Category: Running a Business

How Do Sole Proprietors File Business Taxes?

Have you recently started consulting, opened an online or physical store, picked up freelance work, or started a side gig? Congratulations, you’re now a business owner! Even if you haven’t formed a business entity, such as a limited liability company (LLC) or S corporation, you’re running a sole proprietorship. One of the best parts of being a sole proprietor is that you don’t have to file a separate business tax return. Instead, you’ll report your business income and expenses on… Read More

Common Trademark Mistakes Made by Small Business Owners

We all know how important it is to brand your business. The names, logos and symbols that identify the brand you use in marketing your products or services can be legally protected as trademarks. The information below will help you grow your business while you guard your brand. Register your trademark at the federal level Trademarks can be protected under both state and federal law. But it’s important to know the difference between the two systems.   In most states… Read More

5 States with the Most Expensive Restaurant Licenses

How much does it cost to open a restaurant? While the median cost is around $275,000, the numbers fluctuate significantly. Some restaurant owners may be pleased to find they can open their doors for as little as $125,000, though others may be looking at a bill that exceeds a cool half million. There are a plethora of reasons for cost fluctuations, but one definitive reason is varying license and permit fees. How much will licensing and permits cost for your… Read More

8 Books for Small Business Owners

As a small business owner, there's always something to learn. You're likely an expert in the subject matter of your business, but in the course of starting, running, or scaling a business, there are myriad lessons waiting for you. Fortunately, there are people who have done it before, and have taken the time to write down their words of wisdom for you to learn from. Here, in no particular order, are eight books for small business owners. 1. ReWork: Change… Read More

How to Hire Your First Employee (& When)

Congrats! Your small business is growing, and you’re starting to consider if it’s the right time to add on to your talent pool with your first, real hire. Up until now, you may have been relying on your own hard work, independent contractors, or even family members to get all the necessary tasks in your company accomplished. So, how do you know when you’re ready to take the plunge and raise your status to legal employer? These guidelines may help.… Read More

What is FinTech and How Does it Impact My Small Business?

The FinTech Revolution is bringing in billions in investment capital into the commercial financial series space, with faster access to capital, faster payment processing technologies, risk transfer services, along with integrated technologies that combine multiple areas of a business into one centralized managed function. We are truly living in the new wave of innovation that going forward will change the way we all live, bank, collaborate, and operate our enterprises forever. This new wave is fundamentally changing the financial services… Read More