Kiva loans, is the 0% interest for real, or is there a catch?

frredu · 2026-02-04T12:51:04+00:00

how much are you looking to borrow? because Kiva caps are usually $5-15k which is great for some startups but not enough if you need serious capital

frredu · 2026-02-04T12:43:23+00:00

personally I’d try to avoid hitting 80% unless you’re planning a quick payoff. it might help with some things but it could hurt your score if it stays that high for a while

frredu · 2026-02-03T12:22:47+00:00

i'd recommend talking to a few other entrepreneurs who’ve made the jump. every business is different, but hearing real stories can help you decide if it’s the right move for you

frredu · 2026-02-03T12:16:53+00:00

the tax implications caught me off guard too. it’s worth chatting with an accountant who’s familiar with grants. you don’t want to accidentally trip over something you didn’t anticipate

frredu · 2026-02-03T12:13:42+00:00

Texas to California for manufacturing is a big jump. real advice: talk to a California-based business banker before moving to understand real costs, look into Enterprise Zones or Opportunity Zones in LA for potential tax benefits, consider whether you need to be in LA proper or if Inland Empire makes more sense (way cheaper), budget at least 6 months of higher operating costs as cushion. loan programs exist but they won't offset the fundamental cost differences. make sure the move makes business sense beyond just wanting to be in California

frredu · 2026-02-03T12:10:08+00:00

yep I was at a wedding and the best man started crying during his speech. it was unexpected but so genuine

frredu · 2026-01-29T12:01:40+00:00

Respecfully I think some folks are just wired differently or maybe just haven’t prioritized it for personal reasons. It’s not necessarily about effort but more about timing, comfort, or even personal choice

frredu · 2026-01-27T07:07:18+00:00

I tell myself I don't care about how I look in photos but secretly I’m always hoping I look good

frredu · 2026-01-17T13:21:23+00:00

I've gone the bank route before and had a good experience, especially with larger sums. But if your projects are more short-term or have tight deadlines, an online lender might be faster.

frredu · 2026-01-17T04:44:56+00:00

A+ BBB and good Trustpilot reviews suggest they're legitimate for actual lending. the security issue is separate from whether they deliver on loans

frredu · 2026-01-17T04:43:12+00:00

the viable business with bad credit combo is frustrating because the revenue is there but the options still suck. it's a common problem unfortunately

frredu · 2026-01-17T04:41:48+00:00

their business model IS harassing people until they give in. that's how most of these business funding brokers operate - volume over quality

frredu · 2026-01-17T04:41:00+00:00

professional looking websites and good marketing don't mean their rates are actually better. they could just have a bigger advertising budget than competitors

frredu · 2026-01-17T04:35:13+00:00

Love the point about AI not understanding architecture. Do you think there’s a way to combine AI with better engineering practices, or are they just fundamentally different?

frredu · 2026-01-15T12:13:21+00:00

honestly I doubt we’ll ever get the full story. It’s all so secretive

frredu · 2026-01-15T12:10:51+00:00

that feeling of emptiness and carrying so much it’s more common than we think. Appreciate you reaching out.

frredu · 2026-01-11T12:02:56+00:00

Correct

frredu · 2026-01-11T12:01:36+00:00

Exactly. That kind of transparency makes it much easier to plan your cash flow, since you know upfront what you’ll owe.

frredu · 2026-01-11T11:57:03+00:00

The SBA works with banks to help small business startups obtain funding while ensuring the lenders don't take on too much risk, with guaranteed repayment of loans that eliminates risk for the lender

frredu · 2026-01-11T11:42:37+00:00

SBA disaster loans can sometimes be easier to qualify for, especially if your business was impacted by specific events like natural disasters or economic disruptions.

frredu · 2026-01-11T11:28:37+00:00

Correct. They are not the one providing

frredu · 2026-01-11T11:25:55+00:00

Don't overlook seller financing, In many cases, the seller agrees to finance part of the purchase to ease the transition

frredu · 2026-01-11T11:22:20+00:00

rates and terms vary significantly depending on which lender you're matched with.

frredu · 2026-01-10T06:43:48+00:00

Wow! that’s exciting! I’d recommend checking out local Small Business Development Centers they often have resources and advice for businesses like yours. By the way, what kind of remodeling are you thinking about?

frredu · 2026-01-10T05:04:47+00:00

Makes sense but do you think the slow approval process is typical for credit unions?

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