Category: Running a Business

Amazon vs Etsy: What is Your Best Option as a Handmade Seller

Amazon vs Etsy: What is Your Best Option as a Handmade Seller

If you want to get the items you create to a wider audience, but you don’t want the hassle of creating and maintaining your own online store, you may want to list them on the two biggest ecommerce platforms or artisans and markers: Amazon Handmade and Etsy.  Which one is best for selling homemade items? How much do they cost? And what are the benefits or drawbacks of each? Here we compare Etsy vs Amazon so you can decide which… Read More
How Resilient Are Your Small Business Finances?

How Resilient Are Your Small Business Finances?

Since the pandemic began in early 2020, there’s been a lot of talk about small business resiliency and business continuity. While we hope there’s no repeat soon of a pandemic, other disasters, whether they are economic or natural disasters, will occur at some point.  What does a resilient small business look like? How can small businesses build resilience? Here we explore ways to prepare your business for unknown challenges.  How Do Small Businesses Build Resilience? Writing in the Harvard Business… Read More
How To Prepare for and Beat Inflation in Retail in 2024

How To Prepare for and Beat Inflation in Retail in 2024

High inflation as a small business owner — especially in retail — can be a huge source of stress and concern. Every day, we hear news about inflation and its effects on our daily lives, from the cost of groceries to how gas prices are making it harder to get retail items in stores. But there are ways to prepare for inflation, and it starts with understanding the root causes. Inflation in 2024 stems from several factors: disruptions in the… Read More
Best Inventory Management Software for Small Business

Best Inventory Management Software for Small Business

No small business owner wants to sell and restock their items blindly. Maintaining inventory control is an important aspect of running any small business that sells products — which is where an inventory management system comes in. No matter the type of system you put in place, it’s essential for you to track inventory to increase efficiency and customer satisfaction.  Your business’s data can tell you a lot about how to manage your inventory. In this article, we explain what… Read More
Retail Options for Working Capital Loans

Retail Options for Working Capital Loans

Running a retail business can be deeply rewarding. Nevertheless, as with any small business, it can also be challenging. Retail businesses may be more impacted by macroeconomic events than many other sectors, and owners must always be prepared for unexpected events that alter daily operations. The good news is that when times are tough, there are tools that can help make managing business needs easier. One good resource is a working capital loan. Let’s explore how working capital loans can… Read More
How to Survive (& Thrive) as a Restaurant with 2022’s Rapid Inflation

How to Survive (& Thrive) as a Restaurant with 2022’s Rapid Inflation

As the Federal Reserve continues to raise interest rates, restaurant owners have a right to be worried. There are still sectors of the food service economy that have yet to fully recover from the COVID-19 crisis, and now the threat of a recession is on our collective doorsteps.  Nevertheless, while an economic downturn may be inevitable, restaurant owners are not helpless. Let’s explore some actionable ideas you can use to minimize potential disruptions on your business.  How Inflation is Impacting… Read More