Small Business Encyclopedia
Category: Startup Financing
401(k)
Definition: A retirement plan for employees that allows them to put part oftheir pre-tax salary in an account. The funds may not be withdrawnuntil employees retire without paying a penalty.
7(a) Loan Guaranty Program
Definition: The most basic and most popular of the SBA's loan programs. Its
name comes from section 7(a) of the Small Business Act, which
authorizes the agency to provide business loans to American small
businesses.
Compound Interest
Definition: Interest computed on the sum of the principle and the accrued
interest
Equipment Leasing
Definition: Obtaining the use of machinery, vehicles or other equipment on a
rental basis. This avoids the need to invest capital in equipment.
Ownership rests in the hands of the financial institution or
leasing company, while the business has the actual use of it.
LowDoc
Definition: A special SBA 7(a) loan promising quick processing for amounts less
than $150,000
Trade Credit
Definition: An arrangement to buy goods or services on account, that is,
without making immediate cash payment
Short-Term Loans
Definition: A loan scheduled to be repaid in less than a year
All Categories
Free Business Tools
Forms
Download and customize these free forms:
Partnership Agreement
Cashflow Worksheet
Employment Application
Checklists
Keep track of critical business tasks:
Equipment Leasing Checklist
SBA Loan Checklist
Idea Evaluation Checklist
Latest Articles
Partnerships
What the Legal Battle of 2 Art World Giants Teaches About Partnerships
Ulay and Marina Abramovic had already dissolved their partnership in life. After a court battle, they dissolved their partnership in business, too.
Entrepreneurs
This French Foodie Sensation Is Coming to the States
In France, he's a celebrity. In America, he's nobody.
Celebrity Endorsement ![Matthew Wilson]()
The FTC Is Skeptical When Celebrities Are Paid to Like Your Product
The Federal Trade Commission has launched investigations into a number of big-name brands it says have bent the rules governing paid celebrity endorsements.
Ready To Launch
Do This After Mastering the Basics of Your Industry
Before getting ahead of yourself, make sure that you excel at the simple stuff.
Marketing Bootcamp
4 Rules For Converting Leads into Sales
In all this war of marketing, the only way to survive is by optimizing your leads and maximizing the profit out of them.
Radicals & Visionaries ![Andre Bourque]()
25 Inspiring Entrepreneurs Under 40 Who Are Creating the Next Big Thing
We will never run out of innovators because we will never run out of problems to solve or solutions that can be improved.
Marijuana ![Kim Lachance Shandrow]()
Exclusive: 5 'Shark Tank' Stars Weigh in on the Marijuana Boom
Even Mr. Wonderful is high on the blazing cannabis biz, and he wants in. So does Barbara Corcoran.
Business Optimization ![Lewis Schiff]()
The 1 Habit That Will Change Your Life
Plus the four steps to make your habit work for you.
Virtual Reality
How VR Will Change the Way We Work
It's highly possible that VR integration will drastically alter the way you do your job.
Business Travel ![John Boitnott]()
6 Ways to Convince Your Boss That Traveling is Important
Love to travel? Remind your supervisor that the potential ROI from the trip is greater than the trip's cost.
Marketing Bootcamp ![Steve Young]()
5 Simple, Low-Budget Growth Hacks to Increase App Downloads
User acquisition doesn't have to be complicated or expensive.
Leadership ![Dov Baron]()
10 Signs That You Suck As a Leader
Your staff won't tell you that you're terrible. You'll just have to figure it out yourself.
Smart Goals ![Phil La Duke]()
6 Tips for Goal-Setting That, Trust Me, They Don't Teach You in College
Your goals will not achieve themselves and will regrettably require your vigorous participation.
Networking ![Jacqueline Whitmore]()
7 Conversation Starters for Your Next Event
Networking can be intimidating, unless you know what to say.
Funding ![Patrick Henry]()
10 Signs Your Startup Won't Get Funded
Are investors giving you the cold shoulder? There may be good reasons for that.
More Articles
About Encyclopedia
No matter what business topic you're interested in, you'll find our category list is an easy way to navigate our small-business encyclopedia. From Accounting and Advertising to Location and Operations, every topic offers information on the terms that matter most. And if you can't find what you need here, our "Terms A - Z" list makes tracking down terms a snap.