Personal finance articles related to money in micro and small businesses.
If you’re like most people, you spend quite a bit of time hanging out on social media. Companies know this and take great care to cultivate an online presence that engages, delights, and supports their target market. But, chances are, the firm’s CEO isn’t cranking…
Before you start to panic, understand that committing tax fraud involves more than making common mistakes on your income tax return. But there are numerous types of tax fraud and evasion that could result in civil or criminal penalties. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) treats…
Becoming a virtual assistant is an increasingly popular way to have a freelance, home-based business. You get to set your hours, work remotely, and choose who you work with. But what does it really take to be a successful virtual assistant? We’ve got all the…
You’ve thought about becoming a freelance writer for years. It seems like the perfect way to express yourself while earning a living. But, you know you won’t become an overnight sensation. You wonder: what does it actually take to be a successful freelance writer? Growing…
Does your debt prevent you from living a stress-free life? How often does your debt come between you and your financial goals? Paying down debt can be a difficult task, but not an impossible one. There are a few different methods of paying off your…
It’s always exciting to hear from customers or potential clients when you’re self-employed. But, if you’ve been in business long enough as an artist, musician, blogger, speaker, photographer, designer, coach, or personal trainer, there’s a good chance someone’s asked you to perform quality work without…
Whether you’re a new business owner just starting your enterprise or a seasoned entrepreneur with years of experience under your belt, you need a reliable, low-stress option for your business banking. As your company grows, it’s essential to focus on your customers while improving and…
Lots of people are drawn in by the allure of entrepreneurship. After all, you get to ditch corporate life and call all the shots. But, while there’s a ton of potential upside, running a business is not always glamorous. You’ll need to do a lot…
You’ve finally decided to start your own business. That’s exciting — congrats! You’re passionate about your idea and confident in your ability to pull it off. Still, you’re not sure how to fit being an entrepreneur into your life – especially your professional life. The…
Entrepreneurs and small businesses nowadays are taking full advantage of social media to promote their company, products, and services. And why shouldn’t they? Social media marketing is a form of “earned media” (as opposed to paid media) as it is driven organically by word of…
You might have heard of the Federal Reserve and the terms federal funds rate, and discount rate. But what do they mean? And more importantly, how do they affect you? The short answers are: The Federal Reserve is the central bank system providing financial services…
At its core, networking is about meeting people and expanding your circle so you can get more done and make a more extensive impact. Often viewed as a helpful tool for job seekers who need to connect with hiring managers, networking is just as critical…
When you own a small business, you need to wear many hats to run and grow your enterprise. However, there will come a time when you can’t do it all alone and need to hire employees. When you reach that point, it may be tempting…
You’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Maybe you have family members or friends who’ve started successful companies. You’re realizing a hobby you enjoy could bring in money if you made it a business. Diversifying streams of income is something you want to pursue. There are…
If you work remotely or have a home-based business, you may question whether working from home affects your productivity. While you thought it would be great to work in sweat pants and prep for dinner during a quick work break, maybe even throw in some…
You started out designing t-shirts for a family reunion. Before you knew it, requests for other designs were trickling in. Does this sound familiar? Maybe it isn’t graphic design. Perhaps it’s dog walking, babysitting, reselling, or crafting. If you’re like most people, you have a…
After lots of dreaming and planning, you’ve settled on a business idea. You’ve chosen a name, identified target customers, started networking with other entrepreneurs and have a color scheme planned for your website and marketing materials. But before you get too excited, there are many…
You finally decided to start freelancing or start your own business. You know there’s a lot to consider when launching your gig. You’ve already chosen the right business structure, registered your business, opened a business bank account, got business cards printed, and built a business…
Today, more than ever, it’s clear that keeping your skills up to date is a must to remain competitive in the business world. Having the latest ideas and technologies in your arsenal will improve your chances of earning a promotion or pay raise and truly…
If you dream of owning a business, but you’re struggling with choosing a business idea, you may consider starting your own or purchasing an existing business for sale. Or you might consider starting a company by jumping into a chain business with buying a franchise….
Would it surprise you to know that one of the major reasons small business fail is to do with budgeting and cash flow? At the end of the day they simply run out of cash. When we think of business failure we are more likely…
Statistics tell us 50% of small businesses fail in the first four years. And, the reasons are multiple, from the lack of the managerial experience to the lack of finances. Starting a business on your own comes with significant risks. There’s a substantial probability you…
You’ve been building your perfect business idea for years. And, now you’re ready to finally make it happen. This is a super-exciting time of your life, but it’s also extremely stressful. There’s a lot to do and, at some point, you will ask yourself: Is…