The trend of “reshoring” manufacturing showed up in my back yard last week, with a story in the Alva Review-Courier about local business Vantage Plane Plastics. Vantage Plane Plastics in my hometown,Alva, Oklahoma, is competing with Chinafor manufacturing jobs. Another Oklahoma manufacturer had planned to outsource their product to China, when a sudden increase in shipping costs…
The Brag Basket is our tradition of sharing. And I’m feeling a little crazy this week, so if you’ve lost your marbles, too, join us! We got the marbles you lost right here!Photo by kool skat kat The basket is always free and open all weekend, this one Feb 17-19, 2012. Have some good news…
By Glenna Mae Hendricks (Maesz) With some pride, I tell you that my hometown owns and runs a very excellent retirement community for the people who can still live independently. It is called the Homestead Retirement Community. Since the economic downturn, our little town has been seeking ways to cut costs. Some short sighted people…
The Minot CVB promises toconnect you to their social mediaaccounts, and they deliver. Tourism groups and small businesses both struggle with a common question: once we get online, how do we get local people to follow, like or friend us? In 3 ways to get locals to follow you online, I mentioned putting your online…
The Brag Basket is our tradition of sharing. Step up and share some good news. Baskets in the light.Photo by cava_cavien. The basket is always free and open all weekend, this one Feb 10-12, 2012. Have some good news this week? Put it in the Brag Basket. And cheer for each other, OK? I’ll be away…
By Maesz IRS Tax Tip 2012-16, January 25, 2012 There are many benefits that come from being your own boss. If you work for yourself, as an independent contractor, or you carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor, you are generally considered to be self-employed. Here are six key points the IRS…
Tourism groups and small businesses both struggle with a common question: once we get online, how do we get local people to follow, like or friend us? OK, now that you’re in the room with yourlocals, how do you get them to follow, likeand friend you? Last week, I shared three ways to get locals…
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’ll be…
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