AllBusiness.com
Caron Beesley

Author Profile

Caron Beesley

Biography

Caron Sharp has over 14 years of experience working in marketing, with a particular focus on the government sector. She writes the Government Resources for Business blog on AllBusiness.

ARTICLES BY Caron Beesley

You'll want to register your small business

How to Register Your Business in 5 Steps

Here are some tips and best practices on how to register your small business at the federal, state, and local agency level.

Can a Minor Own a Business? What Young Entrepreneurs Should Know

Can a Minor Own a Business? What Young Entrepreneurs Should Know

If you are a young entrepreneur and still legally considered a minor, here are some important considerations you’ll need to keep in mind before starting your own business.

How to Become a Reseller: A Guide for Small Business Owners

How to Become a Reseller: A Guide for Small Business Owners

From beauty products to collectibles to eBay consignments, the opportunities for becoming a reseller are endless.

How to Start Your Own Dog Treat Business

How to Start Your Own Dog Treat Business

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.

How to Choose a Tax Profession​al for Your Small Business

Tax preparation and filing isn't easy at the best of times, but with business ownership comes new responsibilities. Whatever your business type, you may decide that you can benefit from the services of a tax professional to help you get your ducks in a row or help you complete your return. Not getting the right help can expose you to potential tax return errors, which can lead to costly penalties and time lost down the line. And because each business is different it’s important to get the right help based on your needs. When selecting a tax professional, here are four areas you need to cover.

Keep Your Business in Good Shape in 2011: With the Help of the IRS!

No longer just a hub for PDFs and tax forms, the IRS.gov Web site is now a feature- and content-rich online resource for entrepreneurs, small business owners and the self-employed. So, as you start preparing for tax season and plan the tax year ahead, here are just some of tools and resources that can help you stay fiscally fit and on top of your tax obligations. The good news is that these tools not only help business owners understand their tax obligations, they also offer a foundation in good business management that can be referenced all year round.

When and How to Use Coupons to Promote Your Business

There’s no doubt about it we are a nation of coupon-clipping consumers and let’s face it, who doesn't like a bargain? From print coupons to online coupon codes, and now with the staggering growth of social coupons – consumers are literally bombarded with special offers. But how do you make coupons work for your business without underselling your value and compromising your bottom line? Here are some considerations and tips for determining whether “couponing” is right for your business and how to market your discounts and special offers correctly.

Reporting Business Income and Expenses: Which Accounting Method Is Right for You?

In two previous posts, I addressed some key tax consolidations that small business owners and employers need to be aware of as we head into tax season, including the specific tax requirements that impact employers this time of year as well as changes to tax law that can benefit all businesses during the 2010 tax filing season. While these considerations are very important, especially if you are new to business ownership, it’s also important you establish and follow clear accounting methods and periods to ensure you are accurately reporting all income and expenses for the tax year that’s just passed. Whether you follow a calendar year, a fiscal year or a short tax year, each tax payer is required by the IRS to use a consistent accounting method (i.e. how your company’s transactions are recorded in your financial records), but how do you determine what’s right for your small business? Below are some tips for choosing an accounting method and tax year for your business.

Balancing Entrepreneurship and Parenting: How to Become a Successful Mompreneur or Dadpreneur

Are you a parent with entrepreneurial aspirations? Then you may just be the next “Mompreneur” or “Dadpreneur”! Contrary to what many might suppose, parents make great entrepreneurs, since many of the skills learned and applied as a parent are equally applicable to a successful business career. For example, both parents and business owners need to be goal-oriented, good planners, super-organized, focused on the finances, team-builders and fiercely tenacious, to name just a few! So how do you channel all these skills into entrepreneurship? Here are some tips and ideas for finding and starting the business of your dreams while managing the conflicting demands of your new life. Finding the Right Type of Business for You

Outsourcin​g to Freelancer​s & Consultant​s – 5 Tips for Getting It Right (and Lawful)

No longer regarded as a temporary back-fill for open staffing positions or one-off projects, outsourcing to freelancers and consultants has now become a regular practice among small and large businesses alike. And the benefits are obvious - outsourcing to trusted freelance workers can give you quick access to specific skill sets, industry-knowledge, and technical-proficiencies that you might not otherwise have on staff. It also allows you to adjust to spikes in demand, maintain a nimble talent pool, all while keeping your payroll outgoings at a minimum. But working with freelancers is quite different than hiring and managing a team of in-house employees. It essentially involves, outsourcing functions of your business to an outsider – which brings with it a whole host of concerns. For example, how do you find the right freelancer? Can you trust them with your sensitive data and should you let them interact directly with your customers? What functions should you outsource anyway? And last, but by no means least, what are your legal and regulatory responsibilities as an outsourcer? Here are some tips to help you navigate the process of finding, hiring and managing freelancers, consultants, and independent contractors.