Business consulting and coaching firm helping entrepreneurs improve credit profiles and access funding through lender compliance and strategic planning.
Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology
Avenues To Move Forward is a business consulting and coaching company that positions itself as a guide for entrepreneurs and small business owners seeking to improve their financial standing and secure business funding. Founded on the principle that every business has unique needs, the company offers personalized advisory services rather than direct lending.
The company's core offerings center on three pillars: lender compliance (ensuring businesses meet funding requirements), business credibility building (establishing professional presence), and funding strategy (guiding businesses through a proprietary funding process). Their engagement model begins with a comprehensive business review that includes business foundation assessment, Paydex score analysis, personal credit evaluation, and the delivery of a custom strategic plan with a funding roadmap. They claim access to a network of lenders and financial partners to support client funding applications.
Avenues To Move Forward differentiates itself through personalized consulting rather than standardized loan products, positioning ongoing support and regular check-ins as part of their service model. The company emphasizes expert team credentials and a "proven track record" of helping business owners access funding, though specific case studies or metrics are not provided on their website.
As a business consulting service rather than a direct lender, the company's primary value proposition depends on the quality and actionability of their consulting advice and the actual utility of their lender network connections. Prospective clients should understand this is a paid advisory service requiring upfront investment before any funding is secured, with outcomes dependent on implementation and lender responsiveness rather than the company's direct approval authority.
Yes. Avenues to Move Forward LLC is a registered company, headquartered in Chicago, IL.
Results vary by individual situation. Contact the provider to discuss expected timelines for your specific needs.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Avenues To Move Forward is best suited for entrepreneurs and small business owners who need advisory guidance on improving credit profiles and understanding funding requirements before approaching lenders, not for those seeking immediate capital or direct lending. The primary caveat is that this is a paid consulting service with undisclosed fees that functions as an intermediary—actual funding approval depends entirely on third-party lenders, and the company's value depends on the quality of advice and legitimacy of their lender network connections, neither of which can be independently verified from available information.
Non-profit credit counseling agency serving Chattanooga and Tennessee River Valley for 40+ years, offering debt management, credit counseling, and housing counseling at no cost.
Best for: Chattanooga and Tennessee River Valley residents with maxed-out credit cards seeking debt elimination through managed payment plans, Homebuyers in the service area needing first-time buyer education and housing counseling
Nonprofit HUD-approved financial counseling agency founded in 1974. Offers free and low-cost counseling for housing, debt, credit, and foreclosure prevention.
Best for: Homeowners facing foreclosure who need free, unbiased counseling before engaging a servicer, Seniors age 62+ considering a reverse mortgage who must complete mandatory HUD counseling
NewLane Finance provides equipment financing for businesses, vendors, brokers, and medical practices. A subsidiary of WSFS Bank with $1.1B+ financed since inception.
Best for: Vendors and brokers seeking reliable equipment financing partnerships to offer customers, Small businesses and medical practices ready to purchase or replace equipment with minimal downtime
Your credit report contains the raw data behind your score. Learn what's in it, how to read it, and how to dispute errors that could be dragging your score down.
Read guide →Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm — they make spending easy. But what happens to your credit score when you use them? Here's what the fine print doesn't tell you.
Read guide →Learn what makes up your credit score, how it's calculated, what the ranges mean, and how to check yours for free.
Read guide →New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
The total yearly cost of borrowing money, including the interest rate plus any fees the lender charges. Think of it as the 'true price tag' on a loan.
Lenders must show APR by law (Truth in Lending Act) because the interest rate alone can hide fees. Comparing APR across lenders is the most reliable way to find the cheapest loan.
Example
You borrow $10,000 at 6% interest for 3 years, but there's a $300 origination fee. The interest rate is 6%, but the APR is 6.9% because it includes that fee. You'd pay $304/month and $946 total in interest.
The percentage a lender charges you for borrowing their money, calculated on the amount you still owe. It's the lender's profit for taking the risk of lending to you.
Even a 1% difference in interest rate can cost you thousands over a loan's life. Lower rates mean less money out of your pocket.
Example
On a $20,000 car loan for 5 years: at 5% you pay $2,645 in interest. At 8% you pay $4,332. That 3% difference costs you $1,687 extra.
A person who agrees to repay your loan if you can't. They're equally responsible for the debt, and their credit is affected by your payment behavior.
Cosigning helps people with thin credit get approved or get better rates. But it's a huge risk for the cosigner — they're on the hook for the full amount if you default.
Example
A parent cosigns their child's $30,000 student loan. The child stops paying after 6 months. The parent is now legally required to make the payments or face collections, lawsuits, and credit damage.
How long you have to repay the loan, measured in months or years. A shorter term means higher monthly payments but less total interest paid.
Longer terms feel more affordable monthly but cost much more overall. A 30-year mortgage costs almost double in interest compared to a 15-year mortgage on the same amount.
Example
Borrowing $200,000 at 6.5%: A 15-year term costs $1,742/month ($113,561 total interest). A 30-year term costs $1,264/month ($255,088 total interest). You save $141,527 with the shorter term.
A one-time fee the lender charges to process and set up your loan. It covers their costs for underwriting, verifying your information, and preparing paperwork.
Origination fees are usually 1-8% of the loan amount and are often deducted from your loan proceeds — so you receive less than you borrowed.
Example
You're approved for a $10,000 personal loan with a 5% origination fee. The lender deducts $500 upfront, so you receive $9,500 in your bank account but owe $10,000 plus interest.
The original amount of money you borrowed, before any interest or fees are added. It's the 'real' amount of your debt.
Your interest is calculated on the principal. Paying extra toward principal (not just interest) is the fastest way to reduce your total cost and pay off a loan early.
Example
You borrow $25,000 for a car. That $25,000 is your principal. Your first payment of $450 might split as $150 toward interest and $300 toward principal, bringing your balance to $24,700.
The process where a lender evaluates your finances — income, debts, credit history, assets — to decide whether to approve your loan and at what rate.
Understanding what underwriters look for helps you prepare a stronger application. They check your DTI ratio, employment stability, credit score, and the asset's value.
Example
You apply for a mortgage. The underwriter reviews your pay stubs (income), bank statements (savings), credit report (history), and orders an appraisal (home value). This takes 2-4 weeks.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
Affiliate Disclosure: CreditDoc may earn a commission when you click links to Avenues to Move Forward LLC and other services. These commissions help us maintain our free research. Our editorial team independently evaluates all services. Compensation does not influence our ratings or rankings. Learn more.