One of the toughest but most important things to do with your company is building your #brand image. Decide who you are, what you do, how you want to relate to the public and how you’re going to contact them. Unless you’ve got a zillion dollars on hand, you can’t hit every social media channel at once, so pick one or two and really craft your presence there. Come up with solid mission statements, great PR and on-target marketing and you’ll be well on your way!

Some of the most important #learning you can do at college won’t take place in the classroom. You’ll learn how to manage your money! You’ll need to create a budget, being sure that essential bills are covered before you get to your “fun” money, and minimize expenses by doing things like eating in as much as you can. Keep your student loan debt down as much as possible, and work on building your credit by doing things like becoming an authorized user on a family member’s credit card. Also, take advantage of campus resources like financial literacy workshops. You’ll be a financial wizard before you finish your first accounting class!

Here at Ideal CU, we are proud to offer small business loans to our entrepreneurial members at affordable interest rates and easy eligibility requirements. Here are six popular ways to use a small business loan. 

If you’re a first-time #homebuyer, the amount of work that goes into the purchase can be daunting, but stick with it! Get your finances ready by boosting your credit score, saving for a down payment and setting your budget. Choose a lender and get preapproved for your mortgage. Now, find an agent and look for your dream home! Once you find it, make an offer, get your mortgage finalized and schedule a home inspection and appraisal. Get homeowner’s insurance to cover your new purchase. Then all you have to do is close the deal and move in!