David Brown

Here’s How to Make Debt Work for You, Not Against You

These are the three main factors to consider when taking on debt.

Published

4 years ago

February 17, 2020

David Brown Instore March 2020 Issue

DEBT IS OFTEN a part of business that can’t be avoided. When used wisely, it can be a catalyst for business growth. When used unwisely, it can be the undoing of a business. How you use it can make or break your store’s performance, yet many business owners fail to understand debt fully and the impact, both positive and negative, that it might have.

There are a number of factors you should consider when deciding to leverage your business. Here are five important things to consider.

Invest in Assets That Increase or Provide Positive Cash Flow

Debt comes at a cost, and that cost needs to be offset by a source of income. If you invest your loans in assets that can either increase in value or provide income in excess of the servicing costs, then you are ensuring your debt is a positive generator for your business.

Separate Business from Personal

Using business debt for private purposes can lead to long-term cash flow issues. This is a continuation from point one. If you load the business with debt to fund a holiday home, then you need to ensure other parts of the business are strong enough to meet the extra cost, as the asset itself will not be providing cash flow (unless you choose to rent it out).

Don’t Overextend

Deciding to take on debt is the first question, deciding how much to take on is just as crucial. Assess the risks of your investment losing money, the equipment you buy dropping in value, or that the income from your investment won’t create enough cash flow to meet the debt obligations. Your income returns can be uncertain; your debt obligations are often set in concrete.

Structure Correctly

How you set up your debt can affect the long-term cost, not only in terms of what you may have to pay back, but whether you can enjoy a tax benefit from the IRS. It’s important to get good advice before organizing your loan.

Consider the Security Offered

Banks will always seek as much security as they can. In a perfect banking world, they will want everything you own to underwrite the loan, including your firstborn! You need to be comfortable with what you will give and how forfeiting security will affect future decisions, including getting additional funding later.

When There’s No Succession Plan, Call Wilkerson

Bob Wesley, owner of Robert C. Wesley Jewelers in Scottsdale, Ariz., was a third-generation jeweler. When it was time to enjoy life on the other side of the counter, he weighed his options. His lease was nearing renewal time and with no succession plan, he decided it was time to call Wilkerson. There was plenty of inventory to sell and at first, says Wesley, he thought he might try to manage a sale himself. But he’s glad he didn’t. “There’s no way I could have done this as well as Wilkerson,” he says. Wilkerson took responsibility for the entire event, with every detail — from advertising to accounting — done, dusted and managed by the Wilkerson team. “It’s the complete package,” he says of the Wilkerson method of helping jewelers to easily go on to the next phase of their lives. “There’s no way any retailer can duplicate what they’ve done.”