Small Business

Article: Small Business Spotlight

by Taufan

Meet small business owners finding success in their endeavors, who tell us all about the challenges they’ve overcome, the plans they’re making for their future, and the advice they have for other business owners. This regular series explores what it means to be a successful small business, and how others can apply that to their own work in order to find success. PayPal’s small business solutions have helped create seamless experiences for customers both online and in-person. April 24, 2024 How an award-winning children’s author leveraged PayPal to connect with her customers…

Ask these 3 questions before starting a small business

by Taufan

Having an idea that you believe could become a profitable business can bring a rush of excitement. But there are a few important things to consider before you jump the gun, according to entrepreneur and beauty content influencer Jackie Aina. Aina, who has amassed more than 10 million social media followers combined across platforms like YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, is the co-founder and co-CEO of Forvr (pronounced forever) Mood, a fragrance company boasting an array of candles and perfumes. Forvr Mood products can be found in Sephora stores nationwide, and sell direct-to-consumer via their website. Aina launched the company in…

Why are small businesses hiring fewer people? It’s complicated | US small businesses

by Taufan

Small businesses are employing fewer people. It’s a worrying trend given that in the US small businesses employ nearly half (46.4%) of private sector employees. The numbers speak for themselves. According to data from software maker Intuit, employment at US small businesses with one to nine employees decreased by 23,400 in February compared with January, with all of the 12 industrial sectors and regions tracked also reporting declines. The payroll provider Paychex says that once fast-growing sectors such as leisure and hospitality have also seen wage declines, with job growth in the western part of the country falling into negative…

10 takeaways from Amazon’s 2023 Small Business Empowerment Report

by Taufan

Twenty-four years ago, Amazon welcomed independent sellers to sell in our store, providing them access to a global customer base, reaching hundreds of millions of customers worldwide, and unlocking a wide selection of products for customers delivered with unprecedented shipping speeds. Our mission since Day One has been to enable the long-term success of our selling partners—from small to large businesses—by providing the most trusted shopping and selling experience and by providing powerful solutions to accelerate our selling partners’ growth. Today, more than 60% of sales in Amazon’s stores come from independent sellers—most of which are small and medium-sized businesses.…

15 Free Resources for Small Businesses to Leverage Year-Round | CO

by Taufan

Trying to keep costs down? There are plenty of free business resources online. — Getty Images/filadendron Being a small business owner comes with many responsibilities, and learning the best practices for growing one’s business takes time. However, plenty of free resources are available to help fast-track entrepreneurs to success. Below, discover resources you can take advantage of during Small Business Month (May) and beyond. Amazon Amazon’s Small Business Academy provides a wealth of free resources, ideal for both aspiring and established entrepreneurs. These resources include live events, podcasts, and on-demand classes, along with access to a network of like-minded business…

Small Business Research Initiative announces new name – UKRI

by Taufan

The new name reflects that Contract for Innovation is able to offer fully funded research and development (R&D) contracts to innovative organizations of all sizes. The program was established in 2005 and is supported by Innovate UK. It aims to solve critical public sector challenges and drive economic growth in the UK by awarding 100% funded R&D contracts to innovative organisations. The name change signals that organizations of all types and sizes are encouraged to apply for public sector R&D contracts through Contracts for Innovation programmes. This includes private-sector companies, research institutes, universities and third-sector organisations. Funding competitions that meet…

City of Oakland | Oakland Celebrates Small Business Week April 28 –…

by Taufan

Oakand, CA – The City of Oakland will celebrate Small Business Week from April 28 to May 3, 2024 with in-person and virtual panels, workshops, and resource fairs for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Events will be located throughout Oakland. Admission is free! From financial strategies, taxes and accounting, safety and security, building a digital presence, commercial lease negotiations, access to capital, and transitioning from home-based or mobile business to a brick-and-mortar space, the 2024 Oakland Small Business Week Schedule offers six days of free educational workshops, plus: • City Services Small Business Resource Fair featuring representatives from more than…

Small Business Owners Can Get $50K For A Commercial Vehicle

by Taufan

by Jeffrey McKinney May 17, 2024 Progressive Insurance is now taking applications for its Driving Small Business Forward grant. Many small businesses, including Black-owned ones, can use extra funding to help fuel their growth. Acting to support small business owners, Progressive Insurance is now taking applications for its Driving Small Business Forward grant. This year’s program is offering $1 million in grants and business coaching assistance. More specifically, It calls for 20 recipients to be selected and awarded a $50,000 grant each that can be used to buy a commercial vehicle for their business, according to a news release. A…