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Are you seeking financing for your small business? In the world business, you need money to make money — and small businesses are no exception. With that said, you can’t believe everything you see or hear about small business financing. Below are five common myths about small business financing that you shouldn’t believe.

#1) You Need Over $100,000

While some small businesses may require $100,00 or more to get up and running, most require a much smaller monetary investment. According to a Wells Fargo study, most small businesses require just $10,000 to start. Other studies have shown similar findings, attesting to the fact that starting a small business isn’t very expensive.

#2) Banks Are the Only Source

Banks, of course, offer a multitude of financing options for small businesses, including loans, credit cards and lines of credit. With that said, there are other ways to finance a small business. Private lenders, for example, offer similar financing solutions but with less-stringent requirements. You can also tap into your personal savings or personal credit cards to finance your small business. The bottom line is that you shouldn’t assume banks are the only option for financing your small business.

#3) Financing Takes Months to Secure

Some forms of small business financing can take months to secure, but this doesn’t apply to all of them. As previously mentioned, there are private lenders who loan money and credit to small businesses. Not only is it easier to obtain financing from a private lender, but it’s typically faster as well. While a bank may take months to approve your request for financing, a private lender may take just a few weeks.

#4) All Financing Requires Collateral

You might be surprised to learn that not all forms of small business financing requires collateral. Financing can be classified as either secured or unsecured. Secured financing requires collateral, whereas unsecured financing does not.

#5) You Can’t Get Financing for a New Small Business

Even if your small business is new and has little or no cash flow, you can still secure financing for it. Depending on the lender’s requirements, though, you may have to sign a personal guarantee. Basically, this means you are personally responsible for repaying the loan. Without a personal guarantee, lenders may feel hesitant to lend your small business money or credit, especially if it’s new and has little or no cash flow.

Have anything else that you’d like to add? Let us know in the comments section below!