Ascentium Capital Blog

As we go about our lives, we have our financial discipline monitored by the three big consumer bureaus – Equifax®, Transunion®, and Experian™ – and your FICO Score is built using this consumer bureau data. Even the best of us have experienced that moment of fear when we hear that we need to have our credit pulled . . . and we don't know where our number will land. Not all credit pulls are created equal, however; there are important distinctions between hard and soft credit pulls, or credit checks, and the Fair Reporting Credit Act dictates when and why credit reports may be pulled. The two forms of credit inquiries have different effects on your credit report and FICO credit score across the reporting agencies. (Read More...)

Central Consulting Group (CCG) provides customized software solutions for Architectural and Engineering (A&E) firms large and small. They have the motto, “You dream it. We can do it” on their website . . . and they clearly believe in that vision. Since 2002, CCG has been helping customers get more out of their software investment by customizing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. (Read More...)

In the face of big box stores, Amazon taking over retail online, and national chain restaurants in every community, local companies have mounted a campaign to revitalize community businesses. The “shop small” approach has taken America by storm and the hospitality industry has sat up, fluffed their pillows and taken notice. (Read More...)

Nason Kassab grew up in hotels. Not in the literal sense, but fairly close. Nason’s family was in the hotel business in the mid-west, and after working in the family business and learning what it takes to build a business, he branched out on his own 15 years ago. His first project was an ambitious one – a distressed national economy hotel that he and his team remodeled and sold, and the rest has been a whirlwind of hospitality growth and expansion. (Read More...)

Entrepreneurs are idea people, and every day they grow business concepts into great small to medium sized businesses (SMBs). Often this starts on a small scale and once the business plan is proven and some traction takes hold, these same entrepreneurs are already thinking: What can I do better? How can I broaden my reach? How can my business grow and flourish? And, many times the answer is simply: money. (Read More...)

Our “Anatomy of a Press Release” series has arrived at its final installment: H, or the “How”. How you write your press release is critically important. You need to capture the reader's attention, clearly convey your topic and your company's benefit statement and offer a call to action (CTA) to generate interest. To do all of that, it needs to have text appeal. (Read More...)

As we head into April, we wanted to reflect on 2017 and the roller coaster ride many experienced during first quarter of 2018. They say March enters as a lion and exits as a lamb. This March may have been turned on its head. (Read More...)

One of the most critical decisions a franchise owner can make, is selecting the method of funding for your business. With many funding options available for franchise operators, it is important to understand pros and cons before committing to a financing plan of action. We will examine several funding sources and cover the key points to consider. The financing you select can have a substantial impact on the overall health and success of your business. You should always consult your accountant or tax advisor before making a final decision. (Read More...)