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October 1, 2024 -- Volume 23, No. 10

Is Crowdfunding the Answer to Your Capital Needs?

Small businesses may have difficulties raising money through traditional sources, such as bank loans or angel investors. Crowdfunding is an alternative way to raise money. Of all those seeking money through this method... businesses account for 55%. Is crowdfunding something your business can use to start-up or expand? Read More

Growing Your Business by Growing Your Skills

The end of summer is the traditional start of the school year. Back-to-school time may impact your business. It’s also a time to remind small business owners about the benefits of continuing to grow their skills. This doesn’t necessarily mean enrolling in an education program. There are many ways to continue your education. Read More

AI and Your Employees: Need Help with Staffing?

There’s been a lot of media focused on artificial intelligence—AI—being used to replace employees. While it’s true that some functions are now being handled by AI and that employees previously doing them have been axed, AI in the 21st century is probably no more that enemy of employees than machines were in the 18th and 19th centuries. AI will certainly cause disruptions and require retraining and redeployment of staff. Read More

Employer Matching Student Loan Payments: 10 Things to Know

Outstanding student loan debt in the U.S. is more than $1.7 trillion. There’ve been attempts by the federal government to cancel certain loans—some successful; others not. Many with student loan debt say they’re struggling to make payments. Employers can help in some ways. Read More

Should You Have Music in the Workplace?

When placed on hold on the phone, music is often played until someone can answer. There’s music in many elevators (hence the term “elevator music”—which has come to be known as a derogatory term for easy listening tunes). During the holiday season, Christmas music is everywhere…in stores, restaurants, fitness centers, and in many offices. Throughout the year, the question for employers is whether to bring music into the workplace. Read More

How Is Volunteering Good for Your Business?

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the practice of good corporate citizenship…an obligation to society beyond jobs and profits. It entails making business decisions that consider social and environmental impacts. To put CSR into practice, donations, sponsorships, and volunteering are essential activities. Read More

Statistics Reveal Surprising Increase in Sole Proprietorships

That’s the big takeaway from recently released IRS statistics on sole proprietorships for 2021. In fact, profits were up 22%. These stats are derived from Schedule C of Form 1040 or 1040-SR and show the contrast to the number of such filers and their revenue on 2020 returns. Read More

50 Years of ERISA: What It Means for Your Business

To most business owners, the term “ERISA” may not be known, although it’s ABC to tax and benefits pros. ERISA has likely had an impact on you and your business. On September 2, 1974, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) was signed into law. It was enacted to provide protections for participants in privately-sponsored retirement plans. Read More

Featured Guest Blogs

Preparing for Small Business Saturday 2024

by Jack Shaw

Small Business Saturday falls on November 30, 2024, but smart entrepreneurs have already begun their preparation work. Harnessing the consumer energy of this day takes the right approach but can significantly boost sales before the end of the year. Here are five steps to growing your bottom line by rocking Small Business Saturday.

5 Things Your Customers Think About Crypto: Insights for Entrepreneurs

by Monica Mendoza

Cryptocurrencies have become prevalent in today’s digital age—as a form of investment, a payment method, or a means for storing personal funds—so many businesses have started to integrate them into their operations. It’s estimated that more than 2,300 companies in the U.S. accept payment in cryptocurrency, and many of these companies are small businesses. Read More

Case Study on Ray-Ban-What Small Businesses Can Learn from It

by Barbara James

A case study can provide valuable insights and lessons that you can use to emulate successes, avoid failures, solve problems, detect industry trends, do strategic planning, and more. A case study on Ray-Ban is an eye opener (pun intended). Read More

10 Reasons Why Your Business Should Adopt Immersive Learning Today

by James Thompson

Conventional training systems need to meet the evolving demands of the modern workforce. Immersive learning, which uses technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality, presents a contemporary solution to this challenge. Read More

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The 2030 SMB Project Series: Talking Digital Currency

with Barbara Weltman

In this special episode of the Small Business Edge Podcast, Brian kicks off the 2030 SMB Project podcast series by discussing the state of digital currency with Barbara Weltman, an expert in small business taxes and the president of Big Ideas for Small Business.

Listen Here