I understand what you mean.  When I first started abstracting I had to file bankruptcy following an auto accident.  I was under-insured.  I was young at the time and didn't really understand how "full coverage" wasn't enough.  Now, I am a big believer in lots of insurance coverage.

Anyway, after the bankruptcy, I couldn't finance the steam off a free lunch.  Everything I did had to paid in cash.  I managed very well with that for several years.  Even after I was able to borrow money, and get credit cards again, I didn't for a long time.  However, at some point I did get a large business credit line.

With employees, I felt I needed to for their protection - and mine.  It takes a long time to thoroughly train an examiner and I didn't want to have take a chance losing a good one because I had to lay them off if we had a couple of slow months, or a client that went out of business without paying us. 

Fortunately, I have not really had to use it much.  I tapped it a bit when I started Source of Title and again to make some office improvements.  I'm still very cautions about going into debt, but it is comforting to know that in a pinch I have access to it to get us through some cash flow problems.

Best,
Robert A. Franco
SOURCE OF TITLE