Avenues to Move Forward LLC logo

Avenues to Move Forward LLC in Chicago, IL

5.0/5
Google rating from 18 reviews

Business consulting and coaching firm helping entrepreneurs improve credit profiles and access funding through lender compliance and strategic planning.

Data compiled from public sources · Google rating shown when a stored review count is available

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Avenues to Move Forward LLC Review

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 "listed 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 profile context 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.

Services & Features

Access to lender and financial partner network
Business credibility and professional presence building
Business foundation assessment and structure evaluation
Custom strategic funding plans
Detailed credit audit reports
Expert business and funding strategy guidance
Funding roadmap development
Lender compliance consultation
Ongoing coaching and support
Paydex score analysis and improvement recommendations
Personal credit score review and improvement strategies
Regular check-ins and plan adjustments

Feature Checklist

Mobile App
Online Portal
Score Tracking
Credit Education
Personal Advisor
Identity Theft Protection

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Comprehensive business review process covering business foundation, Paydex score, and personal credit
  • Customized strategic plans tailored to individual business situations rather than one-size-fits-all approach
  • Claims access to network of lenders and financial partners to increase funding approval chances
  • Offers ongoing support and regular check-ins throughout implementation process
  • Provides detailed credit audit reports with actionable next steps
  • Focuses on dual credit improvement (business Paydex and personal credit scores)
  • Free initial consultation available to assess current business status

Cons

  • No pricing information disclosed on website—consulting fees structure and costs are hidden until engagement
  • No specific case studies, success rates, or quantifiable results provided to verify claimed track record
  • Acts as a consultant/intermediary rather than direct lender, requiring client to secure actual funding from partner lenders
  • Relies heavily on vague language like 'listed track record' and 'expert team' without specific credentials or testimonials
  • Limited customer reviews visible (only partial 5-star review quoted); lack of comparable public verification context of service quality

State Consumer Finance Context

This is state-level context for Business Loans consumers in Chicago, IL. It does not confirm that Avenues to Move Forward LLC or this specific location is licensed.

State regulator

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Consumer protection

Illinois Attorney General Consumer Protection Division

Personal loan rules in Illinois

Status: Permitted

Rate context: 36% APR cap (including all fees) under Illinois Predatory Loan Prevention Act (2021)

All consumer loans are capped at 36% APR including fees and charges. Applies to all lenders offering personal loans to Illinois residents.

Installment loan rules in Illinois

Status: Permitted

Rate context: 36% APR cap (including all fees) under Illinois Predatory Loan Prevention Act (2021)

Regulated under the Illinois Consumer Installment Loan Act (815 ILCS 601/1 et seq.). Installment loans must comply with the 36% APR cap. Lenders must disclose all terms clearly and provide notice of cancellation rights where applicable.

Key state rules to check

  • The Predatory Loan Prevention Act (2021) caps all consumer loans at 36% APR including fees.
  • Traditional payday loans are effectively eliminated due to the 36% cap.
  • The Consumer Installment Loan Act regulates installment lending with additional protections.

Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Avenues to Move Forward LLC offer?

Avenues to Move Forward LLC offers 12 services including Business foundation assessment and structure evaluation, Paydex score analysis and improvement recommendations, Personal credit score review and improvement strategies, Detailed credit audit reports, Custom strategic funding plans, and 7 more.

What profile signals are listed for Avenues to Move Forward LLC?

Avenues to Move Forward LLC has profile signals associated with Early-stage business owners needing guidance on business structure and lender readiness, Entrepreneurs with weak personal or business credit seeking improvement strategies before applying for loans, Small business owners unfamiliar with Paydex scoring and business credit dynamics, Companies seeking advisory support to identify funding gaps before approaching traditional lenders.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Avenues to Move Forward LLC?

Key strengths: Comprehensive business review process covering business foundation, Paydex score, and personal credit; Customized strategic plans tailored to individual business situations rather than one-size-fits-all approach; Claims access to network of lenders and financial partners to increase funding approval chances. Areas to consider: No pricing information disclosed on website—consulting fees structure and costs are hidden until engagement; No specific case studies, success rates, or quantifiable results provided to verify claimed track record.

How does Avenues to Move Forward LLC compare to similar companies?

In the Business Loans category, comparable providers include Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Chattanooga, Credit.org, NewLane Finance Company. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.

Quick Facts

Headquarters
Chicago, IL
BBB Accredited
No
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CreditDoc Profile Note

Research Note on Avenues to Move Forward LLC

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.

Profile Signals

  • Early-stage business owners needing guidance on business structure and lender readiness
  • Entrepreneurs with weak personal or business credit seeking improvement strategies before applying for loans
  • Small business owners unfamiliar with Paydex scoring and business credit dynamics
  • Companies seeking advisory support to identify funding gaps before approaching traditional lenders
Updated 2026-05-08

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Quick Summary

  • Avenues to Move Forward LLC is listed as a Business Loans provider in Chicago, IL on CreditDoc.
  • Use this page to check contact details, location, listed services, review signals, FAQs, and similar providers before deciding what to do next.
  • If you need a loan, account, installment option, credit help, or debt support, start with the fit quiz and compare alternatives before contacting a provider.
  • For broader context, continue into the free Credit Fundamentals course or a relevant financial wellness guide.

Next Steps

Find contact or location Check phone, address, map, and website availability. Check specific services See whether the provider lists the help you need. Review fit context Use the quiz to compare category, service, and public-rating fields. Compare alternatives Review similar providers before making contact. Improve your position What Your Credit Score Actually Means: Number-by-Number Breakdown Learn the basics Start the free Credit Fundamentals course.

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Financial Terms Explained (7 terms)

New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.

Interest & Rates

APR — Annual Percentage Rate

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.

Why it matters

Lenders are required to 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 lower-cost 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.

Interest Rate

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.

Why it matters

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.

How Loans Work

Cosigner — Loan Cosigner

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.

Why it matters

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.

Loan Term (Tenor) — Loan Term / Tenor

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.

Why it matters

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.

Origination Fee — Loan Origination Fee

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.

Why it matters

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.

Principal — Loan Principal

The original amount of money you borrowed, before any interest or fees are added. It's the 'real' amount of your debt.

Why it matters

Your interest is calculated on the principal. Paying extra toward principal (not just interest) is the one route 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.

Underwriting — Loan Underwriting

The process where a lender evaluates your finances — income, debts, credit history, assets — to decide whether to approve your loan and at what rate.

Why it matters

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.

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