Stefan Bernarsky
Unwinding Small Business Debt: How to Manage ...

The accumulation of business debt can feel like an insurmountable challenge for small business owners, especially when coupled with large and frequent payments.

However, it is important to recognize that this is a common hurdle, and effective strategies exist to regain control of your financial situation.

This guide will provide actionable steps to assess your debt, negotiate with creditors, explore consolidation options, improve cash flow, create a realistic financial plan, identify available support, and ultimately prevent the re-emergence of excessive debt.

Unwinding Small Business Debt: How to Manage the Growing Mountain
Stefan Bernarsky
Down But Not Out: A Small Business Owner's ...

This article serves as a guide for small business owners navigating financial difficulties, emphasizing that such challenges are common and manageable with the right approach.

It outlines strategies for recognizing early warning signs of financial distress, implementing immediate cost-cutting and cash flow management techniques, strategically refocusing the business, and strengthening key relationships.

The guide further stresses the importance of building long-term financial resilience through discipline, endurance, and constant monitoring, alongside managing the psychological stress through self-care and support systems.

Ultimately, the article encourages business owners to view financial hardship as a learning opportunity, emphasizing perseverance, adaptability, and the proactive utilization of available resources to weather the storm and build a stronger, more sustainable business.

Down But Not Out: A Small Business Owner's Guide to Financial Resilience and Refocusing Under Pressure
Stefan Bernarsky
Understanding a Business Cash Flow Statement ...

For small business owners, navigating the financial landscape can feel complex.

While tracking profit is essential, it doesn't tell the whole story.

A staggering statistic underscores this point: 82% of small businesses that fail do so because of poor cash flow management or a fundamental misunderstanding of cash flow itself.

This highlights a critical truth: profit on paper does not automatically equate to cash in the bank

It's entirely possible for a business to report healthy profits yet still face closure because it lacks the actual cash needed to operate.

Why does this distinction matter so profoundly?

Because cash is the lifeblood of daily operations.

Understanding a Business Cash Flow Statement and Why it is Critical to Business Operations
Stefan Bernarsky
Strategies to Enhance Business Credit Score and ...

A robust business credit score serves as a vital indicator of a company's financial reliability, much like a personal credit score reflects an individual's credit history.

The implications of a strong score extend to improved access to essential financing such as loans and lines of credit, potentially at more attractive interest rates and with higher credit limits.

Furthermore, it can lead to more accommodating terms from vendors, better insurance premiums, and even enhance the ability to secure valuable contracts.

A positive business credit score bolsters a company's overall credibility within the marketplace and can be a key differentiator, providing a distinct competitive edge.

Therefore, diligently monitoring and proactively working to improve this score is not merely beneficial but crucial for achieving sustainable growth and maintaining long-term financial health.

Strategies to Enhance Business Credit Score and Creditworthiness
Stefan Bernarsky
U.S. Small Business Administration Lowers FICO ...

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent federal agency established in 1953 dedicated to aiding, counseling, assisting, and protecting the interests of small businesses, helping them start, grow, expand, or recover.

As of April 6th, 2025, the SBA has relaxed its requirements for minimum FICO score from 700 down to an adjusted 680.

In this brief, we will go over the best ways to gain approval for an SBA loan where payback terms (amortizations) can be 10-years, or even 25-years, significantly reducing cash flow necessary to meet business debt service payments.

Read about how to best gain approval with the U.S. Small Business Administration through its originating banks and partners.

U.S. Small Business Administration Lowers FICO Score Requirements for Business Loan Applicants

Alternative Options to High-Cost, Short-Term Business Debt Financing

Alternative Options to High-Cost, Short-Term Business Debt Financing

"Business Debt is like any other trap, easy enough to get into, but hard enough to get out of."

Alternatives to High-Cost,
Short-Term Business Debt Financing Options

The high-cost and short-term repayment period of a Merchant Cash Advance MCA or similar business financing product creates cash flow issues so you may want to consider more reasonable business financing options.

There are several types of traditional bank loans or alternative financing options to consider.

More diverse loan options are available in the bank and non-bank lending marketplace…

Business Debt Restructuring Defined

Business Debt Restructuring Defined

"Owing money has never concerned me, so long as I know where it could be repaid."

BUSINESS DEBT RESTRUCTURING DEFINED

Debt Restructuring is a process that allows a company facing cash flow problems and financial distress to reduce and renegotiate its debts to improve or restore liquidity (cash) so that it can continue its operations…

Lenders vs "Funders": Predatory Lending Signs to Watch Out For

Lenders vs "Funders": Predatory Lending Signs to Watch Out For

“If your mom asks how many eggs you want and you say ‘One’ and she makes you two and you eat both…

Who is better at math?”

RESPONSIBLE LENDERS

There's a reason that responsible lenders want you to show them that you can handle money before they are willing to lend it to you, without all the fees and high interest rates they use to mitigate risk.

 

PREDATORY LENDER SIGNS

Predatory lending is any lending practice that imposes unfair and abusive loan terms on borrowers, including:

Some Myths About Business Debt

Some Myths About Business Debt

“If you would know the value of money, try to borrow some.”

Some Myths About Business Debt:

Myth 1: "I need to borrow money to start or expand my business."

Truth 1: You can run your business without debt. It takes patience and the guts to do things differently.

Most business owners wonder, How can I fund my business without borrowing money?2

Expand your business gradually and move at the speed of cash to lower your financial risk and minimize the impact from the mistakes you’ll make as you grow and learn.

Moving at the speed of cash has another advantage too: It helps you pause and think.

Using cash assets from your account activates the pain center in your brain so you’re more likely to question whether you really need to purchase that next item and all the company debt that comes with it….(continued)

Warning Signs of Business Debt and Cash Flow Issues

Warning Signs of Business Debt and Cash Flow Issues

Warning Signs of Business Debt and Cash Flow Issues

"An early warning sign of a cash flow problem is when your business revenue is about to fluctuate or recently has fluctuated by about 20 percent."

"Later state warning signs include NSF (not sufficient funds), a series of missed or nearly missed payrolls and vendors that put you on hold."

Business Debt: Good Debt vs. Bad Debt

Business Debt: Good Debt vs. Bad Debt

When is more Business Debt a Bad Idea?

“Debt is a necessary part of any business journey. By taking loans or seeking financing, you’re giving your company the fuel it needs to grow. The key, however, is understanding debt, healthy loan practices, and the difference between financing that can result in explosive growth and the kind that cripples your business.”

When is more Business Debt a Bad Idea?

When is more Business Debt a Bad Idea?

When is more Business Debt a Bad Idea?

Here are a few reasons you may not want to take on more business debt:

Repayment: When you take on business debt, it has to be repaid in full with interest or financing charges…

Business Debt: How Much Is Too Much?

Business Debt: How Much Is Too Much?

Business Debt: How Much Is Too Much?

Running a small business can take a lot of time and money, which is why many entrepreneurs leverage debt in the beginning.

Debt can be a useful tool to start your business, but make sure your debt is working for you, not against you. 

Is Business Profit more Important than Cash Flow?

Is Business Profit more Important than Cash Flow?

“Never take your eyes off the cash flow because it's the lifeblood of business.”

Is Business Profit more Important than Cash Flow?

  • Both profitability (P&L) and its cash flow (income statement) are important to a business.

Signs of Business Cash Flow Problems

Signs of Business Cash Flow Problems

“An early warning sign of a cash flow problem is when your business revenue is fluctuating or has recently fluctuated by about 20 percent.”

 "Later state warning signs include NSF (not sufficient funds), a series of missed or nearly missed payrolls and accounts payable (AP) vendors that put you on credit hold."

Restructure and Refinance Business Debt + Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) Loans

Restructure and Refinance Business Debt + Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) Loans

Business Debt + Merchant Cash Advance (MCA)

REFINANCE

1. Submit a Quick Qualifier (1 minute or less)

2. Complete Application and Upload Supporting Documents (5 to 10-minutes or less)

3. Receive Determination (1 to 2-business days)

RESTRUCTURE

Business Debt + Merchant Cash Advance (MCA)

1. Submit your Restructuring Inquiry

2. Speak with one of our Restructuring experts

3. Engage with our Business Debt Restructuring team to modify your business debt

Steps to Refinance & Consolidate Business Debt + Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) Loans into One Payment

Steps to Refinance & Consolidate Business Debt + Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) Loans into One Payment

6 Easy Steps to Refinance & Consolidate Business Debt + Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) Loans:

1. Submit a Quick Qualifier (1 minute or less)

2. Complete Application and Upload Supporting Documents (5 to 10-minutes or less)

3. Receive Determination (1 to 2-business days)

4. Create Credit Package with our underwriting team for presentation to our inventors

5. OPTION 1: Short-term Refinance for “MCA Relief” (3 to 5-business days to close; 12 to 18-
month term); [18% to 28% APR or 1.18 to 1.28x factor over 12 to 18-months]

6. OPTION 2: Long-term Full Refinance of all Business Debt + MCAs (3 to 4-weeks to close; 24 to
60-month term loan with one monthly payment); [14% to 19% APR + closing & legal fees on a 24 to 60-month term]

Why Refinance and Consolidate Business Debt?

Why Refinance and Consolidate Business Debt?

Benefits of Refinancing & Consolidating Business Debt + Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) loans include:

  1. One monthly payment

  2. Fixed interest rate

  3. One lender

  4. Flexible terms

  5. Working capital

Debt Refinancing consolidation is the process of replacing multiple loans with one single loan. This reduces the number of creditors you are paying by consolidating your debts into one payment through a single lender.

1-Minute or Less Qualification for Business Debt & Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) Refinancing

1-Minute or Less Qualification for Business Debt & Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) Refinancing

1-Minute or Less Qualification for Business Debt & Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) Refinancing

Payoff all Business Debt & Merchant Cash Advance MCA debt to a term loan

  • One monthly payment on a 24 to 60-month term loan

  • All business debt paid off to a $0 balance at closing

  • Interest rates 14% to 18% (plus closing costs, PIK and legal fees)

  • Short-term Refinance (12 to 18-month term loan) can close in 3 to 5-business days

  • Long-term Refinance (24 to 60-month term loan) can close in 3 to 4-weeks

  • Working capital is available at closing in Refinance consolidation transactions

  • A new, on-going relationship with a Capital Partner (not just a one-time transaction)

  • Interest-only for 6 to 9-months after closing is available

Reconcile your Merchant Cash Advance MCA contract and payments

Reconcile your Merchant Cash Advance MCA contract and payments

Reconcile your Merchant Cash Advance MCA contract and payments

HAVE YOU RECONCILED YOUR PAST AND FUTURE MCA CONTRACT PAYMENTS?

  • Over payments on your MCA contract(s) may be present right now.

  • Your business may be owed over payment credits or refunds.

  • YOU MAY BE OWED MONEY FROM MERCHANT CASH ADVANCE MCA COMPANIES!

BERNARSKY ADVISORS

Business Finance & Strategy Advisors
Refinance. Restructure. Reorganize.
Help with Business Debt, Loans and Merchant Cash Advance (MCA)

1-833-460-1535