Category: Running a Business

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

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

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
Complete Guide to Credit Card Balances, When to Pay and When to Hold for SMBs

Complete Guide to Credit Card Balances, When to Pay and When to Hold for SMBs

Key Takeaways Business credit cards offer the ability to buy now and pay later, which can improve business cash flow. Many cards also offer the option to pay in full to avoid interest, or carry a balance over time and pay interest.  Statement balances, current balances and utilization can affect business credit and/or personal credit scores.  “I'm a big proponent of credit cards for my businesses,” says entrepreneur Brooks Conkle. “For one, using a credit company adds a layer of… Read More
Why Year-End Tax Planning Matters for Small Businesses

Why Year-End Tax Planning Matters for Small Businesses

The year-end is already hectic for many businesses. Trying to finish up your bookkeeping and handling year-end tax planning can seem like something that can be pushed back. Try not to.  Smart tax planning in the final months of the year can save your business money and prevent headaches during tax season. When you wait until the filing deadline approaches, you may miss opportunities to reduce your tax bill and risk making costly mistakes. Taking time now to review your… Read More
Business Broker Fees: A Complete Guide for Small Business Owners

Business Broker Fees: A Complete Guide for Small Business Owners

Several years ago, my business partner and I decided it was time to sell a website we had worked on for a number of years. This was the first time either of us had sold a business, and weren’t sure where to start. Tapping our professional networks, I connected with J. Money, who had sold his own website and now helps other business owners do the same.  His fee—a 10% success fee of the sales price—was well worth it to… Read More
Get Your Business Ready for Black Friday 2024

Get Your Business Ready for Black Friday 2024

Black Friday is a big deal for small businesses, says Brittany Long, an email and marketing systems expert who is known as “The Queen of Evergreen”.  Last year, Black Friday promotions brought in more than six figures in revenue for her own business. And as someone who also teaches other business owners how to create effective email promotions (including Black Friday promotions) using AI tools, she’s seen her students get excellent results, too.  “Black Friday is a huge opportunity,” she… Read More
Do You Need a Business Coach or Mentor To Get to the Next Level?

Do You Need a Business Coach or Mentor To Get to the Next Level?

“Initially I never thought I wanted or needed a business coach,” says Barbie Clemons, a licensed massage therapist and Gentle Scar Therapy Specialist, who owns Calming Waters Massage in Yarmouth, MA. “My business was going ok, no issues or problems and I seemed happy with the way things were.”  But a chance email led her to eventually work with three business coaches, who have helped her breathe new life into her business. “My income from teaching clients has increased 40%”… Read More