Although cash is the lifeblood that sustains every business, far too many business owners fail to properly manage their cash flow. And this is despite the fact that statistics consistently show that running out of money is one of the main reasons new businesses go under. Trying to run a busine...
Many entrepreneurs structure their business as a limited liability company (LLC) because like corporations, LLCs offer personal liability protection for their owners. But unlike corporations, LLCs are not legally required to adhere to many of the same corporate formalities required of corporation...
If you've ever had clients who were more trouble than they were worth, you know how stressful such toxic relationships can be. Yet, it can be difficult to drop a client, especially if your business is just getting off the ground or cash is tight. That said, when dealing with certain problem clien...
It seems that everywhere you look, a new start-up is trying to make it big with a game-changing idea. But it's only the ones that can turn that idea into reality that reach business success. Too many start-ups fail to make the transition from idea to execution or encounter major setbacks along th...
Whether it's your very first or your fifth company, if you're looking to start a new business venture, you have two options: 1) build your own from scratch or 2) buy an existing one. And while many entrepreneurs dream of building their own company from the ground up, the reality is, launching a b...
No matter what line of business you are in, the reality of being a successful business owner is that you open yourself up to a number of different risks—and the more successful you get, the more risks you face. Asset-protection planning is intended to reduce or eliminate the risks of being in bus...
Growing your small business can be tricky. In fact, rapid growth can actually harm your company if you don't plan properly. When you are first starting out, for instance, you may not have the revenue to hire the staff needed to handle the increased business that rapid growth brings, and trying to...
In the last decade, the rise of the gig economy has fueled an unprecedented increase in the number of independent contractors (ICs) in the U.S. workforce. And that growth has only accelerated in the wake of the pandemic, with more companies relying on remote work arrangements, and many workers la...
If your company has (or plans to have) employees, a well-written employee handbook is an essential communication resource between you and your team. An effective handbook can set expectations for new hires, outline company policies, simplify onboarding, as well as enhance training and enforcement...
If you've always dreamed of running your own business but find the thought of building an entire company from scratch too daunting, you might consider investing in a franchise. When you purchase a franchise, you get an already proven business model and brand, which can make the startup phase sig...
Whenever you have a partner or multiple owners in a business, one of the most important—but often overlooked—aspects of the relationship is planning for how it will end. It's crucial that you come up with a clear exit strategy, and do so at the start of your relationship when things are going wel...
As a small business owner, you may not consider cybersecurity as one of your top priorities, especially if you have a limited online presence. However, that kind of thinking can leave your company seriously vulnerable to hackers and a rapidly increasing number of online threats. And the threat...
When starting a business, you have to make a ton of different decisions. From deciding what to name your company to hire employees, getting your business off the ground comes with a nearly endless number of decisions. Of all these decisions, perhaps none is more important or has a more signifi...
Paying your children—whether they're tweens, teens, or young adults—to work for your company is one of the greatest advantages of running a family business. By hiring your kids, you can help them develop a strong work ethic, give them experience managing money, and jumpstart their ability to save...
When starting a business, you have to make a ton of decisions. Deciding what to name your company and hiring employees, what kind of products or services you should sell, and how to fund your operation, getting your business off the ground comes with a nearly endless number of decisions. Of all ...
When it comes to your company's identity, nothing is more vital to your company than your name and logo. By developing a catchy name and snazzy logo for your business, you can quickly get your company recognized, remembered, and respected.Once you have come up with a winning name and logo, you wi...