If you get the itch to get started on your own business idea or plan, there’s going to be an obstacle that you hit right out of the gate, and that’s the ominous specter of money. Where do you get the money to start? Where do you get the money to keep going? And associated with those questions, it’s extremely important to know what the relative laws are regarding things like paying back the loans, working with interest rates, and where extreme situations like bankruptcy fit in.

Four kinds of loans in particular that will help you with your business goals, that are also pretty well defined in terms of form and function, include personal loans, private loans from family, crowdfunding cash-raisers, and loans from the Small Business Administration. Consider all of those as possibilities when you’re looking to shore up your financial bottom line before starting a new business venture.

Personal Loans

Getting personal loans can help with your business needs for several reasons. First, before you can get into company decisions, your private matters have to be settled. And if you have to get a personal loan in order to quickly handle bills that might be making you anxious, like house bills, school bills, or auto bills, then that can eat up your time and attention. Getting a solid loan to help with those personal items first will free your mind to concentrate on business as a separate entity.

Cash From Friends and Family

There’s always the option of getting money from friends and family as well, especially for a business venture where they could be the recipients of some good fortune. Having your family as investors frees you from things like interest rates and timetables. However, you do need to make sure that in the event of failure, you know how to explain the situation as a risk and not a guarantee. There is some social risk in this type of loan, so be sure to manage it in advance.

Crowdfunding Finances

Check out crowdfunding opportunities to look for another way to get business cash. The best part about this arrangement is that you don’t get any money until you have enough money to complete your project. These mitigates a ton of risk, as well as ensuring that your idea really is good enough to succeed.

Small Business Administration Loans and Grants

And finally, there’s always the option of getting loans direction from people associated with the Small Business Administration. This is one of the fastest tracks to get legitimate and safe loans, and you’ll be taken step by step along the way to make sure that you understand the details and risks as you go along.