Help, our downtown is dead! When I talk with people about their small towns, the most common thing I hear is that their downtown is dead. They don’t have many businesses, the few businesses aren’t open convenient hours, and no body goes downtown because there’s nothing going on. Or some variation on those themes. You’re not the…
You don’t have to wait for someone from outside to come in and save your town. You don’t need some other person with some special qualities to show up and help you. You don’t have to wait for fate to take its course. You have the choice to act to shape the future of…
I’ve been thinking about a long list of challenges for small town businesses and for people who care about shaping the future of their towns. Rather than me deciding which ones are most important for you, I’ve decided to ask you directly. So I have a four-question survey. I’d love to hear about your challenges….
July 1-7, 2014, will be Independents Week, “to engage your local independent businesses and community members in celebrating the spirit of entrepreneurism and community.” Independents Week is sponsored by the AMIBA. The American Independent Business Alliance is a non-profit organization helping communities sustain their local independent businesses and keep opportunities alive for local entrepreneurs. Notice that…
Sometimes, you ask me for help with questions of importance in your town. Then I turn around and ask you to help each other. This morning, Dena needs your help with a parking meter question. Our City Council is considering putting parking meters downtown to discourage employee/owner parking and encourage quick turnover of spaces. I…
Next week, May 12th through the 16th, is National Small Business Week, recognizing “the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.” The Small Business Administration has lead this effort since 1963. It applauds this group of businesses. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business and they create…
Conference and meeting attendees know that the a lot of the most useful information is gathered during the breaks. This same idea is why people gather at the coffee shop in the morning. It is the informal times, when we take a few minutes to slow down and connect with others, where we often get…
Independent contractors and related tax questions are some of the most common questions we get from readers, so I was glad to see these webinars offered by the IRS Small Business/Self-Employed Division during Small Business Week. The webinars will cover: What to do when you hire and pay independent contractors, and How best to…
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