By Staff
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 8:15 AM
WASHINGTON D.C.—The U.S.
Small Business Administration (SBA) has identified several Small Business Trends which will shape the coming year. “2024 stands to be an exciting year for the small business community, and the SBA wants to help make sure you’re ready for whatever is in store,” the organization recently posted. “Consult our resource partner
network for no- or low-cost counseling and training and visit the
SBA Learning Platform in order to access a wealth of educational materials."
By Staff
Monday, November 20, 2023 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—American Express announced that for its 14th annual Small Business Saturday on Nov. 25, 2023 it will introduce
“Door to Shop Small,” an augmented reality (AR) experience to help get more shoppers across the country through the physical and virtual doors of businesses. From Nov. 20-25, 2023, eligible American Express Card Members who make a single purchase of $50 or more by using their enrolled eligible Card at U.S. retailers in the “Shopping” category on the Shop Small Map or online directory, can earn a one-time, $5 statement credit. Enrollment is required and is limited.
By Staff
Monday, November 6, 2023 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—Across the country, within many local communities and across the U.S., the
NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan and member-driven. Since its founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses and remains so today. The organization provides general advocacy on a range of issues impacting small and independent business from proposed legislation to utility and tax issues.
By Staff
Thursday, October 19, 2023 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—It’s coming up soon. This year’s Small Business Saturday will be taking place on Nov 25, 2023. Celebrating small businesses’ contributions to the community and economy, the special day has been observed each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Originally founded by American Express, the goal was to encourage people to support smaller independent businesses.
By Staff
Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—
Main Street America has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for more than 40 years. The organization which helps local communities and businesses in these efforts, puts on workshops, special events, virtual and live, annual conferences, and other initiatives that can help small and independent businesses learn and thrive. Organizations, companies and individuals can join and
become a member to participate in various ways.
By Staff
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—Whether you’re starting a new small business or looking to grow the one you already own, finding funding can be a challenge for businesses of all sizes. A regular update on specific programs is shared by
CO, the special information resource website for small businesses developed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Each week, an updated list of loans, small business grants or other opportunities to connect with programs and organizations are available to help small businesses.
By Staff
Thursday, September 7, 2023 8:15 AM
Mastercard is augmenting a suite of services that it provides for small businesses, including new tools to help companies accept payments, obtain financing, protect against cyber crimes and more, the company said. As small businesses work to adapt to an increasingly digital business environment, Mastercard International’s Ginger Siegel, North America Small Business Lead, told CO, the U.S. Dept. of Commerce resource site, “Many small business owners wear multiple hats and lack dedicated personnel in key areas, such as finance, marketing and technology."
By Staff
Thursday, August 24, 2023 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—What does it take to be a good and effective owner of a multigenerational family business? Responsible owners play the most critical role in ensuring the long-term survival and success of a family business. They know how to balance the needs of the business with their own needs. Find out what it takes to be a good and effective owner at Transitions Fall 2023, November 1-3 in San Diego, Calif. The conference, sponsored by
Family Business Magazine, will take place at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa.
By Staff
Thursday, August 10, 2023 8:15 AM
Do you know why staff leave you? It may be because they don’t feel psychologically safe with you. Here’s how to fix that. “The Great Resignation” refers to an ongoing trend of workers voluntarily leaving their employment (aka “quitting”). It is a global situation many blame on the pandemic, but in reality the trend was in place prior to 2020—particularly in the health care industry (one-in-five health care workers quit their jobs in 2020-2021). Small businesses have been hit especially hard.
By Staff
Wednesday, July 26, 2023 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—Most people know that LinkedIn is a special type of professional-focused social media platform used around the world. It’s a helpful platform to showcase your individual skills and work achievements, but did you know it also offers detailed help for small, independent, entrepreneurial businesses to raise their profile, build business relationships, attract future employees and more?
By Staff
Thursday, July 6, 2023 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—Investing in technology, prioritizing trust and consistently focusing on the health of the business are some of the opportunities that small business owners say are important to them in the latest PwC Global Family Business Survey, which offers a range of helpful tips for those running their own business. Trust, in particular, is a vital “competitive advantage” that requires strategy and diligence to build, PwC’s survey says. In the U.S., 78 percent of family businesses say they believe it’s essential for customers to trust their companies. But only 52 percent believe their customers fully trust them and just 44 percent believe their employees do.
By Staff
Monday, June 26, 2023 8:15 AM
NEW YORK—The latest NFIB Small Business Optimism Index shows a small increase of 0.4 points in May, taking the index to 89.4. However, this is still the 17th consecutive month the index has been below the 49-year average of 98—the last time the index came in at or above average was in December 2021. Of particular concern is that small business owners expecting better business conditions over the next six months have declined one point from April to a net negative of 50 percent.
By Staff
Thursday, June 8, 2023 8:15 AM
Small business owners continue to struggle to find workers, with 45 percent (seasonally adjusted) of all owners reporting job openings they could not fill in the current period, according to a recent jobs report by NFIB. The share of owners with unfilled job openings exceeds the 49-year historical average of 23 percent. Of those hiring or trying to hire, 92 percent of owners reported few or no qualified applications for the positions they were trying to fill.
By Staff
Thursday, May 25, 2023 8:15 AM
PLANTATION, Fla.—Although Small Business Month concludes within the week,
DHL Express continues to find ways to support these growing businesses year-round. Today, one of the leading providers of international express shipping services has launched its
GoGreen Giveaway to help U.S.-based small businesses grow more sustainably. Those who enter the DHL GoGreen Giveaway have the opportunity to win the grand prize, which includes a $10,000 international shipping stipend to apply to transport costs and GoGreen Plus services, good for up to 12 months; $20,000 worth of sustainable business consulting; and GoGreen Carbon Reporting.
By Staff
Thursday, May 11, 2023 8:15 AM
WASHINGTON D.C.—Could your small business help inspire others? Want to get recognized for the small business you’re building? Applications are now open for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s
America’s Top Small Business 2023 Awards. This year’s awards will recognize the contributions of small business to America. The deadline for submissions is July 8. And the Chamber says it is looking for examples of “Ingenuity. Grit. Perseverance.” Rules are posted online, but to enter, applicants must be legal residents of the U.S., they must be a for-profit business operating for at least one year, primarily within the U.S., the business has to have fewer than 250 employees or gross revenue or less than $20 million for both 2021 and 2022.