Joyce M. Rosenberg, Ap Business Writer Updated 9:33 am PST, Wednesday, January 2, 2019 FILE - This Oct. 23, 2018 file photo shows HealthCare.gov website on a computer screen in New York. Small business issues often win bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, but given the divisions in the incoming 116th Congress, advocates for companies have low expectations. less FILE - This Oct. 23, 2018 file photo shows HealthCare.gov website on a computer screen in New York. Small business issues often win bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, but given the divisions in the incoming ... more Photo: Patrick Sison, AP Photo: Patrick Sison, AP Image 1 of / 4 Caption Close Image 1 of 4 FILE - This Oct. 23, 2018 file photo shows HealthCare.gov website on a computer screen in New York. Small … [Read more...] about Expect 2019 to be quiet in Congress — for small business
Small business help with taxes
Shoppers hit ‘Main Street’ on Small Business Saturday
Omar Abdel Baqui Detroit Free Press Published 9:46 PM EST Nov 24, 2018 Gary Baglio opened his novelty gift shop, Five15, in downtown Royal Oak 11 years ago — just before the economy "went down the toilet," he said. Like many small business owners post-recession, Baglio said he quickly realized retail sales weren't going to be enough to keep his small business afloat, and he needed to think of something else to generate income. Inspired by an episode of "Sex and the City," Baglio added a whole new attraction to Five15 — drag queen bingo. He eventually added a full liquor and coffee bar to the venue. "You have to think outside of the box and you have to bring something different to the table," Baglio said. "The internet and big chain stores make retail highly competitive." The big-store competition is one of the reasons for the creation of National Small Business Saturday, a national promotion to entice shoppers to spend their … [Read more...] about Shoppers hit ‘Main Street’ on Small Business Saturday
SCORE, which helps small businesses, lands a big grant
Carol Cain Free Press Business Columnist Published 5:00 AM EST Nov 17, 2018 Starting a business isn’t for the faint of heart, with statistics showing that nearly 80 percent fail within five years. When starting or growing your business, it can help to have a fresh set of eyes from someone who has been there and done that to guide you along to avoid pitfalls or work through a problem. That’s how SCORE was born. SCORE is a national nonprofit association that has provided guidance, mentoring and more to millions of aspiring entrepreneurs since 1964. It’s the largest network of volunteer mentors in the country. SCORE’s Detroit chapter has been a shining star. The local organization is made up of 70 volunteer business experts who helped 395 businesses in Detroit in 2017. Now, SCORE Detroit has won a $330,000 three-year grant from the William Davidson Foundation to work with SCORE’s Ann Arbor and … [Read more...] about SCORE, which helps small businesses, lands a big grant
Taking a small business from local to global
Allison Shickel's decision to start her medical garment company, The Brobe, was spurred by a local cause very dear to her heart -- but her idea has translated into a rapidly expanding global company. "A friend of mine had four surgeries for breast cancer," Shickel told CBS MoneyWatch in an interview. "She said they gave me these drains, and she showed me [the garment the hospital gave her]. It didn't hold up or give her any dignity. I was thinking there's no way if my mom or sister had their breast removed that I would give this to them," Shickel said. The experience lead her to launch Austin, Texas-based The Brobe in 2012, with a garment that included engineered interior pockets to handle various post-surgical indignities such as drains. Pivoting to a global platform It took Shickel three years to sell her first 600 Brobes, with a B2B model that had her pitching medical facilities and doctors in the U.S. to introduce the product to patients. But her decision to change to a B2C model … [Read more...] about Taking a small business from local to global
Signs emerge that rising rates could hinder small businesses
Stan Choe, Ap Business Writer Updated 2:20 pm PDT, Thursday, October 4, 2018 FILE- In this Jan. 19, 2017, file photo a customer crosses the street while leaving a shop along the main business district in Prairie du Chien, Wis., in Crawford County. Rising interest rates are already starting to bite into some businesses’ bottom lines, and the effect is likely to get stronger as the Federal Reserve continues to raise rates amid the strong economy. The Fed made its latest move last week, raising its benchmark rate by a quarter of a percentage point, and economists expect one more increase in December and at least a couple more next year. less FILE- In this Jan. 19, 2017, file photo a customer crosses the street while leaving a shop along the main business district in Prairie du Chien, Wis., in Crawford County. Rising interest rates are already ... more Photo: David Goldman, AP … [Read more...] about Signs emerge that rising rates could hinder small businesses