SESSION 8: Financial Modeling
Break-Even Point, Sales Projections, Cash Flow, Raising Capital
Financial Literacy for Startups
The Art of Startup Finance
Financial literacy is essential for every entrepreneur. Bill Reichert, a seasoned venture capitalist, provides critical knowledge that will help you go beyond the numbers and use finance as a tool to help you manage your company.
Financial Literacy Equals Startup Success
It might seem daunting, but anyone with 8th grade math skills can understand basic business finance. Learn why it’s the lifeblood of any successful venture.
Sales Projections
CO.STARTERS Digital Sales Projections Spreadsheet
Plug in the numbers and let the spreadsheet do the calculations for you.
Sales Forecasting Success
The Startup Garage highlights some of the most common and simple methods for projecting sales.
Creating a Sales Forecast
Entrepreneur Tim Berry shares his advice on forecasting your sales, even if you have no past data.
Cash Flow
10 Critical Cash Flow Rules
Protect your business from a common cause of failure by following these cash management tips.
Understanding Your Cash Flow Statement
Understanding your cash flow statement is key to tracking your business’s financial health.
Cash Flow Template
This template from SCORE provides an easy, downloadable way to track your business’s cash flow for 12 months. For a three year spreadsheet, click here.
What is Cash Flow? The Complete Guide
This longer guide takes you through the nitty-gritty of the lifeblood of your business.
Khan Academy Finance
Sal Khan is a master teacher. Watch his videos on cash flow and accounting to attain deeper literacy.
General Advice on Raising Capital
The 12 Best Sources of Business Financing
Precious capital remains hard to find for small businesses. This Forbes article shares the most likely sources, from least attractive to most.
How to Raise Money Without Lying to Investors
By penalizing entrepreneurs who are humble and honest about how their companies will grow, many investors cause entrepreneurs to over-promise (and later under-deliver) when they’re raising money.
Bootstrapping
Bootstrapping Your Startup
No, you don’t need investors to start your dream business. Here’s how to make it happen with your own money.
How to Start a Business with No Money
Successful bootstrapper Aytekin Tank outlines his path to startup success.
Friends & Family
Family Loan Agreements: Lending Money to Family and Friends
A guide to borrowing directly from other people.
How to Keep Loans From Family and Friends Strictly Business
One of the biggest traps is to let loans from family get personal. Here’s how to avoid that pitfall.
Family and Friends Loans: The Complete Guide
If it doesn’t sound right for you, explore some other options.
Non-Bank Loans
Kabbage
Kabbage offers businesses funding to help them grow. In order to be funded by Kabbage, you need to use Ebay, Amazon, Etsy, Yahoo, or Shopify to sell your product. Just verify your account and be ready to borrow in minutes.
Accion
The Accion U.S. Network is the largest microfinance network in the United States and, since its inception, has served hundreds of thousands of clients with loans and support.
Crowdfunding
Kickstarter
Kickstarter is a platform and a resource for creative projects to raise funds from the public.
Indiegogo
No matter what you are raising money for, you can start right now with no fee or application process.
12 Key Strategies to a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign
Principles to get you started on the road to your target.
Bad Loan Sources & Scams Targeting Small Businesses
What is a Payday Loan and Why are they Bad?
Learn how payday loans work and why they are such a bad idea.
Common Small Business Scams
Protect your business by getting familiar with some of the more creative scams entrepreneurs are falling prey to these days.
Scams and Your Small Business: Protecting Your Business
The Federal Trade Commission’s guide to the tactics of scammers and the ways to keep your business safe.
6 Scams All Small-Business Owners Need to Watch Out For
You can never be too safe. Here are some more scams to watch for.