Category: Starting a Business

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

Are you tired of putting thousands of business miles on your personal car? Or maybe you need a more professional vehicle for client meetings but don't want to commit to a big car payment. Many entrepreneurs find  that leasing a vehicle through their business offers a practical solution. Business vehicle leasing can help you manage costs and protect your personal vehicle. You might even save money on taxes by deducting lease payments instead of taking the standard mileage deduction. If… Read More

Spring break is just around the corner, and that means more than half of people between 18 and 34 flock to locations near and far to catch some much-needed rays or break from life’s stressors. For small businesses, spring break can be a challenging time of year – though the nature of those challenges can vary. For some business owners, this means a welcome uptick in revenue and traffic; for others, it can mean a notably slower time of year.… Read More

There was a time, not long ago, when businesses in every industry grew with the labor and talent of workers classified as independent contractors. Even before the “gig economy” and “side hustles” were buzzed about (and companies like Lyft and Uber made them newsworthy) small businesses everywhere relied heavily on contract workers provide the bulk of their services. Hairdressers, construction workers, writers, and dog walkers were all classified as independent contractors with little to no challenge to their status, but… Read More

Though many small business owners hire tax professionals to fulfill their annual income tax filing obligations, others turn to increasingly efficient tax filing software to file their own taxes for their business or personal tax returns. Though there are numerous tax software options available, TaxAct and TurboTax remain two of the most popular options. Both of these programs offer the basic tools you’ll need to complete your taxes. There are, however, a few significant differences between the two that may… Read More

For many consumers, paying with cash is so 20th-century. It’s essential that every small business offers non-greenback options at physical and virtual locations. Customer convenience, however, means an additional cost for companies that includes as much as 2.50% per transaction, plus other fees associated with card processing. This can be particularly hard on small businesses, especially those just that are just getting started. It’s essential, despite the cost, for businesses to meet customers where they are, especially since so many… Read More