Seasonal businesses fail in their off-season and get blamed for it - but the fatal mistake usually happens earlier: entering the season under-stocked, under-staffed and under-equipped because the ramp-up money wasn't there when it mattered. The season pays for everything; financing exists to make sure you can actually meet it at full strength.
The seasonal toolkit
| Tool | The job | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-season working capital | Inventory, hiring, marketing before revenue starts | 60-90 days before peak |
| Seasonal line of credit | Draw in ramp, repay in peak, sleep in trough | Open it in a STRONG month |
| Skip-payment equipment loans | Full payments in season, token in off-months | Ask explicitly - never default-offered |
| Revenue-based (careful) | Payments flex with sales automatically | Only if the % is survivable off-peak |
The timing rule that decides your rate
Lenders price the file in front of them. Apply in your slow season - thin balances, weak recent deposits - and you're a risk being priced defensively. Apply at peak with fat statements and you're a strong file getting strong terms for NEXT year's ramp. The best seasonal borrowers apply at their strongest, borrow before their busiest, and repay through it. Calendar it like inventory ordering.
Underwriters read 12 months, not 2
Seasonal lenders exist and they annualize: a landscaper's $9K February doesn't scare a lender who sees the $85K June. Bring a full year of statements plus last year's same-season numbers - the file tells your real story.
60-Second Funding Check
No credit pull. No obligation. Just a straight answer.
What do you need funding for?
We speak seasonal
Tax-season BHPH lots, summer fleets, snow contractors - Dealerun partners structure around YOUR curve: seasonal lines, skip payments, harvest schedules. Tell us your calendar; get financing that matches it.
Fund the ramp, own the season
Structures matched to your calendar - see them in two minutes.
FAQ
Can I get funding during my off-season?+
Yes, with lenders who annualize - expect them to weight last year's full cycle and this year's pre-bookings. Terms improve dramatically if you can wait for (or apply just after) your strong months.
How much pre-season capital should I raise?+
Work backwards from peak capacity: the inventory, payroll and marketing needed to serve your best realistic season, minus cash on hand, plus a 20% buffer. Under-raising and hitting peak at 70% strength costs more than the interest ever will.
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See what funding your business qualifies for - it takes two minutes and won't affect your credit.