A renewed push to bolster small contractors
(Pete Souza / THE WHITE HOUSE)
A new law is the latest in a series of moves by the federal government to offer more contracting opportunities to small businesses.
THE LATEST NEWS
OSB HEADLINES
How cliff deal affects small businesses
A day late, Congress has reached a deal to avert disaster. But is the bill a win for small business owners?
Biggest small business stories of 2012
Between crowdfunding, employer mandates and “you didn’t build that,” small firms spent plenty of time in the national spotlight this year.
Debit-card changes pinch small banks
Community banks and credit unions warn lost revenue may lead them to impose new fees on customers.
Cabs warming to mobile payments
After a city plan to install card readers in all cabs was tabled, some drivers have instead signed up for smartphone payments.
Best and worst sectors to enter in 2013
Heading into 2013, farmers and gas station owners are looking up, while drycleaners and funeral homes are eyeing yet another difficult year.
Franchise growth to slow in 2013
Economists expect franchise job growth to slow next year due largely to political turmoil in Washington.
In crowdfunding, a thin line between investors and customers
Pebble Watches raised money on Kickstarter and missed its holiday shipping deadline. So, what now?
A small business holiday wish list
We asked small business owners across the country what policy makers could do the give their companies a happy holiday season.
DAILY ROUNDUP
On the weekend: Small firm hiring up, cliff fix fails to fix uncertainty
Our daily blend of news, tips and trends for start-ups and small businesses.
SMALL BUSINESS ADVICE
How to show employees you care this holiday season without going broke
One idea: Consider giving them an extra week of paid vacation instead of the traditional holiday bonus.
How small businesses can use big data
Cloud computing has made big data analysis a powerful and suddenly affordable tool for small firms.
Prevent a holiday financing hangover
Many business owners will spend time on the opposite side of the cash register this month. Here are some tips to avoid financing woes.
Ho, Ho, Hackers: How to protect your firm from holiday credit card scams
One expert provides four tips for small business owners ahead of an expected surge in scams.
COMMENTARY & INSIGHTS
Crowdfunding enters a critical phase
Industry officials have built obstacles in the SEC’s path to creating crowdfunding rules.
Online sales tax and the potential impact on small retailers
A guide to three bills that are meant to level the playing field for online and brick-and-mortar retailers.
An underused tax credit for innovative small businesses
One expert explains why many small firms miss this opportunity and what Congress can do about it.
Three potential benefits of cliff deal
How will small businesses respond to the debt deal? A finance professor lays out the most likely scenarios.
OSB MEDIA GALLERIES
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Entrepreneurial studies taking root at black colleges
Driven by a recession that hit minorities the hardest, HBCUs are launching programs to help students create their own jobs.
Platforms adapting on the fly to new crowdfunding laws
One crowdfunding platform is keeping close tabs on the latest SEC proposals and adjusting its business plan accordingly.
U.S. entrepreneurship headed in the wrong direction?
American entrepreneurship may suffer a massive offshore migration if Congress cannot agree on a remedy.
Columns
Thomas Heath
Value Added: A search company finds its perfect retreat in Costa Rica
COLUMN | Search Technologies meets annually in the Central American nation to talk future plans.
Thomas Heath
Value Added: Paul banks on ‘oomph’
The co-founder of EagleBank has established a record of success in real estate and banking.
Thomas Heath
Value Added: A business bound by craftsmanship and the bottom line
COLUMN | Sarah Larson has revived a bookbinding business by paying attention to clients and costs.
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