Can you have too much business?
I started a business with a forty thousand dollar loan from a friend of mine. The business meteorically grew to over one million in sales per month within a year. I had nothing to complain about, right? Except… I was rotating my inventory 4-6 times a month. Cash flow issues were the order of the day. I went through three “bookkeepers” and as many accounting programs. Within a year and half I had over 50 employees and 4 locations. We tried to slow things down to only find that there is no “slow” with business. You’re either climbing or you’re declining. Within 4 years this same business failed due to bad accounting advice and practices, poorly designed loans, theft, and lack of a solid core business direction. We grew too fast. I should have planned to fail… let me explain.
Banking
Banking is a critical piece to the planning to fail approach. You should always have separate accounts for payroll, taxes collected, and any monies pre-collected for future services/product. Failure to do so can be construed as using monies inappropriately. Separate accounts that are clearly defined to what their purpose is (audit trail) leaves no discussion of fraud. A single account leaves you wide open to possible fraud and usage. It would have also made it easier for me to see where my monetary issues were.
Business Loans
Collateral: This can be confusing. I eventually attained a couple of different type of loans: A business line of credit and company expansion SBA loan. The business line of credit was to help with our account receivables. We would present P.O.s against the line. The SBA loan was for cash infusion to solve store inventory issues. Even though we used these loans for entirely different purposes both had dual collateralized my business. A major screw up to say the least. The SBA loan contract was at least 100+ pages. We were walked through by the processor. We missed the collateral part. This became a “powder keg” later.
Personal guarantee consequences:
I had personally guaranteed all these loans as we were a fledgling business. My company was incorporated which did not protect me from this liability. I had to personally file for bankruptcy to protect myself and my family.
Business loans (SBA) and who you are “really” dealing with:
We settled with the banks during our bankruptcy proceedings. My incompetent attorney did not settle with the SBA however. While I knew that there were two parties to the loan I didn’t realize I needed to settle with each individually.
Nine years later the FBI shows up and serves papers for my demanded appearance in superior court. They were attempting to collect their part of the loan. Scary times. I would personally never get a SBA loan again.
Factoring – Good or bad for business:
This is actually one of the better moves I made. I was told to never use this type of financing. As it turns out if I had early on I would probably still be in business today. They would take my P.O.’s, pay me fifty percent up front, collect from customer, and then payout the rest upon delivery minus their fees. For a start-up that was being asked to stretch their cash flow past reason this would have been heaven sent.
Taxes
Pay your taxes: At the end of our demise we were behind on everything including our taxes. Understand that there is no tax redemption/protection for your business even if you’re incorporated, even in bankruptcy. I personally had to take on this serious burden.
Mentors
Your business posse: A strong business relationship with a CPA, Business Attorney, Banker, Landlord, and optionally a business mentor is crucial to success. I know a business, especially a start-up business, is focused on designing, marketing, and selling their product/services. This group is just as important to your success. You should have a business posse day one. If I had been on top of this I would have known my accounting practices were flawed, my dual collateralized loans would not have been made, and I would have managed things differently. I did eventually bring in a mentor and a third party accountant later. Unfortunately it was already too late to save a very popular, growing business. What a waste.
Life-Business Lesson
This life-business lesson was learned years ago. I have had many successes since. I am now being asked to be part of the posse (mentor) ironically. Interestingly this “advice” still applies in today’s market maybe more so.
I see advertisements to go get incorporated now, get a quick loan, “don’t think about it, do it now” strategies – “advice”. There are so many repercussions to these actions that need to be carefully thought through.
In picking an attorney it can be helpful that they have a strong CPA background as well.
Not all CPA’s are a match to your type business. On-staff accountant-bookkeeper doesn’t have to be a CPA but should be hired carefully, preferably graduated from a good business-accounting college, and be able to work well with off staff CPA.
Accounting software, initial books setup are so critical as well. And the list goes on.
Take my advice, plan like you’re going to fail.
Copyright © 2010 Chris Lott and Lottspace. All rights reserved.
