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Small Biz Survival

Small Biz Survival

Practical ideas for small town business and community builders

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Small Biz Survival

The small town and rural business resource
  • brag basket

    Can we put books in the Brag Basket?

    BySmall Biz Survival March 30, 2012December 15, 2014

    The Brag Basket is our tradition of sharing. The basket is always free and open all weekend, this one March 31-April 2, 2012. Have some good news this week? Put it in the Brag Basket. There’s a reason for the book basketthis week…Photo (CC) by Lauren Pressley Don’t hold back because of that word, “brag.”…

    Read More Can we put books in the Brag Basket?Continue

  • entrepreneurship

    Accept credit cards with PayPal Here

    ByBecky McCray March 27, 2012August 27, 2014

    PayPal, a huge name in accepting online payments, is jumping into the world of local small businesses accepting credit cards with PayPal Here. It’s a new service, not fully rolled out yet (as of March 2012). The PayPal Here triangle reader is sure to remind you of the Square reader. It strikes me as quite similar to Square, but…

    Read More Accept credit cards with PayPal HereContinue

  • entrepreneurship | finance | rural

    Alternatives to small business loans: local grants

    ByBecky McCray March 26, 2012August 27, 2014

    Many small businesses can’t qualify for a small business loan from a traditional local bank. A bad credit record disqualifies many. Lending standards have tightened. Some small towns are limited by local banks that don’t support small business; others don’t have locally-owned banks any more. The good news is that alternatives are available. We are…

    Read More Alternatives to small business loans: local grantsContinue

  • Today is ‘Cash Mob’ Day – start one in your town
    economic development | rural | trends

    Today is ‘Cash Mob’ Day – start one in your town

    ByBecky McCray March 24, 2012August 27, 2014

    A “cash mob” is a group of regular people who decide to all support the same local business on the same day. Today is International Cash Mob Day. If you don’t have a cash mob in your town, now is the time to organize one. What are the rules? There are no rules, or each…

    Read More Today is ‘Cash Mob’ Day – start one in your townContinue

  • brag basket

    Introduce yourself in the Brag Basket

    BySmall Biz Survival March 23, 2012December 15, 2014

    The Brag Basket is our tradition of sharing. The basket is always free and open all weekend, this one March 23-25, 2012. Have some good news this week? Put it in the Brag Basket. This week’s basket by Darren W. Don’t hold back because of that word, “brag.” When you hold back, you hide your good…

    Read More Introduce yourself in the Brag BasketContinue

  • economic development | rural | workforce | youth

    Start a Blue Collar Career Fair

    ByBecky McCray March 21, 2012January 19, 2016

    Tony Guidroz, Director of Economic Development from San Saba, Texas, (population 2,600) shared his idea for a Blue Collar Career Fair at the LCRA Economic Development Forums, and I think every small town needs to start one. He is bringing heavy equipment operators, an HVAC contractor, a stone mason, a plumber, an electrician, a welder,…

    Read More Start a Blue Collar Career FairContinue

  • entrepreneurship | tax matters

    Deducting blogging expenses

    ByMaesz March 20, 2012August 27, 2014

    By Glenna Mae Hendricks, E.A. A commenter asked:  Can you still claim business expenses on your taxes if you’re a blog contributor and the website can’t pay you yet because it’s just barely profitable? This answer assumes that you live and practice your profession in the United States. Bloggers networking at SXSW 2009 If you…

    Read More Deducting blogging expensesContinue

  • Best of | economic development | entrepreneurship | rural | trends

    When rural entrepreneurs prosper, they help their communities prosper

    ByBecky McCray March 19, 2012February 17, 2015

    When rural entrepreneurs prosper, they help their communities prosper.  That’s why I support rural entrepreneurs. The best way I can help your community to prosper is to help your entrepreneurs and business owners. They are the ones who will help find solutions to local problems. That’s why I was excited by the CNN story of…

    Read More When rural entrepreneurs prosper, they help their communities prosperContinue

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Since 2006, this site has been helping people like you in small towns move forward without waiting on outside experts, big budgets, or perfect plans. You don’t need any of that to get started.

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