The straight line

Need a loan to start or expand your business? Nearly a decade after the financial crisis of 2008, many banks remain hesitant about loaning money to start-ups and small business owners. Stricter lending policies often make applying for financing a nerve-wracking and time-consuming process. Here are some ways to give your loan application a leg up...

In the “good old days,” owners of honestly-run businesses had little reason to fear. “Caveat emptor,” or let the buyer beware, was the norm. Contract laws, particularly those involving warranties, provided consumers with the ability to sue under some circumstances, but it was relatively easy for companies to avoid the long arm of the law. Those...

For company sales representatives, being on a trade show floor can be uncomfortable: You’re surrounded on all sides by competitors and judged by browsing shoppers. But it’s also a prime sales and marketing tool for those who know how to grab hold of every potential opportunity. After all, the average trade show features 573 exhibiting companies where more...

Fall is a good time to pause and review your financial planning strategy. A lot can happen in a year. If your personal life, market conditions or tax laws have changed, you may need to revise your long-term financial plans. Here are some retirement and estate planning considerations that may be worthwhile. Roth IRAs Do you...

August is back-to-school time across the country. Whether the school buses are already disrupting your commute to work — or will be soon — the start of the school year brings opportunities for savvy business owners. Here are some insights into this market segment and creative, real-world marketing solutions to inspire you to think outside the...

Starting up a business and wondering about how tax deductions will be handled? The most important thing to understand is that most expenses incurred before a business begins functioning cannot be deducted or amortized until the year when the business does become active. Business Expense Basics Section 162 of the Internal Revenue Code allows current deductions for so-called...