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Continue reading →: Small Business Deductions in 2026“Just write it off.” This is a very common phrase heard by small business owners. And it makes sense. If you’re hosting clients, or driving to a meeting, you can write off most of those expenses. But that round of golf? No so fast. You can certainly use company funds…
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Continue reading →: Why Small Businesses Fail and How to Avoid 10 Common CausesSmall businesses fail when they cannot bring in enough cash to keep going. The trouble may start with weak demand, prices that do not cover costs, slow customer payments, or growth the owner cannot afford. By the time the bank account runs dry, those problems may have been building for…
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Continue reading →: Startup vs Small Business and Why the Difference MattersA startup is built to grow fast in a large market. A traditional small business is usually built to earn a profit, pay its owners, and grow at a pace it can fund. That is the practical difference in the startup vs small business debate. But the labels overlap. A…
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Continue reading →: GDP by Country in 2025: The 50 Largest EconomiesCountry GDP is a useful measure of scale. It is not a scorecard for where to start, hire, or sell. As a founder it can be frustrating dealing with the IRS, state tax agencies and other rules and regulations. But, even with all of the headaches and roadblocks, the United…
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Continue reading →: Why Community Banks Matter to Small BusinessOver the past 20 years running small businesses I’ve noticed that getting a bank loan has got harder and harder. Frankly, it’s even harder to find bank accounts from local banks that work. Consolidation is a natural trend in any industry, but for every community bank that gets gobbled up,…
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Continue reading →: GDP Per State in 2025A big state economy can offer more customers, suppliers, and workers. It can also bring more competitors and higher costs. GDP per state tells you how much a state produces. It does not tell you whether your business will make money there. California led the 2025 ranking at $4.25 trillion,…
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Continue reading →: Pledge Fund Explained for Founders and InvestorsA pledge fund lets investors choose which deals to back. The manager finds a company, reviews the business, and negotiates terms. Investors then decide whether to put in money. That choice gives investors more control. It also creates a funding gap: a manager can want to invest before enough investors…
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Continue reading →: Small Business Grants and the Cost of Chasing ThemSmall business grants can help fund a project without adding debt or giving up ownership. But the money comes with rules, and the application can cost more in time than it is worth. I have applied for grants. The appeal is easy to see: money for your business that you…