From W-2 to Schedule 1040 C: Uncle Sam Has a One-Stop Shop for All Your Business Forms
November 23, 2009, 5:40 AM
Whatever stage your business is at - from hiring your first employee, filing your first W-2, or applying for a loan - a barrage of forms will require your attention. And as a small business owner, it's more than likely ...

Getting your Customers to Pay-Up: Part 2 - Tips for Collecting from Non-Paying Clients
November 19, 2009, 7:10 AM
At some or several points in every business owners life, you can expect to deal with a non-paying or slow-paying customer. In my earlier post - Getting your Customers to Pay-Up - Part 1: Tips for Protecting Yourself from Non-Paying ...

Getting Your Customers to Pay: Part 1 - Tips for Protecting Yourself from Nonpaying Clients
November 17, 2009, 7:15 AM
As sure as eggs are eggs every business owner can expect to deal with a non-paying or slow-paying customer at least once in their business lives. The trouble is that many of us, eager for new business and income, overlook ...

Selling Imported Goods inthe U.S.: Get Started with this Small-Business Checklist
November 12, 2009, 7:05 AM
Selling imported goods within the U.S. can be a lucrative business opportunity. High demand imported products such as artisan crafts, furniture and even food and beverage products such as olive oils, wine, etc. represent a significant market opportunity for savvy ...

Going Beyond the Shot Gun Approach – 5 Tips for Optimizing Your Non-Profit’s Fundraising Efforts
November 10, 2009, 6:50 AM
Raising funds to support the philanthropic mission of any non-profit organization can be a time consuming chore often fraught with trial and error. While splashy one-off fundraisers (otherwise known as "episodic funding") can generate a large chunk of charitable change ...

Five Holiday Season Marketing Tips to Help your Small Business Stay Profitable & Top of Mind this Year!
November 05, 2009, 6:25 AM
Whether your business depends on the fall/winter holiday season for a substantial part of your annual revenues or you find it to be a slow time of year - remaining engaged and connected with your prospect and customer base is ...

Thinking of Starting a Blog? Tips to Help You Start, Maintain & Grow a Successful Small Business Blog!
November 03, 2009, 6:55 AM
The online social media revolution that has bought us Facebook and Twitter actually started back in the late 90’s when the term “blog”, short for “weblog”, entered the lexicon. Blogs provide business owners with unprecedented ways of reaching and engaging ...

Why Your Business Needs an Elevator Pitch (and Tips on How to Target it to your Audience)
October 29, 2009, 6:55 AM
Whether you are on a trade show floor, making a sales pitch, or seeking investment, perfecting your elevator pitch can be one of the most important things your business can do. From the moment you start-up (when no one has ...

Need Help Starting a Business? Tips for Getting the Right Kind of Advice and Taking Control of Your Start-Up!
October 27, 2009, 7:10 AM
“I need help starting my business!” – is a common cry from many budding small business owners. And it’s no wonder. Starting a business is a huge step for any entrepreneur to undertake, and requires careful planning as well as ...

Surviving the Recession and Planning for a Rebound – How Small Businesses are Doing It!
October 22, 2009, 7:10 AM
No doubt about it, the current economic recession has hurt small businesses as well as the people they employ. But despite the reduction in consumer spending, dried up credit, ongoing debt and continued uncertainty about the timing of a bounce ...