Small Business How-Tos Archives - Michigan Women Forward https://miwf.org/get-inspired/small-business-how-tos/ 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 Small Business How-Tos Archives - Michigan Women Forward https://miwf.org/get-inspired/small-business-how-tos/ 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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]]> 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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]]> 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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]]> 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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]]> How to Ask Someone to Mentor You https://miwf.org/small-business-how-tos/how-to-ask-someone-to-mentor-you/ Tue, 17 Sep 2024 05:52:11 +0000 https://miwf.org/?p=3338 Finding the right mentor can be transformative in your career, but knowing how to approach someone for guidance can be intimidating. A mentor provides valuable insights, helps navigate challenges, and […]

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]]> How to Choose a Name for Your Business https://miwf.org/small-business-how-tos/how-to-choose-a-name-for-your-business/ Tue, 17 Sep 2024 05:43:32 +0000 https://miwf.org/?p=3334 Choosing a name for your new business is a critical step in building a strong brand. Your business name reflects your identity, communicates your value, and often shapes how potential […]

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]]> How to Hire Your First Employee https://miwf.org/small-business-how-tos/how-to-hire-your-first-employee/ Tue, 17 Sep 2024 05:05:27 +0000 https://miwf.org/?p=3326 At some point, many microbusiness owners might need to hire help – either because business is so brisk or you need help to take your business to the next level. But […]

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]]> How to Advocate for Women at Work https://miwf.org/small-business-how-tos/how-to-advocate-for-women-at-work/ Tue, 17 Sep 2024 03:41:54 +0000 https://miwf.org/?p=3309 Women have come a long way, but we all know that they haven’t come far enough. Women still make less than a man for the same work; 82 cents on […]

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