Business Tips
-
January 13, 2026 at 2:00pm
In some cases, going to a larger company is a better experience than working with a small business. -
January 13, 2026 at 2:00pm
The old crisis playbook is dead — today’s leaders must move fast, take clear positions and build trust with the stakeholders who determine their success. -
January 13, 2026 at 12:30pm
Product-market fit proves people want your product, but only a strong go-to-market strategy turns that demand into consistent, scalable growth. -
January 13, 2026 at 9:00am
Katie Lee’s Covid pivot turned into an entirely new business. -
January 7, 2026 at 8:00am
Maryland SBDC — When Abby Larkin, owner of Crepes in the Park, decided to part ways with the a crepes franchise and operate independently, she reached out to the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for guidance. This decision marked a significant milestone for Abby, who had been running the Severna Park franchise since 2013. […]
The post Crepes in the Park’s Transition to Independent Ownership appeared first on America’s SBDC.
-
December 31, 2025 at 8:00am
For Rev. Jessica Boyce, the launch of Whole Soul Consulting in March 2025 was the culmination of 15 years of ministry and a deep-seated desire to be a healing force in the community. As a charitable corporation focused on providing guidance for those who have experienced religious trauma, Whole Soul Consulting fills a unique and […]
The post Launching Whole Soul Consulting: How Rev. Jessica Boyce Found Business Confidence appeared first on America’s SBDC.
-
December 24, 2025 at 8:00am
The U.S. Census Bureau released new data about the sex, race, ethnicity, veteran status and other characteristics of U.S. business owners. For the first time, the release also includes estimates of employer firms by owner characteristics, industry sector and congressional district.
The post Census Bureau Releases New Data About Characteristics of Employer and Nonemployer Business Owners appeared first on America’s SBDC.
-
December 17, 2025 at 8:00am
Washington SBDC – When Jan Jaffe, a graduate of Central Washington University, moved back to Ellensburg with her family in 2015, her immediate plan was to focus on her infant daughter and offer private music lessons in her home. But, when demand started to outstrip capacity, she started dreaming bigger. Today Jaffe owns Make Music […]
The post Washington SBDC Helps Ellensburg Enteprenuer Strike The Right Chord appeared first on America’s SBDC.
-
December 10, 2025 at 8:00am
Temple University SBDC – Chef Shon Emanuel, affectionately known as Chef Sunflower, is a self-taught vegan chef with a passion for creating plant-based proteins that are simple, nutritious, and delicious. Operating from her family’s restaurant in West Philadelphia, she developed “Thaw-Heat-and-Eat” vegan offerings to make healthy eating more accessible. Shondia’s entrepreneurial journey began when her […]
The post Chef Sunflower Cooks Up Success with SBDC Support appeared first on America’s SBDC.
-
Artificial Intelligence Tips for Small Business Owners
October 17
AI is no longer exclusive to large corporations—small businesses can now leverage AI to automate tasks like accounting, boost customer service, improve marketing strategies, and enhance cybersecurity. These tools can provide valuable insights into your business operations, helping you make smarter, data-driven decisions that lead to better outcomes and more efficient workflows. However, adopting AI also comes with challenges, such as upfront costs and potential legal or ethical risks. Before diving in, it’s crucial to evaluate if AI aligns with your business needs and long-term goals. While AI offers significant growth potential, careful planning will help you navigate the complexities and fully harness its benefits for your small business. -
Navigating the New Exemption Laws: Essential Tips for Small Businesses
July 31
These changes affect executive, administrative, and professional employees. Here’s what you need to know to stay compliant and ensure your business is prepared. To determine if you or your employees qualify for this, please refer to the DOL website: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/overtime/rulemaking. -
HR Minute for February 2024
February 9
Although it is being challenged in both Congress and the courts, I still recommend small businesses review and prepare for compliance with DOL expectations https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa/misclassification. Note that the sub-directory title “misclassification” is a strong clue to the continued focus for regulatory oversight. -
Cybersecurity: Two Factor or Multifactor Authentication, A Necessary Step
October 30
Some of this is because cracking passwords isn’t all that difficult in most cases. To avoid providing access to your bank or credit card accounts, or to other sources of sensitive information, the companies are striving to ensure that only authorized individuals are accessing those accounts or information. In short, it is just a way of making sure that the owner of the login is the one accessing the account or information. -
Cybersecurity: Passwords Matter
September 21
Another responsibility is security. This responsibility is a big one and encompasses a lot more than some realize. Physical security is something that everyone is familiar with and probably comfortable with. It involves everything from door locks to alarm systems. It is generally easy to implement and not hard to remember to do. It used to be enough. -
Do These Three Steps Before Establishing Your Business Brand Identity
August 9
There are countless things to consider when starting a business. Which structure should I pick? Where do I find suppliers? How do I secure financing? Those are all very important, and often daunting, questions to answer while planning out your business concept and operations. -
Hitting Your Target Market
July 6
For example, it is fairly obvious that an infant and children’s clothing boutique will target parents and grandparents with infants and children that are within a certain age range. For the business to succeed there must be enough parents and grandparents to generate sufficient demand for such clothing and an evaluation of the competitions strength and the number of competitors. -
Promote Your Business with the Go Texan Program
June 1
The Go Texan program is a Texas Department of Agriculture initiative dedicated to identifying and supporting Texas-based businesses and connecting them with customers across the Lone Star State and around the world. The Go Texan program is dedicated to showcasing the diversity and quality of Texas – based businesses. Their efforts support business growth opportunities through developing new sales, establishing partnership relationships and encouraging customers to seek out the iconic Go Texan mark when making purchases. -
But they only worked for me for a week...
April 3
While the length of time the employee has worked may have an impact on an employer’s financial liability for an unemployment claim, it does not completely absolve the employer from the responsibility to respond to the claim. -
Keep Your Business Safe
October 13
All you wanted to do was open a small business on Main Street, or one that operates from home, selling your goods or services. -
Cash Flow Problems?
August 24
Inadequate cash flow is the number one problem for some businesses. Cash flow can be described as how cash moves or “flows” from the time the business pays for the expense of cost of goods or service (cash out) until the time it is collected by the business from the customer (cash in). -
Marketing and Advertising
August 18
When it comes to marketing and advertising your business, it is easy to fall back on colloquial phrases as justification for not being willing to try different techniques or channels. -
Using e-Commerce In a Post Pandemic Market
August 2
If the pandemic taught us all anything, it is that there is more than one way to serve customers. -
Curbside
July 7
As the COVID numbers continue to decrease, and Governor Abbott recalled the mask mandate, it seems businesses are getting back to normal. But what does “normal” really look like after all the challenges the small business community has faced over the past 18 months. -
Employee Service
June 15
I really enjoy reading the posts on Facebook of a high school principal. I know several educators and am “friends” with them on Facebook. However, not one of them is more active on Facebook and Twitter than he is. In fact, it would be fair to say that he is more active than my own school-age children are. -
The Business Factory-San Angelo’s Small Business Incubator
June 10
Business incubation started in 1959 in New York when an old Massey-Ferguson farm implement plant closed. -
Covid-19 & The Winter Storm
March 26
2021 has been a rough start for Texas’s small businesses. Covid-19 and the winter storm affectionately referred to as “Sno-vid” has packed quite a punch for west Texas and the Concho Valley. -
Small Business Assistance Continues with the New Administration
March 18
It is no secret that over the past year businesses have suffered in many ways due to the many tolls COVID-19 has taken on the economy. Our communities and businesses are starting to mend; however many small businesses are still struggling financially. -
Top Things To Know About the Paycheck Protection Program
March 1
The COVID-19 pandemic took our economy on a roller-coaster ride in 2020, and in 2021 we are still feeling the pains and strains from that ride. The introduction of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in March of 2020 was a lifeline to many small businesses who were struggling due to the pandemic. In late December, Congress tossed another lifeline to small business again with more flexibility in use and some clarifications in hopes to get small businesses back on their feet. Here are a few things you need to know about the PPP. -
Collaboration versus Competition
February 3
If there is one thing the pandemic has forced businesses to do is to think outside the traditional business box. Under the circumstances, getting a leg up on the competition has become more irrelevant and surviving has become the top priority. -
Economic Aid Act
January 22
Newly Issued Pandemic Relief Bill Provides Additional Financial Resources to Small Businesses