Fed Holds Back on Raising Rates for 2019

Fed Holds Back on Raising Rates for 2019

Last year saw three bumps in rates from the Federal Reserve, pushing the APR on credit cards, loans, and savings vehicles up to a level that either frustrated or profited – depending on whether you borrow or lend. The year 2018 also noted the head of the Fed as predicting that 2019 could see three more raises. This week’s update from the organization put those estimates aside, for now. It appears we won’t be seeing another bump in the near Read More
6 Ways to Prep Your Summer Business

6 Ways to Prep Your Summer Business

It’s finally spring, and for many of us, that means enjoying longer days and warmer temps. But if you run a small business that peaks in the summer months, then relaxing is likely the last thing on your mind. Instead, the dawn of spring signals the need for seasonal prep, allowing you to enter the summer upswing with your best foot forward. How you define “prep”  can vary based on the type of business you run, but generally, the following Read More
How to Manage Student Debt While Starting a Business

How to Manage Student Debt While Starting a Business

Starting a business is always a risky endeavor, but it can be especially so if you’re struggling with your personal finances. Student loan debt is an oppressive burden for many college graduates. According to Student Loan Hero, class of 2018 graduates left school with $29,800 in student loans. While building a successful business can make it easier to handle your student debt later on, it’s important to have a plan to manage it responsibly until you achieve that goal. Here Read More
When to Consider Hiring an Accountant for Your Small Business

When to Consider Hiring an Accountant for Your Small Business

As a small business owner, you’re probably looking for ways to save money on operating costs whenever possible. You might even have a bit of financial knowledge, so why not handle the books yourself? After all, you know the basics of bookkeeping and pay attention to details. But at what point should you hand over this crucial responsibility to a professional?   The reality is that bookkeeping is not the same thing as accounting. Bookkeeping involves the recording of a Read More
The Best Business Credit Cards That I Can Be Approved for

The Best Business Credit Cards That I Can Be Approved for

Getting a good business credit card is a great way to build a business credit history and get some benefits and rewards along the way. But depending on your personal credit history, it can be tough to get the card you want. Before you apply for any business credit card, it’s a good idea to check your credit score first. Once you know it, then you can apply for a card that you have a good chance of getting approved Read More
Reporting Fraudulent Transactions on Your Business Credit Card

Reporting Fraudulent Transactions on Your Business Credit Card

We live in a world where credit card fraud is the new normal. In 2018, the Federal Trade Commission received 167,000 reports from people who either experienced fraud on an existing credit card account or had an unauthorized credit card opened in their name. That’s just the number of people who reported the crime. The actual number of credit card fraud victims is undoubtedly much higher. Although most people think of consumers when it comes to unauthorized credit card charges, Read More
How this Psychotherapist Grew Her Own Business While Working Full-Time

How this Psychotherapist Grew Her Own Business While Working Full-Time

Angela Ficken is an entrepreneur and psychotherapist. She owns the ProgressWellness.com brand and runs a private practice in Boston, Mass. Ficken specializes in providing individual therapy for people who have a range of stressors, including anxiety, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. She also writes articles on managing these challenges for The Huffington Post, Thrive Global, and Today Parenting. Starting Out Why did you start your business? I started as a social worker at a McLean psychiatric hospital. After that, I Read More
4 Common Small Business Spending Mistakes

4 Common Small Business Spending Mistakes

Running a business isn’t always easy, and there are various challenges that can halt or reverse growth however, few are as dangerous as those that directly impact your finances. Fortunately, you can mitigate financial risk by taking control of your spending and monitoring cash flow.   Here are four common small business spending mistakes as well as a few suggests to help you avoid them.   4 Common Small Business Spending Mistakes 1. Failure to separate business from personal expenses Read More
15 Expert Tips for Scaling Your Small Business

15 Expert Tips for Scaling Your Small Business

When you’re serious about growing your small business it makes sense to get the best advice possible. You can do that even if money is tight by tapping the expertise of Small Business Development Center (SBDC) advisors and consultants. SBDCs are funded in part by the United States Congress through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBDC Centers offer free consulting and free or low-cost training. (Find yours here.) Their results speak for themselves: SBDC clients grow sales Read More
This Entrepreneur Financed Her Business With a Side Hustle

This Entrepreneur Financed Her Business With a Side Hustle

Charlie Heck is the founder of Checkmark Creative, a marketing boutique that works with small businesses to tell their stories through social media, website design, and infographics. “We take really complex material and make pretty little Facebook and Instagram posts out of it,” explained Heck. After a job loss, Heck found a non-traditional way to save money to start her business and fund a cross-country move. Starting Out Why did you start your business? I was raised in a small Read More