One of the great promises of the internet for small business was that it was going to eliminate the “middle man”—intermediaries between sellers and customers. Manufacturers could sell directly to end users instead of stores; retailers could stay in touch with customers frequently. All that is true—but what is also true is that the internet …
If You Want to Start a Small Business, Read This
America’s the place where if you dream of starting a business, you should be able to do so, right? If you have the skills and the money, you should be able to make your entrepreneurial dreams come true. But in many states, a former employer can keep you from starting your own business. Crazy, right? …
9 Ways Your Small Business Can Save on Gas
As Americans hit the road again, gas prices are soaring, and that’s hitting small businesses hard. Demand for gas hit its highest level since 1991, according to AAA, and gas prices have risen by a whopping 40% since the beginning of the year. And prices are going to continue to rise for the foreseeable future. …
Child Care Is a Small Business Issue
One of the most hotly debated aspects of President Joe Biden’s American Families Plan is the President’s proposal to improve the quality and affordability of childcare and preschool. Now, child care isn’t something that most people would consider a small business issue, and you’ve probably never thought about how child care affects your small business …
How to Stay in Front of your Small Biz Customers
I’m about to start something new—that’s also something pretty darn old for small businesses. I’m launching a new newsletter, and I think you should have a newsletter for your small business too. (If you’d like to sign up for my new newsletter, please go to http://www.RhondaAbrams.com.) I’m a big believer in newsletters for virtually all …
Small Restaurants Still Need Help
Recently, when visiting Santa Fe, New Mexico I stopped for lunch in the Palacio Café, a small restaurant near the main plaza. I was on what my friends called my “green chile chicken enchilada journey”—having fallen in love with New Mexico green chile. As I travel, I always try to check in with small business …
Shuttered Venue Grants Finally Open
Go to any community—from big cities to small towns—and at the heart of that community you’ll find a place where people come together to experience live events, such as concerts, plays, a museum, or the local movie theatre. It’s the place where locals go on Saturday night, parents take their kids, and draws visitors from …
Successful Small Business Sales Techniques
If you own a small business, sooner or later you have to make sales. Some entrepreneurs view the prospect of a sales call with the same fear and loathing as having to face an IRS audit. Even if you have salespeople on your team, some customers—especially big customers and clients—need to see the owner before …
More Government Help for Small Business
MY OH MY! Since the passage of the American Rescue Plan signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, there’s lots of new benefits and government support for small businesses—probably yours! There have been changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and new money available for restaurants and companies that are in the …
