Survey: Payments Arriving More Slowly for Small Business
Some 40 percent of small businesses say money they're owed is trickling in, while the Freelancers Union says half its members struggled to get paid last year. Read story
Courtney Rubin
Would You Fire Someone for Eating Leftovers?
What happens when an employee disregards--or doesn't hear--a manager's instructions to save the company's Fourth of July barbecue hot dogs for a Labor Day so... Read story
New Patent Laws to Favor First-to-File
Congress is on the verge of passing the first patent reforms in 60 years. This may not be good news for small business. Read story
Would You Fire Someone for Refusing to Dye Gray Hair?
A Houston woman is suing her former employer, claiming the company fired her for refusing to hide her age. Read story
What Would You Do to Avoid a PowerPoint Presentation?
A new survey suggests people will go to great lengths to avoid PowerPoint presentations, either giving them or listening to them. Read story
A Steal or Just a Really Good Deal?
Four L.L. Bean workers bought a company product that was incorrectly listed at a super-low price. Did they do something wrong? Read story
Would You Fire Someone for Refusing to Wear Makeup?
A sales assistant at London's tony Harrods department store claims she was "driven out" over her refusal to wear makeup. Read story
Are Entrepreneurs Born or Taught?
A Babson College study says if you can lead a student to entrepreneurship courses, he'll start his own business. Read story
Small Business Lending on the Rise
U.S. small businesses borrowed money at a record rate in May, says data released Thursday. Read story
Hayley Barna and Katia Beauchamp, Founders of Birchbox
What if everyone had a friend who was a beauty editor—someone to sort through the gazillion products and tell you not just what’s best,... Read story
Brynn Jinnett, Founder of The Refine Method
Want a ballerina body? "Back away from the barre," says Brynn Jinnett, 27, a Harvard University-educated former professional ballerina who danced i... Read story
Never Giving Up on Her Soapsuds
When she wasn't satisfied with her career choice, Anne-Marie Faiola decided to make a business out of what she knew how to do best: Make soap. Read story
A Nonalcoholic Drink Option for the Rest of Us
Foodie and former dotcom entrepreneur Sharelle Klaus was frustrated with her nonalcoholic drink options in fine restaurants when she was pregnant with her fo... Read story
In the Business of Ignoring Diet Fads
Weight Watchers made Erin Baker's business almost overnight, then nearly destroyed it even faster. Read story
Looking Out for the Health of Our Babies
After realizing there was a shortage of organic baby food brands on the market, two moms decided to make it their mission to provide healthier alternatives. Read story
Report: Social Media Worth the Time
Small businesses and the self-employed are most likely to close new business deals and find partnerships thanks to their efforts on Facebook, Twitter, et al. Read story
Would You Fire Someone for Casting Spells?
A co-worker accuses a fellow employee—a practicing Wiccan—of casting a spell on her. Toil and trouble ensues. Read story
Supreme Court Rules Labor Law Covers Oral Complaints
At the heart of the case: A 29-year-old entrepreneur who says he stood up for his beliefs. Read story
Should You Advertise on Search Engines?
A new study suggests there's only one place worth doing it. Read story
Could You Survive Without Mobile Apps?
A third of small businesses say they couldn't get by without mobile apps. (Eleven percent say they use them only because they're "cool.") Read story
Would You Fire Employees for Playing a Prank?
Four school maintenance employees lose their jobs for playing a prank—and after posting the evidence on Facebook. Read story
Study: Start-up Rate at 15-Year High
But the high cost of employees may explain why more entrepreneurs are choosing to go at it alone, says a new Kauffman Foundation study. Read story
The Best Time of Day to Make a Big Decision
Science has a surprising answer. Read story
Study: Employees Are Unproductive Half the Day
Half of the average employee's time is spent on e-mail and other "necessary, yet unproductive tasks," says a new report. Read story
Shoppers Combine Search, Social Media to Fuel Decisions
A whopping 86 percent of consumers say search engines are very important in the buying process, while just one percent use social media alone. Read story
Would You Fire an Employee for Trying to Secede From the Union?
A veteran Sarasota Police homicide detective tried to secede from the union. He didn't break any laws, though he may have violated his oath of office. Earlie... Read story
Mobile Payment Firm Square Drops Transaction Fee
The company says dropping the credit card fee is part of its vision to "create zero friction and complexity" around payments. Will its competitors follow? Read story
Should You Make Consumers Register to Buy Online?
New research says consumers will lie on forms, leave them unfinished, or favor websites that don't require registration. Read story
The Sugar Made Him Do It
Siggi Hilmarsson, founder of Siggi's Skyr yogurt, discusses his trial-and-error process of starting up, the American diet, and the importance of sleep. Read story
Why It's Better to Be Green Than to Be Profitable
New research finds working for an environmentally-friendly company is more important to employees than working for a financially successful one. Read story
Why Digital Ads Are the Way to Reach U.S. Hispanics
U.S. Hispanics have about a trillion dollars in purchasing power—and they're far more likely than the general population to buy something after seeing an o... Read story
Would You Fire a Woman for Shaving Her Head?
A young waitress loses her job for her bald show of support for an uncle dying of cancer. Read story
Consumers Wary of Location-Based Services
Nearly all users think location-based services like Foursquare and Facebook Places are useful, but more than half are concerned about privacy. Read story
Arizona Family Attempts Year of Buying Only Local
Goodbye Starbucks and Wal-Mart. Here's what happens when one family gives up its big business ways. Read story
Would You Break the Rules for a Celebrity?
A McDonald's worker let a famous running back in to use the restroom at 3 a.m.—and risked her job by doing so. Read story
Cupcake Bakery Crumbs to Go Public
For the past three years, the seven-year-old chain has steadily climbed the Inc. 5000 rankings, generating more than $30 million in revenue last year. Read story
Will Fees for Carry On Bags Take Off?
Spirit Airlines endured an avalanche of criticism for charging to use overhead compartments. But the airline has made millions and passenger traffic is up. Read story
What to Do When You Lose Your Computer
Laptop theft occurs more often than people would like to think. Here is what you should do if you lose your computer and all the data on it. Read story
Report: Falling House Prices Hurt Small Business
One in five small business owners borrow against their homes to fund their businesses. Read story
D.C. Ranks As Most Hostile Place for Small Business
The nation's capital is a harsh place for entrepreneurs. Want somewhere friendlier? Try South Dakota. Read story
