Cash FlowInc. staff Financial Assistance Tracker for BusinessesGovernments are making unprecedented moves to help small businesses amid the Covid-19 crisis. Find out about the resources that may be available to you.
Cash FlowGabrielle Bienasz Small-Business Grants for Companies Hit by Covid-19Here are the grant programs that could help keep your business afloat during the coronavirus crisis.
Cash FlowKimberly Weisul Fintechs Jump Into Small-Business Loan ChaosA few fintech companies say they've received approval to offer the paycheck protection loans designed to keep small-business employees on payroll.
$2T Stimulus OverviewGraham Winfrey Everything You Need to Know to Get a Paycheck Protection Loan ForgivenPortions of small-business loans from the new federal relief package can be converted to grants. Here's how to qualify.
Financial AnalysisAmi Kassar Don't Fall for Short-Term Loan Deals for Your BusinessThe pitfalls of short-term debt easily outweigh the benefits
Taking CareSharon Poczter Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Inflation (Including How to Handle It)Recently released government data indicates that U.S. inflation is the highest it has been in 13 years. Why you shouldn't panic--plan.
PricingHoward Tullman The Right Way to Raise PricesAll this talk about inflation offers ample cover to charge more for your products. But give careful consideration to your customers and employees before you start repricing. Then, make your case using these three messages.
Economic OutlookBill Briggs How Can Lawmakers Really Help Small Businesses? Get Out of the WayNo amount of government stimulus can compete with open economies.
Cash FlowDiana Ransom PPP's Crazy Final DaysHere's what happened at Lendistry when the biggest small-business aid program in history was foisted on a handful of overworked lenders.
Taking CareDiana Ransom As the Pandemic Recedes, Small Businesses Face a New Plague: Debt CollectorsCreditors may have held off collecting unpaid debts, but rest assured, they'll want to get paid.
Taking CareBrit Morse Big Banks Are Committing $10 Billion to Tackling Racial Inequity. Here's How to Get a PieceThe money is meant to benefit underrepresented founders through increased contracting, funding, and capability-building, with the goal of driving $30 billion in economic impact.
Cash FlowGabrielle Bienasz 5 Pivotal Business Hygiene Lessons Learned From the PPPFor all its faults, the Small Business Administration's forgivable loan program taught business owners to make time for the basics.
PricingHoward Tullman Car Insurance--and Everything Else-- by the Mile The pandemic may have ended the idea of "one size fits all" pricing in the auto insurance business--and others will surely follow.
WireDiana Ransom The PPP Is Out of Cash. 3 Ways It Could Improve in the Next CrisisThe forgivable loan program helped more than eight million small businesses access more than $780 billion in aid. But former SBA boss Michael Roth says it could have been a less painful process.
Cash FlowDiana Ransom With 3 Weeks to Go, PPP Is Out of CashThe Small Business Administration notified lenders on Tuesday to direct borrowers to community financial institutions if they want a PPP loan.
WireCameron Albert-Deitch These Business Owners Banded Together to Save Their Downtown. Now, They're Reaping the RewardsMerchants in Keene, New Hampshire, spent the past year collaborating instead of competing. Their efforts are paying off.
WireCameron Albert-Deitch 3 Ways to Build Stronger Small-Business Communities in a Post-Covid WorldThe economic recovery could present a new opportunity for Main Street businesses and startups nationwide--with some strategic planning.
StartupMartin Zwilling 8 Innovative Pricing Strategies Every Business Should EvaluateInnovation is as important in pricing as it is in developing your solution.
Taking CareDiana Ransom Attention Restaurants, Bars, and Caterers: SBA's $28.6 Billion Grant Program Is Open for BusinessThe online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted--which could be very soon.
Taking CareDiana Ransom The SBA's $16 Billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant to Kick Off (Again) on MondayHere are three things you need to do to take advantage of the grant program.
Taking CareDiana Ransom Self-Employed Would Get a Bigger Slice of Remaining $51 Billion in PPP Under New BillLawmakers introduced the bipartisan PPP Flexibility for Farmers, Ranchers, and the Self-Employed Act. It may be too little too late.
PricingHoward Tullman The Price of "All You Can Eat" Can Be Steep The strategy seems smart: Attract customers by offering more for less. But it's not for all products and all businesses. Here's a four-point test to see if the pricing is right for your product.
Taking CareDiana Ransom Pandemic-Era Shipping Delays and Product Scarcity to Last Through Summer The reasons for the squeeze are manifold, but it all mostly comes down to finding workers.
Taking CareDiana Ransom After 1 Year of PPP, a Former SBA Official on the 'Herculean' Effort Getting the $750 Billion Program Off the GroundThe forgivable loan program has helped millions of small businesses access about $750 billion in aid. Bill Briggs was there for it all.
Taking CareDiana Ransom SBA Halts Its $16 Billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program on Day 1Business owners were in a constant state of refresh yesterday as the SBA tried (fruitlessly) to resolve its tech issues.
Taking CareDiana Ransom 4 Reasons to Apply for PPP Right NowThe forgivable loan program could run out of money this month. But if you act now, you may get cash easier and faster than before.
Taking CareDiana Ransom Biden's $2.3 Trillion Infrastructure Bill: Cheers for the Business Goodies, Jeers for the Tax Price TagThe massive package promises heaps of opportunities for business owners. Paying for it all is another story.
Taking CareAmi Kassar Biden's American Jobs Plan Is Only Half of the EquationIt's a great first step, but for this 'bottom-up' approach to work, entrepreneurs need mentorship, resources, and on-the-ground help.
Taking CareDiana Ransom With 190,000 Applications on Hold and $79 Billion Remaining in Funds, Biden Approves PPP ExtensionSmall businesses will get another two months of access to the program, but the SBA says funds could be gone by mid-April.
Taking CareDiana Ransom 3 Ways the PPP Could Soon Change Lawmakers have bigger aspirations for reforming the program. Their ideas include making one of Biden's recent changes retroactive.
Taking CareMaria Haggerty 5 Things Any Smart Company Does When Business Is BoomingHow to capitalize on business growth and success so it doesn't end up being just a blip on the chart.
Cash FlowDiana Ransom $50 Billion for Small Business as Biden Signs a Sweeping $1.9 Trillion StimulusAid to struggling small businesses is just a 'footnote.' The $15 minimum wage proposal is left out.
Cash FlowDiana Ransom Lenders Curb PPP Applications to Meet Their Growing BacklogsThe nation's No. 1 and No. 2 PPP lenders are turning off the spigot early--and one is not participating in Biden's plan to help solopreneurs access more PPP money.
Cash FlowDiana Ransom What's in the $1.9 Trillion Rescue Plan for YouSmall-business owners would get another $50 billion in support. Here's a breakdown of the funding.
Cash FlowDiana Ransom Despite Dire Small-Business Need, $128 Billion in PPP Is Due to Sunset March 31The forgivable loan program is set to expire in four weeks--and as of now there are no plans to extend it.
Cash FlowDiana Ransom For Some Solopreneurs, the Latest PPP Rules Are Bad NewsThe U.S. Small Business Administration released guidance for how to handle the latest changes to the Paycheck Protection Program. Not everyone will be happy.
TaxesKimberly Weisul PPP Loans Are Supposed to Be Tax Free. These 19 States Didn't Get the MemoA handful of states are looking to fix the problem, but you may not like the changes.
Economic OutlookCameron Albert-Deitch Why Student Loan Forgiveness Is Crucial for EntrepreneursPresident Biden's plan to cancel some student loan debt will spark entrepreneurship rates and enhance economic recovery--but there's a catch.
Cash FlowDiana Ransom For Sole Proprietors, There's Never Been a Better Time to Apply for a PPP Loan The Small Business Administration is expected to release a new application for Schedule C borrowers, giving them wider access to the forgivable loan program and much-needed new guidance.
InnovateKevin J. Ryan How This Founder Is Helping Restaurants Reclaim Their PowerRestaurants have been decimated by the pandemic. Lunchbox founder Nabeel Alamgir thinks his platform can be part of the solution.
Cash FlowDiana Ransom The SBA's Biggest PPP Fraud Problem May Have Nothing to Do With Actual CriminalsThe Biden administration just announced a change that would let some previously incarcerated individuals access the federal relief program, but what about the people who've never committed a crime?
Cash FlowDiana Ransom Biden Changes PPP Rules to Help America's Smallest Businesses Among other adjustments, the president's plan will make it easier for sole proprietors to access Paycheck Protection Program loans.
Cash FlowKimberly Weisul When These Startup Platforms Prioritized Founders of Color, Everyone ProsperedThe current funding systems don't do a great job supporting founders of color. That's a business opportunity, right?
Cash FlowAmi Kassar Relief for New SBA Loans Shortened to 3 MonthsHelping struggling businesses survive Covid-19 isn't enough. It's also critical to support emerging and growing businesses.
Cash FlowAmi Kassar Why a True Economic Recovery Starts With Financial EducationIf more business owners understood the breadth of offerings--and not just PPP--now at their fingertips, they'd be better positioned for growth.
Financial AnalysisJim Schleckser 6 Things to Do When You Have Too Much Debt on Your CompanyHow can your business survive having too much debt in a down turn? Here are six things to do to relieve the pressure and survive to fight another day
Cash FlowDiana Ransom Getting Beyond the Minimum Wage DebateEven if it doesn't make it into the latest stimulus bill, the writing is on the wall. Here's what you can do about it.
Cash FlowKimberly Weisul 7 Ways Washington Can Help Small Businesses NowSmall businesses need to keep going until vaccines become widely available. For many, grants may be the best alternative.
Cash FlowDiana Ransom Major Delays in SBA-Backed Loans Are Slowing the RecoveryBusinesses of all kinds are reporting a lag in approvals--and the consequences for the economy are dire.
Surge CitiesKevin J. Ryan 4 Trends Behind Seattle's Booming Startup SceneBusiness surged in 2020 for many of the city's tech companies. But not everyone was so fortunate.
Economic OutlookArnobio Morelix 3 Key Factors for Navigating the Post-Pandemic EconomyYou probably didn't have the opportunity to prepare for the first wave of the pandemic, but you should prepare for what's next.
Cash FlowDiana Ransom The SBA's PPP Loan Platform Is Rejecting Some Worthy Businesses. But There's a FixWhile trying to be efficient and fair, the SBA's new software is bouncing some eligible second-draw borrowers.
PoliticsDiana Ransom How Biden's Buy American Plan Could Boost Small BusinessThe president is directing federal agencies to change the definition of 'Made in America' and make contracting opportunities more transparent.
StrategyBurt Helm How to Win Any Business Plan Competition, From a 4-Time WinnerAlison Alvarez has gotten really good at understanding what judges want. Here are her top tips.
AccountingJosh Cyphers How Payment Automation Is Likely to Change in 2021Here's what's happening in the B2B payment world right now.