Understand each party’s role, incentives, and agreement before sharing documents or accepting funding.
Who does what?
A direct lender makes the loan. A broker helps arrange financing, while a referral partner introduces a potential provider. The exact services and obligations depend on the arrangement. Neither role, by itself, means the intermediary has reviewed every product on the market.
Cornerstone Life Group LLC operates as a business funding broker and referral partner, not a direct lender. Carlos can discuss your needs and possible next steps. Cornerstone does not determine a provider’s approval or terms.
Ask how everyone is paid
A broker or referral partner may be paid by a provider, by a business owner, or through another disclosed arrangement. Compensation can affect incentives. Do not assume there is no cost because no separate invoice appears.
Ask Carlos to explain the actual arrangement for an option: who pays, how much, when it is earned, and whether any amount is refundable. These questions describe what to clarify; they are not a claim about Cornerstone’s specific fees or provider relationships.
Six questions to take into a conversation
- Who is the provider, and who will service or collect the payments?
- How much cash reaches my account, and what is the complete repayment obligation?
- When are payments due, and what changes if sales slow?
- Are there broker fees, collateral, or a personal guarantee?
- What happens if I pay early, miss a payment, or want to stop the application?
- Who gets my information, and what credit review am I authorizing?
A personal guarantee can make the owner responsible for a business obligation; the scope depends on the agreement. Ask a qualified legal adviser about language you do not understand. SBA’s lender questions are another useful starting point.
Recognize a reason to pause
Pause if someone guarantees approval before reviewing your business, pressures you to sign immediately, or will not provide complete costs and terms in writing. Be cautious about claims that a product cannot affect your credit or has no meaningful risk without an explanation of the actual agreement.
The FTC has identified misleading practices and confusing pricing in small business financing. Compare sources independently and verify a recipient before sending sensitive records. Suspected fraud can be reported through ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
What a helpful conversation sounds like
“I need equipment, but sales are seasonal. Can we review the total cost, when payments start, what secures the agreement, and what happens in a slow month?”
That question invites a practical discussion rather than a promise. Use the funding basics guide for terminology and the cost guide to compare written offers. You can keep learning without submitting an inquiry.
Sources & further reading
General education, not an offer or individual financial, tax, or legal advice. Educational coverage does not establish provider availability or affiliation.
