Category: Running a Business

The minimum wage debate has been on the radar of workers, politicians and government officials for quite some time now, but 2019 marks a year of increased activity. This year, at least twenty states will work to increase their minimum wage, with some hoping to meet their ultimate wage goals within the first few years of the new decade. For many small business owners, that means identifying ways to meet these new standards while maintaining healthy margins. The same is… Read More

If entrepreneurship runs in your blood, you may not want to wait until you’ve graduated from college to start a business. And why would you? Some of the most recognizable companies in the world, including Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and Dropbox, were founded by college students. But running a small business in college requires not only masterful time management but also creative budgeting strategies. Here are some tips that can make it easier to afford your business aspirations while paying for… Read More

Maybe you already filed your taxes and are wondering, “did I take advantage of every possible deduction?” Or, perhaps you’re running against the clock and hoping you’ve given yourself the best advantage possible. Either way, small business taxes, particularly deductions, can be complicated. However, taking the time to make sure you’re leveraging all the right deductions can save you thousands of dollars each year. And while there are many commonly known tax deductions, there are a few that remain a… Read More

We're not here to tell you whether or not to indulge in April Fool's Day shenanigans this holiday. If you really want to put your cubicle-mate’s stapler in gelatin, that's up to you (and your HR team.) We would be missing a big opportunity, however, if we didn't take the chance to share some common mistakes small businesses are doing every day – many that can make them appear pretty foolish to investors and customers. 1. Not Having a Social… Read More

Running a business isn’t always easy, and there are various challenges that can halt or reverse growth however, few are as dangerous as those that directly impact your finances. Fortunately, you can mitigate financial risk by taking control of your spending and monitoring cash flow.   Here are four common small business spending mistakes as well as a few suggests to help you avoid them.   4 Common Small Business Spending Mistakes 1. Failure to separate business from personal expenses… Read More

When you’re serious about growing your small business it makes sense to get the best advice possible. You can do that even if money is tight by tapping the expertise of Small Business Development Center (SBDC) advisors and consultants. SBDCs are funded in part by the United States Congress through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBDC Centers offer free consulting and free or low-cost training. (Find yours here.) Their results speak for themselves: SBDC clients grow sales… Read More