Search
Have you ever considered extending your small business storefront to Facebook? According to The New York Times, small retailers are having more success than their larger counterparts when it comes to selling socially with Facebook storefronts proving to be a successful outlet for small businesses with less than $100,000 in revenue and fewer than 10 employees. Yet Facebook storefronts present business owners with a number of challenges. For example, if you have a business page on Facebook, you do not own it; Facebook does, and as such, it is...
by Caron_Beesley, Community Moderator on Monday, March 4, 2013 - 08:42
Interested in buying a business overseas? Whether you’re looking to expand into new markets or are just planning on funding your retirement plans outside the U.S., there are a number of steps you should take to ensure your new venture goes smoothly. Everything from business practices; legal and regulatory requirements; navigating an international sale deal; and language and cultural differences will come into play. Here are some considerations and issues to bear in mind as you go about buying a business in a foreign country....
by Caron_Beesley, Community Moderator on Monday, February 25, 2013 - 10:12
Starting or growing a business? Owning a small business can be a fulfilling endeavor, but as you probably already know or are just finding out – it requires that you wear many hats. This of course leaves you with little time to take a deep dive into the many aspects of starting and growing a business. Instead, many business owners turn to search engines for answers when questions come up. But what if you had access to a small business classroom that provided informed, accurate and always-available access to the advice and guidance you...
by Caron_Beesley, Community Moderator on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 - 08:26
In the market for a business loan? Heard about SBA loans but not really sure how they work or how to go about applying for one? The following are common questions that small business owners have about SBA loan programs and the loan application process. 1. How do SBA loans work? While the SBA does offer numerous loan programs to help small business owners finance their businesses, it doesn’t actually lend businesses the money. Instead, a bank makes the loan, which is backed by the SBA. This allows the bank to take a little more risk...
by Caron_Beesley, Community Moderator on Monday, February 11, 2013 - 08:34
So, your business is growing. While you may or may not have an accountant on hand, what about your bigger financial picture? Is it time to hire a Chief Financial Officer? More than just a bookkeeper, payroll administrator or keeper of P&L and cash flow statements, a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) can help you plan, model, forecast and make better business decisions. A CFO looks at your business holistically–this includes people, processes and systems–and ensures that together you have accurate financial information to plan for...
by Caron_Beesley, Community Moderator on Monday, January 28, 2013 - 08:42
Considering options for funding your start-up? Wondering if now is the right time to seek venture capital, but worried about losing control of your business? Here are some tips for weighing your funding options, finding the right venture capital firm for your needs, and working with them once you’ve received your first injection of seed money. Is Venture Capital Right for Your Small Business? If you are looking for funding under $200,000, smaller angel investors (this could include borrowing from family and friends) or peer-to-peer...
by Caron_Beesley, Community Moderator on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 - 08:31
Securing small business financing can be challenging. Whether you are just starting out or looking to grow, banks and lending institutions can be rigorous in their lending review practices. For example, businesses with few assets to their name may find it hard to secure a traditional loan. Other business owners may not be able to provide the reassurance that lenders seek to alleviate their concerns that your business may fail and the loan won’t get repaid. So when you approach a lender, it’s just as important to understand the...
by Caron_Beesley, Community Moderator on Monday, January 14, 2013 - 08:43
It’s that time of year again—W-2, W-3 and 1099 reporting season. The Affordable Care Act has changed things a little this year in terms of the information you must provide your employees on their W2s. Read on for an update and a refresher of other reporting obligations and how to file the right forms. Reporting Employee Wages and Taxes – What’s New on Form W-2 If you paid an employee any amount in wages in 2012, you must issue an annual W-2 form to report the wages, income tax, and FICA tax withholding, along with...
by Caron_Beesley, Community Moderator on Monday, January 7, 2013 - 08:51
Did you start a business last year? No? Are you planning to start one this year? Did you know you can choose the tax year you intend to operate under? Choose well, because there are pros and cons for either method. A tax year is an accounting period for which you must report your taxable income and business expenses, and the law requires you to operate according to a consistent tax year. The most common is the most obvious: the calendar year. However, businesses can also report based on a fiscal tax year and a short tax year. Here...
by Caron_Beesley, Community Moderator on Monday, December 31, 2012 - 09:09
Are you turning down work because you simply don’t have enough time or hands on-board to take it on? Thinking of hiring your first employee? Congratulations – your business is doing well! But before you advertise for a new employee, proceed with caution. Hiring staff is a commitment to the future, and should be made in the context of your long-term growth plan and whether you really want to be an employer. Here are some points to consider, plus some tips for determining whether you can afford to hire your first employee. 1. ...
Contributors
Top Rated Articles
Community Help
About This Blog
Loans, grants, taxes, and financial tips for your business.
Archive
- March 2013 (14)
- February 2013 (26)
- January 2013 (31)
- December 2012 (24)
- November 2012 (29)
- October 2012 (26)
- September 2012 (29)
- August 2012 (26)
- July 2012 (29)
- June 2012 (25)
- May 2012 (33)
- April 2012 (35)
- March 2012 (36)
- February 2012 (35)
- January 2012 (30)
by Caron_Beesley, Community Moderator on Monday, March 11, 2013 - 07:12