Business Insights & Trends Archives - Michigan Women Forward https://miwf.org/get-inspired/business-insights-trends/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 07:07:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://miwf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Business Insights & Trends Archives - Michigan Women Forward https://miwf.org/get-inspired/business-insights-trends/ 32 32 5 Creative Ways to Fund Your Startup Beyond Traditional Loans https://miwf.org/business-insights-trends/startup-business-funding/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 07:07:57 +0000 https://miwf.org/?p=5851 When most people think of funding a business, they picture walking into a bank and applying for a loan. But for early-stage entrepreneurs, that’s often not where the journey starts.  […]

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]]> How to Survive and Thrive in Your First Year of Business https://miwf.org/business-insights-trends/how-to-survive-and-thrive-in-your-first-year-of-business/ Wed, 10 Sep 2025 04:49:37 +0000 https://miwf.org/?p=5737 Starting a business is a bold move. But making it through your first year? That takes strategy, resilience, and a willingness to learn. Just ask Judy Pagryzinski, owner of Core […]

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]]> Top Loan Documents You Need and How to Prepare Them https://miwf.org/small-business-how-tos/top-loan-documents-you-need-and-how-to-prepare-them/ Wed, 06 Aug 2025 04:44:00 +0000 https://miwf.org/?p=5611 Missing documents. Incomplete forms. Numbers that don’t add up. According to Arlena Minter, Loan Officer at Michigan Women Forward, these are some of the most common reasons small business loan […]

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]]> Cash Flow 101: Simple Systems Every Business Needs https://miwf.org/business-insights-trends/cash-flow-101/ Wed, 09 Jul 2025 06:15:40 +0000 https://miwf.org/?p=5502 Managing cash flow is one of the most important — and often misunderstood  — parts of running a successful business. Whether you’re a startup or scaling up, how you manage […]

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]]> 9 Budgeting and Financial Forecasting Tips to Impress Lenders  https://miwf.org/business-insights-trends/9-budgeting-and-financial-forecasting-tips-to-impress-lenders/ Tue, 03 Jun 2025 05:56:04 +0000 https://miwf.org/?p=5410 When you’re applying for a small business loan, your business plan and financial projections aren’t just paperwork, they’re a window into how well you understand your business. According to Hugo […]

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]]> How to Improve Your Credit Score Before You Apply for a Loan https://miwf.org/business-insights-trends/improve-credit-score/ Wed, 07 May 2025 04:23:59 +0000 https://miwf.org/?p=5358 Whether you’re applying for your first small business loan or gearing up for a major expansion, your credit score can make or break your approval. For many entrepreneurs, that three-digit […]

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]]> Common Loan Mistakes and How to Avoid Them https://miwf.org/business-insights-trends/common-loan-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them/ Tue, 01 Apr 2025 05:09:50 +0000 https://miwf.org/?p=5290 Whether you’re expanding a home-based bakery into a storefront or buying new equipment for your growing salon, applying for a small business loan can feel both exciting and intimidating. While […]

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]]> Personal Credit vs. Business Credit: The Key Differences and How to Manage Them https://miwf.org/business-insights-trends/personal-credit-vs-business-creditf/ Wed, 05 Mar 2025 20:04:11 +0000 https://miwf.org/?p=5192 If you’re a small business owner or aspiring entrepreneur, you’ve probably heard that “credit is everything.” Whether you need funding to buy equipment, stock inventory, or expand into a new […]

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]]> How to Strengthen Your Business Plan Before Applying for a Loan  https://miwf.org/business-insights-trends/how-to-strengthen-your-business-plan-before-applying-for-a-loan/ Wed, 05 Feb 2025 17:08:28 +0000 https://miwf.org/?p=4859 If you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur aiming to secure funding, having a strong, detailed, and compelling business plan is essential. But what does “strong” really mean in the […]

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]]> Resources for Black-Owned Businesses in Michigan https://miwf.org/business-insights-trends/resources-for-black-owned-businesses-in-michigan/ Wed, 05 Feb 2025 06:06:12 +0000 https://miwf.org/?p=3320 Here’s the good news: The past few years have shown a significant spike in Black-owned employer businesses (those with more than 1 employee). According to the Brookings Institute, “from 2017 […]

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