📊 New: 1West Small Business Health Index Q1 2026 — Score: 68.9/100. 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.

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 of American entrepreneurs. For many founders, independence is synonymous with bootstrapping. You rely on your own savings and incoming revenue to keep the lights on.  This strategy is a badge of honor in the early days. It

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • May 11, 2026
small business health index

Navigating the 2026 Small Business Health Index

Small business owners across the country are demonstrating remarkable resilience as we move through the middle of the decade. The latest data suggests that while operational strength is at an all-time high, the financial landscape is shifting in complex ways.  Understanding these changes requires a deep dive into the small

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • May 11, 2026
Retiring business owner in grocery setting during the silver tsunami small business wave

Why Many Small Businesses Are Being Sold Amid the Silver Tsunami

A major shift is taking place across the U.S. small business landscape. It is driven by one clear factor. Owners are reaching retirement at the same time. This wave, known as the silver tsunami small business transition, is bringing millions of businesses to market. Many of these companies have been

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • April 10, 2026
Entrepreneur reviewing financial statements and notes while planning how long it takes to get a business loan.

How Long Does It Take to Get an SBA Loan? A Realistic Timeline for Business Owners

Planning ahead is critical when applying for financing. Before submitting an application, most borrowers want a clear answer to how long it takes to get a business loan. That question becomes even more relevant when considering SBA-backed options. SBA loans offer longer terms and competitive rates, but the approval process

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • January 15, 2026

A Quick Guide to Alternative Financing Options for Small Businesses

Traditional bank loans can be tough for many small businesses to secure. Strict credit score requirements, long time-in-business rules, and slow underwriting often leave owners waiting weeks (sometimes months) for an answer. That delay can make it difficult to handle cash flow gaps, take advantage of new opportunities, or respond

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • December 3, 2025
A group of people sitting around a table with laptops, engaged in discussion. The setting is indoors, with a wall visible in the background. The participants include men and women, each focused on their computers.

How to Get Funding for a Startup Without Investors: A Practical Guide for New Founders

Figuring out how to get funding for a startup without investors can feel overwhelming at first. Many founders wonder how they can turn an idea into a functioning business without handing over equity. Fortunately, there are many startup financing alternatives that support early-stage growth without involving outside investors. Some of

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • December 3, 2025
A woman holds a wad of money on a table.

Préstamos para negocios en EE. UU.: Guía completa para dueños de empresas

Tener acceso a préstamos para negocios confiables y flexibles puede marcar la diferencia entre mantener un negocio a flote o hacerlo crecer de forma exponencial. En Estados Unidos, los dueños de pequeñas y medianas empresas buscan cada vez más préstamos para empresas que se adapten a sus necesidades específicas: capital

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • November 13, 2025
Una empresaria latina planificando su próximo proyecto, representando a los emprendedores empoderados gracias a la plataforma ABLE en español de 1West.

Rompiendo Barreras: 1West Lanza ABLE en Español para Impulsar a los Emprendedores Latinos

1West se enorgullece de presentar la versión en español de su Automated Business Lending Engine (ABLE), un paso importante hacia la creación de un acceso más rápido, justo y accesible al financiamiento empresarial para emprendedores latinos en todo Estados Unidos. Las pequeñas empresas propiedad de latinos representan uno de los

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • November 12, 2025
A Latino business owner planning her next project, representing empowered entrepreneurs supported by 1West’s Spanish ABLE platform.

Breaking Barriers: 1West Launches Spanish ABLE to Empower Latino Entrepreneurs

Read this post in spanish 1West is proud to introduce the Spanish-language version of our Automated Business Lending Engine (ABLE), a major step toward making business financing faster, fairer, and more accessible for Latino entrepreneurs across the United States. Latino-owned small businesses represent one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • November 12, 2025

Equipment Lease vs Equipment Loan: How to Decide What’s Right for Your Business

When your business needs new equipment, whether it’s machinery, vehicles, or technology, you often face a big question: should you lease it or take out a loan to buy it? Both options can help you get the tools you need to operate and grow, but each comes with its own

  • by Nathan Armstrong
  • November 5, 2025