Category: Starting a Business

6 Ways to Make Your 2020 Taxes Easier

Thanksgiving leftovers are dwindling, the holiday season is in full swing, and many people are looking ahead to the new year— a time traditionally saved for fresh starts. As a small business owner, it’s likely you’re balancing year-end activities with new year planning, making it the perfect time to identify areas of your business that could benefit from a resolution or two. Office organization, company culture, and spending habits always make their way to the resolution list, but what about… Read More

Everything You Need to Know About the New Overtime Law for 2020

Cash is king for business owners, plenty of it can make your dreams come true, and a lapse in cash flow can sink everything. One of your most important expenses as a business owner is payroll, and things could get a lot pricier starting Jan. 1, 2020, thanks to a change in overtime rules. New Overtime Rule In 2004, the US Department of Labor (DOL) established $455 per week as the earning level at which employees would become exempt from… Read More

Balance Sheet vs. Income Statement: What’s the Difference?

A balance sheet details your company’s assets, liabilities, and shareholder equity at a specific time. An income statement shows what income is going in and what spending is going out, detailing a net profit or loss for a company. Balance Sheet Template Income Statement Template What is a balance sheet? A balance sheet is a financial statement of what a company owns, what it owes, and how much shareholders invest.  The balance sheet formula is: Shareholders’ equity + Liabilities =… Read More

Protecting Your Personal Assets As a Business Owner

Over a million lawsuits are filed in state courts every year. And, according to one source, all of us have a 10% chance of getting sued in any given year and a 33% chance of getting sued during our lifetimes! This is scary information given that being on the losing end of a lawsuit can be financially devastating.  As a business owner, you have special cause for concern. That’s because if your business is sued and ordered to pay a… Read More

8 Business Travel Tips from Frequent Fliers

Traveling on the job might sound like a fun way to see the world, but too much of it can take a serious toll on your health and well-being. In fact, a recent study suggests links between frequent business travel (those with more than 14 nights away from home per month) and health risks such as a higher body mass index (BMI), anxiety, depression and sleep disorders.1   Whether you work in the travel and hospitality industry or are just going… Read More

How to Get a Loan to Start a Business

Starting a new business is an exciting time, but getting the funding to get your startup off the ground can be stressful. Learning how to get a loan to start a business can help you understand what commercial lenders are looking for, what you can qualify for and some alternative approaches you can take.  Before we dig into the details, here’s a summary of how to get a loan to start a business. How to Get a Loan to Start… Read More