You Can Even Lease Your Web Site!

We had worked with leasing companies before and know how important they are to small businesses looking for capital.  All of us have seen copy machines, computers, office equipment, plant machinery and vehicles being leased.  But it wasn't until we spoke with Madison Capital that we understood how tailored a leasing program for small business could be.

It started with a simple telephone call to Nancy Pistorio, one of the partners at Madison Capital, a firm with which we had worked successfully in the past.  Back nearly ten years ago, we had been impressed with Nancy and her partner's grasp of our recruiting firm's business and capital needs AND their lightning-quick response when our enterprise servers showed up five days ahead of time!  As Nancy and I caught up on the past five years (and after she pointed out a few needed "clarifications" in our "Benefits of Equipment Leasing" article), the topic had turned to what had been Madison's more unusual financings over the past few years.

Basically, Madison customizes its lease programs to each of their client's specific needs.  They have always provided financing for traditional equipment and vehicle financing, but they also have provided flexible, lease programs for non-traditional equipment.  How non-traditional?  Well, some of the exotic businesses they have lease-financed include an inflatable children's party equipment provider, the roller skate inventory for a rink, a golf cart advertising company and Christmas décor for shopping malls.  And then they tailored the terms of the lease to include such specifics as seasonal payments, thereby matching the revenue stream of their client.

Madison has also extended the service aspect of its firm beyond leasing.  For some of their larger vehicle fleet buyers, Madison acts as the fleet manager by keeping track of the vehicle inventory and alerting the clients when vehicles need to be serviced, returned and replaced.  In another example, Madison provided the lease financing which allowed a medical equipment distributor to rollout its medication dispensing service to institutional pharmacies nationwide.  It is this type of service which separates Madison from the average lease capital firm.

So what are the basic guidelines for Madison?  "We look at any type of equipment or system that has a useful life greater than the lease term and which is essential to the business", says Pistorio.  "There is a buyout at the end of the term, which satisfies the income tax regulations, and allows the lessee to deduct the lease payments.  But make no mistake, that equipment is yours - we don't want it!", she laughs.

And your web site?  "We regularly finance web sites, software purchases and network systems.  They are an integral part of the operations of our customers."