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Starting and running a cleaning business takes money. Without sufficient funds a business can quickly become tiresome and stressful. Be certain that you have enough money to start off your business.

Your business start-up capital can come from a variety of sources: personal savings, relatives and friends, banks, government, and private investors are all possible sources. If you have enough money saved to meet your first year of expenses, this can be a good way to start. If you don’t, consider waiting until you have enough saved so that you can start your business with your own funds. Most new businesses are financed by the individual: The banks are not the major source of start-up capital.

If friends or relatives will lend you the money, you can plan to pay it back from your profits. Your cash flow forecast will tell you whether this is reasonable. Be aware that there is always a danger in mixing money with a personal relationship, despite one’s best intentions. Consider whether your business is worth the risk of a friend or family member’s money.

The bank is another source to approach for start-up funds. If you want to convince a bank to loan you money, do your homework. All your work researching and planning your budget can go into a business plan that you present to your banker. Banks also want collateral. The desire to help support small ventures exists, but so does the fear of risk. As a result, banks prefer to help businesses in forms other than loans: They may offer operating accounts, cash management systems, and other fee-based services. Bank managers can also be a source of advice and information on things like small business assistance programs.

In both the United States and Canada there are government agencies that provide financial assistance to small businesses. In the United States, the Small Business Administration (SBA) offers loan programs for small businesses as well as business start-up information. Check your local telephone book for the office nearest you for the most current information. You can also call the SBA’s Small Business Answer Desk at 1-800-827-5722, or check online at www.sba.gov.

In Canada, a variety of provincial and federal government departments provide money for small businesses. Your best source for information is the small business development branch of your provincial government.

Since the government cannot compete with banks, any funding takes the form of loan guarantees. To be eligible, you probably have to prove that you were unable to obtain money from other sources. You’ll be expected to have money of your own to invest in your business as well. Even if your company is not eligible now, at some point in the future it may be. Any time spent investigating this source of funding is worthwhile.