For many small businesses, slow payments are a fact of life.

We surveyed small businesses in the U.S. to understand exactly how unpaid invoices affect their growth. For example, nearly a quarter of American SMBs freeze hiring when cash flow is slow.

The opportunity cost is huge:

• If all small businesses were paid for all of their unpaid invoices, they could hire 2.1 million incremental employees. [Tweet this]
• 79% of small business owners choose to cut their own pay when customer payments are slow [Tweet this]
• If small businesses were paid for all of their unpaid invoices, business owners could pay themselves an incremental $31k on average [Tweet this]

How does your business compare?

Tired of paying the price for slow payments? We can help. Sign up for Fundbox.

1. Small Business Hiring

   23% of small businesses cut hiring new employees when customer payments are slow [Tweet this]

   If all small businesses were paid for all of their unpaid invoices, they could hire 2.1 million incremental employees. [Tweet this]

2. Business Owners Take a Pay Cut

   79% of small business owners choose to cut their own pay when customer payments are slow [Tweet this]

   If small businesses were paid for all of their unpaid invoices, business owners could pay themselves an incremental $31k on average [Tweet this]

3. No New Equipment

   23% of small businesses would hold off on buying new equipment if customer payments were slow [Tweet this]

   If small businesses were paid for all of their unpaid invoices, they could purchase an average of $9.2k in new equipmentt [Tweet this]

4. Reduced Marketing Budget

   20% of small businesses cut marketing and growth efforts when customer payments are slow [Tweet this]

   If small businesses were paid for all of their unpaid invoices, they could invest $8.3k more in marketing and growth [Tweet this]

5. Payroll Takes a Hit

   18% of small businesses hold back on pay increases when customer payments are slow [Tweet this]

   If small businesses were paid for all of their unpaid invoices, they could spend $7.4k more on employee salaries [Tweet this]

6. Decreased Inventory

   17% of small businesses cut spending on inventory when customer payments are slow [Tweet this]

   If small businesses were paid for all of their unpaid invoices, they could invest an incremental $6.7k in inventory [Tweet this]