Small Business the Star in Latest Batch of Reality TV Shows
Turning small-business owners into stars has become a winning formula for television producers, but some businesses featured in them are cashing in, too.
Small business
Survey: Budget Cuts Not Hurting U.S. Businesses
Washington's budget tightening is having a minimal effect on businesses, a survey of business economists released Monday shows.
Want to Make Extra Money While Being Green? Try Worm Farming
It's a simple way to make extra cash you might not considered before: breeding worms for composters and fishermen. We dig into the details of this doubly "green" business.
Mom and Pop Businesses that Made It Big
It's National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, a day to honor family-run businesses. But they don't all stay small: Some popular national brands grew out of humble beginnings.
Will SXSW Reveal the Next Technology Trend?
SXSW opened up big doors for Twitter, but do all businesses that get accolades at the festival go on to greatness? We look back at past award winners to see how they fared.
Watch: Romney and Obama on Small Business
Mitt Romney and Barack Obama debate how to get American small businesses back on track.
Who Pays Better: Big Companies or Small Companies?
Complaints over higher tax brackets aside, one rule holds true when it comes to your paycheck: Bigger is better. Now, thanks to a recent report out of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we now know exactly where to look to score the bigger paycheck.
Small Business Owners Get More Upbeat on Post-Election Outlook
Small business owners are getting a little more optimistic about how their companies will do after the election, according to a survey released Tuesday by the National Federation of Independent Business.
Pop Quiz: Are Small Businesses Really Driving the U.S. Economy?
Politicians often call small businesses the lifeblood of America's economy. But what, exactly, is a "small" business -- and how big an effect do they have? Think you know the answers? Take our little quiz, and find out.
The 5 Biggest Obamacare Myths Detailed and Debunked
After Bruce Watson's recent article explaining how Obamacare would effect an average family ran on DailyFinance, his e-mail inbox filled up with questions from readers -- and most revolved around five specific myths about the law.
Tiny Loans, Huge Returns: Why Microlending Works
Sometimes, small gestures can make huge differences in people's lives and livelihoods. That's the premise -- and the power -- of microlending. For proof, one need look no further than the stories of Marcia and Karen, two entrepreneurs in Costa Rica.
Obama Wants Small-Business Bill This Year
Seeking cooperation in a polarized climate, President Barack Obama called on Congress Tuesday to act quickly on bipartisan measures that would extend tax breaks for small businesses and help startup companies raise money. He said he would sign the legislation "right away."
Bill Clinton's Prescription for the U.S. Economy
Former President Bill Clinton offered up some wide-ranging prescriptions for curing the nation's ailing economy in a speech at the National Retail Federation's annual convention Monday, from investing in new sectors for job growth to cutting taxes on business.
How a Debit Card Fee Cut Backfired on Merchants
Washington's efforts at financial reform keep having strange and unintended consequences. In response to a law that was meant to lower excessive debit card transaction fees on merchants, Visa and Mastercard found a way to raise the fees on a host of small businesses.
As Italian Drama Persists, Small Businesses Worry
The Atlantic Ocean is wide, but maybe not wide enough. On Thursday, markets had a mixed reaction to the deepening economic crisis in Europe. Some sources reported that the European Central Bank would step in. But in the U.S., small business owners are growing nervous.
Second Jobs: Make Moonlighting Work for You
With U.S. unemployment continuing to top 9%, just having a job is enough to make many of us feel grateful. But one job isn't always enough. The new order of the day: combining two jobs to make a livable salary. Do you have the drive it takes to be a successful moonlighter or 'moonpreneur'?
Small Business Survival Story: A Hairdresser's Ordeal
The dream of Raphael Alvarez was to open a salon. His timing, it seemed, could hardly have been worse: Finding a loan was impossible, and his original location was snatched away. But Alvarez still managed to start his small business, without help from a big financial institution, in this desperate economy. Here's how he did it.
Can an iPhone App Save Small Businesses?
You may already be familiar with many of the independent retailers in your home town, but how do you find mom-and-pop shops when you're traveling? The 3/50 Project's new iPhone app might help. It links users to its directory of small businesses, so visitors can support the local economy.
ADP Bets on Small Business Growth to Offset Jobs
As the creation of new jobs slows and layoffs continue, small businesses keep hiring. ADP is betting those companies will continue to buck the trend. It's setting up new services to capitalize on that growth.
Ask the Expert: 'Do I Pay Extra For Swiping My Card?'
We got lots of reaction to our article about how changes in debit and credit card swipe fees may affect you. Swipe fees are the charges retailers pay when they allow you to use plastic. One question kept coming up: "Do I pay those fees when I use my debit card?" Regina Lewis explains.
To Understand the Weak Hiring Stats, Look in the Mirror
The vast majority of American businesses are privately held, run by ordinary people with all the same worries the rest of us have. And if you're cutting back on personal spending at home, how likely are you to feel comfortable hiring at work?
Entrepreneurship 101: A Guide for New College Grads
Today's challenging job market has many recent college grads contemplating life as an entrepreneur. Some have dabbled in self-employment, but most will going into it essentially relying on instinct. So we asked some experienced entrepreneurs what every would-be small businessperson needs to know.
When It's Worth It to Pay a Financial Guru
America is DIY Nation, but in certain financial situations, a do-it-yourself strategy can make a bad situation much worse, because in investing and money matters, most of us don't know what we don't know. Here are eight times in your life when the high stakes demand that you call in the experts.
Next Commerce Chief Will Play Key Role on Exports
This week, President Obama announced that he's nominating Commerce Secretary Gary Locke as U.S. Ambassador to China. There are several short-list contenders to replace Locke at Commerce, but the question is: Who would best be able to help Obama double U.S. exports in the next five years?
Signing 'Standard' Agreements Can Bankrupt You
Those "standard" agreements big businesses like to impose on small clients are one-sided deals intended to protect their interests while reducing or eliminating your legal rights altogether. Before you sign on the dotted line, consider this cautionary example.
Apple's 'Joint Venture': A Smart Play for Small-Business Tech Support
One of the slickest things Apple ever did to lure consumers to its products was creating the Genius Bar and Apple Care, offering fast, face-to-face customer support. Now, Apple is taking the same approach to small-biz IT support with a service called Joint Venture.
Are High Taxes Making Small Business Slow
to Hire?
The majority of jobs in the U.S. are created by small business, which are still reluctant to hire new workers. And while some of their reasons for holding back may mirror those of big businesses, local conditions like state taxes may loom larger in their decisions.
How to Succeed in Boosting Exports: 10 Easy Lessons
President Obama has set a goal for the nation -- doubling U.S. exports in the next five years -- and helping smaller businesses is a big part of his plan. But for advice from the trenches, we've interviewed five executives at global export leaders and gleaned 10 tips you can apply to your own company.