Article Library
Select a category below to narrow your search:
- All
- Build Your Brand
- Buy a Business
- Buy a Franchise
- Close Your Business
- Connect
- Find the Right Systems
- Grow Through Acquisition
- Improve Your Competitive Position
- Lead Your Team
- Navigate Your Legal and Risk Needs
- Plan for Succession
- Prepare for Startup
- Restaurant
- Sell Your Business
- Take on Tax and Financial Concerns
Find an Attorney for Your Acquisition
If you're thinking of buying another business, you'll need to find an attorney who can draft agreements, review contracts, and …
Smart Play: Buy a Low-Risk, High-Margin Business in a Growing Industry
If want to buy a business, then you’ve probably thought about operating one that’s novel, trendy, or exciting—one that’ll impress …
Pro Tip: Set Up an Entity Before Buying a Business
When most people set out to “buy a business,” what they’re really doing is buying a company’s assets. Many are …
How to Close Your Business Email and Social Media Accounts
When you close your business, you'll need to close the email and social media accounts that are associated with it, …
Checklist: What You Need to Cancel When Closing Your Small Business
Depending on your business, you may have licenses, permits, subscriptions, and services to cancel when closing. This checklist will help …
Recasting: Demonstrate to the Financial Earning Power of Your Business
Today, we're taking on an important topic: recasting, and how it might help you sell your business. Let's dive in. …
Help Your Employees Transfer Their Retirement Accounts to a New Entity
Two of the moves you’ll need to take when closing your business are terminating the retirement plans you offer and …
How to Write Meaningful Recommendation Letters for Your Employees
Want a way to help your employees while you're closing your business? One of the best gestures you can make …
Small Business Basics: Choose a Business Structure
As you work through the steps of starting your business, you’ll need to choose a business structure. The choice you …
Get Started with Advertising on Social Media Platforms
If you want to boost your business, advertising on social media is a must. Unlike the old-school approaches of newspaper …
Social Media 101: Getting Started
Whether you’re a local shop or an e-commerce store, establishing your business’s social media presence is vital. Now, it’s more …
Devote Time to Read and Respond to Reviews of Your Business
Businesses live and die by the reviews they receive. More than ever before, people are talking about their experiences online, …
Assessing the Listing: What Buyers Should Look for in Every Business Posting
Almost every business listing on business brokerage sites follows a specific format. It can be great to have this consistency—and …
How to Create Financial Projections for a New Restaurant
This article on creating financial projections for a new restaurant is a guest post, brought to you by the team …
Grand Opening: How to Create the Hype You Need to Make Your First Day a Success
Lots of work goes into starting a small business, and your first day is a major achievement for you as …
Solution Finder: Payroll Systems
As an employer, you'll need to comply with federal and state laws regarding payroll. These laws include keeping up with …
Solution Finder: Shift Scheduling Systems
If you manage an hourly workforce, you know the headaches of configuring schedules—and reconfiguring them as changes occur. Fortunately, app …
The Right Ways to Wind Down Work
Before telling your customers about your decision to close, think about how you’ll fulfill your outstanding orders, whether you’ll accept …
Navigating Business Contracts As You Close Your Business
It's easy to overlook one part of the closure process. That's navigating the business contracts and obligations you've agreed to …
Tell Your Vendors, Contractors, and Others Your Business Is Closing
Midway through the closing process, you’ll need to notify your vendors, suppliers, contractors, and freelancers that your business is closing. …
Do You Need to Vote on Dissolution?
Most owners need to follow a specific set of procedures to formally close their businesses. And, sometimes, these procedures include …
Dividing What’s Left: How to Handle Asset Distribution When Closing Your Business
After selling your remaining assets, collecting your outstanding receivables, repaying creditors, and paying your final federal, state, and local taxes, …
It May Be Time to Increase Your Pay
As your business grows, you may be thinking of cashing in a portion of its income. But before you increase …
Understanding Small Business Sales Tax
The United States doesn’t levy a federal sales tax, but many of its states do. And within those states, various …
Finding Buyers: Who’s Looking for a Business Like Yours?
Every day, groups of people search for businesses to buy. Many do this to achieve their goals of entrepreneurship, expand …
How to Interview Vendors and Suppliers for Your Business
If the success of your business depends on inventory, parts, inputs, or other entities’ products, you'll vendors and suppliers who …
Solution Finder: Restaurant Loyalty Programs
You can wow your guests with a great meal, great setting, and a great experience, but getting them to come …
Solution Finder: Restaurant Shift Scheduling Systems
One of the biggest headaches of running a restaurant is employee scheduling—and reconfiguring shifts as changes occur. Fortunately, app and …
Set Up Mail Forwarding to Receive Business Documents
Even after closing your doors, your business will continue to receive mail that’s necessary for future tax filings and the …
Strategies That Can Help You Take Better Product Photos
It’s nearly impossible to sell products online without crisp, clear, compelling images. Fortunately, taking product photos is relatively simple. In …
Solution Finder: Restaurant Reservation Systems
Sometimes called “table management systems,” restaurant reservation systems offer a lot of benefits. For guests, they make scheduling a meal …
When Do I Need a Tax Attorney?
Is your business facing tax challenges? Are you working through an audit? Are you up against some complexities in determining …
Understanding Small Business Income Tax
Is your business required to pay small business income tax? The answer is that it depends on your business structure. …
Small Business Financing 101: Term Loans
Loans are one of the most common sources of capital for small business startups. For your venture, you might consider …
How to Hire the People Who Will Make Your Small Business a Success
Will your idea succeed? The answer can depend on the people you bring on board. That's why it's vitally important …
Tips for Forming a Partnership to Start a Business
It can be expensive to start a new business. Partnering with another person can be a great way to cover …
Small Business Financing 101: SBA Loans
SBA loans are one of the most commonly used ways to cover early-phase costs. Named after the Small Business Administration …
Small Business Financing 101: Asset-Backed Loan
There are many ways to finance a business. One that few business owners consider is an asset-backed loan, an option …
Your Go-to Guide to Raising Capital for a Startup
Real estate, equipment, inventory, technologies, wages, and insurance are some of the many costs you’ll need to cover when starting …
Small Business Financing 101: How Commercial Real Estate Loans Can Help You with Your #LocationGoals
Disclaimer: This article was written to help you evaluate your commercial real estate loan options. It should not be construed …
Small Business Basics: How to Attain a Tax ID Number for Your Small Business
If you're starting a small business, you may need to set up a tax ID number, also known as an …
Small Business Financing 101: Angel Investors
Angel investors are individuals or networks of people who want to find and invest in new, small, or growing businesses …
Small Business Basics: Permits and Licenses
Do you need a permit or license to run your small business? You might, depending on your line of work, …
Small Business Basics: Sign Up For a Business Credit Card
Obtaining a small business bank account is important, but you should also get a business credit card to track your …
Strategies for Naming Your Business
Your business name is important: It may be the first impression your customers have of your business. The right name …
Why You Might Need a Registered Agent
Most businesses are required to register in the states or territories where they'll conduct “business activities.” These activities might include …
The Ratios You Need to Measure Your Business’s Success
How do you know when your business is succeeding? You might look at the number of sales you make. Or, …
How to Create a Social Media Content Calendar
The world of social media is constantly in flux with new platforms, new algorithms, and new trends. Staying on top …
Solution Finder: Online Ordering for Restaurants
A great way to grow your restaurant's sales is to offer online ordering. You can certainly set up your own …
How to Design a Website for Your Restaurant
Your customers will want to know who you are—and what you serve—before they'll be willing to give your restaurant a …
Improve Your Customer Service Processes
Great customer service is one of the best, most important ways to differentiate your business, and fortunately, there are lots …
Write a Business Plan for Your New Restaurant
When you apply for financing for your new restaurant, your lender may ask you to submit a business plan along …
How to Build an Email List for Your Business
One of the best ways to grow your business is to get in front of your target audience regularly with …
Marketing Channels That Can Help Your Business Grow
Many small business owners succeed when they experiment with marketing channels to spread awareness of their brand. You can, too. …
How to Evaluate the Price of a Business
Looking for a business to buy? Once you find one and pour through its documents, financials, and records, you'll need …
How to Create a Product Prototype
Producing a product? It’s a great idea to start with a prototype. This will help you experience it and understand …
Why Seller Financing Can Be a Great Source of Capital for an Acquisition
Seller financing is often a great option for covering the costs of a business that's for sale. Sometimes called a …
Why You Should Spend Time Writing a Great Job Posting
When you post a job, you’re presenting your business to a wide pool of candidates for the very first time. …
Can I Be a Franchise Owner Without Working Onsite?
Most franchises ask owners to work a minimum number of hours onsite each week. Many want their owners to commit …
Solution Finder: Online Point-of-Sale Systems
Virtually every business needs a system to collect payment and track sales. New point-of-sale (POS) systems are robust tools and …
Schedule Smarter: How to Staff Your Business to Save Costs and Minimize Stress
Employee scheduling can be a manager’s nightmare, but it’s a must-do task. Here's why. It can help you take on …
Finance Your New Franchise with an SBA Loan
If you plan to buy into a franchise, you may be wondering about the SBA loan program you can use …
Why You Need an Employee Handbook for Your Small Business
Your small business employee handbook outlines the rules and expectations you, the employer, have for your team members. Your handbook …
How to Use Loans and Lines of Credit to Help Your Business Grow
After covering startup costs, many owners struggle to find the working capital they need to go after new opportunities or …
Brand Differentiation 101: How to Set Your Business Apart
It can be tough for customers to distinguish between your brand and another, especially when the price points, products, and …
Too Much Risk: The Parts of Your Business That Will Scare Off Potential Buyers
Many prospective business buyers are risk-averse. They’re quick to spot the threats, red flags, and uncertainties that could impact a …
Smart Play: Seller Financing
Lots of sellers exiting a business are doing so in a smart way. They're selling their business to qualified buyers, …
Six Must-Haves to Secure Offers from Business Buyers
More investors than ever before are eager to buy reputable, high-performing businesses with proven records of success. But what’s attracting …
Avoid These Mistakes When Selling Your Small Business
Wondering how to get your business ready to sell? It's our go-to move to recommend this free checklist. But before …
Maximize Your Sales Price: The Practices and Negotiation Strategies You Need to Master When Selling Your Business
Virtually every small business seller has the same goal: to sell their business quickly to a competent, capable buyer and …
How to Negotiate to Buy a Business
Once you’ve found a business that meets your criteria and you’ve vetted it with your accountant and attorney, you'll start …
Lease-to-Buy: Could It Work for Your Acquisition?
There are lots of ways to finance a business acquisition. Few prospective business owners consider lease-to-buy, an option that can …
Motivate Your Employees with These Simple Practices
You’ve likely heard the statistics on employee engagement in the workplace. Or, you may have had your own struggles rallying …
Consider Changing Your Business Structure
When you formed your business, you may have pictured what your business could become and chose a business structure that …
Manage Your Business: How to Collect Your Business Receivables
Looking for better strategies to take on your small business debt collection needs and collect overdue business receivables? In this …
When You Can Sell Your Business Without a Broker—and When You Really Shouldn’t
Selling your business alone is no easy feat, but with the right amount of research and an eager commitment to …
Exit Interviews Matter
When one of your employees leaves by choice or force, it’s important to conduct an exit interview to examine why …
Your Go-to Guide to Equip Your Restaurant Kitchen
When you're starting a restaurant, you'll need to set up your kitchen with tools and equipment so your team can …
Buy a Business That Is Not for Sale
If you're an aspiring entrepreneur who wants to buy a business instead of starting one from scratch, you likely know …
How to Find a Manufacturer for Your Products
If you decide to outsource production, you’ll need to find a manufacturer that can meet your timelines, standards for quality, …
Grand Reopening: Create the Hype You Need to Make Your First Day a Success
Closing on your new business is a major achievement. Celebrate it by planning a grand reopening event that reintroduces your …
Lease or Buy a Site: How to Make the Right Call for Your Small Business
Location is a factor you can’t afford to get wrong. As a new owner, it's important to spend time assessing …
Your Go-to Guide to Financing a Franchise
Franchise fees, real estate, equipment, and inventory are some of the many costs you’ll need to cover when starting a …
Your Go-to Guide to Commercial Leases
If you choose to rent a storefront or commercial property for your business, you may need to sign and abide …
Why Seller Financing Can Be a Great Source of Capital
Seller financing is often a great option for buying a business. Let's dive into what it is and why it …
Solution Finder: Fleet Management Systems
It isn’t easy to oversee a fleet of vehicles—or the drivers who operate them. Your carefully planned schedules can change …
Thinking of Hiring an Accountant? Start Here.
Every business has accounting needs. There are financial standards, valuations, and tax concerns to keep up with and work through. …
What You Need to Know About Debt Consolidation Loans for Your Business
Business debts can build up. With high costs of startup, ballooning operating inputs, economic fallouts, and other expenses, it can …
Your Go-to Guide to Creating a Business Strategy
No matter where you are in your ownership journey, you must know how to create a business strategy—and actually put …
Build Your Business Credit Score with These Simple Steps
Lenders, creditors, suppliers, and insurance companies may be looking at your business credit score. Why? Often, it's to check on …
Setting Up Terms and Conditions That Will Protect Your Small Business
Does you need terms and conditions for product use, services, your websites, or other parts of your small business operations? …
How to Review Vendor and Supplier Contracts
Your business may depend on numerous vendors, suppliers, and distributors who have unique policies, procedures, and practices. Before signing agreements …
Safeguard Your Business from Modern Security Threats
Security threats to businesses have evolved. Five years ago, network security was mostly a function to keep hardware assets operating …
Solution Finder: Internet Security
Every day, businesses—big and small—are hit by viruses, hacking attempts, and phishing attempts. The costs to undo the damages they …
Pro Tip: Have Your Business Preapproved for Financing Before Marketing Your Sale
It can be a tedious process to sell your business. One way to speed it up is to get your …
Every Small Business Needs an Attorney. Here's Why.
An startup lawyer can be an invaluable member of your team, especially as you work through the complex parts of …
Why You Should Consider Aligning Your Business with Initiatives
More than ever before, customers are putting their dollars behind business entities that engage in fair, ethical practices, take stands …
A Primer on Buy-Sell Agreements and Buy-Sell Insurance
Are you a co-owner or a partner in a small business? If so, you might consider buy-sell agreements or a …
Transfer the Ownership of Your Business to a Trust
As a business owner, you know how important it is to have a plan in place for your business. You …
Strategies Every Business Owner Should Consider to Reduce Estate Taxes
As your business grows, it's likely you'll start thinking to the future—to the sale of your business and to the …
