Casita remains the go-to service provider for weddings and corporate events. However, due to the devastation caused by wildfires in the area over the past few years, Flower Casita needed a lifeline to keep their business going. This is where Funding Circle came in.
Talia Masekala, Flower Casita’s founder, shares how easy it was to fill out Funding Circle’s application for funding and how they were able to offer a reasonable interest rate at a difficult time for her business. Flower Casita’s mission to spread love for nature and farmers to the local community is matched by Funding Circle’s passion to help small business owners bloom.
2. Ace Media
Ace Media Company, an Austin-based sound and synth service provider had a booming business until they faced a financial crisis. Having to consider growing operating costs and the payroll of his new employees, CEO Ron Schott was left with a difficult dilemma of how to lower his business debt, grow the business and keep necessary staff. After being ghosted by a previous lender, Ron turned to Funding Circle where he was put in contact with a staff member in just a few hours.
Ace Media Company experienced a 30% year-over-year growth in revenue, a better cash flow position and a larger geographical client base due to the loan they received through Funding Circle.
Ace Media’s CEO boasted that the interest rate they got through Funding Circle was much lower than the rates other lenders were offering. This made it the clear choice and he was able to use the money he received from Funding Circle toward reinvesting in the business. Music to everybody’s ears.
3. Kate Lester Interiors
Kate Lester Interiors is a full-service interior design studio, specializing in ground-up design and full-home furnishing. As the business started to skyrocket, founder Kate Lester had to quickly look for a commercial space. Even though she was initially debt-averse, Kate knew that to truly manifest her vision, funding would be necessary to cover initial costs.
After receiving a rejection from their traditional bank, Kate sought the help of Funding Circle and in 10 days she received the funds she needed. These funds helped her get her company on track to hit $2.5 million by the end of that same year.
Kate was extremely pleased with Funding Circle’s customer service and credits her success to taking the first brave step to investing in her business. Her business along with Funding Circle’s backing made her dream a reality.
4. Elijah’s Xtreme
Elijah’s Xtreme Gourmet Sauces was founded by Elijah and Bret Morey, a father-son duo who craved a sauce with a hot and savory flavor. The Morey’s vision began when then six-year-old Elijah realized he wanted to be the youngest person to eat the hottest pepper in the world.
Their first order of Elijah’s Xtreme Gourmet Sauce came from Bass Pro Shop. To meet the demand, Elijah and his father knew they’d need a $25,000 loan. This funding allowed them to professionally package their product, which was a step-up from sharing samples on toothpicks.
The funding they received also allowed them to create a new product called the Deer Smear, which led to a 258% growth in their business year over year.
This dynamic father-son duo of hot sauce credits their success to Funding Circle, which deposited their funds in a matter of days. Today they call their loan, “the gift that keeps on giving.”
5. Hylander CPA Firm, PLLC
Debbie Hylander is the founder of Hylander CPA Firm in Cartersville, Tennessee, that supports small to mid-sized business owners with their finances, payroll, bookkeeping and tax preparation. Founded in 2010, the Hylander CPA Firm found itself stuck between finishing client work and focusing on its business development. Debbie realized she wanted to expand the firm with more employees, so she could focus on growing the overall business and less on working in the business.
As a result, she sought the help of Funding Circle who, as she quoted, provided an easy and “painless” experience throughout the funding process. Today, Debbie has grown her business to multiple employees and expanded the services she’s able to offer clients as a result of Funding Circle.
3 small businesses that thrived with funding
Business loans made easy
With a six minute application and lending decisions as soon as one business day, Funding Circle makes it easy for businesses to get quick access to loans up to $500,000 when they need it most. It has helped thousands of companies gain access to a collective $20.2 billion to help their businesses thrive.
In fact, 92% of business owners say that they’ll consider using Funding Circle again for their future business needs. If you’re looking to secure an emergency funding lifeline or simply grow your business, consider Funding Circle today.
Dhara Singh is a freelance personal finance writer at Finder specializing in loans. Formerly she was a top 10 journalist at Yahoo Finance with more than 38+ million content views where she covered retirement and mortgages. She has also written for Bankrate, and CNET and continues to write for a variety of outlets, such as Investopedia and Worth magazine. Her articles focus on equipping readers with the right information and data so they can make the most informed decisions related to their finances.
Dhara previously worked as an insights analyst for Finder’s PR team, where she started the Deadliest Cities to Drive series in 2018, connecting interesting data analysis to a suite of car insurance products. When she’s not writing, Dhara coaches small business owners through her Stories to Sales programs and empowers them to use their life experiences to help other people. She has also self-published a poetry book on Amazon called Tell her She’s Lovely.
Dhara holds a B.S. in Finance and Supply Chain Management from Rutgers University and a M.S. in Journalism from Columbia University.
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