Big brands have a lot going for them – their logo is instantly recognizable, their products and packaging are familiar, and they often have a brand advocate who “represents” the brand in its marketing outreach.And brand advocates don’t just belong in the realm of big business, they can be equally valuable for small business, if not more so. And you don’t have to pay someone to do it for you – your greatest brand asset is you! Here are five tips for small business branding success from SBA Metro D.C. Small Business Person of the Year 2006, Warren Brown. Read more...

On March 2, President Obama signed legislation extending the availability of Recovery Act funds for certain Small Business Administration (SBA)-guaranteed loan programs. This is the second time the U.S. Senate has approved additional funding for economic stimulus provisions related to SBA-guaranteed loans and is good news for small businesses seeking start-up and growth financing. This article explains what this funding extension means for small business loans now and in the future. Read more...

This year, Americans are predicted to spend almost twice as much on food for their pets in 2010 as they do on vet bills! So it’s no wonder that many entrepreneurs are turning their passion for their furry friends into “dog bakery” or “pet bakery” business opportunities. Here are some tips to get you started and navigate the laws that govern the pet food production business. Read more...

Hispanics are opening businesses at a rate three times faster than the national average. The corollary of this is that more and more government resources dedicated to helping Hispanic entrepreneurs start-up, operate and grow, are becoming more widely available – if you know where to find them. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best government and non-profit resources and programs, which specifically support Hispanic business growth. Read more...

Often misperceived as nothing more than hobbyists and part-timers, home-based business owners represent one of the most educated, successful and growing sectors of the small business economy. If you are interested in starting a business from home, it can be a low-cost, low-risk door opener into self-employment. Here are some facts on home-based success as well as some resources and tips to get your started. Read more...

For many new business owners, “business incorporation” may not be a four-letter word. But it’s certainly a loaded phrase. So many myths, misconceptions and rumors abound about business incorporation that it’s easy to see why some are confused about whether incorporation is right for them, what costs are involved, and where to even start. Rather than rush out to file your articles of incorporation, just because you think it’s the right thing to do, step back and ascertain whether incorporation is right for you. Here are some points to consider. Read more...

From beauty products to Google Apps to reselling consignment on eBay – the opportunities for becoming a reseller are endless. If you are interested in becoming a reseller, here are a few things to understand about how the reseller industry works together with some pointers for finding, assessing and securing the right reseller opportunity for you. Read more...

Taking your sales channel online, whether you choose to sell exclusively online or wish to supplement your store-front operations, is a whole different ball of wax than bricks ‘n’ mortar retailing – particularly when it comes to getting started, marketing your site, and observing the regulatory rules of the road. Here are some “must have” resources, tips and advice to help you make a successful and legal move to e-commerce. Read more...

Seniors and baby boomers make up a whopping 23.4 percent of the population. As with any other demographic, there is no silver bullet for marketing to this group. But one thing’s for sure, it’s not just about senior discounts anymore. Here are some tips to consider. Read more...

There are many reasons why businesses fall on hard times – and it’s not always the fault of the broader economy. Poor management, a bad location, over-expansion, insufficient capital, or a lack of planning – many of these factors, if not avoided, can certainly weigh down a business or even sink it. If your business is experiencing financial difficulty and is struggling to survive, here are some steps you can take to keep the creditors and the IRS from your door, as well as some potential lifelines and “refresh” business strategies that can help you stay afloat. Read more...

For small business owners in particular, whose business is oftentimes their world, networking can get you out of the day-to-day silo of business ownership and help you work on your business, rather than in it! Don't think that you have to be the best conversationalist or have the biggest expense account to succeed at networking. Here are some tips that every small business owner, can employ to get derive value and revenue from business networking. Read more...

Whether you are in the business of making money, running governments, or organizing communities - teamwork is essential. It is the basis of engagement, innovation and success. In business, powerful teams not only drive results, they empower, challenge and motivate employees to learn, grow and participate in the collective success of the business itself. And while there are numerous books and courses that you can take to learn effective team building techniques, some of the best advice can come from those who are in your shoes - other small business owners. Get "10 Team Building Tips from the Real World of Small Business". Read more...

With 2009 behind us, it's pleasing to see some indicators that the government-backed small business loan market may be trending in the right direction. In early January 2010, CNN Money reported that the SBA's flagship lending program - the Basic 7(a) Loan Program - backed 37% more loans in its latest quarter (Oct - Dec 2009) than it did during the same period in the year prior. That's $3.8 billion spread across 12,393 loans. If you have struggled to get financing in the past, or are thinking of venturing into small business loan territory for the first time, here are some pointers. Read more...

President Obama’s first State of the Union address stressed the importance of collective responsibility - a message that was not lost on the small business community. Calling for a renewed entrepreneurial imperative, many small business experts stress the importance of taking ownership of your business future now. How? Here is a snapshot of some of the existing government programs, resources and tools that you can put to work for your business today! Read more...

Becoming a franchisee is just as risky as starting your own independent business, if not more. Getting started is going to require quite a bit of research, planning, and due diligence to get you beyond the hype and misleading claims of franchisor marketing. With a picture of the "harsh realities" of franchise ownership in your back pocket, take the next step by building a picture your own readiness to become a franchisee. Assess potential franchise opportunities; and equip yourself with an understanding of what the law can do to ensure your interests are protected. Here is a collection of expert advice to help you on your way. Read more...

Tax laws often define and support your small business investment and growth strategies. So, it's important to take stock now, and assess how your business can comply with, and benefit from the changes that apply to the 2010 tax year. Here is a summary of the major changes in federal income tax law that can impact your business in 2010. Read more...

As you prepare to file your small business tax return, you'll need to be aware of several new tax laws that went into effect in 2009. This article outlines the key changes that impact the 2010 tax filing season. Read more...

Google AdWords, the "Sponsored Links" that appear to the right of your main search results on Google, offer small businesses in particular a relatively low cost and flexible way to pitch their wares and generate traffic to their Web site.This post briefly explains pay-per-click advertising based on the Google AdWords model - how it works, discusses ways you can determine if it's right for your business, and offers lessons learned from other small business owners. Read more...

Who hasn't dreamed of being their own boss? Answerable to no one and free to choose how and when you work, freelancing is an appealing career choice. But becoming a freelancer is also a business choice that requires planning, commitment, financial and professional discipline-- as well as the wherewithal to essentially find a new job each day and handle the peaks and troughs of cash flow. If freelancing is something you have considered, here are some tips for assessing your readiness and suitability for running a freelance business, as well as some steps to get you started. Read more...

According to research conducted by the Direct Marketing Association, in 2009 commercial e-mail marketing outperformed all other forms of direct marketing, including print catalogs and direct mail. And while the rumor that email marketing is about to be replaced by social media continues to float around, all evidence points to the contrary. Here are a few pointers for leveraging email marketing to engage and build relationships with your customers. Read more...

The keys to success with social media: starting small, doing your homework, and not being afraid to change when things aren't working. Read more...

If you are one of the 52% of small businesses that has made the decision to operate a home-based business you no doubt appreciate the consequences of your choice - reduced commuting expenses, no hefty commercial property leases to pay, flexible work hours, and so on. But operating a home-based business also means that you have a responsibility to ensure that your home office has a minimal impact on the environment and on your household's bottom line! From office equipment to government energy incentives, here are some ways to "green" your home-based business Read more...

From the moment you start-up, and throughout the life of your business- hiring your first employee, formalizing your business structure, and so on-you'll need to understand and comply with a host of government laws and requirements. But for many business owners, there's a parallel path of ever changing trade- and industry-specific government regulations that must also be navigated. So how do you untangle the hairball and make sense of what regulations apply to your specific industry? Here are a couple of resources that can help: Read more...

Do you know how you are going to exit your business? You may have a dream of going public, selling to the highest bidder, or retiring and handing over your business legacy to your family. Big dreams aside, the truth is that 66% of small business owners have no exit strategy for their businesses in the event of their disability, retirement, or death. Here are a few things to consider as you plan your business exit strategy. Read more...

How is your business doing? Have you conducted a business review lately? As the year draws to a close, there is no better time to start planning again – and this invariably means taking stock of the business year, reviewing your market position, and deciding where to take your business in 2010. Here are some tried and tested tactics you can employ to review your business performance, together with some tips for seeing beyond the malaise of 2009 and finding optimism in your accomplishments. Read more...

In the past few years “business turnaround” and “entrepreneurial” reality TV shows have become compelling viewing – opening our eyes to the successes and challenges inherent in being an entrepreneur or small business owner. Whether you are a start-up seeking investment or an established business in need of a re-launch to abate failure – these shows deliver what could be considered a 50 minute master class in how to succeed in business. Here are some common and consistent learning moments gleaned from these shows that small business owners everywhere might consider. Read more...

Tax season may not be upon us yet, but it's certainly around the corner. And, as every good accountant worth their salt will tell you, getting ahead of your obligations and doing some early tax planning and preparation will stand you in good stead once reporting time comes around. Read more...

Social media is now a fundamental part of any marketing strategy, and market data suggests that more and more small businesses are starting to adopt social media as a means to promote their business. And while many business owners find the adoption of social media an inviting and essential challenge, for others simply knowing where to start can be an intimidating task. Here are three ways that you can make social media pay for your business. Read more...

Last month I received of my first ever copy of the 2010 IRS Tax Calendar for Small Business and Self-Employed. Half-expecting something akin to an accountant's pocket book, I was pleasantly surprised to find a full color, themed calendar stocked full of useful tools and information for small business owners. IRS 2010 Small Business & Self Employed Tax Calendar Given the tough year most have endured, this freebie from the IRS is a practical resource that we can all benefit and learn from. Read on to find out why. Read more...

Back in January 2009, "open government" was the hot topic in Washington, D.C. This week, the spotlight is firmly back on "open government" as a host of federal government agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services, NASA and Veteran Affairs were "inducted" in the Open Government Innovations Gallery. Celebrations aside, Business.gov has long been a champion of open and collaborative government and was inducted into the Innovations Gallery when it first launched in May 2009. And this is good news for small business owners. Read on to find out why. Read more...