1. What other sources of financing do you recommend Tina Bean and Matt and Marnie Brannon turn to for the financing they need for their businesses?
2. The Brannons had never borrowed money for their business before the opportunity to purchase a competitor suddenly emerged. What steps can entrepreneurs take to make sure that they have financing arrangements in place when such opportunities arise?

Tina Bean started Five Star Feeds, a business that sells livestock feed, pet food, and gardening supplies, in Port Arthur, Texas, in 2001 and has operated it at a profit since then. Bean applied for a business expansion loan at her bank and received $800,000, which she used to more than double the size of her store. With the expansion completed, she needs $150,000 to purchase the inventory— more pet supplies, jeans, boots, and Western-style clothing— to fill it, but the bank is balking at making the loan. The loan officer’s response is “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” says Bean. “Well, I’m there. I can’t open the store if I don’t have anything to put in it.” Until she can get the capital she needs to purchase the inventory, Bean says she is stuck.