The 12 Things That Could Be Holding You Back from Starting a Business

The 12 Things That Could Be Holding You Back from Starting a Business

Running your own business is challenging, but perhaps even more challenging for some want-to-be entrepreneurs is actually getting that business started. After all, starting a business requires numerous pieces to come together, and for first-time entrepreneurs, those pieces may be confusing, undefined, or entirely personal in nature, making overcoming the initial hurdles a difficult test of motivation and know-how.  If you’re trying to get your business started but can’t seem to move forward, you may find solace in knowing there are Read More
Do Credit Repair Letters Actually Work?

Do Credit Repair Letters Actually Work?

If your credit scores are bad, or not as strong as you’d like them to be, you may be researching ways to try to boost them. An internet search will likely turn up lots of advice about how to write credit repair letters to help you improve your credit. But do they really work? Credit repair letters are designed to take advantage of a provision under federal law, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), that allows consumers to dispute items Read More
This Entrepreneur Turned an Interest in Cuckoo Clocks Into $1 Million in Sales

This Entrepreneur Turned an Interest in Cuckoo Clocks Into $1 Million in Sales

Bob Ellis is the founder of Bavarian Clockworks, an e-commerce business specializing in the sale of imported cuckoo clocks from the Black Forest region of Germany. Ellis started the company on a shoestring and has built it to more than $1 million in sales over three years. Starting Out Why did you start your business? I have owned and operated my own businesses for over 25 years. I have a background in finance. I have owned retail businesses and been Read More
6 Low-Fee Business Credit Cards That Are Great for Small Businesses

6 Low-Fee Business Credit Cards That Are Great for Small Businesses

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a great small business credit card. In fact, there are plenty of cards for small businesses that offer generous rewards and valuable benefits, with no annual fee. Also, these cards come with all the same expense tracking and reporting features found on the issuer’s premium cards that cost hundreds of dollars a year. The Case for No-Fee Business Credit Cards The small business credit cards that have pricey annual Read More
Do You Have a Tax Lien? There May Be Good News on the Horizon

Do You Have a Tax Lien? There May Be Good News on the Horizon

For those stressed out because they owe tax debt, there’s some good news on the horizon. As we approach the individual tax filing deadline four 2018, the major credit bureaus are in the process of removing an estimated 5.5 million tax liens from consumer credit reports. This could result in higher credit scores for those consumers. Tax liens are notices filed with the courts by state taxing authorities or by the IRS when an individual owes delinquent taxes. They indicate Read More
6 Ways to Start Building Business Credit in 30 Days

6 Ways to Start Building Business Credit in 30 Days

When it comes to running a small business, there are a lot of factors that come into play, and success is often determined by an owner’s ability to balance those factors despite the hurdles and road blocks that threaten growth. And while there are varying issues or concerns that could creep up, few are quite as significant or, in some cases, detrimental, as the almighty business credit score. Your business credit score, when properly nurtured can open up a world of Read More
This Entrepreneur Built a Business by Sticking to What He Knows

This Entrepreneur Built a Business by Sticking to What He Knows

Deb Shaw is the founder and head of research for MarketsNow, an online source for financial market analysis. After working in the financial services industry for many years, he identified an unmet need for high-quality news and research. Shaw decided to address that gap in the market by creating his company. Starting Out Why did you start your business? My first career out of school was working in financial services. I was an investment professional at a venture capital fund Read More
How to Be Married to a Small Business Owner

How to Be Married to a Small Business Owner

Getting caught up in work can be easy to do, and even the most balanced spouse can bring an unhealthy serving of work frustrations to the dinner table every day. But for small business owners, or more specifically, their spouses, work can quickly become the third partner in a marriage, and in this case, three can certainly become an unwanted crowd. Being married to an entrepreneur has its perks, though, and seeing a loved one turn their dreams into a reality, Read More
The Pros & Cons of Business Credit Cards with Travel Rewards

The Pros & Cons of Business Credit Cards with Travel Rewards

For small business owners, travel can be an essential part of running a company. Many companies do business remotely, and have clients and colleagues across the country and around the world. And even if your customers are primarily local, you may benefit from traveling to conferences and other events that help your professional development. If you’re a business traveler, then you’ve probably wondered if it’s worth it to get a small business credit card that offers travel rewards and benefits. Read More
The Ultimate Guide to Vetting a Business Partner

The Ultimate Guide to Vetting a Business Partner

After surviving several tumultuous business partnerships, Susan Nilon has learned to be more skeptical and cautious. In the past, she admits she was so excited about business possibilities that she “didn’t pay attention to red flags.” She and her current business partner in a legal research firm, De Novo Law Services, not only have a formal partnership agreement, they’ve taken it one step further. She created an addendum to the agreement “writing out 10 steps on how to survive our Read More