Articles
4 Things Nobody Told You about Being a Small Business Owner
When you think about your daily life as a small business owner, what part of your job makes you the happiest? Odds are; your answer doesn’t involve your finances or taxes. Managing your books isn’t often what made you become a business owner in the first place – and is rarely discussed when you set…
Independent Contractors vs. Full-Time Employees
Independent contractors or full-time employees – which one is the right choice for your business as you grow? Naturally, each option has its pros and cons, and the answer may be more nuanced than you think. Pros of Choosing Full-Time – Full-timers are typically more productive, motivated members of your team. They are locked into…
Angry at Yelp? Here’s How to Come out on Top
For one small business owner, negative Yelp reviews might not be such a bad thing. Botto Bistro, the California-based Italian eatery co-owned and operated by Davide Cerretini and Michele Massimo, are actively encouraging patrons to provide one-star reviews of their restaurant to protest the popular online review website Yelp. Why encourage negative reviews? The owners…
“Shop Local” Campaign Ideas You Can Actually Use This Holiday Season
The holiday season – which essentially extends from pre-Halloween all the way through the New Year, is a great time for business owners to tap into their local communities. To make the most of the season, here are three tips on how you can drive customers to shop local, rather than buy from the big…
Small Businesses Are Looking to Hire for the Holidays, New Survey Shows
For most small business owners, the holiday rush (hopefully) means an increase in sales. That’s why it should come as no surprise that many small business owners are looking to hire new staff – either seasonal or permanent – in the lead up to the holiday season. According to findings from the SurePayroll Small Business…
The Pros and Cons of L.A.’s Coming Wage Hike
There’s a big argument going on in California regarding the pay offered by small businesses to their employees. Though many small businesses are struggling to pay their employees the $9-per-hour minimum wage (or slightly more,) Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti wants to increase that minimum wage to more than $13 per hour. The proposed increase…
If Bernanke Can’t Refinance, Are Credit Standards Too Tight?
We all know getting a small business loan can be tricky given the current state of the economy and lending standards, but it looks like Main Street isn’t alone. One doesn’t have to look any farther than former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to see the impact of more stringent regulation. The former Fed leader…
The 5 Coolest Small Businesses in New York City
We think all small businesses are “cool”, but these five New York City-based small businesses are bringing it to a whole new level. 1. Aqua: a cycling studio where the stationary bikes are placed within pools so that the water provides resistance. 2. BarBacon: a bar where everything on the menu, to some degree, has…
6 Fall Productivity ‘Hacks’ for Small Businesses
With Halloween, and Thanksgiving right around the corner, its an easy time to get distracted. To keep you focused, we found these six different “productivity hacks” to help both you and your employees get more done during the holiday lead-up. 1. Inspire your workers to get a “full night’s rest” each evening – and get…
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Small Business Success Story: Hal Wilson, Cyber Imaging Solutions
Watch Hal Wilson, a 20-year small business veteran, and owner Cyber Imaging Solutions, a creator of websites for optical retail sales in Raleigh, NC talk about how he used an OnDeck loan to help accomodate his cash flow conversion cycles.
The Go-Getter’s Guide to Making 2015 Your Best Year Ever
We know, it’s only September – but now is the time to start planning for the next year of your business. Codifying your exact plans and goals months ahead of time will allow you the freedom to optimize once you’re in the thick of the year. Here are five things your business needs to be…
This Motivated Senator Wants to Fix the Small Business Loan Gender Gap
Recent studies have shown that woman business owners have a much tougher time obtaining small business financing than their male counterparts…and one motivated Senator is on the job and fighting for change. Maria Cantwell is the chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and she’s made closing this particular “gender gap” a…
Do You Classify Employees as Contractors? You May Need to Stop
Throughout the past decade, many small businesses have saved money by classifying their workers as independent contractors. They do so because an independent contractor – who, by definition, would have more rights to take work elsewhere than a standard employee – doesn’t need to be afforded the same healthcare, and other costs, that a full-time…
Dear Mr. President: Small Business Owners Have Something to Say
Small business owners are often referred to as community leaders – and it’s not just because their businesses serve as important pillars in their town or city. As one recent study from the National Small Business Association illustrates, entrepreneurs are an incredibly politically involved group. In fact, the stats seem to suggest that small business…