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About
The NASE

Membership
Benefits

Business
Learning Center

Your Voice
in D.C.

Micro-Business
Research

Media
Connection

Members
Only

About
The NASE

Membership
Benefits

Business
Learning Center

Your Voice
in D.C.

Micro-Business
Research

Media
Connection

Members
Only

Learn more about the NASE and the assistance we provide to the self-employed

NASE Publications

Explore our e-newsletters, articles and resource guides

Self Made: NASE's Blog

Stay up to date on the latest happenings from our legislative and business experts

NASE Media Relations

Check out NASE in the news and learn more about our experts

Contact us by phone, email, or mail

Learn more about the NASE Member Council

Highlights of the NASE’s activities by year

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NASE's exclusive package of business, insurance and personal benefits

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A full complement of add-on benefits to your membership

Grants and Scholarships

Get funding for your business and money to help you grow your business skills

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More associations and groups supporting you

Ask the Experts

Expert answers on strategies and finances

Videos and Webinars

Videos and webinars deliver guidance on top business issues

Educational Resources

Quick how-to tips and strategies

NASE Publications

Explore our e-newsletters, articles and resource guides

Find out the 10 things you need to know to start a business

Health Resource Center

Learn about health care for your small business

Tax Resource Center

Focused tools and resources to help you with your taxes

Links to resources for your success

NASE standing up for your business in D.C.

Washington Watch

Legislative Priorities

NASE policy positions on key small business issues

How to make YOUR voice heard

Legislative Action Center

Contact your legislators and tell them what you think

Current NASE Survey

Take our most recent survey

NASE Survey Results

Find out what the self-employed think on hot topics

Comprehensive studies on health, tax, and other pressing issues

Self-Employed Statistics

Statistics about the Self-Employed

Digital Media Kit with info and statistics about the NASE

Latest news from the NASE

Request An Interview

Get connected with an NASE spokesperson

NASE In the News

Check out our latest media hits and television appearances

NASE Micro-Business Experts

Talk to knowledgeable NASE experts that can offer a unique micro-business perspective

Visit your member profile to update your contact information, view your benefits and more

Member Benefits

NASE's exclusive package of business, insurance and personal benefits

Ask the Experts

Expert answers on strategies and finances

Our monthly member e-newsletter has the educational information, legislative news and NASE benefit details you need to run your business

How to make YOUR voice heard

Current Member Survey

Take our most recent survey

YOUR VOICE IN D.C.

Legislative Action Center

Your opportunity to speak out on a number of topics such as healthcare, technology and taxes

The National Association for the Self-Employed realizes that the most important aspect of advocating on behalf of the self-employed is listening to the true-life experiences of self-employed individuals like you. Therefore, the NASE has developed this area of the Legislative Action Center to allow you to tell us your micro-business story.

Small Business Access to Loans and Credit

Author

It's not easy for the over 22 million self-employed business owners in our nation to gain access to the financing they need to manage and grow their business. Tell us what your experience has been in obtaining financing to start or grow your micro-business.

NASE Member Stories

SAMUEL DRISCOLL - Virginia Beach, VA

Submitted: 3/22/2010

Why my Credit Score went from 750 to 690? I always pay my bills and have kept my credit card balances less than half of the available credit. 16 months ago the credit card companies have increased my interest rates to as high as 29.99% and cut all available balances by half thus causing me an immediate decline in my FICO score due to high credit balance ratio. This happened a few more times as I attempt to pay off card balances where the banks again lower the available limits again. To top off it off, I get an excuse letter from one company that because I haven't used my credit card (24.99%) in the past few months that my available balance has dropped. I try 3 banks for a debt consolidation loan but turned down for reasons such as high debt, low FICO score, no equity. One bank said I should get help from a debt negotiation firm. I didn't need any loan or debt help until my credit limits were cut and I started paying high interest. So I lost use of my cards and rely on my net30 vendors and cash. Tried to get an SBA Loan. What a paper work nightmare that is. I submitted to 2 banks and turned down. What this event does for me is tighten my belt and stop relying on credit cards. I'll just wait when these companies get back in a competition war trying to get business which ever way they can.

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Your Voice in D.C.

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