Category: Advice
5 out of 5 Business Owners Agree: Bankers Just Don’t Get Main Street
Earlier this week we invited five OnDeck customers in for a face-to-face discussion about their experience finding a small business loan, and their experience with us. Over the next few weeks we’ll be sharing what the panel had to say and how it could help other small business owners on their journey. All five, before…
3 Easy Tips for Choosing a Payment Processor
With so many payment processors out there, how do you decide which one you should choose for your business? A new study from NerdWallet suggests both brick and mortar, as well as online small businesses, consider a number of factors before picking a provider. In order to narrow it down to what should work for…
The 4 Best States for Veteran-Owned Businesses
Across the country, states are finding ways to give thanks to the men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces. From dedicated government contracts to affordable and help securing small business loans, there are certain states that are making a concerted effort to for help veterans business owners. Here are four of…
Severe Weather Lurking? Know That Federal Aid Can Help
Although extreme cold is lurking in the MidWest, small businesses can rest assure severe weather damage won’t put them out of business. One vital resource to know about is the Physical Disaster Loan offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. If your business is in a declared “disaster area”, you can apply for this type…
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Small business owners are dealing with a higher number of lawsuits related to disability access these days. Federal legislation requires certain accessibility standards be met by all businesses, including curb ramps, self-opening doors and other accommodations. Soon, the list could even grow to include requirements online, such as video and audio captions and transcriptions for…
4 Small Business Certifications You Might Not Know About
Certifications are important for many types of organizations, especially small businesses that want to work with the U.S. government or receive special accommodations. Although there are a number of certifications depending on your gender, location and business type – here are four that are worth learning about. 1. Small Disadvantaged Businesses The Small Disadvantaged Businesses…
3 Bits of Advice from Successful Small Business Owners
Are you ready to take your small business to the next level? Here are three pieces of advice from small business owners that could help you find success today: 1. Don’t Be Afraid The first step is learning how to control your fear. As a small business owner, you will encounter new experiences, challenges and…
How to Not Feel Overwhelmed Anymore
Does the average workday for you sound like hundreds of tasks piled on top of each other? Sure, the life of a small business owner can get hectic at times. Transforming an idea into a successful small business takes guts, dedication and determination, and the result of that may be the opinion within your team…
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…
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…
Leef’s Small Business Lesson: Know Your Community, Know Your Customer and Know What Sets You Apart
At OnDeck, we value the uniqueness of each and every one of our customers. No two small businesses or business owners are quite alike – and we strengthened our appreciation of this when our CEO Noah Breslow visited San Francisco, CA-based Leef Smith, owner of Mission: Comics & Art. Starting Out: Leef began his career…
4 Business Credit Blunders to Avoid
The credit score that your small business maintains is possibly the single most important factor determining your access to small business loans and other forms of financing support. So you don’t want to make any missteps that could set that score back! A few potential blunders are listed below – do anything possible to ensure…