Getting loans as a self-employed person can be hard, especially when you are just starting out. Self employed business loans can help you get the money you need to grow your business or just keep your cash flow steady. This guide will teach you all about these loans, including how to get them and which ones are the best.
What Are Self Employed Business Loans?
Personal loans for people who run their companies without a regular job are called self employed business loans. These loans differ from regular business loans because they are designed to meet the needs of entrepreneurs and freelancers who may not have regular income or the official paperwork that bigger companies may have.
You can get these loans from banks, online lenders, or even government programs. You can choose how to return them, and the interest rate is flexible.
- Fastest funding 1 business day
- Min. time in business 6 months
- Term lengths Up to 60 months
4.8
- Loan amount Up to $500,000
- Min. time in business 6 months
- Min. annual revenue $250,000
4.8
Best for large business loans
- 3 Months in Business
- $10,000 in Monthly Rev
- Minimum Credit Score 550
4.9
Best for large business loans
- up to $1.5 million
- APR range Not disclosed
- Minimum Credit Score 570
4.7
Best for Small business loans
- Apply in Minutes
- No Hidden fees
- Wide range of Options to choose from
- Get funded in as little as 24 hours*
4.8
Related: High Risk Business Loans: Secure Funding Options
Why it’s important to get loans for your own business
When you run your own business, you may face problems like inconsistent income, unplanned costs, and the need to keep investing to grow. Self employed business loans are very important at this point. They help you get through times when you don’t have enough cash, buy new tools, or grow your business without waiting for profits to come in.
For many self-employed people, this type of loan can mean the difference between their business growing or staying the same.
Types of Self Employed Business Loans
When you’re looking for a loan, you’ll quickly see that you have a few choices. There are pros and cons to each type of loan:
Loans from traditional banks
These are the usual loans that banks give out. Even though the interest rates are usually lower, it can be harder to get one, especially if your income changes often.
Small Business Loans
It is easier to get Small Business Administration (SBA) loans because they are backed by the government. However, they often require more paperwork and more time to be approved.
Online lenders
Online loans make it faster and easier to get money. Faster acceptance, but interest rates are more likely to be high.
Small loans
Microloans are smaller loans that are often given out by community lenders or groups. They work great for new businesses or ones that don’t need a lot of money.
Financing for invoices
If you have a lot of clients who take a long time to pay, invoice financing can help you get paid faster by giving you an advance on your past due bills.
Related
How to Get a Loan for Your Self-Employed Business
Getting a loan for your self-employed business can be hard, but it’s not impossible. What lenders usually look for are:
Needs for a Credit Score
Your chances of getting approved go up if you have good credit. Most lenders want a score of 650 or higher, but some online lenders may accept people with lower scores.
Business Income
Lenders want to see a steady income. While some people may be okay with inconsistent income, having clear financial records that show your business is stable will help.
Secured Loans and Property
For some loans, land or equipment might need to be pledged as collateral. This is done to protect the loan.
Business Plan
Lenders are more likely to give you a loan if you have a good business plan that shows you know how to grow your business and pay back loans.
Related: Personal and Business Loans: Essential Guide for Success
What are the pros and cons of self employed business loans?
Pros
- Gives you access to cash
- Flexible terms for paying back the debt
- Can help with cash flow
- Helps a business grow
Cons
- If you have bad credit, it’s harder to get approved.
- More expensive rates on some loans
- needs a lot of business information
- How to Pick the Best Loan for Your Own Business
- When choosing a loan, you should think about a few things:
Look for interest rates that are low enough that you won’t get too deep in debt. Read through what different companies have to offer.
It’s very important how long you have to pay back the loan. For shorter terms, your monthly payments will be higher. For longer terms, your monthly payments will be lower, but the total amount of interest you pay will be higher.
Flexibility with repayment
Some loans offer more repayment options, which can be helpful if your income changes.
Think about how much money you really need. Too much borrowing can put you in debt that you don’t need, and too little borrowing won’t help you with your money problems.
How to Get Business Loans for People Who Work for Themselves
Getting Documents Ready
Get important papers together before you apply, like tax returns, profit-and-loss accounts, and business licenses.
Related: What are Business Acquisition Loans?
Steps to Apply for Self Employed Business Loans
The filing process is different for each lender. Some internet lenders have easy, quick applications, while banks may need more time and paperwork.
Problems in getting self employed business loans
Not Much Credit History
Self-employed people often need help building a strong credit history, which makes it difficult to get a loan.
Another problem is income which changes often. Lenders like to see steady income, so income lines that change often can be a red flag.
- Fastest funding 1 business day
- Min. time in business 6 months
- Term lengths Up to 60 months
4.8
- Loan amount Up to $500,000
- Min. time in business 6 months
- Min. annual revenue $250,000
4.8
Best for large business loans
- 3 Months in Business
- $10,000 in Monthly Rev
- Minimum Credit Score 550
4.9
Best for large business loans
- up to $1.5 million
- APR range Not disclosed
- Minimum Credit Score 570
4.7
Best for Small business loans
- Apply in Minutes
- No Hidden fees
- Wide range of Options to choose from
- Get funded in as little as 24 hours*
4.8
Tips for Getting Self Employed Business Loans
How to raise your credit score
Focus on eliminating your debt and using credit as little as possible. This will raise your score and make you more likely to be approved.
Use financial tools to show that your income is steady, even if it changes with the seasons.
A well-written business plan shows lenders you know how to grow your business and repay the loan.
There are other ways to get money for your business if you can’t get a standard loan:
- Personal loans may not have as many restrictions as business loans and can be used for business reasons.
- Credit cards give you freedom, but the interest rates can be high if you pay them off slowly.
- With sites like Kickstarter, you can get a lot of small loans from many people, and you don’t always have to pay them back.
How credit scores help employed people get self employed business loans
In order to get a better loan, you may need to have a good credit score. However, if you have bad credit, you might not be able to get as many choices, or your interest rates might be higher.
Success Stories: Business owners who got self employed business loans and did well
Self employed business loans, such as SBA loans and invoice financing, have helped many successful business owners grow their companies.
You can also like: USA Business Loans with Fast Approval – Cashably
What makes self employed business loans different from other types of business loans?
One big difference between self employed business loans and regular business loans is the person who is borrowing the money. Conventional business loans are usually made for well-established companies with many workers, steady income, and more stable sources of income. These businesses usually have a clear organizational framework, clear financial records, and often some kind of collateral to back up the loan.
Things can look very different for people who are self-employed, though. As a freelancer or small business owner, your business may depend on just a few big clients. Your income may change from month to month, and you may not have as many assets to use as security. This is something that lenders know, so self employed business loans are made to get around these problems.
Also, the application process for a loan for people who are self-employed might be a little more flexible, taking into account things like personal credit history, bank records, or predictions of future income instead of just business income. The good news is that this freedom makes it possible for many businesses who might need help getting money otherwise.
Terms and conditions for Self Employed Business Loans
When you apply for a loan for your self employed business, the terms and conditions can vary based on the lender. Before you agree to a loan, you should ensure you understand these things.
- Rates of Interest
Rates of interest play a big role. People who work for themselves, especially those whose income changes a lot, may have to pay more interest than already established businesses. This is because lenders think that people who are self-employed are at a higher risk. Interest rates on loans for self-employed people can be anywhere from 8% to 20%, but it depends on your credit score and the type of loan you want.
- Payment Terms
The terms for paying back self employed business loans can be very different. Some lenders let you choose when to repay your loan, which can be helpful if your income changes throughout the year. If your business is seasonal, the loan might let you make lower payments during slow times and higher payments when your income is more stable.
Other loans might have set monthly payments, which can be more convenient, but they could be hard to make during tough times. The important thing is to find a loan whose terms work with how your business makes money.
- Early Payment Fees
Some lenders may have fines for paying off the loan early. You might have to pay extra if you pay off your loan early. It may not make sense, but lenders depend on interest payments over time, and paying off a loan early can lower their profit. Always read the small print to see if there are any fees for paying early.
How to Make Strong Financial Records If You Work for Yourself
One problem that self-employed people have is showing lenders that they can depend on their income. Unlike salaried workers, you may need pay stubs or proof from your company. There are, however, ways to improve your credit score and show that you are a reliable borrower.
Keep thorough records of your money.
It is important to keep accurate cash records. Ensure you keep accurate records of all the money your business makes and spends. Lenders usually want to see at least two years of tax records when someone applies for a loan because they are a good way to show proof of income.
Use software for accounting
Accounting software like FreshBooks or QuickBooks can help you keep track of your business’s money and make reports fast. Lenders can better understand your business’s financial health by using these tools to make profit-and-loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow records.
Keep your personal and business finances separate.
You might want to keep your personal and business bank accounts separate if you haven’t already. This separation makes it easier to keep track of the business’s income and costs and gives lenders a better idea of its overall financial health.
Self-Employed People Can Borrow Money from Each Other
Peer-to-peer banking (P2P) has become a popular way for self-employed people to get business and traditional loans from banks and online lenders. Peer-to-peer loan sites like LendingClub and Prosper connect borrowers with private investors.
People who are self-employed and can’t get a traditional loan because their credit score is too low or their income isn’t stable may find this alternative lending model a great choice. There is more freedom in the process, and investors may be more willing to risk money on a small business with a good plan, even if it doesn’t meet all of a bank’s strict requirements.
How Peer-to-Peer Loans Work
You ask for a loan on a website with peer-to-peer lending. The investors will then look at your background and decide whether they want to fund your loan. When the owner gives you money for your loan, you pay it back with interest, just like with any other loan. Interest rates and terms are usually competitive, but the acceptance process can be faster than at a bank because there may be more than one investor.
- Fastest funding 1 business day
- Min. time in business 6 months
- Term lengths Up to 60 months
4.8
- Loan amount Up to $500,000
- Min. time in business 6 months
- Min. annual revenue $250,000
4.8
Best for large business loans
- 3 Months in Business
- $10,000 in Monthly Rev
- Minimum Credit Score 550
4.9
Best for large business loans
- up to $1.5 million
- APR range Not disclosed
- Minimum Credit Score 570
4.7
Best for Small business loans
- Apply in Minutes
- No Hidden fees
- Wide range of Options to choose from
- Get funded in as little as 24 hours*
4.8
Alternatives for Self employed Business Loans
A merchant cash advance (MCA) is another way for self employed business owners to get money that is becoming increasingly common. You get a big sum in exchange for a share of your future sales with a merchant cash advance.
MCAs are good for businesses whose income changes often because the payback is based on daily credit card sales or monthly income. In other words, you pay more when things are busy and less when things are slow. But this freedom comes with a price: MCAs usually have higher fees and interest rates than regular loans, so it’s important to consider how this will affect your finances in the long run.
Why do self-employed borrowers need to maintain good credit scores?
We’ve already talked about how credit scores affect getting self employed business loans, but it’s worth going into more detail about why entrepreneurs need to keep their credit in good shape. If you are self-employed, your credit score is often used to guess how well your business is doing financially.
What a good credit score means
If you have good credit, you may be able to get more loan choices with better terms and lower interest rates. Lenders are likelier to give good terms to people with a history of handling their debt well. If your credit score is above 700, you may be able to get loans with lower interest rates and more open ways to pay them back.
How to Raise Your Credit Score
No need to worry if your credit score isn’t where you’d like it to be. YOU can make it better. Pay off any debts you have first, and then pay all of your bills on time. Your score can also increase if you lower your credit card utilization rate, which is the amount of available credit you use. In addition, don’t open new lines of credit unless you have to. Doing so can hurt your score in the short run.
Getting self employed business loans to help your company grow
Investing in the growth of your business is one of the best ways to use a loan for self-employed people. Getting access to more cash can help you move faster, whether you’re launching a new product, entering a new market, or hiring your first employee.
- A loan can help you grow your business if it’s doing well but can’t keep up with demand. This could mean renting a bigger space, getting more stock, or spending money on new tools.
- You might hit a point where you can’t handle everything by yourself at some point. When you hire people to work for you, you can share tasks and focus on the parts of your business where you’re good at them. A loan for self-employed people can help you pay for the salaries, perks, and training of your first employees.
- Marketing is important if you want to get new customers and grow your business. On the other hand, digital ads, content marketing, and social media often need money to be spent up front before they can work. A loan can give you the money you need to start a strong marketing effort that brings in new customers and boosts sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have bad credit. Can I still get a loan?
Some companies offer loans to people with bad credit, but the interest rates may be higher.
How much can I borrow if I work for myself?
Loan numbers vary between lenders and depend on your income, credit score, and the type of loan you want.
What is the normal rate of interest?
Rates of interest vary from 6% to 30%, based on the company and how good your credit is.
What do I need to get a loan?
For some loans, security is needed, but not for others. It is different for each lender and loan type.
How long does it take to be okay?
Traditional banks may take weeks to accept loans, but online lenders can do it in just a few days.
