You've Built Good Credit. So Why Are You Still Paying “Everybody Pricing?”

If you’ve done the work—built strong credit, steady cash flow, clean books—you should feel that in your financing.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth that’s quietly draining your growth budget: most lenders don’t price you like a top-tier borrower. They price you like “the average file.” Translation: your business can end up paying the same expensive cost of capital as someone with shaky cash flow and a prayer.

And that creates what we call the Fairness Gap:

1. The lender charges the same high cost to almost everyone.
2. Your monthly cost of capital gets inflated to cover other people’s risk.
3. Successful business owners effectively get “taxed” for being fundable. (Congrats?)

If you’re trying to grow fast, “fast approval” can feel like the only lever you can pull. But speed shouldn’t come with a hidden subscription to overpaying.

This stops today—and we’ll do it using the only numbers that actually matter: your monthly cost of capital and your cents on the dollar.

Spot the “Speed Trap” in Your Monthly Payment

Let’s talk numbers in the only format your business actually feels: monthly cost of capital (your payment) and cents on the dollar (what $1 of funding really costs you).

Here’s the whistleblower part most sales decks won’t show you: even with great credit, many competitors still price you at the “45-Cent Tax”.

1. The 45-Cent Tax: you borrow $1.00 and repay $1.45+ (45+ cents on the dollar)
2. The monthly cost stays heavy because it’s built for the lender’s return, not your cash flow
3. You get “everybody pricing” even when your file screams A-player

Example (simple, real-world framing):

• You take $200,000.
• A 45-cent deal means you’re trending toward $290,000 total repay.
• That’s $1.45 per $1.00 borrowed (.45 cents on the dollar).

Now compare that to Simplified Capital’s A-Player Advantage for well-qualified borrowers:

• Same $200,000 funded.
• A typical A-player structure can land around 18 to 25 cents on the dollar total cost for Unsecured Capital.
• That’s $1.18 to $1.25 per $1.00 borrowed (.18–.25 cents on the dollar).

That spread is the difference between “funded” and “funded profitably.” And yes—your monthly cost of capital is usually meaningfully lighter too (especially when the term and payment cadence are structured around your revenue cycle).

And here’s the part lenders usually “whisper” (or hide): the biggest win is what happens when you pay off early.

Use Early Payoff Like a Weapon (Not a Penalty)

Most lenders don’t love early payoff. It’s like canceling a streaming service after the free trial—suddenly the “terms and conditions” get very talkative.

But at Simplified Capital, we’ve been doing this since 2002 (23 years), and we built our process around a simple idea: if you’re a strong borrower, you should get rewarded for acting like one.

Here are the two “real-life” details owners appreciate once the funding hits the account:

1. Realistic terms: fast, unsecured working capital is commonly set up with weekly payments (not monthly), because the goal is speed and flexibility.
2. Real early payoff: a solid early payoff benefit typically kicks in after a short minimum payment period—so you’re not trapped paying the full cost if you outperform.

This is where Simplified Capital becomes the cure for the Fairness Gap:

1. Lower cost when you’re well-qualified (hello, A-Player Advantage—goodbye, 45-Cent Tax)
2. Massive early payoff benefits that reduce your cents on the dollar when you finish ahead of schedule
3. A structure that matches how business actually works (cash flow comes in waves, not fairy tales)

Example: You take $200,000 and crush the year. You decide to wipe the balance 8 months early.

• With many lenders: you still repay a big chunk of the planned cost (because the model was designed to keep you paying).
• With Simplified Capital (well-qualified borrowers): once you clear that short minimum payment window, you’re far more likely to see your total cost shrink meaningfully—because you’re paying for the time you used the capital, not the time the lender wished you would.

That’s how a good deal becomes a great deal: not by fancy language, but by lower cents on the dollar when you execute well.

"But I Need It Fast…"

We hear you. And here's the part that should make you angry: Speed and savings aren't mutually exclusive.

The lie you've been sold is that you have to choose between fast funding and fair terms. That's simply not true.

Simplified Capital processes applications just as quickly as those high-cost lenders. The difference? We're not padding our margins with your desperation. We're structuring deals that make sense for your business, and we're doing it in days, not weeks.

And we do it with three “bank-grade freedoms” that banks themselves rarely offer on speed:

1. No Blanket Liens: you keep control of your assets (because your growth plan shouldn’t come with a surprise claim on everything you own).
2. No hard personal inquiries: we’re not out here dinging your personal score just to “see what happens.”
3. No personal credit reporting: this is designed to help build business credit while keeping your personal profile pristine and boring (boring is good in credit).

Think about what you could do with an extra $40,000 over three years:

• Hire that key employee you've been putting off
• Upgrade equipment that's holding back productivity
• Launch that marketing campaign that's been sitting in your notes
• Build the cash reserve that lets you sleep at night

That's not a savings. That's a strategy.

Use the 0% “Cost-of-Capital Hack” (And Let Your Credit Finally Do Its Job)

Let’s talk about one of the most underused tools in business finance: 0% introductory business credit cards.

If you’ve built strong credit, you can often access 12–18 months where your monthly cost of capital is dramatically lower than most working capital products.

Here’s how time-crunched owners use it strategically:

1. Fund the purchase that turns into cash quickly (inventory, marketing, launch costs)
2. Pay it down aggressively before the promo ends
3. Measure the cost in dollars and timeline—not hype

Scenario: You need $75,000 for inventory to fulfill a contract. You could take a working capital product with a high monthly cost… or:

• Stack three 0% intro business credit cards for 15 months (e.g., $25,000 each)
• Your main upfront cost is typically a one-time fee (often around 3% if you’re moving funds)

Quick math:

• One-time fee on $75,000 at 3% = $2,250
• That’s effectively $1.03 per $1.00 borrowed (.03 cents on the dollar) if you execute the payoff plan.

And yes—Simplified Capital helps you access these cards and structure them responsibly, because the point isn’t “more credit.” The point is a smarter capital stack with a lower monthly cost of capital.

That’s what a real cure looks like: you stop overpaying, and you start choosing tools that fit the job.

Equipment Financing: The Universal Door We Can Open

Now, maybe working capital isn't your immediate need. Maybe you're staring at a piece of equipment that could 10X your capacity, if only you could afford it.

Here's what you need to know about Simplified Capital's equipment financing:

We don't care if you're:

• A startup with zero time in business
• A 30-year veteran with perfect credit
• Somewhere in between and a few bumps in your credit history

If it has a serial number, we can likely fund it. Period.

We've financed:

• Medical equipment for new dental practices
• Heavy machinery for construction companies weathering seasonal slowdowns
• Restaurant equipment for entrepreneurs with more vision than capital
• High-tech manufacturing tools for businesses scaling faster than their bank accounts
• New & Used Equipment are welcome (save money buying used)

The philosophy is simple: The asset has value. Your ambition has value. Let's put them together.

While we're not emphasizing early payoff terms in equipment financing (we're honest about that, only one of our partners offers truly competitive early payoff structures there, but if you are a qualified borrower, perhaps we can assist with the early payoff you seek), we are emphasizing something equally important: access.

When the Big Box Bank says "no" because you've been in business for 11 months instead of 24+, we're still saying "let's talk."

The Math Doesn't Lie: A Real-World Comparison

Let's put this all together with a real-world scenario—and one strategic angle most owners miss:

Working capital is a Project Accelerator, not a replacement for your bank. It lets you preserve existing bank lines for existing projects or true emergencies (equipment failure, surprise tax bill, a slow-paying customer) while you use this capital to fuel new projects and cash flow today.

Now, here’s the scenario:

Meet Sarah (not her real name, but her situation is very real).

Sarah runs a thriving auto repair shop. She's got a 740 credit score, $200,000 in annual revenue, and needs $150,000 to:

• Purchase two high-end diagnostic machines ($60,000)
• Stock up on parts for the busy season ($50,000)
• Cover payroll and expenses during the equipment installation ($40,000)

Her "fast" online lender offered (translated into terms you can feel):

• $150,000 funded
• Total repayment: $198,000
• That’s $1.32 per $1.00 borrowed (.32 cents on the dollar)
• And a monthly payment that stays painful even if business improves

Simplified Capital's structured approach (built to close the Fairness Gap):

• Equipment financing for the machines: $60,000 (monthly payment structured to match the asset’s useful life)
• 0% business credit card for parts: $50,000, 0% for 15 months, ~3% transfer fee = $1,500 cost (about .03 cents on the dollar if paid inside the promo)
• Working capital for operations: $40,000 with early payoff benefits designed to reduce total cost when she pays ahead

Total cost to Sarah (combined): $23,900

Savings compared to the "fast" lender: $24,100

And that's assuming she doesn't pay off early. If Sarah's busy season goes as planned and she pays everything off six months ahead of schedule? She's looking at $30,000+ in total savings.

That's not just smart financing. That's a game-changer.

Why This Matters More Than Ever in 2026

We’re operating in an economy where every dollar counts. Costs are sticky, customers are picky, and payroll still shows up every two weeks like it owns the place. Access to capital is still the #1 constraint for small business growth—and the wrong monthly cost of capital can quietly choke your momentum.

74% of small business owners are actively seeking non-bank lenders because traditional banks are moving too slow and asking for too much. But in that rush to alternatives, they're walking into pricing structures that would make a loan shark blush.

Here’s the tragedy: business owners with good credit, solid cash flow, and real growth plans are often charged like they’re high-risk.

That’s the Fairness Gap in action. Most lenders charge nearly the same high cost to everyone—so the strongest borrowers effectively help cover the portfolio risk for the weakest.

At Simplified Capital, we’ve been A+ BBB accredited for two decades because we do something refreshingly straightforward: we price risk appropriately and explain the cost in plain English.

1. Well-qualified borrowers can often access lower costs and massive early payoff benefits—the “cure” for being stuck in everybody pricing.
2. Less-than-perfect credit? We still provide a lifeline at fair market rates. We don’t turn you away—we just price the risk fairly, and we help you choose a structure you can actually live with month-to-month.

That’s how financing should work: fair, transparent, and aligned with performance.

The Cure You've Been Looking For

Phillip, our founder, once said something that keeps this entire team motivated:

"What we offer is so good it hurts not being able to reach those in need. It's like having the cure for cancer but being unable to reach those suffering."

That's not marketing speak. That's the genuine frustration of watching business owners: people like you: overpay for capital by 50-100% when there's a better way sitting right here.

If you're reading this and doing the mental math on your current financing, feeling that knot in your stomach as you realize how much you've been overpaying: that feeling is the wake-up call.

Your Next Move (And Why It Matters Now)

Here’s what separates business owners who thrive from those who merely survive: you treat your capital structure as strategically as your operations.

You wouldn’t accept 50% lower revenue for the same work—so don’t accept a bloated cost of capital for the same dollars.

Take these three steps today:

1. Calculate your “cents on the dollar.”
   Add up your total repay amount and divide by what you borrowed. (Example: repay $128,000 on $100,000 = .28 per $1.00.)
2. Calculate your monthly cost of capital.
   What’s the real monthly payment—and does it match your cash flow cycles (seasonality, AR delays, inventory turns)?
3. Request a free funding analysis from Simplified Capital at our application page.
   Ask us to show you options that reduce your cents on the dollar and improve your early payoff outcome if you perform well.

That last part matters: savings aren’t theoretical. They’re sitting in someone else’s account right now—unless you pull them back into your growth plan.

Ready to Stop the Bleeding?

For 23 years, Simplified Capital has been the partner that business owners wish they'd found first. We offer:

✓ The A-Player Advantage: often 18 to 25 cents on the dollar for well-qualified borrowers and Fast Unsecured Capital (not the 45-Cent Tax)
✓ Bank-Grade Freedom: NO Blanket Liens—you keep control of your assets
✓ “Invisible” Funding: NO hard personal inquiries and NO personal credit reporting to keep personal scores pristine while building business credit
✓ Working capital built for reality: fast access with weekly payments, plus a strong early payoff benefit after a short minimum payment period
✓ 0% business credit cards for strategic, low-cost capital access
✓ Equipment financing for any industry, any credit level, any time in business
✓ Free, no-pressure funding consultations to map out your best path forward

We're not here to sell you the most expensive product. We're here to structure the smartest solution.

Why wait? Don’t let a maxed-out bank line stop your next big contract. Get the capital that respects your credit.
Call us. Email us. Apply online. Let’s build a funding plan that protects your cash flow today—and keeps your bank line in reserve for when you truly need it.

Because somewhere out there, a business owner with great credit and big dreams is about to sign a deal that quietly charges them the 45-Cent Tax.

Don’t let that be you.

---

Since 2002 (23 years), Simplified Capital: A+ BBB accredited: has helped small businesses secure fast, flexible funding. Need equipment financing, working capital, SBA/USDA options, construction materials financing, or business credit cards with intro rates as low as 0%? Call, email, or visit now for a free, no-pressure funding plan. Let's make your next season of growth happen: together.