

How To Finance Your Dream Business Without Complicated Investment Or Stress
Turning that business idea into a reality can seem overwhelming, especially when you sit and think about all the money it might take to get things going. But sis, get out of your own head when it comes to business funding. If you have a viable idea or you've been running a side hustle that you'd like to take the next level, the best thing to do is actually get strategic, write down solutions, and act.
We've got you covered to get started. Here are a few ways to finance your business without too much overcomplicated hassle or stress:
1. Get an investor.
The venture capital process can seem a bit intense, and it does involve a lot of moving parts, but that's not the only way to get an investor. Your initial investor could literally be a mentor, former boss, friend, or family member. Sometimes it's just simply someone believing in you and loaning (or even donating) a couple hundred dollars to get your business launched (especially those that are online-based) or a couple thousand as an investor expecting a return within a certain amount of time.
You can also try crowdfunding, where, sometimes, donors are investors in the startup of your business. You'll need to research platforms like Kickstarter or Fundable, for example, to find out which one is right for your funding goals, which would be a good fit for the type of business you're starting, which one has the right site capabilities and the rules or guidelines you have to follow for each. You'll also need to, in some cases, create content, use storytelling, market yourself and your skills, or provide incentives for people to invest in order to successfully reach fundraising goals. (You can find more information on setting up a crowdfunding campaign here and here.)
Think outside the box on this because when it comes to getting startup funds, you really have to be strategic, set a plan, and pace yourself. You'll also need to be clear on what you're offering and to whom.
You also have to be okay with hearing the word no and fine-tune your sales skills in order to get people to buy into your idea. If you're not quite the salesperson or public speaker, partner up with or hire someone who is. Maybe your startup dream includes a co-founder or partner who has the gift of gab, knows marketing, and likes the hustle of pitching a business. A coach or experienced professional can also help you with this. Organizations like Score and the Small Business Administration (SBA) also offer virtual events or seminars that include how-tos in this regard.
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2. Apply for grants.
As cliche as it sounds, there is, indeed, lots of free money out there, especially for women and women of color who have solid business goals and tenacity and actually want to do the work toward building or expanding a business.
For some grants, you'll need to follow protocols, submit paperwork, and do your due diligence in terms of what's required of you once you are awarded the funds. For others, it's simply an application and an award. Period. Either way, free money is worth the effort, and taking the time to apply for a multitude of small grants or a couple of big ones is well worth it.
(You can find a great list of grants for women entrepreneurs here and here, and be sure to keep searching because, again, there are many options if you consistently search and apply.)
3. If it's a side hustle, actually funnel your profits back into expanding the business to become profitable enough for you to quit your job.
If you're looking to quit your job in order to turn your side hustle into a full-time business, be deliberate about funneling the profits from that side business back into it so that it can grow. Avoid the temptation to use that money for things like vacations, a larger home or apartment, or shopping sprees.
Create a budget where you can track how you're using the profits and where you can re-invest in terms of tech products, automation tools, interns, team members, or a larger space to serve more customers so that you can see real results.
4. Use some of your 9-to-5 earnings for funding.
While you're working, create an exit plan (whether is one for the next year, five years, or even 10 years) where you are not only thinking about when you'll have enough money to launch the business (and possibly quit or lessen your hours or responsibilities) but you'll have enough of a cushion to sustain any emergency or other costs or fees associated with launching your business.
You can set aside the money today via savings, investment, or another account so that when you're ready to lease that space, build out that prototype, pay for that website launch and hosting, or hire a team, you have the funds to do so.
If you're a creative, try something like Patreon. While this is not a fundraising platform (I reiterate, it is not), you can use the funds from your followers or supporters to save up for your business or to launch a business that is an extension of what you already do in your day job as a creative.
You might have to sacrifice a few luxuries depending on your timeline, but be sure you're adjusting your plan according to your current lifestyle, responsibilities, spending habits, and other factors so that you can be realistic in your approach to this. Do your research on the overhead and launch costs of your business (here's a good resource) so that you can at least have an idea of how much money you might need at the onset.
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5. Enter a pitch competition.
Many pitch competitions offer thousands of dollars to winners, as well as other resources. Typically you'd have to enter and then go through rounds of basically selling the idea and feasibility of your business to a panel of judges. The qualifications to enter might vary but oftentimes many startups have gotten the financial leg-up they needed to really take their dream businesses to the next level.
And don't just stop at one. Maybe $5,000 isn't enough and you need more. Well, enter more competitions and try your hand at adding to those funds. (You can find more about pitch competition resources here and here.)
As with applying for grants, be diligent, patient, and deliberate in your search, write a list and put them on your calendar---or even create a spreadsheet or Google doc---and take the time to find opportunities both for small and large amounts. Schedule the time to search, get to know the qualifications, find out more about how past winners were successful, and get a coach if you need to.
6. Apply for accelerator or mentorship programs.
The great thing about these programs is that, on top of funding, you get the support and networking you need to really succeed at fully launching your business. While some require applicants to already have been in business for a while, some do not, so get out there and again, do your research. From large companies like Amazon to nonprofits like the Black Owned Media Equity And Sustainability Institute, there are options out there for you to not only get the money you need but the actual mentorship and support.
If you think you don't quite meet the requirements of some of these accelerator or mentorship programs, find out how you can qualify and work toward being qualified so that you can really get in the game and become a success.
(Find out more on accelerator and mentorship programs here and here.)
7. Get a bank loan or use credit.
I listed this one last because I'm not a huge fan of this---as I'm more of a bootstraps-DIY kind of girl when it comes to my approach to launching anything---especially if you've never launched a business before, but if you qualify, you're comfortable with managing your own personal finances well, and you have the resources, go to your local credit union or other bank and apply for a business loan. This can be a great boost for you to get your business off the ground. You can also use funds from a personal loan from a bank you already have a relationship with and apply those funds to start your business.
Don't be afraid of exploring all funding options if you truly want to make your business dream a reality. It takes deliberate effort, confidence in your path and idea, and a willingness to be strategic and relentless in your pursuit.
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Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Russell and Nina Westbrook Dish On The Key Ways To Avoid Resentment In Relationships
Russell and Nina Westbrook are one of those low-key, unproblematic couples we don’t talk about enough. They met in college and got married in 2015. They also have a beautiful family with three kids. While Russell is an NBA star, Nina is a licensed family and marriage therapist and a mental health advocate.
She recently launched the podcast The Relationship Chronicles with Nina Westbrook, and in the latest episode, she had none other than her husband on as a guest. The college sweethearts dived into important topics from marriage to children and how they navigate it all.
One of the topics they touched on was dealing with resentment in your relationship. The former MVP highlighted the sacrifices his wife has had to make in order for him to pursue a career in the NBA, and that’s why it’s also important for him to support his wife whenever he can.
“For me is respecting and understanding what your partner do and the time it takes,” Russell said. “Not kind of downplaying what they do, understanding the time and energy and effort they're doing to make sure whether it’s their job or making sure home is taken care of, and understanding that, I think that is the challenge of not being resentful.”
Nina agreed and also shared her thoughts on resentment. According to her, one of the best things couples should do is have their own identity and passions outside of the relationship in an effort to be fulfilled.
“I also think that when you’re in a relationship, that’s why it’s so important that each individual kinda pursue their own passions and follow their own dreams as I feel like it only becomes or leads to resentment when one person is not feeling fulfilled in what they're doing in their lives,” she explained.
“And so, they will start to look at the other partner who’s happy or excelling or promoting or moving along in their journey, then they’re left feeling stuck like they sacrificed themselves, their happiness, their career, their future and have not pursued it in the name of the relationship or their partner. So, it’s so much easier to avoid those feelings of resentment when you’re each equally pursuing your passions.”
The couple has many passions that they work on together and separately. Outside of basketball and his family, Russell has become known for his eclectic style and started the fashion brand Honor The Gift. Nina has her podcast, and she also started the mental health website Bene. Together, they run the Why Not? Foundation, which works with kids in underserved communities.
“I’m a firm believer that one person can’t be everything to you, so you have to sort of seek out those different friendships or groups or hobbies or activities that help to fulfill you,” Nina concluded.
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Feature image by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Religion of Sports