eLease Equipment Leasing

Everywhere on the news talks about small business lending recovering but from my vantage point more and more banks are abandoning small business and moving to the 5 million plus space.  There is surely less demand out there but for the small business that needs a loan/lease there are few options and FASB looking to change mark to market is very scary.We had our banker in our office today and we spoke about the Accounting lobbyists and what it means for our space.  I am very concerned this is 1933 all over again.  A major lender is abandoning the small business space and 3rd party originations which is US Bancorp.  They are the nations 3rd largest bank, took TARP, and are leaving entrepreneurs abandoned.I have not been writing the last few months but will become very vocal about my views on entrepreneurs, lending, and the America I love.

If you are  an entrepreneur which has managed to survive and even thrive in this market I applaud you.  I do believe this is the worst economic cycle I have lived through and will most likely be one of the worst for our country.  I also believe we are turning the corner in this economy but not for the same reasons Wall Street points to.I have long believed small business is the engine and the backbone of this country and these business’s do much of the heavy lifting in this world.  I have had the pleasure to talk with many brand new entrepreneurs who are looking to change the world and have a new sense of vigor and courage that some of us might have lost after the last 2 years or so.  For my industry specifically it is apparent that the shine has worn off the penny and work became less fun and painful at times.In dealing with these newly minted entrepreneurs I am refreshed and enlightened about this concept called Capitalism in this place called America.  I would never bet against this economy and our way our life because there are too many smart people creating new opportunities and it is ingrained in our culture to create value and opportunities.  For that reason I think the recession is over.  There are so many people capitalizing on opportunities and inefficiencies in the market place.I fear has always falls back to the people in Washington who we elect.  I would really like to see some tax incentives for REAL small business’s under 20 employees to start getting some people back to work and return to some sustained level of growth.  These companies are the real engine of growth and and creating real jobs.On the leasing side credit is still excruciatingly tight but not impossible.  We lend in the new normal of what small business lending has become.  Things get done because both parties want to succeed as they always have and always will.  Some things never change.

In my opinion, there are only two seasons in the snow industry: ski season and preparing for ski season. In the off-season critical decisions are made regarding investments in equipment and capital improvements that are needed to maximize the experience of guests, stay competitive in the marketplace, and upgrade to newer technology. Of course these decisions need to be implemented before the mountain is in its high revenue cycle and cash flow positive.

Ski business or not, the goal of any company is always to maximize cash flow and to match the timing of lease payments with the income being generated by your business and its new equipment. Seasonal trends are common in several sectors including consumer electronics, hotels, restaurants and department stores.

eLease has developed a Snow Resort Financing Program that provides the convenience of seasonal payments, which are ONLY due during when the mountain’s busy season. By matching the payment with the revenue cycle we can maximize your cash flow during the off-season and avoid negative cash flow on equipment. Additionally, seasonal payments give you the advantage of getting a jump on the season. You’ll have your new equipment delivered, installed, and tested months before your first payment is due.

The benefits of leasing equipment become crystal clear when your equipment payment is tied to the revenue stream of your business. I’m not telling you anything new, but traditional financing that requires payments 12 months of the year throughout the term of the lease can be a heavy burden on seasonal businesses. Particularly when you generate nearly 100% of revenue within a 5-month period.

If you’re interested in learning more about our Snow Resort Financing Program or are curious to find out what your monthly payments would be on a snow making purchase, please feel free to contact me. We’d really like to help. Thanks for your interest and have a great season.