BorrowingDiana Ransom Biden's Small Business Administration: More Lenders, Easier Terms, Fewer HurdlesThe pandemic presented fissures in the small business resources and financing continuum. SBA administrator Isabel Guzman shares her plans to fix it.
Taking CareAlicia Doniger Companies Are Offering Incentives to Vaccinated Consumers, but More Important: Why?To make their communities safe--and maybe even boost sales--businesses have joined governments in using behavioral economics to coax consumers to get vaccinated. The fun factor matters.
Covid Resource CenterAnna Meyer A Sudden Surge of Vaccinated Patrons Is Forcing Businesses to Get CreativeStrapped for resources and staff, businesses are hoping a triage of quick fixes will help them ride the wave of consumers looking to get out and spend.
Taking CareBrit Morse It's Getting Easier to Vaccinate Your Whole Staff at the Office. But Should You?Vaccine drives can be incredibly efficient, but also have a cost. Here's a look at the factors to consider before hosting your own event.
Taking CareBrit Morse Fully Vaccinated People Can Go Mask Free in Most CasesThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed public guidelines, allowing vaccinated individuals to resume regular activities without wearing a mask or staying six feet apart.
Town HallAmrita Khalid Small Business Week Town Hall: 3 Tips to Thrive in the New NormalBusiness leaders weigh in on how companies can flourish as they take the uncharted path ahead.
Small Business WeekCameron 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.
Taking CareDiana Ransom SBA Releases New Details for Its $28.6 Billion Restaurant Revitalization FundWhile the RRF grant program is styled similarly to the Shuttered Venue Operators Program, look forward to a different rollout.
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 CareBrit Morse No Vaccine, No Entry? Understanding the Vaccine Passport DebateThe technology is emerging--and so are concerns about privacy, security, and other issues.
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 It's Prime Time for SBA's $16 Billion Live Events Grant Program--FinallyAfter several months of waiting for the Small Business Administration to kick off its inaugural shuttered venue operators grant program, today's the day.
Taking CareBrit Morse Assessing Whether You Can (or Should) Ask Customers to See Their Vaccine CardsHigher vaccination rates can signal a quicker return to the workplace, but requiring proof of said vaccinations can be a minefield for businesses.
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 CareAnna Meyer Spring Break Spending Harbingers a Mixed Bag for Summer Hot SpotsBeach towns have been busy with customers. But community tensions and business capacity restrictions continue to present challenges.
Taking CareMinda Zetlin Krispy Kreme Gives Free Doughnuts All Year to Anyone Who's Had a Vaccine. Here's Why That's SmartMany large and small businesses are offering vaccine incentives. Maybe yours should too.
PivotAmy George 3 Critical Lessons From the Pandemic to Build Into Your Crisis PlanIt's time to document all of the pivots and best practices--for the next unprecedented event.
Taking CareBrit Morse 3 Reasons You Should Buy a Business NowWith financial options available and an aging population looking to sell, there's never been a better time to buy a business.
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.
Covid Resource CenterCarol Sankar 3 Ways Companies Have Shown Corporate Social Responsibility During the PandemicHere are some of the ways companies have provided relief in the past year-- and it's not too late to join them.
Taking CareBrit Morse Business Leaders to Washington: Paid Family and Medical Leave Shouldn't Be OptionalAnd they say the crisis-era program should last long after the pandemic subsides.
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.
Covid Resource CenterJohn Hall How You Can Make a Comeback With Your Business in 2021You worked hard to build your small business. Don't let Covid-19 have the last word.
Taking CareBrit Morse The House Votes to Extend the PPP to May 31The bipartisan program is expected to swiftly pass the Senate--which could help last-minute PPP filers or those who've been stymied by delays get the money they need to survive.
Covid Resource CenterDiana Ransom Senate Confirms New SBA Boss Isabel GuzmanHer top job will be overseeing the launch of two vital grant programs for shuttered venues and restaurants.
Taking CareBrit Morse What You Need to Know About Employee Retention CreditsThe American Rescue Plan extends a key crisis-era tax credit that could get you some serious cash. But you have to act fast.
Covid Resource CenterBrit Morse Lawmakers Strike a Deal to Extend the PPPThe bipartisan agreement would extend the forgivable loan program for two months. The House is expected to vote on the measure next week.
The Future of WorkCameron Albert-Deitch 5 Counterintuitive Lessons From the Past Year That Will Shape Your Business Going ForwardThe pandemic forced entrepreneurs to alter their business strategies and personal routines. Some of those new habits are here to stay.
Covid Resource CenterBrit Morse Businesses and Bankers Are Asking for an Extension to the PPPThe Paycheck Protection Program is set to end this month. That's not enough time, say small-business advocates.
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 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.
Taking CareCameron Albert-Deitch Small-Business Reopenings in Texas and Mississippi: The Chaos of 'Maskless Freedom'The governors' announcements bring both welcome news and new headaches for some entrepreneurs.
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.
Covid Resource CenterKevin J. Ryan Why NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers Is Donating $1 Million to Small Businesses in His HometownThe Green Bay Packers quarterback is helping 80 small businesses in Chico, California, that have struggled during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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.
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.
Covid Resource CenterCameron Albert-Deitch How to Reopen Your Office Safely, According to a Hollywood Covid Compliance OfficerFilm sets are up and running, offering a safe but costly blueprint for business owners to follow.
Small Business WeekJill Krasny Amid Frigid Temperatures, No Power, and a Pandemic, Businesses Rally to Feed Hungry TexansBumble and other prominent local brands pitched in to help small businesses serve those in need.
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.
Conscious LeadershipBrit Morse As Pandemic Fatigue Sets In at Work, Employers Try to HelpFrom virtual water coolers to gift cards, business owners experiment with ways to stave off burnout as the crisis drags on.
Covid Resource CenterBrit Morse Should You Double Mask in the Workplace?The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidelines for wearing masks. You can make your mask fit better or, better yet, wear a second one to cut down on transmission.
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.
Covid Resource CenterCameron Albert-Deitch Need Covid-Era Relief Funding? Pay Attention to the Super Bowl Post-Game ConcertVerizon's 'Big Concert for Small Business' will help fund a series of $10,000 small-business grants. Here's what you need to know.
Covid Resource CenterBrit Morse Cash, Comps, and Time Off: How Small Businesses Are Encouraging Covid VaccinationsSome employers are hesitant to mandate the Covid-19 vaccine, so instead they're offering incentives for workers to get a jab.
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.
Covid Resource CenterBrit Morse Biden's Ambitious Vaccine Agenda May Need a Boost From BusinessesThe president plans to deliver 100 million vaccine doses in 100 days. The U.S. will ultimately need twice that amount to tame Covid-19.
HR/BenefitsBrit Morse How Much Vaccine Information Should You Demand From Employees?Getting some insight from workers about their plans for getting a vaccine can help you make major business decisions.
Covid Resource CenterDiana Ransom Biden's Big Plans for Small Business in His First 100 DaysHe wants to plow billions into vaccine production and distribution, and billions more into new aid for small businesses. But there's a catch.