Most new businesses whether large or small, usually find their first few years of trading extremely tough; a constant battle to survive in various and increasingly competitive markets. There is nothing remotely easy about starting and running a business, and it's a sad fact of life that many don't make it beyond the first year.
One of the most common problems faced by new businesses is trying to get money into the company; money owed by clients that for one reason or another rarely settle their bills on time. The majority of start-ups have very little cash to play with, so a late payer can be a serious problem in more ways than one; a problem you as the business owner should be prepared for.