Stop Paying Rent. Start Building Wealth.

Stop Paying Rent. Start Building Wealth.

Why Now Might Be the Right Time to Own Your Commercial Space You’ve worked hard to build your business. You show up every day, serve your customers, manage your team, and keep the lights on. But at the end of the month, a significant chunk of your revenue goes to your landlord — and it’s […]

Life Insurance As Collateral for Small Business Loans

Life Insurance As Collateral

This guest blog post is provided by David Klock, Financial Advisor at Northwestern Mutual and reflects their expertise in commercial lending and financial planning. We’re sharing it here to support lenders, brokers, and small business owners looking for practical ways to expand access to responsible capital. A Practical Overview of Life Insurance As Collateral In […]

Small Business Pitch Competition

Small Business Pitch Competition

Pitch your idea for a chance to win a $25,000 grant in our small business pitch competition! This competition provides small businesses the opportunity to present an AI-enabled or cloud-based project to receive a $25,000 grant for development support. Applications will be evaluated based on the strength of your proposed AI or cloud-based solution, including […]

Black History Month: Honoring Resilience While Building Financial Power

Black History Month is a time to recognize the resilience, innovation, and determination that have long defined Black entrepreneurship. From historic main streets to today’s fast-growing startups, Black business owners continue to build, lead, and create opportunity in their communities. Yet the opportunity to expand access and close longstanding gaps remains just as important. Recent […]

B:Side University 2025 Highlights

As we wrap up 2025, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to every entrepreneur, small business owner, and community member who joined us for B:Side University sessions this year. In partnership with more than 15 organizations, we hosted 18 sessions helping to educate over 200 small businesses! A huge shout out to our […]

Season of Growth: Making the Most of the Holidays for Your Business

The holiday season can be both exciting and overwhelming for small business owners. Between customer needs, marketing plans, and year-end finances, there’s a lot on your plate. And with some customers spending less this season, every sale matters a little more.  But with a little preparation and a lot of intention, you can finish the […]

Understanding Financial Statements

Understanding Financial Statements

Understanding financial statements are the backbone of every small business’s financial health. They tell the story of how money flows through your business, offering insights into revenue, costs, profits, and long-term stability. Whether you’re preparing for a loan application, managing cash flow, or planning for growth, understanding these reports is essential. There are three essential […]

Del Crédito Personal al Crédito del Negocio: Un Camino hacia el Crecimiento

Empezar y hacer crecer un negocio es mucho más que tener una gran idea: se trata de construir una base financiera sólida. Una de las herramientas más poderosas que todo emprendedor necesita comprender es el crédito. Para muchos pequeños empresarios, especialmente en las primeras etapas, el crédito personal es la primera llave que abre las […]

From Personal Credit to Business Credit: A Path to Growth

Starting and growing a business is about more than just having a great idea—it’s about building a strong financial foundation. One of the most powerful tools every entrepreneur needs to understand is credit. For many small business owners, especially in the early stages, personal credit is the first key that opens doors to financing. Lenders […]

B:Side Fund Announces CDFI Status

B:Side Fund is thrilled to announce its designation as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). This certification from The U.S. Department of Treasury is monumental in the organization’s efforts to support small businesses, specifically for underserved or underestimated communities. B:Side Fund’s Director, Marie Peters, comments on the organization’s accomplishment, “We are thrilled to become a […]