Published on: 13 February 2021
Last Updated on: 26 December 2024
The aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic saw a string of businesses file for bankruptcy. The United States saw many B2B businesses including, FTK Worldwide (Jewellers), Contact Transport (Logistics and Supply), and others opt for the bankruptcy route.
Legal experts are of the opinion that no two bankruptcy cases are the same. They differ in terms of their exposure, risks, legalities, and the court judgment. Even if two companies file for bankruptcy under Chapter 7, their judgments and orders can be different.
In this article, we speak to a leading bankruptcy Birmingham law firm that specializes in these issues. we ask them about some important things businesses and their owners need to keep in mind before filing for bankruptcy.
List of Important Things you need to know before Filing for Bankruptcy
1. Chapters 7 and Chapter 13 are Important for Individuals and Businesses
Legal experts suggest that solopreneur ventures and sole proprietorships that are individual-centric should go for filing bankruptcy under Chapter 7. This puts a stay to debt and credit obligations and allows individuals to even retain control over their property.
Businesses that are well-established should opt for Chapter 11. This helps in keeping the business entity alive and allows for a payment restructuring plan that works to ensure complete repayment over a period of three to five years.
2. Hiring Legal Help is of High Importance
It is important to understand that individuals or businesses looking to file for bankruptcy should always avail of expert legal help. If you are trying to use Google to do all the paperwork, you might get into serious trouble in the near future.
Bankruptcy laws are incredibly complex and technical. In particular, Chapter 7 allows liquidation of debt to take care of financial obligations and absolve the individual from repayment. All collection attempts must stop. Subsequently, a bankruptcy trustee collects non-exempt valuable assets and sells them to pay off debt. The law discharges eligible debts, such as credit card loans, medical bills, and old utility bills. So, you need an experienced bankruptcy attorney to help you fend off the debtors, and work with the courts and the banking institutions. At the end of the day, you do not want criminal proceedings to be initiated by any of the parties.
You can hire an expert in your area, such as a Florida Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer. A bankruptcy lawyer’s job is to help you overcome debt, so they’ll guide you through the process by offering advice or assisting you in filing for bankruptcy protection.
3. Bankruptcy does not mean All Debts go away
If you were under the impression that bankruptcy is going to help you walk away scot-free think again. Legally, the following are some areas where bankruptcy will not be able to help you-
Alimony Payments
Student Loans
Taxes on Luxury Items
Taxes
Child Support Payments
All the above-mentioned areas and payments are not something that the court can give you relief from. If you miss your payments or taxes, new legal cases can be brought up against you in a court of law. The punishment and legal repercussions for the same will be different.
For this reason, it’s a must to talk to an experienced attorney and a personal financial advisor who can help you determine other options for addressing these problems. Social workers and community leaders can also help. The government and private sectors offer programs for citizens needing financial and social support services. They’ll help you get through difficult times, so don’t hesitate to consult them.
4. Your Credit Score will get Affected Post-Bankruptcy
According to leading legal experts, ten years is the period where your credit score will carry the blemish of your bankruptcy declaration. If you are looking to get loans or credit during the period, the same might get very difficult. You need to be prepared to address the credit score.
Some lending companies may offer you a personal loan. But the interest rates are high. You can take the risk to recover gradually from poor credit standing. However, you’ll have to make sure that you pay your loan on time.
Fortunately, there are some professional services that have come up in recent years that can help you improve your credit score within a short period of time. If you want to get back in the game, you can always avail of such services.
5. Bankruptcy can help you give Yourself a Fresh Start in Life and Business-
It can be stated that most businesses that suffered because of the pandemic did so for no fault of their own. In such instances, legal experts suggest that bankruptcy can be a sound tactical and strategic decision that can be taken by businesses and individuals.
Banks, lending institutions, and even the judges that will be hearing the case are already aware of the drastic and negative economic fallouts of the pandemic. In fact, there have been cases, where the banks have discussed with lenders and worked out a positive restructuring plan to help individuals and businesses affected by the pandemic.
The Bottom Line
Filing for bankruptcy can probably the single hardest decision you would have to take in your entire life. However, rather than make the decision an emotional one, it is best to exercise reason and proper judgment and take help from an experienced legal attorney to find your way.
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The traders invest money in making good profits in business. People hope for good returns to become rich in the Forex market.
But maximizing the probability of profits cannot be done within a short time. The investors apply different types of techniques for increasing the chance of making money.
By developing sound knowledge about the field, a person will be able to get good returns from the market. There are several types of techniques for maximizing profits. These are being discussed here.
Check the Broker
The traders must select the right broker to continue the transaction process. A trading platform is very important for the buying-selling process, and the broker provides this platform.
So, when a person chooses a platform, he or she needs to make sure that the trading platform works better and suits him or her properly.
The broker charges a fee for their services. The business should choose a broker who prefers a fixed spread. This will help the investor to reduce the costs. You should focus on the facilities provided by the broker.
Follow the Plan Properly
When an investor can control the risk, they will get good rewards. For this, people must execute the roadmap properly so they can stay on the right track to accomplish the goal.
A person must generate a proper plan and should be back testing this so that they can identify the plan's workability.
Considering the different phases of the Forex market, traders need to develop a plan and change some necessary things to adjust to the situation.
People should develop a sense of discipline that will help them apply the strategies accurately. However, those who are involved in bond trading must choose a high-end broker like Saxo. Usually, bond traders trade with a big sum of money. So, investing a big sum of money with an unregulated broker is a very risky approach.
Limit the Currency Pairs
Sometimes, people try to trade the different currency pairs to see which provides more profit.
But trading several types of pairs can force the investors to switch from one price pattern to another price pattern.
Therefore, the businessmen can miss the condemning period of the business field. So, to avoid the losses, a person tries to limit the pairs as one pair influences another pair.
Limit the Leverage
Investors should take leverage based on their account balance. Taking excessive leverage can create a problem for them. This can wipe out their account balance and can destroy the traders’ trading careers.
Many brokers offer moderate leverage, which helps maintain a balance between cost and assets. People take excessive leverage to make more trade and more profits. But the person needs to take the leverage that can control the risk and help to get good rewards.
Maintain the Risk-Reward Ratio
The risk-to-reward ratio refers to the proportion between the stop-loss order and the take-profit order.
To get good results, a person should use these orders accurately. If people cannot spend lots of time in front of the screen, they can secure their current position by setting the stop-loss.
An investor should identify how much loss he or she can tackle in place of making good profits. Some businessmen tend to take high risks; some tend to take low risks.
This depends on the income and the choice of the businessmen. So, you must decide your own preferences.
Every person wants to become rich in the Forex market to improve their daily lifestyle. But people must work hard to secure their deposit and increase the account money to do the trade for a long time.
Stick to your Trading Hours
Spending all day in front of the screen can lead to burnout and bad decision-making. Especially if you are new, and already on edge with insecurity regarding your decisions.
Instead, create your trading schedule based on your strategy and the currency pairs you are trading.
Usually, taking trades during peak market hours when there is more participation generates better opportunities.
And once that’s done, stick to it! Taking random trades at odd hours will mostly lead to impulsive decisions, costing you money.
Control Your Emotions
Even the best strategy won’t help you if emotions interfere. Fear and greed are known to be the biggest pitfalls for traders.
You should structure your trading by automating a part of it to avoid emotions. For example, you can use automatic stop-loss and take-profit orders so that you don't get taken into deciding under pressure in a volatile market.
Before you begin a trading session, assess your state of mind.
Are you feeling stressed or preoccupied?
Such emotions may impair your judgment. Regular intervals and mindfulness exercises will help you keep your trading instincts intact.
Final Note
Trading is a journey that can last you for a lifetime. Plus, act as a passive source of income when you are monterily in your roaring 20s.
It's not a very popular opinion, but calculated trading can also help you become more responsible with your income. It gives you a fair idea of where you shouldn’t spend your money, and what is the ‘right place’ to invest.
While the idea of ‘buying low and selling high’ might sound exciting, you should also be aware of the reality.
Profitable trading is more difficult than just buying stocks when the price goes down or selling when the price goes up.
A currency trader needs to have a big-picture understanding of the economies of the various countries and their interconnectedness. Especially how their business and inflation rate would affect the company you are currently interested in investing in.
Consistency is the name of the game. Test your strategy under different market conditions and tweak it if necessary. In time, you will be able to yield comfortable growth on your trading account.
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In order to easily increase your cash flow in your business, there are some proven methods you can use. Although there is no "magic bullet" that guarantees success, it's possible to use these tips to improve your cash flow and make it more manageable.
In this post, we'll talk about 8 of the best ways you can increase your cash flow in your business by looking at, The importance of stable cash flow, Identifying sources of revenue, and where they come from. We'll also talk about how often you should look for new sources of income and what factors play into that decision.
Cash flow is a very important aspect of running a business. You'll need to know how much money you have at any given time and what bills you need to pay in order to keep your company afloat.
If you're in the midst of preparing payroll, trying to buy some inventory, or simply trying to maintain your office building, it can be difficult if there isn't enough money coming in by the end of the day.
Checkout Eight Prime Tips To Increase Your Cash Flow In Your Business:
Here are a few tips to increase your cash flow in your business.
1. Review your pricing strategy:
If you're selling a product or service, you're going to need to know what the market will bear. Look at your competitors and see what they're doing and how much they charge for their products.
You can also look at other businesses that offer similar products or services and see how they price those items. It's critical to periodically review your pricing strategy in order to ensure that you're making enough money off of each transaction in order to keep it profitable, but also not being too greedy so you scare away potential customers.
2. Involve cryptocurrencies in payment:
You can use cryptocurrencies to accept payments for products and services. For example, you may want to sell your book on Amazon and accept payment in bitcoin. You can also accept payment in another cryptocurrency so long as the customer has a way to convert that currency into bitcoin.
Having different payment options available makes it easier for customers to pay you, so make sure you take advantage of digital currencies if you're still accepting only fiat currency.
You can use bitcoin as a payment gateway for your business and lots of companies are already doing so. Visit bitcoin code for more information.
3. Improve your collection process:
It's important to know how much money you owe your vendors in order to make sure they know their payments are due. You can do that through a variety of methods, from negotiating payment terms to referring your customers directly to your creditors.
You can also look for new ways to get paid by offers or discounts for prompt payments. In order to improve your collection process, look at what is working and what isn't.
4. Cut costs:
You can always find a way to cut costs, especially if you're in the middle of a cash crunch. If you need to conserve cash, try cutting back on the costs that aren't necessary.
Start by eliminating non-essential personnel or outsourcing those positions to save money. You can also decrease your rent and your utility bills by looking for cheaper sources for these services as well.
5. Increase your inventory turnover:
Inventory turnover is a mathematical formula that shows how often you have to buy and sell inventory in order to make a profit. You probably already do some maths when you're selling the product or service, but if you're doing it manually, it's a good idea to run the numbers again and see if they're convenient and profitable for your business.
If you're not turning your inventory over at a satisfactory rate, try to discover why and see if there's something you can change to improve that number and make more money.
6. Get creative with financing:
There are many different ways to finance a business. Many of the financing options you have will depend on your credit score and where you're applying.
For example, applying for a loan at a bank is probably one of the more difficult forms of financing because it's extremely competitive. You may want to try smaller banks that keep less debt or seek out alternative options like peer-to-peer lending or crowdfunding campaigns on sites like Kickstarter.
7. Manage your tax liabilities:
It's important to know what you owe the IRS and what your tax liabilities are. If you miss a bill or if something in your business changed that affected your tax liability in some way, it's important to review your documents to see if there are any errors.
You can also run a financial audit by yourself or hire an accountant to check for problem areas that may lead to increased taxes.
8. Review your insurance coverage:
It's important to review your insurance coverage and see if you need more of it. For example, there may be a gap between what you have now and what your policy covers.
There are a lot of people that don't understand why they have insurance, but it's crucial to have a policy in place to protect your assets. If you're not sure whether you need more insurance, contact the provider and ask them what you should do.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, it's very important to have a good cash flow, especially if you're looking to expand your business. In order to increase your cash flow, you need to identify where all of the money is going and where it needs to go so that you can make sure everything is covered.
You'll also need to keep track of how much money you owe in different areas of your business so that you know when you're falling behind.
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The traditional investment model is a flawed system, an old dinosaur that needs to evolve.
It’s time we reevaluate the conventional wisdom surrounding investments, which is overly fixated on businesses that are already successful and tragically shortsighted when it comes to companies teetering on the edge of growth.
In traditional investing, there’s an unspoken rule: the golden ticket to getting funding isn’t innovation or potential but a proven track record of making at least $10 million. This is a narrow-minded approach that does nothing more than stifle the very heart of our economy—small businesses.
Introducing sweat equity
Eight-figure entrepreneur, growth mentor, and innovative investor Tamara Loehr (www.tamaraloehr.com) bring a breath of fresh air to the world of investing. She’s not your usual investor who waits for businesses to reach millions before swooping in.
Instead, she actively seeks out businesses with potential and partners with them by investing her expertise and services to help them achieve growth and significant returns.
She calls this sweat equity investment, a unique model that’s a game-changer for businesses. Tamara doesn’t merely provide financial backup; she rolls up her sleeves and brings a wealth of expertise, strategic vision, and creative solutions to the table.
It’s a holistic approach that not only increases the likelihood of success for the businesses she invests in but also amplifies the potential returns for both the entrepreneur and herself.
By focusing on small businesses and collaborating with them closely, Tamara is paving the way for a new era of investing that champions small businesses and fosters a more inclusive and dynamic business landscape.
What is sweat equity?
Sweat equity is a unique investment model where investors exchange their expertise, resources, and time for equity in a business. Tamara came up with this innovative approach to investing after seeing how traditional methods often left entrepreneurs struggling to repay loans or lose equity in their businesses.
In this model, instead of investing cash, investors offer services to companies in exchange for a stake in their business. It's a win-win situation for both parties, as businesses receive the much-needed resources to grow, while investors gain a stake in a growing business.
Why sweat equity works
Sweat equity investment offers a unique and innovative approach to investing that can provide a range of benefits for both investors and entrepreneurs. If you're a creative investor looking to explore new investment opportunities, sweat equity investment is worth considering.
Entrepreneurial access to expertise
One of the key advantages of the sweat equity investment model is the access to expertise it provides to entrepreneurs. Founders have a strong vision and passion for their business but may lack skills or experience in areas such as finance, marketing, or operations. By partnering with a sweat equity investor with expertise in these areas, businesses can leverage this knowledge and experience so they can succeed faster.
Sweat equity investors like Tamara are experienced business owners who have a track record of building and scaling successful companies. They are looking for new investment opportunities that align with their expertise and interests and are willing to offer their skills in exchange for equity. This type of partnership allows entrepreneurs to access the expertise they may not be able to afford to hire on their own.
Entrepreneurs also gain access to an investor’s connections. These investors often have a vast network of contacts that can be beneficial to the business, including suppliers, customers, and other professionals in the industry.
Sweat equity investors also have a vested interest in the success of their investments. They are not just passive investors but active partners who are invested in helping their partners achieve their goals. This means that they are likely to be more involved in the day-to-day operations of the business, offering guidance and advice as needed.
Capital conservation
Instead of pouring all their capital into hiring consultants or buying equipment, businesses exchange equity for the expertise and resources they need. This approach can be particularly useful for startups and small businesses that may have limited financial resources.
When entrepreneurs team up with sweat equity investors, they’re essentially receiving support and guidance in exchange for equity. By doing so, they’re preserving capital and freeing up funds that can be reinvested in other areas of their business. This can be a game-changer, especially in the early stages of the business when cash flow is often a major challenge.
The value of sweat equity extends far beyond the immediate financial gain. Entrepreneurs gain access to experts who are invested in the success of their business and who can help build and grow the company over time. By leveraging sweat equity, they’re setting themselves up for long-term success and sustainability.
Risk mitigation
When it comes to investing, risk is always a factor to consider. However, the risk can be mitigated with sweat equity investments. Investors and entrepreneurs share the risks of a sweat equity investment, thereby reducing the financial burden of starting, growing, and investing in a business.
This shared-risk approach provides a safety net for entrepreneurs who may not have the financial resources to weather unexpected expenses or a downturn in the business.
And because the investor is a partner and has a vested interest in the success of the business, they are more willing to provide support during difficult times.
Overall, the risk-sharing associated with the sweat equity model can help entrepreneurs avoid bankruptcy or failure and increase their chances of success.
Long-term commitment
One of the most compelling reasons for exploring sweat equity investment is the long-term commitment it demands from both the entrepreneur and the investor.
In a traditional investment model, investors are primarily focused on achieving financial returns and may not have a vested interest in the long-term success of the business.
With sweat equity investment, both parties have a shared interest in the success of the business. The investor is contributing not just financial resources, but also expertise and guidance, which makes them invested in the company's future. This commitment from the investor can provide stability and security for the entrepreneur, who has a partner who is as committed to the business's success as they are.
This shared commitment also means that both parties are willing to work together through challenges and changes, adapting and evolving as needed. In essence, sweat equity investment creates a partnership based on a mutual commitment to the business's long-term success.
This long-term commitment is especially valuable for creative investors who are looking to invest in innovative, high-potential businesses. They have the opportunity to be part of something they believe in and help guide the company toward its full potential.
Credibility booster
Sweat equity investment is not just a way to conserve capital or mitigate risk, but also a chance to enhance an entrepreneur’s credibility. Customers and investors are more likely to do business with a company that has an experienced partner behind it.
This type of partnership can lead to a reputation boost that ultimately results in more opportunities for growth and expansion.
Aligned goals
With sweat equity, the investor becomes a stakeholder in the business and has a personal interest in seeing it succeed. This shared interest ensures that both parties are working towards the same objectives and helps create a more collaborative and supportive relationship.
When investors are only focused on financial returns, there can often be a misalignment of priorities with the entrepreneur. This misalignment can lead to conflict, mistrust, and a breakdown in the working relationship. With sweat equity, however, both parties have a vested interest in the success of the business. This shared interest can foster a strong sense of trust and cooperation between the two parties.
Also, when the investor is invested in the long-term success of the business, they are more likely to stick around and provide ongoing support and guidance to the entrepreneur. This can help the entrepreneur navigate the challenges of growing a business and accelerate the path to success.
Value-added mentorship
One of the key benefits of the sweat equity investment model is the personalized mentorship that investors inevitably provide to entrepreneurs.
For many entrepreneurs, starting a business can be overwhelming, and they may lack the necessary experience in certain areas of the business. This is where mentoring by a sweat equity investor becomes crucial. With their guidance and support, the entrepreneur can avoid costly mistakes and take the right steps to grow their business.
The mentorship also provides entrepreneurs with an outside perspective and a fresh set of eyes. This can help identify areas of improvement and opportunities for growth that may have gone unnoticed. Through regular communication, investors can hold entrepreneurs accountable and help them stay on track with their goals.
Ultimately, mentoring is a win-win situation for both parties. The entrepreneur gains valuable insights and guidance, while the investor can contribute to the growth and success of the business. With the right mentorship, entrepreneurs can take their businesses to the next level and achieve long-term success.
Takeaway
Sweat equity is a game-changing investment model that provides a host of benefits to both investors and entrepreneurs.
Tamara’s approach, which focuses on creating a long-term relationship between the investor and the entrepreneur, allows for a unique level of collaboration and expertise-sharing that traditional investment models cannot provide.
Not only does sweat equity offer a way for entrepreneurs to conserve capital and mitigate risk, but it also leads to an alignment of goals between business and investor.
As an investor, it's essential to explore this innovative approach to investing and consider incorporating it into your investment strategy. By doing so, you’re not only investing in a business but in the potential growth and success of the entrepreneur themselves.
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It is important to understand that individuals or businesses looking to file for bankruptcy should always avail of expert legal help. If you are trying to use Google to do all the paperwork, you might get into serious trouble in the near future.
Bankruptcy laws are incredibly complex and technical. In particular, Chapter 7 allows liquidation of debt to take care of financial obligations and absolve the individual from repayment. All collection attempts must stop. Subsequently, a bankruptcy trustee collects non-exempt valuable assets and sells them to pay off debt. The law discharges eligible debts, such as credit card loans, medical bills, and old utility bills. So, you need an experienced bankruptcy attorney to help you fend off the debtors, and work with the courts and the banking institutions. At the end of the day, you do not want criminal proceedings to be initiated by any of the parties.
You can hire an expert in your area, such as a Florida Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer. A bankruptcy lawyer’s job is to help you overcome debt, so they’ll guide you through the process by offering advice or assisting you in filing for bankruptcy protection.
If you were under the impression that bankruptcy is going to help you walk away scot-free think again. Legally, the following are some areas where bankruptcy will not be able to help you-
According to leading legal experts, ten years is the period where your credit score will carry the blemish of your bankruptcy declaration. If you are looking to get loans or credit during the period, the same might get very difficult. You need to be prepared to address the credit score.
Some lending companies may offer you a personal loan. But the interest rates are high. You can take the risk to recover gradually from poor credit standing. However, you’ll have to make sure that you pay your loan on time.
Fortunately, there are some professional services that have come up in recent years that can help you improve your credit score within a short period of time. If you want to get back in the game, you can always avail of such services.
