You've delivered the service. The client is happy. And now you wait 30, 60, sometimes 90 days for payment. Meanwhile, payroll is due, vendor bills stack up and growth opportunities pass by for lack of working capital.

It’s a frustratingly common cycle for service-sector businesses. In fact, a U.S. Bank study found that 82% of small businesses fail due to poor cash flow management (Entrepreneur). For service-based companies like staffing firms, maintenance providers, and consultants, this timing mismatch can mean missed opportunities, delayed hiring, or even trouble making payroll.

At Prairie Business Credit, we understand these challenges. That’s why we offer invoice factoring for service businesses, a flexible way to access the cash you’ve already earned without taking on debt.

Invoice factoring (also referred to as accounts receivable financing) is a form of alternative business funding where you sell your unpaid receivables to a factoring company for immediate cash. Rather than waiting for clients to pay, you receive up to 90% of the invoice value typically within 24–48 hours. Once your customer settles the invoice, the factoring service gives your company the remaining balance of that invoice, minus a small factoring fee.

By outsourcing collections, you also free up internal resources to focus on service delivery and customer relationships.

Many service-based businesses operate on net terms: you deliver the work first, then invoice later. But vendors and employees expect payment on day one. This timing mismatch creates working capital gaps that can quietly stall growth. And rapid expansion only amplifies this strain—new hires, software updates, and equipment leases all require upfront funding, long before client payments arrive.

Delays in receivables can force you to turn down profitable contracts, miss out on early-payment vendor discounts, or scramble to cover payroll. Without a reliable cash flow cushion, even profitable operations can find themselves strapped for cash.

Invoice factoring has become a go-to cash flow solution for many service industries. Key advantages include:​

• Quick Access to Cash: Receive funds within 24–48 hours of invoicing, rather than waiting 30–90 days.
• No Debt Incurred: Since factoring is receivables financing, there’s no new loan on your books and no interest payments.
• Scalable Funding: Your financing capacity grows with your invoicing volume—ideal for businesses scaling rapidly.
• Operational Efficiency: Outsourcing collections to your factor allows your team to focus on delivering high-value  services.
• Support for Critical Expenses: Keep payroll, vendor payments, and growth investments on track, even when clients run on extended payment terms.

Factoring gives service-based businesses a flexible way to turn completed work into immediate working capital, bridging the gap between doing the job and getting paid.

Invoice factoring could be a smart solution if:​

• You’re turning down new work because cash is tied up in receivables
• Clients take 30+ days to pay invoices
• You’re struggling to meet payroll or pay vendors on time
• You want to invest in growth without taking on additional debt

​Factoring isn’t the answer for every situation, but for a majority of service businesses, it provides the consistent cash flow to seize new opportunities and maintain operational flexibility.

With over 30 years of experience financing service-sector businesses, Prairie Business Credit is known for customized, flexible funding options. Our services offer:​

• Fast Onboarding: Seamless integration with your invoicing system to unlock funding quickly.
• Customized Funding Solutions: Programs that scale with your invoicing volume, whether you’re a small consultancy or a large distribution firm.
• Cash Flow Consulting: Ongoing support to help you plan ahead, anticipate funding needs and make the most of your working capital.
• Relationship-Driven Support: A single point of contact committed to your long-term success.

​“The team at Prairie Business Credit are good people; honest, smart and straightforward. They kept our doors open”, said one of our service business clients.
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If your service business is profitable but cash-flow constrained, invoice factoring can serve as the bridge between completed work and accessible funds—powering growth without adding debt. 

Ready to explore if invoice factoring is the right fit? Contact Prairie Business Credit for a free consultation and learn how our accounts receivable financing solutions can keep your business moving forward.

How PO Financing Helps Startups Grow

Cash flow solutions for startups can be hard to obtain. There are several key benefits to using purchase order financing for the growth capital you need:
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• Take on the big order. With PO financing, you can take on those big orders you would otherwise have to pass on. You don’t need upfront capital to do so.
• Avoid taking on debt or selling your business. There is no long-term loan here, and you are not losing equity in your business.
• Build supplier and customer relationships. Being able to meet these needs builds relationships over time. 
• Get orders fulfilled faster. That drives customer retention and improves revenue.
• Flexibility. Compared to traditional, hard-to-get loans, this type of startup financing is flexible and customizable.

Is PO Financing Right for Your Business?

You may not need this if you have available cash flow and no limitations on purchases. However, it could be a good fit for product-based startups with:
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• Limited capital but with a strong sales potential 
• Reliable customers and large pending orders
• Businesses that are ready to take on bigger orders to scale

Ready to Learn More About Cash Flow Solutions for Startups?

PO financing enables a startup to meet short-term cash flow needs to satisfy customers. It eliminates the risk and cost of long-term debt and puts money in your hands when you need it most. It’s a bridge, not a permanent solution, but it is a game changer for most of today’s companies. 

Prairie Business Credit offers flexible, fast purchase order financing tailored to your needs. Contact us today to learn more about PO financing. 

​In the lifecycle of a small business, there are more choices that an owner will have to make than they can remember. So, when an owner decides not to take on a large new revenue opportunity, does it leave a lasting mark? They say luck is when opportunity meets preparation — do you have what it takes to make your own luck?

​These options all have their place, but there are better options if you need access to working capital fast to cover payroll or fulfill a big order.

How to Select the Best Purchase Order Financing Partner for Your Business

Securing purchase order (PO) financing can significantly enhance your business's ability to fulfill large orders and manage cash flow effectively. However, selecting the right PO financing provider is crucial to ensure a beneficial partnership. Here are key factors to consider:

1. Industry Expertise and Reputation

Choose a provider with a proven track record in your specific industry. An experienced provider will understand your sector's unique challenges and requirements, enabling them to offer tailored solutions that align with your business needs. 

2. Transparent Terms and Fees

It's essential to work with a financing provider that provides clear and upfront information about its terms and fees. Transparency helps you understand the cost structure and avoid hidden charges that could impact profitability. 

3. Flexibility and Customer Support

A reliable PO financing partner should offer flexible financing options that can adapt to your business's evolving needs. Additionally, responsive customer support is vital for promptly addressing any concerns and maintaining smooth operations. 


If you need further guidance on selecting the right PO financing provider to improve your business's financial health, we can help. Reach out for personalized assistance.

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​It’s the most wonderful time of year, a time of joy, family, and giving. 

You have worked hard all year and should enjoy time with loved ones over the holidays, bearing in mind that a new year awaits. A new year is a chance to rebuild, expand, and increase profits and efficiency. 

Here are some steps to take as you are setting business goals for the new year.

1. Review your past year of business
2. Cast your vision for your business
3. Set SMART goals
4. Involve your team
5. Clearly define actionable steps
6. Create a plan for monitoring progress
7. Plan to celebrate victories (big and small)

Step 1: Review
Review is a necessary part of growth, small and medium-sized business owners need to reflect on the past year and determine what worked well, what didn’t, and what they might want to change for the future. It’s also important to consider any changes in your market or industry, new trends, or opportunities. 

Step 2: Cast vision
Every year is a chance to bring you closer to reaching your long-term goals for your business. Understanding where you are in those long-term goals helps you cast vision for yearly goals and growth. Be sure you communicate with your team, financial partners, and clients any changes or exciting developments that lie ahead.

Step 3: SMART goals
When setting goals for the new year, the SMART goal framework is a great way to go about it. Business owners need to set goals that are: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Know what you want, what success looks like, how to get there, how it applies to your business this year, and when you want to reach those goals.

Step 4: Teamwork
Business owners need to involve their team when setting goals. Whether you have a team brainstorming session, or prepare your team’s expectations for the upcoming year, you cannot accomplish anything without them. Create buy-in, cast vision, and encourage your team for the year.

Step 5: Actionable steps
Business owners need to break down larger goals into smaller, actionable steps. This removes the daunting aspect of bigger goals and helps outline the path to success. Communicate the medium and smaller milestones to your team and the role they play in accomplishing them. Consider putting the list of these actionable steps in an accessible place where you and your team can review them often to stay on track.

Step 6: Monitor progress
Create a plan with or for your team on how you will monitor and review progress. As you go throughout the year, you may discover something working differently than expected, and changes are required. This is a normal part of business and shouldn’t be seen as a negative, but creating guidelines for review and revision ahead of time will make communication and changes efficient.

Step 7: Celebrate
Every good business owner knows maintaining morale is vital to progress and creates a healthy work environment. Plan ahead of time what milestones (big or small) you want to celebrate with your team/customers/supporters. This gives everyone something to look forward to and keeps the work environment encouraging and positive.

Whether you are looking to expand your business into new markets, increase profits, and more, setting your goals and expectations for your business at the start of a new year is the way to get there. Plan, set goals, engage your team, and know what your roadmap to success looks like.

From everyone at Prairie Business Credit: Happy Holidays! 

Looking to secure working capital for your business this upcoming year? We can help. Prairie Business Credit is a national working capital provider to young, growing, or recovering businesses. We offer accounts receivable financing, purchase order financing, and equipment financing. Our company serves both as a trusted financial resource and consultant to entrepreneurs dedicated to building their businesses and ensuring their success.

“No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.” —Alfred North Whitehead.
 
Every good business owner knows that people and relationships are their foundation—the people along the way who have been responsible for your education, encouragement, and support are what make your business possible. Parents/grandparents, mentors, teachers, friends, customers, financial partners, staff/employees—they are why you are here.
 
In this season of thankfulness, it’s important to express appreciation for everyone who has been part of the journey.
 
Practical ways to express gratitude
Here are a few ways you can show your customers, employees, family, and friends how much you appreciate their support.
 
●      Sharing your appreciation publicly
●      Personal acknowledgements
●      Celebrating milestones
●      Rewards or ‘thank you’ gifts
 
Sharing your gratitude publicly is a great way to get the ‘thank you’ message out to a large group at once. You can do this on social media platforms or through community events. Use the opportunity to share the story of your business, acknowledge your supporters' contributions, and cast a vision for a bright future.
 
Personal acknowledgments can be as simple as a phone call/text, a card, or a heartfelt email. It’s not about the format, it’s about the message. Begin your messages by calling the recipient by name and show them how much you value them as an individual. Everyone needs to feel seen and valued; this will only increase the strength of the relationship you share with your supporters.
 
Who doesn’t love to celebrate? Milestones exist not only to give us a goal to reach but also a point to stop, reflect, and celebrate. Who better to celebrate milestones than those who took the journey with you? You can celebrate milestones with special events (virtual or in-person) and promotions, or share a peek into the magic behind the curtain that makes your business run. Remind your supporters what they have done to make your success possible and get them excited about the great things the future has in store.
 
Rewards or thank-you gifts could come in any form, from a fruit basket or coffee gift card for your employees to special discounts or exclusive access to new products or services for loyal customers. The size of the gift will vary but be sure your genuine gratitude shines through in your presentation of the thank-you gift.

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We want to say thank you
After being in business for 30 years, Prairie Business Credit has learned the value of trust, relationship, and gratitude. Trevor Morgan started Prairie Business Credit in 1993 after 20 years of experience with regional banks and private finance companies. Dylan Morgan, Trevor's son, joined Prairie Business Credit in 2003 to continue in his father's footsteps by learning the family business. We consider all our employees to be part of the Prairie Business Credit family and are grateful for every person who has been a part of our journey to where we are now.
 
We consider our success defined by our clients’ success and we are proud to have served clients from coast to coast with the funding and advice they need to stabilize, succeed, and grow.
 
We know the value of hard work, mentorship, and personalized relationships with clients and partners. We are proud of our employees and clients. We are grateful to every teacher, mentor, family member, client, and employee who has gotten us this far.
 
From the Prairie Business Credit team: thank you.
 
Want to work with a company that provides capital and values their clients? We can help. Prairie Business Credit is a national working capital provider to young, growing, or recovering businesses. We offer accounts receivable financing, purchase order financing, and equipment financing. Our company serves both as a trusted financial resource and consultant to entrepreneurs dedicated to building their businesses and ensuring their success.

The final few months of the year are upon us, bringing with them beloved holidays, time with family, and some of the most dramatic changes in profit and expenses in the year.

Some businesses experience a spike in sales over the holidays, while others, like seasonally-based businesses such as gardening equipment suppliers, may need to tighten their belts for the winter. All businesses need to prepare for this season to manage additional expenses, fluctuating profits, or increased product demand.  Regardless of your industry, the key to thriving during the holiday or winter season is maintaining strong cash flow.

Six Ways to Maintain Cash Flow 
Here are six strategies to maintain cash flow and help your business thrive whether you are in a busy season or not.

1. Incentivize pre-sales and early payments
Incentivizing customers to buy sooner rather than later is one way to bring cash in ahead of time, enabling you to cover costs if you need additional inventory or staffing, or to cover expenses during your slow season.  

2. Stay on top of inventory management
Over- or under-stocking can lead to wasted time and money. By analyzing past sales data, business owners can better forecast demand, allowing for smarter and more precise ordering. This not only ensures that inventory aligns with customer needs but also supports effective cash flow management.​

3. Offer promotions and holiday deals
Preparing promotions for the holiday season can retain loyal customers and attract new ones, increasing your sales volume and improving your cash flow. This also creates a faster turnover of inventory which is also good for cash flow. 

4. Manage expenses and delay non-essentials
Reviewing expenses in advance and identifying non-essential items that can be postponed is a great way to maintain cash flow. This ensures you have more funds available to handle a sales spike or navigate a slow season.

5. Build a cash reserve
A cash reserve provides a reliable safety net for unexpected expenses. By steadily growing your reserve throughout the year, you can strategically use it to cover costs and expenses during periods of low cash flow. 

6. Consider short-term financing options
For business owners who may not have cash on hand or in reserves, short-term financing is a great option. Options such as a line of credit, a business credit card, or, for some businesses, purchase order financing or invoice factoring may be an option.

Purchase order financing is short-term financing that can help your business pay for the inventory needed to fulfill incoming customer orders. Invoice factoring is when a business sells its accounts receivable to an invoice factoring company. The factoring firm advances cash to your business and then collects on the outstanding invoices. The balance is paid to the factoring firm minus a service fee. Both are excellent options for business owners who need more immediate cash flow or are facing a spike in sales.

When looking for a purchase order or invoice factoring company, be sure you find a company that:

● Is attentive to detail. 
● Has a high rate of success among customers.
● Is efficient.

This is never more important than during the rush of holiday sales when speed, efficiency, and customer satisfaction help maintain cash flow.

The holiday/winter season can be a win for your business if you prepare well ahead of time and maintain your cash flow. Employing these strategies will help small- mid-sized businesses navigate the end of the year with confidence and begin the new year from a place of prosperity.

Looking to maintain cash flow for your small business during the holiday season? We can help. Prairie Business Credit is a national working capital provider to young, growing, or recovering businesses. We offer accounts receivable financing, purchase order financing, and equipment financing. Our company serves both as a trusted financial resource and consultant to entrepreneurs dedicated to building their businesses and ensuring their success.

Navigating financial partnerships, investments, and agreements is a regular part of being a small business owner; however, navigating these relationships well and finding partners you can trust can be challenging.

In this article, we will cover what to look for when seeking trustworthy capital providers for your business. 


Excellent communication
“Effective teamwork begins and ends with good communication.” —Mike Krzyzewski

Communication is key to success in any venture, but especially in business. From the first point of contact with a company, you should evaluate their communication.

• Did you leave the conversation feeling clear about what was discussed?
• Were you able to ask questions and get satisfactory answers?
• Did you feel heard?
• Did they follow up quickly after your initial meeting?

First impressions are important, a company that puts forth the effort to make a positive first impression is more likely to put that same effort into a business relationship. Since 1993, Prairie Business Credit has served as both a trusted financial resource and consultant to entrepreneurs, building strong relationships and focusing on helping each business succeed. 


A good reputation with their customers
“Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow.” —Abraham Lincoln


Businesses with strong character cast a long shadow. When looking for a company to partner with, look for one that has an excellent reputation with their customers and is known for:

• Being honest and fair.
• Maintaining positive relationships.
• Showing an active interest in helping their customers grow and succeed.
• Understanding their customers’ unique needs and goals.

From its Chicago base, Prairie Business Credit has served clients from coast to coast with the funding and advice they need to stabilize, succeed, and grow.


Attention to detail
“It’s attention to detail that makes the difference between average and stunning.” —Francis Atterbury


Small business owners know that the secret to success and happy customers is to pay attention to the details. You spend hours of your life making sure the details of your business represent your passion for your work and the high quality you strive for. You want the same quality in a financial partnership. Look for someone who:

• Will take the time to understand your industry and customers.
• Always treat your customers with the same respect and excellence you do.
• Is focused on helping you reach your business goals. 

Prairie Business Credit is a privately run company, which means we are able to give you personal attention, unlike other large financial institutions. In our decades of business, we have helped over 70 percent of our clients progress to bank or self-financing.
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You put your heart, soul, and dreams into your business. When looking for financing options, look for a company with the same values in good communication, quality reputation, and attention to detail that you have.

At Prairie Business Credit, we strive to put our customers first and help them reach their goals, and our customers are enjoying the results. 

Hear from our customers:

Boyd Miller, Wisconsin Thermoset Plastic, ​Milwaukee, WI, shared that his company faced a massive drop in sales and was unable to get help from the bank, which directed him to Prairie Business Credit. Miller said, “Prairie Business Credit helped us with capital for operations and they brought discipline to our invoicing, so collections went more smoothly. In 24 months, we were back on our feet. We’re on top of receivables and control our cash better. Prairie Business Credit are good people, honest, smart, and straightforward—they kept our doors open."

Joe Krippelz, Jake’s Inc. Precision Machining and Rebuilding, Aurora, IL, said that after the economic downturn, their bank relationship changed—they needed cash to meet their customers’ needs. He said, “We looked at a lot of lenders. Prairie Business Credit understood manufacturing and they understood our needs. They came up with flexible solutions that helped us with cash flow so we could take orders, even months out. We didn’t lose orders and they helped us manage receivables, so we stayed on top of past-due accounts. Prairie Business Credit supported us until we could get an SBA loan with a bank."

Looking for a trusted capital provider for your small business? We can help. Prairie Business Credit is a national working capital provider to young, growing, or recovering businesses. We offer accounts receivable financing, purchase order financing, and equipment financing. Our company serves both as a trusted financial resource and consultant to entrepreneurs dedicated to building their businesses and ensuring their success.