Business owners know to apply creativity to their business concepts, but they sometimes forget to apply it to running their business and obtaining financing. A common problem for many small businesses is getting access to capital when they don't have equity holdings, collateral or three years of profitable financial statements. Here are some creative ways to deal with this problem, suggested by small-business consultant Debra Esparza. Leases typically run for one to five years, and short-term rentals are for a few days to a month. Leases usually suit business owners who use special equipment on an ongoing basis, and rentals work best for owners who need equipment for a month or less.
Leases can take various forms.
In an operating lease, the leasing company owns the equipment and provides insurance, repairs and maintenance. In a financial lease, those items are taken care of by the small-business owner who leases the equipment. In a closed-end arrangement, the lease ends in a specific time period, with a predetermined, residual payment that allows the person leasing to buy the equipment. If the equipment has declined in value below the residual amount, the person leasing must pay the difference. When leasing equipment, it's important to know which type of agreement you're entering.