A lot of people jump into loans without really understanding how they work, and honestly, I was one of them at first. So I figured I’d share what I picked up along the way, in case it helps someone here. First thing: before you even apply for a loan, SBA or anything else, make sure you understand the basics. Lenders just want to know your business is legit, stable, and capable of paying back. Once I understood that, the whole process made a lot more sense. Eligibility is a real thing. When I applied for my SBA loan, they checked everything: - My business structure - My credit - My revenue - My ability to repay - And of course… all the documents It’s not scary, but you do need to be prepared. Another thing nobody told me, SBA loans take time… Like actual time. It’s not a “submit today, approved tomorrow” kind of thing. There’s back-and-forth, reviews, questions, so applying early is key. What helped me the most was choosing the right loan type. Not every SBA loan fits every business. There’s 7(a), 504, microloans… and they all serve different purposes. Once I figured out which one matched my goals, the process got way clearer. And please, have your documents ready. I learned quickly that SBA loves paperwork: - Business plan - Credit history - Financial statements - Tax returns Having these organized saved me a lot of stress. I’m sharing this because I know how confusing it feels at first. If you’re thinking of applying for an SBA loan or any type of business funding and you’ve got questions, just drop them in the comments. I’m happy to help with whatever I’ve learned from my own process.