This summary of articles and reports from Bernarsky Advisors highlight the challenges faced by small businesses in 2025, particularly in securing financing and managing cash flow.

Many businesses are struggling with debt, declining revenue, and increasing operational costs.

The firm emphasizes the importance of financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting to maintain financial stability.

They also warn against predatory lenders and the dangers of short-term, high-interest debt.

Bernarsky Advisors provides guidance on how to improve business credit scores, restructure debt and negotiate with creditors, as well as how to obtain the best business debt refinancing.

They also offer advice on how to identify and avoid common mistakes made by business owners. Ultimately, the firm aims to help businesses navigate these turbulent times and emerge stronger.

The interconnected themes of business cash flow management, business debt refinancing and restructuring, operational reorganization, financing options, cash flow planning and overall financial health are paramount for survival and sustainable growth.

(numbered Footnotes for your convenience to find our full articles related to the subject matter)

For any business owner, the dream is one of steady growth and smooth operations.

But reality often throws curveballs, and one of the most daunting is the feeling of a tightening cash flow, payables and payroll piling up, and the weight of mounting business debt.

It's a scenario that can trigger a cascade of anxieties, threatening to overwhelm even the most resilient entrepreneur.

The landscape of business financing has evolved significantly in recent years, offering an expanding array of options beyond traditional bank loans.

The rise of online lenders and alternative financing solutions has made capital more readily accessible to small businesses, often with streamlined application processes and quicker funding times.

This ease of access, however, can mask the potential dangers lurking within certain types of business debt, particularly when the speed and simplicity of acquisition overshadow a thorough evaluation of the associated costs and repayment obligations.

While the promise of quick cash can be alluring, especially for businesses facing immediate financial needs, it is crucial for business owners to exercise caution and critically assess whether the debt they are considering comes with repayment terms that their business can realistically afford.

This report will delve into the characteristics of these "easy-to-get" forms of business debt, explore the reasons why businesses might be tempted to take them on, highlight the severe consequences of default, and provide guidance on how businesses can make informed borrowing decisions and build a more sustainable financial future.

Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy, driving innovation and creating jobs.

Yet, accessing capital remains a significant hurdle, particularly for newer businesses or those recovering from setbacks.

This vulnerability has fueled the rise of an aggressive industry specializing in high-cost, short-term business loans and sale of future business receipts through Merchant Cash Advances (MCAs).

While promising quick cash and easy approval, many of these lenders, often utilizing networks of commission-driven independent (1099) brokers, employ a playbook filled with lies and deception that can cripple and ultimately destroy the very businesses they claim to help.

Corporate debt restructuring can involve various strategies and concepts, some of which are renegotiating the terms of a company's existing debt with its creditors, reorganization of operations, and also refinancing existing short-term business debt with longer-term business debt to extend payment terms, greatly reducing total monthly business debt payments that can absorb cash flow and cause a cash flow strain.

Reliance on borrowed business capital carries inherent risks. Economic downturns, industry shifts, operational inefficiencies, or unforeseen crises can strain a company's finances, making it difficult, or even impossible, to meet its debt obligations.

When these pressures accumulate to the point where default seems imminent and the specter of bankruptcy looms large, restructuring emerges as a proactive and necessary strategy.

It's an acknowledgment of financial distress coupled with a commitment to finding a viable path forward, preserving the underlying business operations where possible.

The overarching purpose is clear: to restore liquidity and operational viability

By easing the immediate pressure of business debt service payments, restructuring frees up vital cash flow that can be redirected towards core operations, essential investments, and stabilizing the business.

It aims to provide the company with breathing room – time to implement operational improvements, adapt to market changes, and ultimately return to profitability.

When a company finds itself teetering on the brink of insolvency, facing mounting pressure from creditors, a critical strategic intervention often becomes necessary: Corporate Debt Restructuring.

The landscape for small business owners in the United States continues to be dynamic and complex, characterized by a mixture of cautious optimism and significant apprehension.

While opportunities exist, particularly driven by technological advancements and evolving financing options, numerous challenges related to economic conditions, workforce dynamics, and regulatory uncertainty demand careful navigation.

In addition to grappling with intense inflationary pressures that drive up costs for goods, labor, and rent, owners must also navigate a highly competitive hiring market, adapt to rapidly evolving consumer demands for personalization and ethical practices, and defend against increasing cybersecurity threats.

Simultaneously, anxieties surrounding potential regulatory changes, global market volatility, and effective cash flow management remain top concerns, demanding heightened financial discipline.

As a small business owner, you're not just a manager; you're the heart, soul, and driving force behind your company.

You wear many hats, from sales and marketing to customer service and operations. But amidst the daily hustle and bustle, it's crucial not to lose sight of the financial backbone of your business.

Even the most dedicated and passionate entrepreneur can face significant challenges without a clear and well-defined financial roadmap.

This is precisely where the powerful tools of financial forecasting, modeling, budgeting, and variance analysis come into play.

These aren't just abstract financial concepts or jargon reserved for large corporations; they are indispensable, practical tools that can empower you, the small business owner, to make informed and strategic decisions, effectively navigate potential challenges, and, ultimately, achieve your business goals and realize your vision for success.

As a small business owner, securing financing can feel like a crucial lifeline.

Whether you're looking to expand, manage cash flow, or invest in new equipment, a "no" from a lender can be disheartening.

But don't despair!

Rejection isn't the end of the road.

Instead, it's an opportunity to learn, strategize, and improve your financial standing.

Here's a breakdown of what to do when you're struggling to get approved for business financing:

Being a small business owner you're constantly juggling a multitude of tasks: attracting customers, managing employees, overseeing operations, and, crucially, keeping a close eye on your finances.

In the daily hustle, it's easy to get caught up in immediate concerns and lose sight of the overall financial health of your business.

This is where the Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) becomes an invaluable tool. While it might sound like complex financial jargon, the DSCR is, at its core, a straightforward way to assess whether your business is generating sufficient income to comfortably meet its debt obligations.

It's a key indicator that can help you steer your business toward stability and growth.

As a small business owner, securing funding is often crucial for growth and sustainability.

Whether you're seeking a loan, line of credit, or other financial products, lenders will assess your creditworthiness.

It's important to understand that business credit scores are distinct from personal credit scores.

Various business credit score models provide business lenders and suppliers with insights into a company’s financial reliability through historic and predictive analysis.

Here's a breakdown of the key business credit score reporting agencies FICO Small Business Scoring System (SBSS), Dun & Bradstreet Paydex, Experian, Equifax and Transunion…

Imagine your business is like a car. You need fuel to keep it running, right?

In the business world, that fuel is cash.

Negative cash flow is like running on fumes – it means more money is flowing OUT of your business than is coming IN.

If you don't address this, eventually, your business will come to a screeching halt.

While this can be a worrying situation, it's more common than you might think, and it's definitely fixable.

Let's explore what negative cash flow is, why it happens, and most importantly, how to get back on the road to financial stability.

For entrepreneurs and small business owners navigating the often-turbulent waters of funding, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) consistently emerges as a beacon of stability and opportunity.

While the landscape of business financing has evolved, the SBA's core mission – to support and empower small businesses – remains unwavering.

Its unique blend of government backing, favorable terms, and comprehensive support services makes it a prime destination for those seeking capital to fuel growth, innovation, and resilience.

Let’s look at why the SBA is the best financing for small businesses, and why many business owners reluctantly shy away from SBA loan applications…