Scaling a CBD business can be challenging. And raising funds to aid in that growth can be one of the most taxing aspects. Without proper funding, you can struggle to invest in growth strategies like expanding your product line, increasing your marketing efforts, and hiring additional talented individuals.

Identifying financial resources to help fuel your expansion can ensure you get and stay on a growth trajectory.

The types of expenses associated with running a CBD business vary by the type of business. However, many of the same expenses you would have as a business that sells any other type of product do apply. Those expenses may include the following.

• Commerce website development
• Inventory purchases
• Product and packaging design
• Branding
• Marketing
• Product storage
• Order processing software and systems
• Product handling and shipping
• Labor
• Taxes
• Rent
• Utilities
• Insurance
• and many more expenses …

If you also have a retail location or your facility doubles as both a distribution center and a retail business, then you may find even more expenses. The retail business may need:

• Shop decor
• Building improvements and/or remodeling
• POS system
• Rent
• Utilities
• Labor/Sales staff

Yes, there are many options available to someone who is looking to get financing for their CBD business. A good place to start would be to look into private lenders who specialize in providing financial services to businesses in the marijuana and CBD industry. Since traditional lenders are mostly barred from providing financing to CBD businesses, private lenders have stepped up to fill the void. Aside from working with a private lender, you can explore several other options that can provide financing for your business. CBD business owners can turn to the world’s first online inventory funding platform, Kickfurther, to access funds they are unable to acquire through traditional sources. In short, Kickfurther can pay your manufacturer to produce inventory while allowing you to create customized repayment schedules.

Here is a quick list of some CBD financing and loan options available to a new or established CBD business.

• Business loans: Although traditional banks and lenders cannot offer business loans to CBD businesses, alternative lenders can and are willing.
• Working capital: Bridge loans are short-term loans designed to help businesses increase their working capital to pay employees, rent, utilities, and other monthly expenses.
• Equipment loan: If you need a large piece of equipment to manufacture or produce your CBD product, you can use the equipment as collateral to secure the funding to pay for it.
• Merchant cash advance: If you have a CBD retail business, you can get an advance on your expected monthly sales. These advance-style loans typically come with high-interest rates, however.
• Inventory funding: Inventory funding can allow you to get the inventory you need without interrupting cash flow. Some banks can offer inventory financing, but it can be expensive. For a cheaper alternative turn to an online inventory funding platform such as Kickfurther and start buying inventory on consignment today.

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Due to the federal prohibition on the growing, cultivation, manufacturing, and sale of all marijuana-derived products, including CBD, it is nearly impossible to secure financing through a traditional bank or lending institution. However, there are plenty of private alternative lenders available as well as other forms of general business financing that are not entirely concerned with the nature of your business. Only that you are able to pay.

A CBD business can be highly profitable if managed properly. Data shows that some CBD companies are reporting net profit margins of about 40%.  The CBD industry is expected to reach $20 billion by 2024, reflecting great potential. As the industry grows though, competition does too and regulations are becoming more strict. As regulations are enforced they may start to impact profit margins and operations. CBD companies can still be profitable though they will just need to stay one step ahead and choose appropriate retail or wholesale strategies to remain profitable. With the ability to retail CBD using eCommerce platforms such as Shopify, you can keep costs down by being an online retailer. In the world of CBD it’s important to establish your brand, educate consumers, and deliver a quality product. Even if you charge a little more, consumers need to know why to choose your brand. Educating consumers is a smart way to recruit new users and you will become their go-to source for good advice and recommendations.

Initial investments can vary depending on your ambitions but you should expect to invest upwards of $70,000 to start a CBD business. Startup costs can include licenses, legal fees, and production. If you plan to operate a storefront you’ll need to factor that into costs as well. Let’s take a closer look at some of the costs associated with starting a CBD business.

• Licensing: Licensing requirements vary depending on the state, but can be costly. CBD businesses can expect to spend between $25,000 to $500,000 obtaining proper licensing. While this may sound like a decent chunk of change, it’s important to do things the right way to avoid legal issues down the road. It’s also easier to get funding if you can prove that your operation is legitimate.
• Legal fees: Whether you’re in the startup stages or well-established, compliance will always be a top priority. It’s valuable to have a trusted attorney to help protect you every step of the way, no matter the cost. Hourly legal fees can cost $300+ per hour.
• Production: Outsourcing cultivation can help keep initial investment down, but you’ll want to ensure quality control. While it will require a greater investment to manufacture your own product, it can add significant value to your brand. It can also create opportunities for you to wholesale to other CBD companies, thus diversifying revenue sources. Experts suggest the minimum investment for production if you outsource is $25,000. Once established you can use funding to get inventory, but you’ll need to prove yourself a bit before you can qualify to do so.

CBD is considered a wellness product with a prosperous future ahead. With no signs of slowing down, experts anticipate the CBD industry will grow to $20 billion by 2022. There are many factors contributing to the booming growth including legalization of cannabis in several countries, availability, and increasing popularity. Furthermore, as more research is performed, more evidence points to the health benefits that CBD can offer. Some of the most common health issues CBD is used to treat are insomnia, anxiety, and pain relief. According to a 2019 Gallup poll, 64% of American adults believe that CBD is beneficial.

Before selling online you’ll need to decide if you want to sell through an online marketplace or create your own website. Regardless of your retail avenue, you’ll need proper licensing, quality products, and transparent information on your brand and products. It’s a good idea to specialize in certain CBD products. As you grow you can branch out but in the early stages this will be easier to manage. It will also be easier and more cost-effective to market. Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the steps you’ll need to take if you plan to sell CBD online.

#1. Determine how you want to sell online (marketplace or host your own site)

#2. Determine your niche

#3. Create a business plan

#4. Understand regulations and laws and obtain licensing

#5. Organize business documents

#6. Secure a supplier

#7. Build your site and determine shipping/payment terms

#8. Market to consumers

Whether you sell CBD or carrots, you should have insurance when selling topical or ingestible products. There are insurance companies that specialize in coverage for CBD companies. Do your research and find affordable coverage that offers real protection. Furthermore, if you’re retailing someone else’s product, be sure they have insurance too.

Most CBD products are not regulated by the FDA, therefore you most likely do not need approval. The only FDA-approved CBD prescription medicine is EPIDIOLEX, so this product would require approval. Keep in mind that regulations are constantly changing and research is underway. FDA approvals could change which would increase costs significantly. If you are manufacturing your own products you should strive to ensure they are pure and advertise this to consumers.

Welcome to 2022 where you can legally sell CBD online. eCommerce retailers often rely on third party platforms to retail products to cut down costs. While these sites may take a portion of sales, it’s usually worth it. By using a marketplace like Shopify you can be up and selling CBD extremely fast. Some choose to sell on marketplaces as a long-term strategy, while others use it to get up and going. Regardless, it can be profitable. As a CBD seller, you’ll need to ensure compliance to stay in good standing with eCommerce marketplaces and remember that regulations can vary by state. When shipping products you must be familiar with regulations for the state which you are shipping  too. Here’s a list of some marketplaces that allow licensed sellers to retail CBD.

• Shopify: Only US merchants can retail topical and consumable hemp and/or hemp-derived CBD products. NO marajuana-derived CBD is permitted.
• Magento: Marketplace allows CBD products to be bought and sold.
• Shift4Shop: Marketplace allows CBD products to be bought and sold.
• WooCommerce: Marketplace allows CBD products to be bought and sold.
• Tophatter: Permits only CBD oil to be bought and sold.

Major players such as Amazon and eBay still prohibit CBD products entirely.

Yes, some banks will finance CBD companies. CBD businesses are still considered “high-risk” by most lenders though so it may not be extremely easy to secure a loan. One of the biggest banks known for allowing CBD business banking is Chase Bank, but they are still working on legal framework to get more competitive in this arena. While some banks may be able to assist with financing, the cost may detour business owners. As a result, CBD business owners are often looking for alternative avenues of financing, which are certainly available. If you’re retailing CBD online your largest expense will likely be your products. At Kickfurther you can secure funding for inventory, which can free cash flow for other operating activities. Kickfurther is up to 30% lower cost than other funding options so it’s definitely worth looking into.

There are many challenges that CBD businesses face that may discourage someone from wanting to enter the industry. The number one challenge is the law and how it is always changing. You may want to have a good business lawyer on retainer while you navigate this ever-changing legal landscape. Other challenges include limited financing options, credit card companies not wanting to complete transactions, slow and expensive licensing, and a highly-competitive marketplace.

Credit score minimum requirements for CBD financing vary by lender and the type of financing being pursued, however, if you have a credit score of 680 or above, you are sitting in a decent position for qualifying. Anything above a 700 is even better.

In order to qualify for CBD financing you should have a good to exceptional credit history, a demonstrated and successful business model, and a strong revenue stream.

CBD businesses may struggle to secure legitimate financing. Retail CBD shops in particular usually need financing to be successful. At Kickfurther, CBD businesses can access our funding marketing place to secure inventory funding.

Kickfurther funds up to 100% of your inventory costs on flexible payment terms that you customize and control. With Kickfurther, you can fund your entire order(s) each time you need more inventory and put your existing capital to work growing your business without adding debt or giving up equity.

• No immediate repayments: You don’t pay back until your new inventory order begins selling. You set your repayment schedule based on what works best for your cash flow.
• Non-dilutive: Kickfurther doesn’t take equity in exchange for funding.
• Not a debt: Kickfurther is not a loan, so it does not put debt on your books. Debt financing options can sometimes further constrain your working capital and access to capital, or even lower your business’s valuation if you are looking at venture capital or a sale.
• Quick access: You need capital when your supplier payments are due. Kickfurther can fund your entire order(s) each time you need more inventory.

Kickfurther puts you in control of your business while delivering the costliest asset for most CPG brands. And by funding your largest expense (inventory), you can free up existing capital to grow your business wherever you need it – product development, advertising, adding headcount, etc.

Visit Kickfurther and create a free business account. Next, complete the online application and review a potential deal with one of our account representatives. Once approved, our community of backers fund most deals within a day, often within minutes to hours.

Inventory now, pay later. . . apply for inventory funding on Kickfurther today!

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