The phrase Starting Strength" (SS) has two distinct meanings. This will gain you lifetime customers and loyal employees, as well as partners, vendors and service providers who are more willing to go the extra mile for you when you need them to. Being a good person matters , and gratitude is one of the best ways to do so.

Kiva, PayPal Working Capital, Square Capital, Stripe Capital, and Forward Financing (all reviewed above) offer funding to business owners time saving tips for small business owners with a 500 credit score'"assuming, of course, that you meet other loan application criteria, like minimum revenue or time in business.

But sometimes, business owners will go too far in the opposite direction, spending so much time running their business, working on their business, and investing profits back into their business that they end up not paying enough attention to their personal finances.

Especially if you're a solo business owner, you can lose touch with other business owners," says Kelly, who 15 years ago started The Handwork Studio, a Narberth, Pennsylvania-based company that runs needlework camps and classes for kids in 10 states along the East Coast.

Studies conducted by the Small Firms Economic Development Initiative found that 70 percent of small businesses that receive mentorship from experienced business owners survive their first five years, compared to 35 percent of small businesses that aren't advised by an industry mentor.