On Small Business - News, trends and analysis of small businesses.

Posted at 05:58 PM ET, 03/30/2012

Are business taxes too high?

By Olga Khazan

As April 17 draws nearer, we ask business owners what — if anything — policymakers should do about business taxes.

By Olga Khazan | 05:58 PM ET, 03/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:53 PM ET, 03/30/2012

We need incentives for start-ups to hire with ease

By Paul Mandell

During a company’s early stages, the impact of tax is magnified, potentially determining whether a company succeeds or fails.

By Paul Mandell | 05:53 PM ET, 03/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:52 PM ET, 03/30/2012

Let’s end tax cuts and get corporations to pay their fair share

By Joseph Rotella

My taxes go to supporting the services that keep my business vibrant and my employees productive and happy.

By Joseph Rotella | 05:52 PM ET, 03/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:54 PM ET, 03/30/2012

Businesses must stay on top of their finances throughout the year

By Jamie Sutherland

Five tips to make next April less painful.

By Jamie Sutherland | 04:54 PM ET, 03/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:51 PM ET, 03/30/2012

The tax code is too complex and penalizes success

By Brian Stein

The current tax code excessively punishes job creators and wealth builders.

By Brian Stein | 04:51 PM ET, 03/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/30/2012

Get started ‘On’ Mar. 30: House OKs Senate-doomed budget, unemployment claims continue declining

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/30/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: small business, get started on

Posted at 01:08 PM ET, 03/29/2012

How big business policies can promote small business interests

By J.D. Harrison

Business owners and researchers outline policies that would help small firms and large corporations work better together.

By J.D. Harrison | 01:08 PM ET, 03/29/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: small business

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/29/2012

Get started ‘On’ Mar. 29: Supreme Court weighs severability of health- care mandate, durable goods rise

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/29/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
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Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/28/2012

Get started ‘On’ March 28: Congress sends JOBS Act to Obama, consumer confidence dips slightly

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/28/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
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Posted at 07:30 AM ET, 03/27/2012

Competing small business tax cut plans: House Republicans vs. Senate Democrats

By J.D. Harrison

Days after House Republicans introduced legislation to reduce small business taxes, Senate Democrats have responded with a competing proposal.

By J.D. Harrison | 07:30 AM ET, 03/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: small business, tax cuts

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/27/2012

Get started ‘On’ Mar. 27: Senators propose small business tax cut, Bernanke remains cautious on economic progress

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/27/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: small business, get started on

Posted at 08:01 AM ET, 03/26/2012

What should employees be allowed to post on personal networks?

By

Should workers be limited in what they can say online?

By | 08:01 AM ET, 03/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:01 AM ET, 03/26/2012

Vimeo, Spotify, and more: How can a business effectively use playlists for branding?

By

Businesses can leverage Vimeo, Spotify and other channels to connect with customers.

By | 08:01 AM ET, 03/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:01 AM ET, 03/26/2012

Meetup, Facebook, Eventbrite: What’s the best digital platform for hosting events?

By

What’s the best way to get people in the same room, in real life?

By | 08:01 AM ET, 03/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/26/2012

Get started ‘On’ Mar. 26: Supreme Court begins weighing health care law appeal, House voting on amended JOBS Act

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/26/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: small business, get started on

Posted at 12:16 PM ET, 03/23/2012

New economic indicator shows franchise industry growing stronger

By J.D. Harrison

The franchising business has been growing consistently stronger over the past six months, according to a new economic index designed to track the industry.

By J.D. Harrison | 12:16 PM ET, 03/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: franchising

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/23/2012

Get started ‘On’ the weekend: House vote on ammended JOBS Act coming next week, Dartmouth president nominated to lead World Bank

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/23/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: small business, get started on

Posted at 03:32 PM ET, 03/22/2012

JOBS Act: A potential boon for entrepreneurs or a bust for investors?

By Olga Khazan

Entrepreneurs applaud the Senate’s passage of the JOBS Act, but some fear investor fraud.

By Olga Khazan | 03:32 PM ET, 03/22/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/22/2012

Get started ‘On’ Mar. 22: Cantor proposes small business tax break, Senate moves forward on JOBS Act

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/22/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
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Posted at 01:55 PM ET, 03/21/2012

Entrepreneurs to lawmakers: Partner with us on regulations

By J.D. Harrison

Honest Tea’s and Pork Barrel BBQ’s co-founders visited the Hill on Wednesday, urging Congress to work with them when drafting new regulations.

By J.D. Harrison | 01:55 PM ET, 03/21/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: small business, regulations

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/21/2012

Get started ‘On’ Mar. 21: Republican budget proposes reshuffled tax code, employers asking for social media logins

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/21/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
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Posted at 03:20 PM ET, 03/20/2012

Post Office aims to help small businesses send direct mail

By Olga Khazan

Program allows business owners to send flyers and coupons without having addresses on file

By Olga Khazan | 03:20 PM ET, 03/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/20/2012

Get started ‘On’ Mar. 20: Economists’ manufacturing forecasts grow increasingly gloomy, Senate voting on JOBS bill

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/20/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: small business, get started on

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 03/19/2012

American entrepreneurial activity on the decline?

By J.D. Harrison

The Kauffman Foundation’s latest report shows start-up activity slipping, but it’s still above pre-recession levels. Check out the following infographic for an even closer look at the state of entrepreneurship across the country.

By J.D. Harrison | 02:00 PM ET, 03/19/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: entrepreneurship

Posted at 10:45 AM ET, 03/19/2012

Rising fuel costs led to layoffs

By Christine Bierman

By Christine Bierman | 10:45 AM ET, 03/19/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/19/2012

Get started ‘On’ Mar. 19: Biotech funding dwindling, automakers racing toward India

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/19/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
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Posted at 12:01 AM ET, 03/19/2012

Groupon debuts small-business schedule helper

By Olga Khazan

The daily deals site aims to reduce the time merchants spend scheduling appointments.

By Olga Khazan | 12:01 AM ET, 03/19/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:27 PM ET, 03/18/2012

How are gas prices impacting you?

By

With gas prices up 17 percent, business owners are feeling the pinch. We hear from five companies about how they’re handling the spike in fuel costs.

By | 05:27 PM ET, 03/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:24 PM ET, 03/18/2012

How are gas prices impacting you?

By

Gas prices are up almost 17 percent, according to the American Automobile Association, putting a strain on families and businesses alike. We hear from five company owners about how high gas prices are impacting them.

By | 05:24 PM ET, 03/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:19 PM ET, 03/18/2012

Gas prices forced us to put expansion plans on hold

By Robert Johnson

By Robert Johnson | 05:19 PM ET, 03/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:19 PM ET, 03/18/2012

Rising gas costs mean higher prices for customers

By Mike Mitternight

By Mike Mitternight | 05:19 PM ET, 03/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:19 PM ET, 03/18/2012

Going virtual — with webinars and Skype — has helped us save gas

By Sharon Weinstein

By Sharon Weinstein | 05:19 PM ET, 03/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:18 PM ET, 03/18/2012

On a horse farm, fuel rules all

By Cookie Driscoll

By Cookie Driscoll | 05:18 PM ET, 03/18/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:50 PM ET, 03/16/2012

Why immigrant workers are critical to the economic recovery

By J.D. Harrison

Analysis of government data shows that foreign-born workers represent a disproportionately high share of the labor force in half of the fastest-growing sectors in the economy.

By J.D. Harrison | 03:50 PM ET, 03/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: immigration

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/16/2012

Get started ‘On’ March 16: SEC investigating pre-IPO trading, small business bill hitting obstacles

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/16/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
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Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/15/2012

Get started ‘On’ Mar. 15: SEC chief warns against JOBS Act, community banks gaining strength

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/15/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
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Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 03/14/2012

How Amazon, Google and Apple made self-service the new customer service

By Micah Solomon

Companies like Amazon, Google and Apple have introduced innovations that allow self-service to work better than traditional customer service. Here’s how to replicate their success.

By Micah Solomon | 07:00 AM ET, 03/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/14/2012

Get started ‘On’ Mar. 14: Low interest rates to continue, Cereal-mixing pitch wins SxSW StartupBus competition

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/14/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
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Posted at 10:57 AM ET, 03/13/2012

Small business confidence inches higher — again, very slowly

By J.D. Harrison

The NFIB’s small business optimism index crept up for the sixth straight month, but the readings are still at historically low levels.

By J.D. Harrison | 10:57 AM ET, 03/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: small business

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/13/2012

Get started ‘On’ Mar. 13: Senate planning small business bill, Eureka Park and angel rounds growing

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/13/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: small business, get started on

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/12/2012

Get started ‘On’ Mar. 12: Exports to China surging; New government suppliers dwindling

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/12/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: get started on, small business

Posted at 06:55 PM ET, 03/11/2012

Should I participate in Twitter chats?

By Olga Khazan

Some communities on Twitter have started holding regular “chats” by tweeting at each other using hash tags. But are these e-meetings useful?

By Olga Khazan | 06:55 PM ET, 03/11/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:53 PM ET, 03/11/2012

Google+ hangouts: Are they worth it?

By Olga Khazan

Google’s social network has a long way to go before it has the same following as Facebook, but it does offer services like “hangouts,” or 10-way video chats. How can a business use hangouts to connect with customers?

By Olga Khazan | 06:53 PM ET, 03/11/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:53 PM ET, 03/11/2012

Pinterest: What’s the role for businesses?

By Olga Khazan

The picture-posting social network is adding users at an astounding pace — how can businesses capitalize on the boom?

By Olga Khazan | 06:53 PM ET, 03/11/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:17 PM ET, 03/09/2012

The world’s most innovation-friendly countries

By

Most governments would hope to foster innovation, but which ones actually support big ideas, new companies and economic growth? A new report by the Kauffman Foundation and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation pegs the following 18 countries as having the most effective pro-innovation policies in the world.

By | 04:17 PM ET, 03/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: innovation, policies

Posted at 03:29 PM ET, 03/09/2012

Jones Lang LaSalle joins Startup America, aims to help entrepreneurs find real estate

By Olga Khazan

The commercial real estate giant will help connect start-ups with cheap office space.

By Olga Khazan | 03:29 PM ET, 03/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/09/2012

Get started ‘On’ the weekend: Unemployment holds steady, agencies come together to boost women’s contracting

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/09/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: small business, get started on

Posted at 06:01 PM ET, 03/08/2012

International Women’s Day: The real reason women get fewer patents than men do

By Olga Khazan

Women are securing both more patents and trademarks, a new study finds, but men still get the bulk of patents. And it’s not because of their college degree.

By Olga Khazan | 06:01 PM ET, 03/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:44 PM ET, 03/08/2012

Small business advocates, lawmakers applaud House passage of JOBS Act

By J.D. Harrison

House lawmakers Thursday afternoon overwhelmingly passed a bill meant to help companies grow and go public more quickly, and the rare showing of biparitsanship is already garnering applause throughout the small business community.

By J.D. Harrison | 02:44 PM ET, 03/08/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:28 PM ET, 03/07/2012

iPad usage is up among small business owners, study finds

By Olga Khazan

Apple announced Wednesday that the new iPad would have a sharper screen and a faster network, but business owners are already snapping up the tablets.

By Olga Khazan | 04:28 PM ET, 03/07/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/07/2012

Get started ‘On’ Mar. 7: Romney takes top prize on Super Tuesday, House lawmakers marking up contracting bills

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/07/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
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Posted at 04:51 PM ET, 03/06/2012

For a post-college career, don’t neglect professional experience

By Josh Howarth

Internships are becoming more and more important for recent college graduates. Here’s how to get one.

By Josh Howarth | 04:51 PM ET, 03/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/06/2012

Get started ‘On’ Mar. 6: Factory orders drop for first time in three months, economists skeptical of roads projects

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/06/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: small business, get started on

Posted at 06:38 PM ET, 03/05/2012

Submit questions for our social media live chat now

By

Entrepreneur Ryan Paugh is online NOW to take your social media questions

By | 06:38 PM ET, 03/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:32 PM ET, 03/05/2012

Help! Facebook timeline is going to wreck my business’s page...and other social media concerns

By Olga Khazan

Entrepreneur Ryan Paugh answers reader social-media questions live online.

By Olga Khazan | 06:32 PM ET, 03/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:59 PM ET, 03/05/2012

Super Tuesday: Which candidate would be best for small business?

By

All of the presidential candidates tout small businesses in their stump speeches, but which contender would actually give entrepreneurs a boost? Our panelists weigh in.

By | 02:59 PM ET, 03/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:09 PM ET, 03/05/2012

Super Tuesday: Which candidate would be best for small business?

By

All of the presidential candidates tout small businesses in their stump speeches, but which contender would actually give entrepreneurs a boost? Our panelists weigh in.

By | 01:09 PM ET, 03/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:45 PM ET, 03/05/2012

Super Tuesday: Ron Paul is the only true small-business candidate

By Richard Herring

Deficit reduction, a balanced budget and a simplified tax code is what Ron Paul stands for.

By Richard Herring | 12:45 PM ET, 03/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:04 PM ET, 03/05/2012

Super Tuesday: Newt Gingrich will get the economy moving

By Faith Smith

Even Bill Clinton, who worked with Newt for many years, said that Gingrich is ‘always thinking, always has a bunch of new ideas, and some of them are pretty good.’

By Faith Smith | 12:04 PM ET, 03/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/05/2012

Get started ‘On’ Mar. 5: Romney collecting big endorsements, Fed breaks to weigh outlook

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/05/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: small business, get started on

Posted at 04:30 PM ET, 03/04/2012

By

By | 04:30 PM ET, 03/04/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/02/2012

Get started ‘On’ the weekend: Small business borrowing ticks higher, Yelp soars in market debut

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: small business, get started on

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 03/02/2012

Minority-owned small contractors invest more, take longer to win

By Olga Khazan

A new survey reveals that women-owned and minority-owned contracting firms have reached the same level of success as their peers, but minority-owned contractors invest more in getting work.

By Olga Khazan | 06:00 AM ET, 03/02/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:58 PM ET, 03/01/2012

Can you afford to start a business?

By

We break down how much goes to rent, payroll and other factors for private businesses across various industries.

By | 06:58 PM ET, 03/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 AM ET, 03/01/2012

Get started ‘On’ Mar. 1: Bernanke warns of continued economic strife, small firms struggling to afford bankruptcy

By J.D. Harrison

Our daily blend of news, trends and tips created specifically with small businesses in mind.

By J.D. Harrison | 06:30 AM ET, 03/01/2012 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)
Tags: small business, get started on

On Small Business: March, 2012