The Source

Small Business

How to Manage (and Improve) Your Reputation Online

4 minute read

October 29, 2024

Warren Buffett once said, "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it." When you take the speed and global range of the internet into account, his assertion rings truer...

What You Need Know about Customer-Loyalty Programs

5 minute read

October 1, 2024

While Marcy is shopping for flowerpots at her local big-box store, an email comes in on her phone: "Congrats! You now have 300 points to spend in your Happy Valley Nursery Loyal Customer account!" So...

Are You Watching These 5 Critical Business Metrics?

4 minute read

September 17, 2024

What are some of the most important metrics of success? Here's a surprise: The number of happy customer reviews you have is probably not one of them — though they certainly help. You need to...

6 Important Business Startup Costs You Just Can't Ignore

6 minute read

September 3, 2024

Starting a business and creating a business plan is a great example of that old saying: The more you know, the more you know you don't know. With that in mind, what are some of...

Recouping Your Losses after Disaster Strikes

4 minute read

August 27, 2024

The Small Business Administration (SBA) received more than 500 applications for financial assistance after Baltimore's Francis Scott Key bridge collapsed in March. Other recent disaster headlines are reminders that a natural or man-made disaster can...

The Small Business News Roundup

3 minute read

August 13, 2024

Changes in tax laws, labor trends, and the role of artificial intelligence are just a few of the topics making small-business headlines recently. Here's our roundup: HR TRENDS: Keeping summertime fun. Small business owners are...

Seven Smart Ways to Prepare for an Economic Downturn

4 minute read

August 6, 2024

America's entrepreneurs look on the bright side of life. According to recent polling from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 73 percent of small business owners say they expect their revenues to increase in the next...

Can You Cash Customer Checks without a Business Banking Account?

3 minute read

July 23, 2024

The "gig economy" has given rise to all kinds of side hustles that could grow into something much larger — a full-fledged business. Still, your business finances might be tied to your personal checking account....

5 Reasons Why You're Losing Your Best Talent (and What to Do About It)

5 minute read

July 9, 2024

Good help is hard to find. In fact, a May U.S. Chamber of Commerce report found that quality of labor is the second-highest concern of small-business owners, outranked only by inflation. Retaining your best and...