Backyard Banter: Three ways to access finance as a small business owner

Whether you're a cafe owner, a plumber or run your own dental practice, small businesses can frequently face big challenges when it comes to accessing finance for business growth.There are more than 350,000 businesses classified as "small" in New Zealand, 97 per cent have fewer than 20 employees and 70 per cent employ just one person; the owner themselves.It's common for banks to be the first port of call when it comes to financial support – but an increasing number of small business owners are approaching their finances a little differently.Money matters no matter the size of your business, and these are three alternative options worth exploring for SMEs and points to consider when making those dollar decisions.