For small businesses, simultaneously preparing for the holiday rush while planning for the New Year can be one of the busiest and most expensive times of the year. CAN Capital, the market share leader in alternative small business finance, surveyed more than 1,000 small business owners about what they'd like to invest in to start 2016 off strong and found that new equipment/expanded inventory was the top pick, with 29 percent putting it first on their list. It was followed by improved technology systems (24%), expanded marketing efforts (18%) and business strategy/consulting (17%).

Managing inventory is also a top concern for the holiday season, with more than half (53%) of small business owners citing it as their biggest worry. Competing with big-box retailers was next (27%), followed by hiring seasonal employees (21%).

To help ease small business owners' stress and grant some holiday wishes, CAN Capital's Take the Reins Giveaway will provide 15 small businesses the tools they need to have a more successful start to 2016. Small business owners can enter their business for a chance to win $5,000 toward essential items like equipment, merchandise, technology or a custom business plan from one of CAN Capital's small business experts: Gene Marks, owner and operator of the Marks Group PC, a firm that provides technology and consulting services to small and medium sized businesses, or Rieva Lesonsky, CEO of GrowBiz Media, a content creation company focusing on small business and entrepreneurship.

To enter to win these items through CAN Capital's "Take the Reins" contest, small business owners just have to tell CAN Capital how the item they want will help their businesses grow in the New Year. CAN Capital will select the winners after the contest ends on December 31^st. Ten small businesses will receive the essential item of their choice and another five will be selected for the custom business plan from a small business expert.

"CAN Capital helps small and medium-sized businesses take the reins every day of the year by providing fast, efficient access to working capital. We launched this contest near the holidays knowing the season is one of the toughest times for small businesses to manage cash flow while still investing in their own growth," said Daniel DeMeo, CEO of CAN Capital. "By entering the contest and choosing either an essential item for their business or a custom business plan from an expert, small business owners can start the New Year strong to drive success in 2016."