At Foresters Community Finance we know how hard it can be taking your first steps. Although we trace our roots back to the friendly societies in the UK of the 1800s, Foresters as it is today is completely different. We have gone through a myriad of changes, restarts and refreshes in our history. We are fortunate to live in a time where entrepreneurship and enterprise is encouraged. Some of the largest and most successful companies in the world began as garage start-ups. If you are a fledgling business or considering starting one, our Enterprise loan scheme can give you the boost you need.
Before you consider an Enterprise loan
Whether you are starting a charity, a specialised small business, a bustling restaurant or working from home, you can always benefit from a nice nest egg to begin your exponential growth. Although large business and production thrive on economies of scale, small businesses build communities. Enterprise loans encourage the establishment of small, specialised enterprises that contribute positively to the community. We are a community enterprise. We want to help others foster the community spirit.
First, you must know if a loan is right for you. It is now more important than ever that people understand their fiscal plans and what it means to achieve them. This can be achieved by asking the obvious but difficult question: is a loan what I need right now? There are several things you should do before considering applying for a loan. After all, it is your financial future in the balance, and also your responsibility to decide for yourself.
- Brush up on your financial literacy with the MoneySmart federal government initiative
- Draw up a budget and understand how much you need and where every single dollar attained by your loan will go
- If you have utilities providers for your business (gas, water, power), work out a payment plan with them before you waste your loan on bills
- Hire a financial counsellor, or consult a free one at Financial Consellors Australia on 1800 007 007
How it can help
Furthermore, borrowing from the big banks and like-minded financial institutions can be daunting experience. Don’t be dissuaded – there are always viable options for you to look at. There is a loan type, amount and payment structure to fit your enterprise.
A Foresters Community Finance micro enterprise loan is an equitable and fair way to grow your business from the ground up. If you have a business or charity, or even an idea for one, a cash float may be exactly what you need. We can offer you between $500 and $4000 with flexible repayments over the life of the loan that can be up to 2 years. All you need is an ABN as a sole trader and the willingness to repay the loan! The micro enterprise loan is ideal for:
- Business development expenses: traineeships, education, conferences
- Outfitting and equipment: anything from deep fryers to laptops
- Securing space: rent down payments, permits
- Marketing expensive: interns, outsourcing
- Basically anything involved in the running of the business that needs a bit of cash to get going
Finally, if this sounds like the injection you need to achieve your small business dreams, there is no time like the present. Most of the time, attaining this harvest will mean risking something dear to you. It could be money, time or even sanity. Consider the eternal words of Martin Luther:
“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree”
Make your make, reap what you sew and give back to the community with a Foresters Community Finance Enterprise loan. It makes sense. Click I Need A Loan at the top of the page to get started.
– Rory Callaghan