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JUNE 8, 2018

So far, 2018 has been a year of activism for women. The #MeToo movement included women in nearly every industry exposing workplace sexism and harassment. It’s grown into the action-oriented #TimesUp movement. Equal pay has taken a front seat, too, with major court rulings aiding efforts to close the gender pay gap. And the second anniversary of the Women’s March in January attracted hundreds of thousands of people all over the country.

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Bankruptcy Small Businesses 111

Fundera

MARCH 16, 2018

One size doesn’t fit all for most things small business, and that’s the case with lead generation strategies, too. Even knowing that, though, many small business owners still struggle to determine which lead generation strategies work for their company, industry, or for business size. But why? Well, paralysis of choice, for one. In this era of digital marketing, there are just so many lead generation tactics.

Small Businesses 111

Small Businesses Transactions 111

Fundera

OCTOBER 5, 2018

No matter what your business is, it’s likely that you’ve considered implementing a social media strategy. Whether your company is B2B or B2C, it’s essential to consider connecting with your customers in the digital space — especially when you consider that there are 2.77 billion social media users around the world. Once you know you need a strategy, where do you start?

Small Businesses 108

Small Businesses 108

Fundera

FEBRUARY 20, 2018

What’s your favorite minority-owned business? Can you think of more than one that’s opened in the past few years? If so, there’s a reason for it: According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), entrepreneurship within minority groups is increasing. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, unfortunately. Access to capital isn’t as easy for these entrepreneurs, including securing financing and keeping businesses open.

Small Businesses 108

Small Businesses 108

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DECEMBER 24, 2018

The 11 Best Small Business Grants for Women Entrepreneurs. Grants.gov. National Association for the Self-Employed Growth Grants. Eileen Fisher Women-Owned Business Grant Program. Amber Grant. IdeaCafe Grant. #GIRLBOSS Foundation Grant. Cartier Women’s Initiative Award. GrantsforWomen.org. FedEx Small Business Grant. The Halstead Grant. Open Meadows Foundation.

Small Businesses 107

Small Businesses 107

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AUGUST 21, 2018

Nobody starts a business because it’s easy. On the contrary, every new business comes with its own set of unique challenges, and small businesses are no exception. For newly minted entrepreneurs, it’s those quintessential “small business problems” that can break their operations—or make them, if navigated properly. In fact, according to the US Small Business Administration, only half of small businesses will survive past their five-year mark ; and that small business success rate falls to just o

Small Businesses 107

Small Businesses Credit Scoring Deductions 107

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DECEMBER 10, 2018

You’ve probably heard it said that “small business is the backbone of America.” But what does that saying mean in practice? How many small businesses are there in this country, and how many people do they employ? Even if you’re a small business owner yourself, it can be hard to understand just how important small businesses are and how much they contribute to the economy—especially since the press focuses much more on the country’s biggest companies.

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Small Businesses Law Firms 105

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2018

If you’re thinking about starting a business, you’re definitely not alone. About 540,000 people start businesses in the U.S. every month , according to the Kauffman Index of Startup Activity. But not all of those businesses will last. Almost 80% of new businesses survive the first year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. About half survive five years or longer, and about one-third make it to their 10-year anniversary.

Credit Scoring 105

Credit Scoring Small Businesses 105

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NOVEMBER 26, 2018

The average hourly rate for a business lawyer can range anywhere from $100 per hour in a small town to more than $1,000 per hour for a senior partner at a big city law firm. Given these rates, it’s no wonder many small business owners want to know if it’s possible to get free legal advice for their business. While free and cheap legal services aren’t easy to come by, they are available if you know where to look.

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Law Firms Debt Collections Small Businesses 102

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JULY 4, 2018

Here’s a staggering stat: 48% of overall growth of US business ownership in 2000 to 2013 was attributed to immigrant business owners. Pair that with the statistic that the percentage of self-employed immigrants in the US more than doubled between 1994 and 2015, and it seems to follow that there’s limitless potential for the impact that immigrants can make on the small business landscape.

Small Businesses 102

Small Businesses Credit Scoring Nonprofit Organizations 102

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

Few things are as intimidating for entrepreneurs as maintaining their brand’s presence on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Social media management for small business owners can feel like a daunting process: you have to keep on top of trends, produce content, and promote your business without coming off as sales-y or promotional. Or, if you delegate your small business’ social media management to an employee, you have to make sure they’re keeping the channels active (and that their follower inte

Small Businesses 100

Small Businesses 100

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JULY 15, 2018

We’re going to tell you something that you likely already know, and if you do, it’s worth saying again: Nearly all of America’s financial infrastructure is based on credit. Credit allows people to purchase or finance items that they can’t pay for in cash upfront. Credit is what allows you get a home loan, car loan, or business loan. So, in a credit-based economy, if your credit score isn’t strong, you’ll find it hard to qualify for financial products or will have to pay more.

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Credit Scoring Credit Card Companies 100

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SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

Benefits of Getting an EIN. File Business Taxes and Avoid Tax Penalties. Prevent Identity Theft. Add Credibility as a Freelancer and Independent Contractor. Speed Up Business Loan Applications. Open a Business Bank Account. Build Trust With Vendors. Establish Business Credit. Easily Hire Employees. Get More Options as an Overseas Entrepreneur. An employer identification number (EIN), or business tax ID, is a unique nine-digit number that you use when filing taxes for your business.

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Deductions Bankruptcy Credit Scoring Small Businesses 100

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AUGUST 29, 2018

32 Ways to Advertise Your Business for Free. Reward social media sharing. Cultivate brand ambassadors. Encourage positive word of mouth. Try interactive content. Give your customers a behind-the-scenes look. Offer free giveaways. Try Facebook live video. Get visual on Instagram. Try engaging on Snapchat. Cultivate your Pinterest board. Join in on Twitter chats.

Small Businesses 100

Small Businesses 100

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APRIL 8, 2018

Deciding to start a small business is one of the most rewarding decisions of your life. But not only does it take hard work to make it successful—you’ll need money to get the company off the ground in the first place. And when you’re in debt, that can seem impossible. Although the size of your initial investment will vary based on the type of company you hope to start, the Small Business Administration estimates even home-based micro-businesses could cost several thousands of dollars to launch.

Small Businesses 99

Small Businesses Transactions 99

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MAY 3, 2018

The healthcare sector is an amazing place for aspiring entrepreneurs to open up shop. Exploring healthcare business ideas is smart for lots of reasons. There’s an opportunity to do a world of good by serving an aging American population and helping those struggling with the national drug crisis. There are lots of new medical and technological advances, and widespread interest in health and wellness, too.

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Medical Billing 99

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DECEMBER 12, 2018

Any small business owner knows that entrepreneurship has its highs and lows. When you hit the low points of entrepreneurship, sometimes it helps to read some inspirational quotes from other prominent business owners who have been in your shoes. Here are 53 business quotes from inspiring entrepreneurs and leaders like yourself for the days when the going gets tough. 7 Small Business Quotes on Success.

Small Businesses 97

Small Businesses 97

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MARCH 2, 2018

Come tax season, the nice thing about small business income taxes (yes, there’s a nice thing ) is that they’re generally fairly predictable. From an accountant’s perspective, a small business owner’s taxes follow a pattern of calculating, reporting, and paying that repeats on a set schedule. In the case of business income taxes, the schedule is most often a series of quarterly estimated payments in combination with an annual business income tax return.

Small Businesses 98

Small Businesses Deductions Credit and Collections 98

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NOVEMBER 11, 2018

Starting a small business is no easy feat. Neither is running a successful one. There are several milestones along the process of starting a business and priming it for long-term success. Each of them requires different strategies, approaches, and resources to keep things moving along. More often than not, you’ll have to abandon the best-laid plans if they don’t turn out the way you’d hoped.

Small Businesses 94

Small Businesses 94

Fundera

SEPTEMBER 13, 2018

Hand-knit dog booties? Portraits made of gum? “Seinfeld”-themed enamel pins? Whatever objects you love to craft, no matter how niche they are, there’s a horde of consumers out there looking for your product—and most of them are browsing the Etsy marketplace. If you don’t have previous experience with the platform, opening an Etsy shop may seem like a complicated prospect.

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Credit and Collections Credit Scoring Transactions Default 94

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NOVEMBER 19, 2018

Human resources means different things to different people. To job seekers, human resources (HR) is the recruiter and gatekeeper, deciding whether or not their application will progress. To the new hire, HR is an ally and coach, helping them learn their role and understand the organization. Tenured employees view HR as being responsible for their continued development, motivation, safety, and wellness.

Small Businesses 94

Small Businesses Deductions 94

Fundera

DECEMBER 15, 2018

The holiday season is a critical money-making time for many independent businesses. What’s more, it’s a prime opportunity to grow your customer base and turn one-time buyers into loyal patrons. . “Most people are looking to buy presents for the people in their lives, so they’ll likely venture to sites and stores they wouldn’t shop at normally,” says Elizabeth Bradshaw, the owner of an online store called Canvas Art Boutique.

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JUNE 13, 2018

No matter what industry you’re in, money is the great unifier among small business owners. Whether you’re spending it, trying to keep track of it, or (hopefully) making it, money is always on your mind. And there are a few things every business owner needs to do in order to manage your money the right way—but nothing’s more important than separating your business and personal finances.

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Credit Scoring Credit and Collections Business Bankruptcy Bankruptcy 94

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SEPTEMBER 18, 2018

When a credit bureau computes your credit score, their job is to produce a number that estimates—given your past and current financial history—how likely you are to default on future debts. Exactly how each bureau calculates your credit score is a bit of a mystery, but we do know that they take into account various indicators of your fiscal health. There are five notable components of a personal credit score.

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Credit Scoring Small Businesses Credit and Collections Collector 93

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MAY 2, 2018

As a new small business owner, you have to figure out a lot of things you’ve never done before. One of them includes how to create a business budget—and that can be insanely intimidating, especially when you’re only starting out. How, exactly, do you know where to find the right financial information, let alone learn the business finance terminology , and put all the data together in the right order?

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Deductions Small Businesses 94

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APRIL 13, 2018

As thrilling as it is to start a new small business, the stress can be just as insane. Especially if you’re worrying about money and have to start looking into sources of finance for your startup. Because beyond the creative thinking and careful planning that go into coming up with a winning business model, you as the business owner are likely also facing the arduous task of finding the money to make it all come to fruition.

Small Businesses 94

Small Businesses Credit Scoring 94

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NOVEMBER 10, 2018

Managing finances in any business comes with its challenges. But if you’re in the cannabis industry, small business financing can be even harder to secure: Because of tricky regulations associated with this industry, most dealings have to be made in cash. Although many business owners in the cannabis industry have found workarounds, there is still a lot of confusion about staying compliant.

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Credit Unions Transactions Small Businesses 93

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AUGUST 9, 2018

Big, multi-national corporations like Google, Facebook, and Twitter regularly hire interns, but your small business can develop an internship program too. Internships are beneficial for both parties. The intern gets real-world experience, and the company gets a fresh perspective and an additional set of hands. The number of employers offering internships increased 7.3 % from 2016 to 2017 , and with a strong labor market , that growth can be expected to continue in 2018 and beyond.

Small Businesses 93

Small Businesses 93

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JANUARY 31, 2018

Going into business is hard enough. Having to wear all the hats and “do all the things” can be even harder. Fortunately, in today’s world of innovation and technological advancement, there’s plenty of business help provided by trusted partners in virtually any field or business discipline. From apps to consultants and agencies and all the businesses in between, it’s good to know that there are many businesses that exist solely for one purpose: to support your business!

Small Businesses 93

Small Businesses Transactions 93

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FEBRUARY 12, 2018

Generally exhausted from the big holidays like Black Friday and Christmas, small business owners sometimes let smaller federal holidays slip by without acknowledgement. What’s the point of doing something specifically for a day like Presidents Day, in the dead of tax time , when effort seems better spent on entire shopping seasons? Actually, Presidents Day can be a great boon for your small business.

Small Businesses 93

Small Businesses 93

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OCTOBER 16, 2018

How to Find and Pick a Business Attorney in 5 Steps. Determine why you need a business attorney. Source attorneys through your network or legal directories. Compare attorneys by asking the right questions. Work out a fee arrangement that fits your budget. Know when it’s okay to skip the lawyer. If you run a small business, one of your biggest fears is probably getting sued.

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Law Firms Small Businesses 92