📊 New: 1West Small Business Health Index Q2 2026 — Score: 69.1/100. Small businesses are ready. Capital isn't keeping up. Read the Report →

1West blog

The beliefs behind the money.

We believe in small business. So we’re inspired by the stories behind them. Read how businesses of all shapes and sizes turned the right loans into their own versions of success.

Woman Working On Laptop
Home for sale with a sign in front, representing a seller financing real estate opportunity.

Seller Financing in Real Estate: Definition, Benefits, and Risks

A deal can fall apart in the final week. The appraisal comes in...

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • August 27, 2026
Why is Funding Important: Funding Opportunities for Retail Businesses

Why is Funding Important: Funding Opportunities for Retail Businesses

Running a retail business requires careful attention to both sales and expenses. A...

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • August 26, 2026
Small business owners reviewing financial documents and lending data featured in the Small Business Health Index for Q2 2026 report.

Small Business Health Index for Q2 2026: Stronger Businesses Still Face a Financing Gap

Small businesses entered the second half of 2026 on stronger financial footing. Revenue...

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • August 6, 2026
Business owner reviewing loan paperwork with a calculator while comparing SBA loan alternatives at her desk

Non-SBA Loan Alternatives for Small Businesses

The SBA 7(a) program earned its reputation in the industry, and for good...

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • July 29, 2026
Wooden model house with keys resting on a loan document, illustrating home equity loan refinancing

When Home Equity Loan Refinancing Makes Sense

A home equity loan felt like the right call when you signed for...

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • July 17, 2026
A stressed business owner reviewing financial documents with an advisor, illustrating the challenges of managing debt and the benefits of business debt consolidation for simplifying repayments and improving cash flow.

Best Business Debt Consolidation Loans in 2026

Running a business almost always means borrowing at some point. Over time, those...

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • June 29, 2026
Business owner reviewing company finances and planning growth on a laptop while evaluating how many lines of credit should you have for future funding needs.

How Many Lines of Credit Should I Have?

If you’re considering opening a new line of credit, you’re not alone. Many...

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • June 20, 2026
Laptop displaying an online store beside shopping bags and packaging supplies, representing ecommerce working capital needs for growing online businesses.

How eCommerce Businesses Can Secure Working Capital

Running an online business comes with constant financial demands. Inventory needs to move...

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • May 26, 2026
Business owner reviewing cash flow and business loan fees while counting cash at an office desk.

Average Business Loan Processing Fees: What to Know About Interest Costs

Business financing can help cover expansion plans, equipment purchases, payroll, inventory, or short-term...

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • May 26, 2026
Wooden tiles spelling out "Small Business" on a pink desk calendar, perfect for planning small business month growth strategies.

The Growth Gap: Move Beyond Bootstrapping This Small Business Month

May is Small Business Month, a time to celebrate the grit and independence...

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • May 11, 2026