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Five Legal Questions To Ask Yourself if You Own a Small Business in 2025

February 14, 2025 Brad Wiewel

Owning a small business can be filled with blessings and curses. The blessings of business ownership revolve around having control of your source of income and being able to build equity for larger, future personal and family goals. The curses range from people mistakenly thinking you can work (or not work) whenever you want and knowing that much of what may happen inside and outside your business can have significant legal consequences for you and/or your business. This article addresses… Read More

Bookkeeping 101 for Small Business: Everything You Need to Know

February 14, 2025 Gerri Detweiler

Key takeaways: Bookkeeping isn’t just about taxes—it helps you track cash flow, qualify for funding, and make smarter financial decisions. Learn why keeping accurate records is essential for your business’s success. You don’t have to be a finance expert to set up a solid bookkeeping system. With advice from tax pros, we’ll break down the basics. Avoid costly mistakes and stay tax-ready with simple strategies. Discover common bookkeeping pitfalls, how to manage your records efficiently, and when to consider outsourcing.… Read More

Starting a Business After Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: A Guide to Moving Forward

February 1, 2025 Gerri Detweiler

Key Findings: Nearly 450,000 Americans filed for bankruptcy in 2023, and there were nearly 19,000 business bankruptcies the same year. Americans are also starting businesses in record numbers, with over 21 million businesses started over the past four years. Bankruptcy will create challenges for starting a business, but does not have to stop entrepreneurs who are passionate about launching their business. “I love entrepreneurs,” says San Francisco bankruptcy attorney Cathy Moran. “They are the most optimistic and hard working folks… Read More

Can You Start and Run a Business Without Loans?

January 28, 2025 Gerri Detweiler

Key takeaways: Starting a business without loans offers greater control and flexibility, but requires careful planning and realistic expectations about how to grow with fewer resources. Small business loans and financing can help you grow faster, and be more competitive, but also carries financial risk. Success often comes from combining multiple strategies: starting lean, reinvesting profits strategically, and knowing when financing might make sense for growth opportunities. When Levi King started his sign manufacturing and repair business in Idaho in… Read More

How Tariffs Can Impact Your Small Business: An Up-To-Date Guide

January 23, 2025 Gerri Detweiler

Key Takeaways President Trump made tariffs a key campaign promise, and has proposed significant tariffs against Canada, Mexico, and China, and other countries. Many economists predict tariffs will lead to increased prices, and will likely impact consumers and small businesses more than large businesses. Small business owners should understand how tariffs may impact their business and consider taking steps to mitigate the possible effects. Tariff Updates Last updated 2/10/2025 The US International Trade Commission publishes the Harmonized Tariff Schedule which… Read More

Top Business Loans and Grants for Native American Entrepreneurs in 2024-2025

December 3, 2024 Gerri Detweiler

There are about 49,000 American Indian and Alaska Native-owned small businesses in the US, according to US Census Bureau research. Indigenous entrepreneurs in the USA often face significant financial challenges, however: 56% of Native and Indigenous entrepreneurs cite financial issues such as raising capital or budgeting as their biggest challenge, according to a Breaking the Blueprint HubSpot blog survey. 16.3% of Native households don't use banks, due to high poverty rates, systemic racism, and lack of brick-and-mortar institutions on reservations,… Read More