As an entrepreneur, you should be aware that your personal credit can affect your ability to secure a business loan or other types of financing. Many lenders—especially financial institutions—review personal credit scores as part of their decision on whether or […]
When you think of American companies, Amazon, Apple or Google likely come to mind. But the vast majority of the companies in America are small businesses. The U.S. Small Business Administration defines a small business […]
It’s very helpful for small business owners to have good personal credit and a strong business credit profile. Business credit matters, and there are steps you can take to improve your business’ credit score. Why business […]
My eyes darted between my calendar and my to-do list, and I immediately felt overwhelmed. I had one week left until I was scheduled to set off on my first vacation in a long time. Hiking, kayaking, […]
Unless you live in a single rate state like Massachusetts, where you calculate sales tax at one rate (6.25%) for every address in the state, the total sales tax rate for a given address could […]
As a business owner, time tracking may not be top-of-mind. After all, tracking your work and your employees’ work by the hour can feel tedious. But, here’s a rude awakening. Letting time slip through your […]
When starting a business, you might think you need a big-time investor to infuse your startup with a large amount of capital. You may even have your “Shark Tank” pitch ready to go. But for many […]
Minority entrepreneurs have a major presence in the U.S. business landscape, as there are about 8 million minority-owned businesses throughout the country. However, not all of these business owners are succeeding. Several factors could be […]
Every tax season, individuals and businesses alike are knee-deep in receipts, W-2s, 1099s and state and federal tax forms. Sometimes making sense of your taxes seems like it’s own job. This article will provide an […]
Starting a business is quite an undertaking. You need an idea and gumption enough to bring it to life. Of course, it takes more than an idea and gumption. Time, energy, and funding all factor […]
Open office spaces are a hotly debated topic in the realm of workplace modernization. Tearing down cubicle walls and moving people out of individual offices has become the fad many businesses credit for success. There’s […]
Randy Nelson (pictured) has started and sold two successful businesses and is currently the CEO of Gold Dolphins, LLC, which provides coaching for entrepreneurial leaders and CEOs. But his first job out of college was on a […]
The success of your small business depends on making smart deals that expand available resources and enable continued growth. Just as important are the deals you walk away from — thus avoiding costly mistakes that […]
Business credit may seem complex to learn and difficult to master, but gaining a solid understanding of just the basics will give you a leg up in all your entrepreneurial adventures to come. Let’s take […]
Your budget as a small business owner may not always have room for advertising, but you still need a strategy for building brand awareness with potential customers. Thanks to online resources and digital tools, there […]
Many small business owners suffer from constantly being in “overdrive,” always working at a pace that makes mere mortals seem slow by comparison. And while a fast pace can definitely aid small business owners in […]
There are a lot of things that keep small business owners up at night, and one of those fears is growth. Growing a business beyond the capabilities of one individual can seem impossible and more 70% […]
Have you heard the term “bootstrapping a business?” Derived from the old saying about “pull yourself up by your bootstraps,” bootstrapping means using your own money to finance and grow your startup. Instead of seeking a loan or investors to […]
There’s no doubt about it. Being your own boss certainly has its perks: you choose who to work with, the kind of projects you take on, the hours you work, and, more often than not, […]
It’s hard to believe that I just passed eight years as an entrepreneur. As we’ve grown at Content Marketing Institute, I’ve leaned on many critical resources, and I keep them pinned to my office wall—such as Mark […]
Groundhog Day is the 1993 classic comedy film that asks the question “What happens when a TV weatherman, played by Bill Murray, starts reliving the same day over and over again?” The repeating time loop […]
Would you know it if your business was in decline? According to a white paper [PDF] produced by compensation data company PayScale, a business can enter a state of decline before it becomes obvious to those in […]
Teaming up with a business coach can really help fuel growth in a small business, but you’re more likely to achieve success if you first determine what you want a coach to help with, and […]
You know a good personal credit score is critical for getting the best rates on everything from credit cards to mortgages and car loans. But did you know your business credit rating is just as […]
If you’ve started a small business, you’re likely enjoying success while simultaneously worrying about the future. For many entrepreneurs, part of that future is growing, whether that means adding new locations or carrying a wider range […]
Whether intentional or unintentional, fraud can happen to any business. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of it happening to you. Here are eight practices that can help protect your […]
If you can’t answer this question with hard numbers, then you don’t really know. The most successful companies have systems in place to make sure that profit is prioritized, expenses are controlled and stakeholders are […]
As someone in charge of the company finances (not to mention everything else in your business), you’re constantly on the looking for opportunities to save. Throughout tax season, business owners have a number of money-saving […]
No matter how simple or complicated your finances are, doing your taxes always involves some level of hassle. At the minimum, you have to compile your tax documents and complete your returns by April 15 […]
Many of the personality traits that make a person an ideal candidate for military life, including independence, a desire to serve and the ability to stand firm in difficult circumstances, translate well into the world […]