Many small business owners, including me, have faced the significant challenge of securing the funding necessary to seize growth opportunities. Traditional funding sources often have stringent requirements and lengthy approval processes that make it difficult for smaller and less traditional businesses to access the capital they need to expand.
I own Creative Children’s Academy in Tyler, Texas. My journey in the child care business began modestly in my home, where I was licensed to care for 12 children. Today, my academy has grown to serve 38 children, the maximum capacity of our current building. Despite my passion and commitment to providing quality child care for as many children as possible, securing traditional bank loans to expand proved difficult due to my limited business history. Especially given the state’s ongoing child care accessibility crisis, I was motivated to find another solution.
This is where revenue-based financing (RBF) came to my rescue. Unlike traditional financing, RBF evaluates a business based on its revenue flow without considering the owner’s race or background. This approach eliminates many of the biases and predatory practices that can plague borrowers seeking conventional financing. By focusing on business performance rather than personal demographics, RBF provides a fairer and more inclusive funding alternative.
As it’s such a valuable option for Texan small businesses like me, I hope that state lawmakers will further policies that ensure its availability. States like Florida, Kansas, and Georgia have embraced Total Cost of Capital disclosure frameworks as an effective metric for commercial financing, benefitting many of their small business owners. This framework provides transparency, helping business owners make informed decisions about their funding options and ensuring fair competition among financing providers.
While there are several different options for financing, the flexibility and speed of RBF was a game-changer for me. My payments were tied to my business’ revenue, adjusting naturally to accommodate the periodic ups and downs of earnings. This meant that when I had zero earnings, I wasn’t burdened with repayment obligations. This fostered a more sustainable and supportive financial environment when I most needed it. This model is particularly beneficial for businesses that often face significant economic fluctuations and uncertainties.
With the funding I received, I was able to purchase age-appropriate equipment and toys for the children, supply my infant room, and pay my staff. The funds arrived within three days, allowing me to promptly address my business needs and enhance the quality of care I could provide. It was a powerful affirmation that someone had faith in my business, and it filled me with a renewed sense of empowerment.
Looking ahead, I envision a bright future for my child care center. I have dreams of purchasing and opening a second location and believe that RBF will continue to support my growth ambitions. My story underscores the real and positive impact that revenue-based financing can have for business owners, providing them with the resources and confidence to expand their business and serve their communities. I am deeply grateful for the support it has provided, and I’m excited to see how it will continue to shape the future of my business.
RBF stands out as a powerful tool to empower business owners, dismantling barriers to financial access and supporting sustainable business growth. I encourage legislators to advocate for solutions that foster its continued success – namely, by adopting a Total Cost of Capital disclosure framework. With such measures in place, small businesses can continue to thrive and contribute to a robust economy.
Dana Greenwood is the owner of Creative Children’s Academy.