While the U.S. federal government remains the largest buyer of goods and services in the world, doing business with the “feds” — particularly for small businesses — can be an unwieldy and regulatory-laden process.  Read More →

President Barack Obama said his economic advisers will examine “additional measures” to promote hiring and growth and urged Senate Republicans to drop their “blockade” of a measure to help small businesses.  Read More →

Today’s economy is extremely competitive, as I am sure all of you will agree. Luckily there are numerous free or inexpensive marketing tools to help small businesses level the playing field. However, you may be overlooking one of your best marketing tools. Curious to know what it is? Look in the mirror. That’s right. Your best marketing tool is you!  Read More →

Despite the sluggish economy, small businesses are picking up the pace of business travel. We all know it’s good to be able to meet face-to-face with our customers, but business travel can be a major hit to our cash flow. Therefore, it is important to make sure you get a strong return on your travel investment.  Read More →

This week is Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week when representatives from the public and private sector come together in Washington D.C. to share information and resources for growing and expanding minority businesses domestically and globally. If you can’t be there, don’t worry, many government agencies are using the month of August to showcase the wealth of resources that they offer to help minorities get started and succeed... 

This week is Minority Enterprise Development Week when representatives from the public and private sectors come together in Washington, D.C., to share information and resources for growing and expanding minority businesses. If you can’t be there, don’t worry, many government agencies are using the month of August to showcase the wealth of resources that they offer to help minorities get started and succeed in business. Here’  Read More →

I think the biggest mistake small businesses make in marketing is making everything so difficult for consumers to understand that they don’t get it. Small businesses often make the mistake of trying to compete with the “big dog” companies that have larger marketing budgets. I daily watch small businesses try to market like big companies, when in fact they’ve missed the core components that will get a person to buy their... 

President Barack Obama kept up criticism of his Republican opponents today for blocking legislation that he said would make it easier for small businesses to get loans.  Read More →

Small businesses must be extra imaginative with their marketing efforts in order to attract customers and get them to open their wallets. Here are six proven low-cost marketing ideas that help small businesses increase sales and generate referrals.  Read More →

Confidence among U.S. small businesses fell in July to the lowest level in four months, led by declining expectations for economic growth, a private survey found.  Read More →

It’s tough for small companies to compete head to head with major corporations when providing fringe benefits, such as health-care coverage, tuition reimbursement programs or matching 401(k) plans. But small businesses do have one advantage — they can create a company culture and environment that attracts the best and the brightest by embracing creativity and engaging employee innovation. Just have a little fun.  Read More →

Senate Republicans blocked a measure that would cut taxes and ease credit for small businesses, saying they objected that Democrats refused to consider their amendments to extend expiring tax breaks.  Read More →

Congress should raise the lending limits for credit unions because it would help small businesses and create jobs, said Bill Cheney, president and chief executive officer of the Credit Union National Association.  Read More →

President Barack Obama met privately with Democratic donors and made a pitch for his plan to aid small businesses on a trip that combined campaigning for his economic policies and raising money.  Read More →

Small U.S. businesses pushing for a $30 billion federal lending fund are making their case without the support of some supposed allies: Washington lobbying groups who say they represent small businesses.  Read More →