I drink a lot of coffee. So when we saw the sign that said, “World’s best coffee” at the Coldwater, Michigan exit from I-69, I decided that we had to stop later in the day. Nancy and I were going to her folks to return a computer that I had been working on. It’s a…
What will be the biggest trends for rural small businesses in 2009? Anita Campbell of Small Biz Trends asked me. I came up with 11 trends to consider. I must admit that I didn’t make up the phrase, “the Atwoods effect.” That was my husband’s idea for trend #6: Many new residents will be of…
Karen Wylie is writing a terrific new rural small business blog, Backroads Business. Karen is the owner of The Blue Ridge Soap Shed in the mountains of Western North Carolina. She focuses on rural business, seasonal business and home business. Karen’s just getting started, but it’s well worth a look. Tell her I said hi!…
If you’ve started a new business during the past year, you may be wondering how to file your first tax return as a sole proprietor. Here’s the run-down for businesses in the USA. How do you know if you’re a sole proprietor? If you haven’t incorporated, you are a sole proprietor. If you formed an…
Success and failure is like the hero and the sidekick, they are companions. @TiaParker via Twitter @GlobalPatriot added, “And like the sidekick, failure is there to inspire success!” New to SmallBizSurvival.com? Take the Guided Tour. Like what you see? Get our updates.
I’m excited to announce a new contributor at Small Biz Survival, our friend Mark Hayward. We connected first on Twitter, and I’ve been impressed with his small business smarts. When he wrote the NO Cost (Six Step Small Business Social Media and Online Marketing Plan, I invited him to join us regularly. I’m glad I…
Each week, I open the Brag Basket. It’s designed as a fun place for you to share your projects and accomplishments. But you can also cheer for other people, give shout outs, congratulate, and even give someone a well-deserved pat on the back. The Brag Basket is open for everyone, whether from a small town,…
By Jon Swanson We have a local mechanic. He’s a nice guy. We’ve talked often over the last few years, more often than I would like some months. He does the work. He’s nearby. He’s friendly. But almost every time there is work to be done…I have to go back. Something is missed. A bill…
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