Category: Running a Business

“Tariffs.” It’s kind of a dirty word to some small business owners, and we’ve discussed the negatives that paying more for foreign products and commodities can bring. Higher-priced raw materials, such as aluminum and steel, can push up the cost of domestically-produced goods; on its face, that’s not a welcome change. Add in the fact that complicated trade relations are causing some countries to stop buying American altogether, and U.S. businesses are right to worry. There’s another side to the… Read More

Moving can be an exciting milestone for any business owner, especially if the move is designed to support or encourage growth. However, it can also be a disruptive time that's filled with chaos and stress. If you’re about to engage in an office move, the right amount of preparation can help smooth the transition and help you and your staff get back to business as usual. Here are there are eight things you can do to make it easier on… Read More

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