You can often become so obsessed with your work that you completely forget that your health is more important than anything else. Maintaining a balanced life while moving forward with your career endeavors may seem too complicated, but you need to organize yourself better and list your priorities.

Obtaining the perfect balance between personal life and work is not impossible. Keeping a business afloat is complicated and requires effort, perseverance, and sacrifices. However, focusing only on work can have some severe consequences.

Most of the consequences of ignoring work and personal balance are in your personal life, as the possibility of job loss can be a driver to sacrifice it. Demanding bosses, work schedules, and other business factors can make it easier to let things go in your personal life even though you care about it. Here are six ways to maintain a work and personal life balance successfully.

One Thing at a Time

Most people think multitasking is a positive attribute that makes you feel productive and efficient. Management, owners, and employees want to be as productive as possible throughout the workday and week. However, multitasking is often counterproductive or less efficient.

It is best to go one step at a time when it comes to specific objectives and goals in the medium and short term. Rushing and attempting to double up tasks more often generates stress and may cause mistakes that will take more time to correct.

Time Management

If you know how to manage and organize your time appropriately, you will stress, make mistakes, and waste your time. Creating a list of priorities is good for managing time in your work and personal life. It can be weekly, biweekly, or monthly to guide you through necessary tasks.

The idea is that you organize all the tasks that are strictly necessary for a period that is not too exaggerated, then incorporate those that serve to decay, always leaving time to rest between one thing and another, and of course, making sure you have 8 hours of sleep and one or two days to do some recreational activity.

Relax

When you have time off, you should use that time to recharge and relax. At the same time, you may need to use some of your free time to take care of errands and household tasks. You also need to make sure you spend some of it relaxing and unwinding.

Be Supportive of Co-Workers and Employees

Understandably, you want everything to be done well, but you cannot forget that your co-workers and employees are human and deserve to be treated well. They may occasionally make mistakes or accomplish tasks at a different pace. However, they still need to be treated with respect.

Be supportive and understand that goals and tasks are met by reasonable deadlines as accurately as possible. If there are mistakes or problems, don’t stop the support and understanding and look for solutions.

Do not Ignore your Personal Needs

If you feel bad emotionally, have some physical pain, or have any illness, seek out a professional, follow their instructions, and rest as much as necessary. You mustn’t detract from the things that really should be maintained as number one in your priorities: yourself and your mental, emotional, and physical health.

Have a Positive Attitude

While you may have challenges, you should always maintain a positive attitude in your work and personal life. Most people don’t realize that a positive outlook on life and work can make both run smoothly. A positive attitude is also contagious and can improve the work and personal living balance.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

A budget is a critical component of business planning that is supposed to assist the organization in transforming its strategy into action. Unfortunately, over 60% of businesses do not link their planned strategy to their budget.

Budgeting is a strategic implementation of a business plan. To achieve the goals in a business’s plan, you will require an evaluated roadmap of the business ideas that set indicators and measures of performance. You can make changes later to ensure you arrive at the desired conclusion.

Tactical or strategic budgeting is an intense kind of financial planning, and many organizations utilize tactical budgeting to determine where to assign financial resources and capital to achieve optimal profits. Here is a guide to assess budget management with every passing step.  

Step 1- Getting Started

 Before considering anything else, you must get a crystal-clear picture of your finances. Combine every past financial statement to determine the current savings, investment, and debt payments. When you get an estimate of the monthly revenue and expenditures, and your expenditure exceeds your income, you will have to pay special attention to the further steps.

Step 2- Examine the Expenses

There are two basic kinds of expenses: variable and fixed. Fixed expenses involve a mortgage, rent, and payroll, and these expenses generally stay at a fixed ratio. However, variable expenses instantly change. For instance, variable expense involves marketing campaigns. You must determine both categories of expenditures carefully and consider if they can be eliminated or reduced altogether.

Step 3- Set Up Long-Term and Short-Term Goals

A huge part of tactical planning includes strategic planning. You must decide how to use your money. Do you have to pay down debts? Are you planning to expand your business anytime soon? Does your business involve product manufacturing & if so, does it fluctuate directly with inflation? Consider all the details and note down various short-term and long-term goals. These ideas will determine your next move.

Step 4- Manage Your Expenses Accordingly

Re-evaluate your expenses and consider the things to eliminate that you do not need. This might include business dinners, employee amenities, and other luxury expenditures. You can also diminish your spending by switching insurance policies, searching for a cheaper internet provider, refinancing debts, and availing yourself of the benefits of tiny things like virtual billing and various programs designed for lower expenses.

Step 5- Clear the Debts

After managing your expenses, you might be left with excess cash that can be further utilized to clear out the debts. Clearing debts on time will always be more beneficial because having constant debt is quite expensive as the interest rate keeps increasing. A handful of debts are interest-free, and the more interest rate you pay, the more that debt will cost you in the long run.

Step 6- Assign Extra Money

If you are debt-free or have an ambition separate from paying down the debt, such as saving for a new product or an expansion of your business services, you will and must decide the way to assign extra income you make over the coming months. You can invest it somewhere or else save it for future purposes. Whatever decision you make, take time to evaluate all the present options and consider the potential consequences of your actions.

Step 7- Get Everyone on Board

Although many businesses have a person who oversees all the finances individually, budgeting tends to work when everyone stays on the same page. When every employee is aware of both short-term and long-term goals, the arguments get fewer, and the discussions get more productive. If you are the accountant or handle the finance department, consider sharing the burden and getting others included so you can approach the desired goals efficiently and rapidly.

All the above elements are the root of aligning tactical and strategic planning to the budgeting procedure. The strategies approach the goals, while the budget is used to implement the plan into practical action. To achieve the desired goals, a businessman must keep strategy and budget on the same page. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Easy access to sites has radically changed how people shop for almost everything.

Choosing from cell phones to dental services is rare without researching and reading different online reviews mindlessly. In 2016, 90% of buyers went through one online study before visiting the business.

More significantly, 94% of online customers reported that a bad review had convinced them to avoid visiting a site or business.

This data means that your market, having an excellent online existence, provides you with different vital benefits. That is why it is becoming a significant part of branding. Understand why you need online reviews to optimize your client experience and help build an excellent online footprint.

 The social proof stats ratings and reviews help customers shortcut their search and make decisions faster and more confidently than earlier. A good status is one of the more influential resources a business has. Those good reviews and five stars can help influence potential customers to purchase from you.

Good status can do much for the company. Here are some reasons why reviews give benefit to the business.

Positive Reviews Build Trust with Potential Customers

Almost 9 out of 10 customers determine whether they can trust the business after going through some reviews. But do not stop with just the thoughts. Receiving online reviews should be a suitable procedure for your company. It must be built into your follow-up sales processes and selling. Ask your client for a review when they are at their happiest instant in the purchasing process.

Did they purchase a brand-new vehicle and have the keys to their shiny new vehicle in their hands? Request to take a snap of them in front of their new car to post on your social media platform and request for a review or star before driving off. Did your client only have a calming massage that made them feel wonderful? Request for a review or star as you are looking for them out. If you sell an item such as a hearing device, wait for a proper measure of time for your new patient to utilize their hearing aids and then send them or email them a message thanking them on behalf of your business and providing them direct contentions to a few of your review site listings that they can leave reviews or feedback. 

You can never attain too many reviews. Remember, just like other marketing strategies or SEO. Your competitor will make an effort and one-up you. They are always trying to get one or more feedback or reviews. Then you keep going! Push forward.

According to the research, 8 out of 10 customers trust online reviews as a personal recommendation. What does that mean to you? If you think having a private one-on-one referral is good, only think about how much power and leverage you will have when you get thousands or millions of people going through those online reviews or referrals. The emphasis is endless.

Rank Your Business Higher on the Search Engine Results

Ratings and reviews help organizations rank at the top of search engines. In two current studies, The Local SEO Guide and Moz display the raking aspects influencing local search ranking. The research results as online reviews help a website rank at the top of local Google 3-pack and organic local search outcomes.

If your national business desires to rank at the top in a Google search engine, having reviews and stars is the fifth top ranking factor for attaining a business listed on the Google search engine. So, if you want to rank higher in Google’s search engine, start having those reviews.

 Customer Feedback Can Help to Improve Your Business

Both good and bad reviews can help you advance your business. For example, do you have some bad reviews online? If yes, then go through with the reviewer’s point of view. Is there some general issue with a product that you evaluate? Do you have workers who reliably have mentioned lousy reviews? If so, you might want to spend more time training him. Bad feedback must have a positive side because those bad reviews might uncover a business problem, worker problem, or process that would have gone unnoticed.

Bottom Line

Users’ reviews play an essential role in bringing credibility to your business. Try that your customer gives thoughts when they buy products from your company, which positively impacts the audience’s mind.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

It is easy and clear that most people spend more of their days on social media.

Social media has become an essential aspect of people’s everyday lives. Some people are so hooked that they first want to update their social media feeds when they wake up.

In the expectation of engaging with their clients, advertisers, and companies flock to social networks because of the role of social media in consumer lives. However, the content on social media is overloaded, and there is extreme competition. If you do not have a robust social media marketing plan, this will be difficult for you even if you have a strong marketing plan in social media. Keeping up with current social media developments will boost your project and distinguish you from the crowd.

Here are many effects of social media that you must know for 2022 and beyond.

Ephemeral Content Will Keep Gaining Popularity

Ephemeral material only comes for a brief period and subsequently fades. Stories such as those on Instagram and Snapchat are prime examples of such material.

Today, people are low on attention, and their way of consuming news has also shifted. For this reason, content formats such as stories are standard. They are simple, entertaining, and addictive so that people can click from an account by level for hours.

Sellers have seen and will continue to take advantage of this trend. According to this new Hootsuite survey, 64% of marketers already have Instagram Stories in their campaigns or plans.

The Traditional Social Platforms will Continue to Perform Well

Facebook and Instagram are the biggest and most successful social media sites. In recent years, many other niche social media sites have increased considerably in fame.

The Newcomers Found Their Expansion Challenging

For instance, TikTok began in 2016 and became famous among youth immediately. It became one of the most successful applications in both Apple and Android app stores. TikTok has, however, to some degree, suffered its own popularity. The world regulators have focused on its success with world youth and its Chinese ownership. TikTok was banned in June 2020 by India’s large industry.

Facebook and Instagram have their problems in 2020 and face many courts worldwide. The Australian government tries to charge all news shared by Australian news companies on the platforms.

However, in 2020, Facebook and Instagram remained popular with their users. Hootsuite examined companies in 2021 to increase their social budgets. 60% said they intended to increase their budget on Instagram in 2021, and 46% to increase their budget on Facebook. Also famous are YouTube (45%) and LinkedIn. Just 14 percent of the companies surveyed expect to increase promotions for TikTok.

The same survey asked participants which channels were best suited to their objectives. Once again, conventional social networking was widespread, with Facebook’s 78%, Instagram’s 70%, and LinkedIn’s 42%, whereas Twitter’s 33%.

Social Commerce will Continue to Expand

Brands such as Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook have used social media for many years to advertise their brands. Colonial trade has developed into a significant shopping route for brands, and this movement can only be strengthened.

Social trade is developing into a significant retail outlet comparable to other media, such as blogs and offline shops. This movement will further strengthen with more social networks adding pre-sales features like shopping posts.

Social networks are continually developing to become retail sites, from shopping posts to Instagram Storefronts. These can be exploited by brands and markets and incorporated into their distribution campaigns by social businesses.

Recently, Hootsuite asked its customers about their efforts in social media. The most popular explanation for companies using social media was to improve new customer acquisition (73%). Increased brand recognition has ensued (64%). The 3rd place was for conversions of the drivers (leads, sales, and product requests).

Live Streaming will Remain Popular

Many companies were digitalized by the global health crisis of 2020 but were able to retain social distance and avoid COVID-19 from spreading. Face-to-face gatherings were Zoom and live gigs and became live broadcasts of artists from their homes.

So, of course, live streaming functions on social media are increasing. In COVID-19 hotspots like Italy, Facebook has considerably increased texting and live streaming. For example, the number of views on Instagram and Facebook Live doubled in just one week.

As the scenario evolves by 2021, people have become accustomed to living interactions with brands without ever leaving their homes. However, live streaming is becoming more common and should be part of the social media marketing approach.

Bottom Line

Using the updated social media trends today can assist you in building a solid presence for the future. For now, you will know what to watch out for to amend your social strategy according to the latest social trends.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

The idea of remote working has significantly grown throughout the last few years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has fueled this prospect. There is a strong case of companies willing to undertake all aspects of remote working. It is a trend that has snowballed and has become a must-have option for employers. ‘

However, the benefits and challenges of remote working are not far behind and are limited to working hours’ flexibility. Let us look at some of the benefits of remote working.

Benefits

• Attracting top talent

The most beneficial aspect of remote work is attracting top talent. Offering remote work dramatically enhances an organization’s talent pool and brings new talent that supports the structure. The employees do not need to limit themselves to a specific geographical location and work virtually anywhere. This same principle applies to employers who can easily approach anyone with the right skills. This benefit is helpful for companies that struggle to find the skills needed for competitive advantage. 

Recruiting from a larger pool of talent enables an employer to increase diversity. When hiring from many regions or countries, you can use various ideas and perspectives. 

• Reducing costs

Another benefit of remote work is saving costs while allowing workers to operate from home. Remote working saves you money on renting office space and other operative expenses like utilities or air conditioning. 

• Productivity

The past year has proved that remote work is a prospect to consider as it allows for a productivity boost. Employees find the idea of working comfortably from home and saving the energy of traveling enhances their working potential. Employees are free to work when they feel most energetic, drastically increasing productivity.

Challenges of Remote Working

• Maintaining communication

Maintaining solid and open communication is a significant challenge for remote workers and employers alike. While working from home seems attractive, it becomes useless if no clear communication channel is established. Coordinating all the teams and bringing them on the same page is challenging. Employers who master this art of communication are the ones who reap the benefits of remote working. A communication gap can result in indefinite downtimes and wastage of resources. 

• Creation of a remote working culture

Creating a culture that motivates employees to work from home is a challenge. This is because employees have a habit of coming to the office and working in a suitable environment. Changing the culture immediately is complicated as many employees exploit the opportunity and take advantage of the situation. In this sense, employees must consider whether to allow workers the edge or limit them to office premises only.

• Tracking employee performance

The greatest challenge faced by employers is tracking employee performance. It can be hard to take notice of the commission if there is no physical presence. The commission is especially hard for offices that require specific hours of work. This is also a challenge as you do not want to be a micromanager. Finding the right balance between tracking employee performance without becoming resented is an ability only a few master. Another drawback is that workers start overcompensating to fulfill their work hours, leading to burnout. 

• Maintaining data security

Maintaining data security during remote working is also a challenge. Employers can actively monitor sensitive data when in the office but cannot actively stop any misuse in remote working. They must establish data security programs that need training to ensure that the data remains secure and accessible to only a few who can handle it and that the data remains in safe hands. 

Final Word

Working has its challenges and benefits that employers can use to their advantage. Although the idea of working from home is productive, yet employers and employees must ensure that they reap the most out of it. Striking a balance between these two factors is the point that generates the most productivity without overexploiting the idea of remote working for employers. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Businesses need to use cloud services that potentially encrypt data. One of the most convenient ways of safeguarding sensitive data is using reliable cloud services.

Brands and organizations nowadays have a more significant role in people’s lives. Therefore, they can no longer afford to be stagnant when making their business processes more efficient. With time, organizations’ budgets are getting leaner, demand from people for streamlined services is also increasing with significant emphasis on the use of better technology, and employees are asking for new ways to empower themselves. These are just a few challenges brands cannot address using old-school methods.

In the first and second quarters of 2019, more than 4.1 billion records of data breaches were exposed. These numbers show how alarming the situation is related to data security. According to Central, one of the most common ways data is compromised weak credentials, malware, too many permissions, backdoors, social engineering, or improper network configuration. Some practices must erase any vulnerabilities and protect sensitive information to avoid data breaches and increase data security.

Moving to cloud technology is perhaps the best path for individuals, brands, and government agencies to become more novel and sophisticated. Cloud technology is beneficial because it creates efficiencies and reduces costs. We embrace the unlimited potential of cloud-based technologies to simplify our everyday processes and protect our data, giving future generations a better world than what we have today.

When organizations migrate their communication infrastructure to the cloud-based system, they gain several benefits, such as staying in constant connection with the employees regardless of whether they are teleworking or in-house. Meetings can also be made productive through workspace sharing, accelerating work speed.

Cloud-Based Technology – Time for Modernization

Cloud technology has already entered the private sector and is used regularly in many companies. These organizations have streamlined their services and increased the expectations of individuals from other sectors, especially the government sector. There is no denying that the public sector cannot live up to people’s expectations if it continues to use traditional methods of communication. Customer experience is everything; therefore, the government sector must take notes on how to use this technology.

Despite cloud technology being an inevitable part of progress in IT, you need good partners to implement it, as getting this technology to work at its full potential is difficult. Studies also show that some organizations struggle to modernize themselves with the cloud. Most of them (25%) complained about the lack of budget required to reach the expected level of modernization. 19% said they lack the talent and the resources to make it happen.

Overcoming these two obstacles is fundamental for organizations hoping to reap the benefits of cloud modernization. Forty-three percent said improving efficiency and increasing profitability are the main benefits of modernizing their offices. Thirteen percent said enhancing the coordinated effort between partners in your organization would bring the most incredible value.

As organizations across the country reflect, for example, on concerns, former President Trump has made IT modernization a central focus. For instance, the President’s Management Program (PAM), approved in 2018, sees IT modernization as a “key driver of change” for the central government. The three PMA modernization needs to incorporate strategic improvements, reducing cybersecurity dangers for the crucial government structure, and leading IT staff.

Despite rumors about the cloud and its benefits, only 14% said moving their tasks to the cloud was a great need, and the truth is that 33% said it was anything but a necessity. Today, like never, organizations should plan how to receive the cloud without changing their missions. It is not because it is an organizational focal point but because it is what customers expect and need today.

Like all other technologies, the cloud is imperfect; therefore, it needs some human consideration. For instance, the whole point of cloud technology is creating a central space where you can easily extract data. We cannot upload information that is in the wrong hands and can cause severe damage.

Summing Up

The best thing brands and individuals can do today to secure their data is to encrypt all the information that can deter hackers from accessing any information in the cloud. Encryption can turn data into ciphertext, which is significantly more difficult for hackers to decode and takes more time to extract information. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

You may not know what the future holds, and you may not know anything about unforeseen circumstances, which makes it essential for us to stay prepared for anything and everything. Here are some simple tips that can help a person save more money.

Do Not Waste Extra Income

If a person receives extra pay or a bonus and ends up wasting it right away, they will never be able to save. Unless it is because of some need, try to save any extra income that comes to them. Even if a person is in debt, try to keep a small part of saving money for any unforeseen circumstances.

Search Offers and Compares Prices

From one supermarket to another, there can be many differences in the price of the same product, so try to compare to see which one works best for you. Also, look for stores that have the best deals.

Do Not Buy on Impulse

If someone buys something for an occasion while shielding themselves in the phrase “I’m working for something,” they will probably not need it. If it is not something they need immediately to wait a few days before buying it, they will surely see more clearly if they need it or if it is an unnecessary expense.

Purchase Online

Online shopping is excellent since customers can find outstanding offers. But remember the previous point and buy what they need.

Reduce Expenses at Home

When buying electrical appliances, try to be efficient and ecological. You will notice it in the bills. Just like you will see, the control of the heating or the air conditioning if you keep the windows and doors closed to keep both the cold and the heat. Turn off the lights when you are not in a room.

Avoid Getting into Debt

I know that some types of debts are difficult to avoid. For example, if someone wants to buy a house, it is not straightforward to have all the money to pay for it (unless they are lucky enough to be rich, but they would not read as saving money). It would be best if you asked for a mortgage. But another type of debt that is easy to avoid. If someone cannot go to New York on their own expenses, do not take out a loan to pay for a vacation. They go to Menorca and can go to New York when they save. Loans accompanied by interest will pay much more than the initial amount, so it is better to avoid them.

Eliminate Unnecessary Luxuries

If a person does not get to the end of the month or they cannot save, the first thing they must cut are the luxuries. They can do their manicure at home instead of going to the beauty salon every week or going to work by subway instead of by taxi. They will see everything they save by cutting here.

Reduce Expenses on Food

If they are foodies and love good food, they can leave a lot of money around here. A fad occasionally is not bad, but you cannot buy caviar, foie gras, and oysters every week. That does not mean that you do not believe in quality products. But as we discussed in the previous point, some foods belong to the luxury category. Another issue here is eating in restaurants or ordering food at home. Adjust themselves depending on their budget. If your financial situation is dire, do not waste free resources. There are food banks where they can help a person; they must get in touch with the social services of their city.

Have Fun for Free

Doing fun things does not have to involve a significant expenditure of money. Find the balance between fun and savings. For example, in most cities, there is a day when the entrance to museums is free or ridiculously cheap. Please take advantage of it! Read more. Compared to movies or video games, you can get books from the library. Go hiking, and play board games. Go to an old cinema that is much cheaper. Visit some parts of the city where you have never been. There are many options for fun without spending a lot of money.

All in All

Be prepared for the worst by following these tips, and you will never find yourself struggling financially.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Proven Strategies for Funding Your New Business Success

How to fund a new business starts with choosing from options like bootstrapping, loans, grants, investor funding, crowdfunding, and innovative cash flow solutions—each tailored to fit your goals, industry, and growth stage. The most effective approach combines multiple funding sources strategically, with 59% of firms seeking financing in the past year, yet only 41% receiving all the funding they applied for.

As a founder who has bootstrapped, raised capital, and advised hundreds of entrepreneurs over my 20 years as CEO of Complete Controller, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the right funding mix can transform a struggling startup into a thriving enterprise. The data shows that 58% of small businesses start with less than $25,000, yet the average business spends $40,000 in their first year—creating a critical funding gap that smart founders bridge through creative financing strategies. In this guide, you’ll discover proven methods to secure capital, avoid common pitfalls, and build the financial foundation your business needs to thrive.

How to fund a new business: What works best?

• Choose from options like bootstrapping, borrowing, investors, grants, crowdfunding, and revenue financing
• Bootstrapping keeps you in control; loans require repayment; equity means sharing ownership; grants offer free money but fierce competition
• Each strategy has trade-offs in terms of risk, cost, speed, and control—understand these before you act
• Start with internal sources (like personal savings) before approaching outside investors or banks
• The best funding is “fit-for-purpose”: choose methods that match your industry, business stage, and ambitions

Get your funding-ready finances dialed in → Complete Controller.

Bootstrapping: The Power—and Limits—of Self-Funding

Bootstrapping remains the most popular funding method, with 80% of startups choosing this path. The data reveals a compelling advantage: bootstrapped startups are three times more likely to become profitable within three years compared to venture-backed companies, while growing just as fast but spending only one-quarter as much on customer acquisition.

The success stories speak volumes. Mailchimp founders Ben Chestnut and Dan Kurzius built their email marketing platform without taking a penny of outside investment, reinvesting profits for 21 years until Intuit acquired them for $12 billion in 2021. Sara Blakely started Spanx with just $5,000 from her savings, facing countless rejections before building a company that Blackstone valued at $1.2 billion.

Benefits and pitfalls of bootstrapping for new businesses

The advantages of bootstrapping extend beyond maintaining control. You’ll develop crucial financial discipline, stay laser-focused on customer needs rather than investor demands, and prove business viability before taking on debt or equity partners. This approach forces creativity and efficiency from day one.

However, personal financial risk is real. You might face slower initial growth, limited resources for marketing or hiring, and the stress of mixing personal and business finances. Without external validation from investors, some founders also struggle with confidence during tough periods.

Industry examples: When bootstrapping works best

Service businesses, consultancies, and lean tech startups make ideal candidates for bootstrapping. These businesses typically have:

• Low initial capital requirements
• Quick path to revenue
• Minimal inventory or equipment needs
• Ability to scale gradually with customer growth

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) companies with recurring revenue models particularly thrive with bootstrapping, as demonstrated by Mailchimp’s success. Consumer products can work too—Spanx proved that solving a real customer problem matters more than having deep pockets.

Small Business Loans and Alternative Borrowing Options

Traditional lending remains a cornerstone of small business funding, though the landscape has evolved dramatically. Banks, online lenders, and government programs each serve different needs, with interest rates and requirements varying widely based on your business profile and creditworthiness.

The Small Business Administration backs several loan programs designed to reduce lender risk and improve access to capital. These government-supported options often feature lower interest rates and longer repayment terms than conventional business loans, making them attractive for qualified borrowers.

SBA loans, bank loans, and online lenders—What’s the difference?

• SBA loans offer the best rates, typically ranging from 10-15%, with government backing that reduces lender risk. The downside: extensive documentation requirements, longer approval times, and strict eligibility criteria that exclude many new businesses.
• Traditional bank loans require robust business plans, strong credit scores, and often collateral. Banks prefer established businesses with proven track records, making these loans challenging for startups. Interest rates average 6.7% to 11.5% for qualified borrowers.
• Online lenders provide faster approvals and more flexible requirements but charge higher rates—sometimes 20-40% annually. They fill a crucial gap for businesses needing quick capital or those who don’t qualify for traditional financing.

How to secure a loan—Documentation and common mistakes

Success starts with preparation. Lenders want to see:

• Detailed business plan with market analysis
• Financial projections for at least three years
• Personal and business credit reports
• Tax returns and bank statements
• Collateral documentation if applicable

Common mistakes that sink loan applications include underestimating startup costs, providing inconsistent financial information, and applying without understanding lender requirements. Alternative financing options like equipment leasing, merchant cash advances, or invoice factoring can bridge gaps when traditional loans aren’t feasible.

Crowdfunding: Harnessing the Wisdom (and Wallets) of the Crowd

The crowdfunding industry has exploded from a niche funding source to a $2.14 billion global market in 2024, projected to reach $5.53 billion by 2030. This 17.6% annual growth creates unprecedented opportunities for founders willing to master the art of public fundraising.

Success rates tell a sobering story: only 23% of crowdfunding campaigns meet their goals. The difference between success and failure often comes down to preparation, storytelling, and consistent engagement with backers throughout the campaign.

Types of crowdfunding—Rewards, equity, and debt

• Rewards-based crowdfunding on platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo works best for consumer products. Backers pre-purchase products or receive perks, creating both funding and market validation. This model built successes like Pebble smartwatch, which raised over $10 million.
• Equity crowdfunding through SeedInvest or Crowdcube lets backers become actual shareholders. This democratizes investment opportunities previously reserved for accredited investors, though it requires securities compliance and dilutes ownership.
• Debt-based crowdfunding functions like peer-to-peer lending, with backers earning interest on their loans. This model suits businesses with predictable cash flow that can handle regular repayment obligations.

Keys to a successful campaign

Data shows campaigns with videos raise 105% more than those without, while campaigns with daily updates see 126% higher funding. Your success hinges on:

• Compelling storytelling that connects emotionally
• Professional video showcasing your product and team
• Realistic funding targets based on your network size
• Strategic marketing plan launched before the campaign
• Regular updates keeping backers engaged

Real-world case study: Pebble watch’s crowdfunding triumph

Pebble Technology transformed from a struggling startup to crowdfunding legend in 2012. Their Kickstarter campaign sought $100,000 but raised $10.3 million from 68,929 backers. The secret: they didn’t just sell a smartwatch—they sold a vision of customizable, accessible wearable technology. Their clear prototype demonstrations, responsive founder communication, and tech media coverage created unstoppable momentum.

Angel Investors and Venture Capital: Is Your Startup Ready?

External equity funding opens doors to rapid scaling but demands careful consideration. Angel investors, typically successful entrepreneurs investing personal funds, focus on early-stage companies. Venture capitalists manage institutional money and seek later-stage investments with massive growth potential.

The landscape shows renewed optimism, with 40% of surveyed angel investors planning to increase their startup investments compared to last year. Global startup funding reached $91 billion in Q2 2025, with North America capturing 70% of investments.

What investors look for—Team, traction, and “scalability”

Investors bet on people first, markets second, and products third. They seek:

• Experienced teams with complementary skills
• Proven traction through customers, revenue, or user growth
• Scalable business models addressing large markets
• Clear competitive advantages or proprietary technology
• Realistic financial projections with paths to profitability

Angels often provide mentorship alongside capital, making them valuable for first-time founders. VCs demand rapid growth and clear exit strategies, typically through acquisition or IPO within 5-7 years.

Pitching like a pro—Lessons from the trenches

Your pitch must tell a compelling story in under 10 minutes. Focus on the problem you solve, your unique solution, market size, business model, traction to date, team credentials, and funding needs with specific use plans.

Founder perspective: What I learned raising a seed round

During my own fundraising journey, one investor’s feedback changed everything: “Show us you understand the business side, not just the product.” We rebuilt our pitch around unit economics, customer acquisition costs, and lifetime value. That shift—from feature focus to financial fundamentals—made all the difference. Investors want founders who think like CEOs, not just innovators.

Grants, Competitions, and “Free Money”—Myth vs. Reality

Grant funding offers the holy grail of startup capital: money you never repay and equity you never surrender. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program alone awarded 3,859 Phase I grants from 21,911 applications in FY22, with 39% going to first-time winners.

Yet “free money” comes with hidden costs. Application processes demand significant time investment, reporting requirements can be burdensome, and competition is fierce. Grants work best as supplementary funding rather than primary capital sources.

Navigating the maze—Where to find grants and how to qualify

Federal grant programs through the SBA, USDA, and specialized agencies offer the largest awards. State economic development offices provide regional opportunities, while private foundations and corporations fund specific industries or demographics.

Successful applications require:

• Perfect alignment with grant objectives
• Detailed project proposals with measurable outcomes
• Strong financial documentation
• Evidence of capability to execute
• Patience for lengthy approval processes

Should you rely on grants? The hard truth

Grants make excellent supplements to other funding but terrible primary strategies. Application success rates often fall below 20%, approval takes months, and funds come with restrictions. Smart founders pursue grants opportunistically while building sustainable funding through other sources.

Conclusion: Your Funding Roadmap—Founder’s Perspective

Every business journey follows its own path, but after guiding hundreds of founders through funding challenges, I’ve learned this: successful funding strategies evolve with your business. Start lean with bootstrapping, validate your model, then strategically add funding sources that align with your growth stage and goals.

The data confirms what experience teaches—diversification beats dependence. Mix personal resources with strategic debt, consider crowdfunding for market validation, and approach investors when you’re ready to scale rapidly. Most importantly, maintain financial discipline regardless of funding source.

Your vision deserves the fuel to flourish. Whether you’re bootstrapping like Mailchimp or seeking investors for rapid growth, solid financial management and expert bookkeeping support provide the foundation for sustainable success. Take action today—your future business will thank you. For personalized guidance on building your funding strategy and managing finances for growth, visit Complete Controller.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Fund a New Business

What is the best way to fund a startup with no money?

Start with bootstrapping through personal savings and credit, pursue grants for your industry or demographic, launch crowdfunding campaigns for market validation, and explore microloans designed for minimal capital requirements. Many successful companies like Mailchimp started with virtually no external funding.

Can I get a business loan with bad credit?

Yes, online lenders and microloan programs cater to borrowers with credit scores below 650, though expect interest rates 10-20% higher than traditional loans. Alternative options include revenue-based financing, invoice factoring, or bringing on a creditworthy business partner.

What documents do I need to secure business funding?

Essential documents include a comprehensive business plan, three-year financial projections, personal and business tax returns, bank statements showing cash flow, legal business formation documents, and collateral documentation if applicable. SBA loans require additional forms specific to each program.

How do I choose between debt and equity financing?

Choose debt if you want to maintain full ownership and have predictable revenue for repayments. Select equity if you need large capital injections, want strategic guidance from investors, and can accept diluted ownership. Many businesses use both strategically at different growth stages.

Are there grants for women-, minority-, or veteran-owned businesses?

Yes, numerous federal, state, and private programs specifically support underrepresented founders. The SBA’s 8(a) Business Development program, Women’s Business Centers, SCORE mentorship, and organizations like the National Veteran-Owned Business Association offer both funding and support services.

Sources

• Ansarada. “How To Raise Capital – 8 Tailored Strategies.” Ansarada, 2024.
• Founders Network. “6 Types of Funding for Startups: Definitive Guide.” Founders Network, 2024.
• U.S. Small Business Administration. “Fund your business.” sba.gov, 2024.
• KC SourceLink. “What Types of Startup Funding Are Right for Me?” KCSourceLink, 2025.
• Viva Technology. “How Startups Raise Funding, Comparing Options.” VivaTechnology, 2024.
• Lendio. “10 Funding Strategies to Keep Your Business Growing.” Lendio, 2024.
• Wired. “Pebble Technology: The First Crowdfunding Superstar.” Wired, 2015.
• SBA.gov. “SBIR Success Stories.” sba.gov, 2024.
• Complete Controller founder insight (Author’s experience).
• sidetool.co. “Why Bootstrapping Beats Funding in 2025 (Real Success Stories).” 2025.
• Federal Reserve Small Business. “2025 Report on Employer Firms: Findings from the 2024 Small Business Credit Survey.” 2025.
• amraandelma.com. “TOP 20 CROWDFUNDING PLATFORM MARKETING STATISTICS.” 2024.
• Grand View Research. “Crowdfunding Market Size And Share | Industry Report, 2030.” 2024.
• sellerscommerce.com. “United States Small Business Statistics (2025 Data).” 2025.
• MicroConf US. “How Ben Chestnut Bootstrapped Mailchimp to a $12 Billion Exit.” 2024.
• tinyseed.com. “Behind the Monkey: The Story of Mailchimp’s Rise to Email Marketing.” 2024.
• Umbrex. “The Spanx Startup Success Story.” 2022.
• Fortune. “Spanx founder Sara Blakely’s $1 billion idea started with $5,000 in savings.” 2021.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. Reviewed By: Brittany McMillen

Brittany McMillen

Brittany McMillen is a seasoned Marketing Manager with a sharp eye for strategy and storytelling. With a background in digital marketing, brand development, and customer engagement, she brings a results-driven mindset to every project. Brittany specializes in crafting compelling content and optimizing user experiences that convert. When she’s not reviewing content, she’s exploring the latest marketing trends or championing small business success.

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An accountant’s role is one of the most essential jobs in a business organization because they must look after all the accounting and finances. Accounting is the most critical principle of running a successful business because it helps you track all the income your business is earning, the expenses it must pay, what rules to follow, and how to improve the financial systems. Having an accounting system for your business will help investors better understand the situation of your business and give insight into your liquidity position.

The roles and responsibilities of an accountant include accurate bookkeeping is accurate, offering guidance and tips for improvement, preparing and maintaining critical financial reports, preparing tax returns, conducting forecasting and risk analysis assessments, evaluating financial operations to recommend best practices, identifying issues, strategizing solutions, and helping organizations run efficiently. While a business is working with an accountant, the owner should ask essential questions, including:

1. How and when to contact the accountants? A key to running a successful business is good communication. Until your communication with your stakeholders is clear and understood, you cannot send or receive the message properly, leading to significant errors and financial loss. You should determine a schedule and the preferred method of contact with your accountants beforehand to prevent confusion during emergencies or when urgent decisions must be made.
2. How do you prepare for taxes and prevent penalties? Tax preparation is by far the most challenging task for a business. An accounting professional is trained to guide you through tax preparation to save you from extra stress or prepare your taxes for you. The accountants can determine what tax credits and deductions your business can claim, and they will inform you about new rules and laws the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) releases each year. The accountant gathers all the necessary data regarding taxes for you to save you from tax-season stress.
3. How can my business grow? An accountant’s job is to help a small business grow successfully and survive all the stages of a business cycle. An accountant should analyze and help create business plans and budgets that effectively and efficiently grow it. The accountant should also help develop strategies to ensure the business is on the right track for growth and financial health.
4. How do I improve my cash flows? A qualified accountant can suggest ways to make your cash flows positive and increase your inflows. They will also recommend how to decrease payments or expenses to reduce outflows. A cash flow statement is essential for an accountant as they will need it to make further predictions and plans accordingly.
5. How can improvements be made and errors be prevented? The right accountant for you will quickly identify your business’s mistakes and what is draining your funds that can lead to potential failure. It is important to communicate honestly with your accountant; you should not hide any failures or misfortunes from them, as this information is vital to measuring business performance.
6. How do I identify the break-even point of my business? Determining the break-even point of your business can be difficult as the calculations are complicated and confusing. That is why you should take your accountant’s help in calculating the break-even point of your business. Getting to know the break-even point is also crucial because it sorts out a lot of business situations. You can learn how much funds your business needs to cover the total costs of your business expenditures.

If you have enough resources, you should invest in hiring an accountant. The biggest key to a successful business is the right person to handle finances. You should have an excellent professional relationship with your accountant and communicate well with them to prevent any misunderstanding in the decision-making process. Ensure that you have hired the correct type of accountant for your business who is familiar with your accounting systems and can easily handle the problems.  

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in governments worldwide telling their people to stay indoors and not participate in any social gatherings. Depending on your location, this order is termed as a lockdown. Part of this order may have required individuals to self-isolate if that person has coronavirus or were exposed to someone with the disease. While social distancing has become a new social norm, businesses suffered due to pandemic restrictions.

The shutdown and corresponding restrictions have significantly impacted service-based businesses, and automotive services are no exception. Due to their services, automotive services were deemed essential companies, allowing them to remain open during lockdowns. 

Below are key points to consider before bringing your vehicle for repairs and maintenance.

Essential Auto Repair

Most states in the United States issued an order for quarantine or encouraged following specific procedures during the pandemic. Many people must leave home to buy groceries, medications, food, and other necessities. Some people still go to the office, while others have a work-from-home policy from their employers. Whether going to the grocery or to work, most people need their vehicle to operate in optimal condition.

During the pandemic, the auto repair business has become a necessity. Auto repair and maintenance facilities, including dealerships and tire shops, have remained essential for our daily lives. Keeping the orders in mind, these services have adopted different methods to meet your repair needs.

Call Ahead

Even though many services remain operational at this point, auto servicers have likely adjusted their policies according to orders. Many of them have changed their day and work schedules due to smaller staff availability. Some auto shops can close temporarily or at odd times, so call and ensure they are operational before making an appointment. Similarly, dealerships may open their service departments for operation but not sales. Calling the business prior to service appointments will help you maintain your schedule while receiving the service at the right time.

Leave the Vehicle for Repairs

Consider the urgency of your maintenance needs and the ability to continue your daily routine without your vehicle. For example, routine maintenance like an oil change or an engine tune-up is minor maintenance that can subside for some time. On the other hand, significant repairs or replacements are a matter of safety and need prompt action. No matter the level of repair or replacement you need during the order, call your mechanic to see if they can provide you with at-home service. Similarly, leaving your vehicle longer than usual can ensure your repairs are completed within operational hours.

Remember that auto repair and maintenance shops have become essential today, so many service providers remain open. These days, they aim to cater to the needs of the public and justify their importance.

Options Catering to Client Needs

Car repair and maintenance experts determine their importance by offering various service options to clients. These include:

• Vehicle drop off and pick up facility in designated time slots and days
• Securing key drop-off at your doorstep to reduce footwork and maximize crowd control
• You can schedule your appointment and let them pick up your vehicle from your home and deliver it when finished

In many states, car repair facilities have either closed or reduced sales. However, vehicle owners do not need to worry about neglecting car maintenance and repairs. Those who remain operational strive to provide the best quality service to stay in business.

Federal and local governments have defined the essential services of the auto repair industry as a means for emergency needs and orders. They have orders to ensure maximum safety precautions for the staff or any visiting client.

Conclusion

Automotive repair and maintenance facilities have become essential today due to their customized services and client dependence on services. As such, federal and local governments have established their importance and have urged them to provide their services in accordance with regulations.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.