About an sba loan? They used to be next to impossible about 6-8 years ago, but banks are much more open to making sba loans on businesses with experience and a proven track record. 4 years should be sufficient, but a lot depends on what the business is.

I'm working on my 2nd sba loan in 4 years after the bank literally laughed me out the door for a few years back in 05-10.

I have a couple small loans from a couple different people and they are the most stressful because I know if times get rough I'm going to have to answer to them. Bank loans are easier on me because it's strictly business. If I default (which I never have and don't expect to) I give them "the keys" and walk away with a bankruptcy and really bad credit. They know the risk and they accepted it.

For me, id much rather have loans at 4-6 percent and still have full control of what I do, rather than give up a percentage of my business and have to answer to someone else about every little thing I do.

Not sure if that helps answer your question . In grad school, my entrepreneurship class professor always told us when starting out to look for $ from the 3 F's - Family, friends, and fools.