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Not just retailers are in trouble in today's economy. Companies that manufacture consumer goods, building material and the many other industries are also reporting difficulties. Why should the average business owner care? Because another business that sells to one of these troubled companies may also be heading for disaster and that business mi Read More

Inflation has sunk its teeth into small businesses this year. The number of owners citing inflation as their No. 1 concern on the National Federation of Independent Businesses monthly economic index in April was at its highest level since 1982. One in five owners is raising prices, according to William C. Dunkelberg, the trade group's chief econom Read More

Getting a round of funding from venture capitalists is not really "success". Sure, it demonstrates that some really smart people think the opportunity is big enough to invest money in it, but it's not success. Sure, it provides some credibility that will help recruit employees, get customers and sign-up partners -- but it's not success. Read More

Before you even begin looking at franchises, you need to do a thorough self-evaluation of your own business style, strengths and challenges. So find a quiet place, get out paper and pen, and as objectively as possible answer the following questions. Read More

On May 22, 2008 Forbes.com will hold its first-ever virtual investor conference that is designed to help investors navigate the current turbulent market environment. Read More

While most financial-services firms are floundering, those that specialize in so-called merchant cash advances are thriving. That's a mixed blessing for small business owners who increasingly are turning to these sources for quick cash: Their money can come with a high price tag. Read More

Businesses are big winners in the economic stimulus package signed into law earlier this year. They may not be getting rebate checks, but they are getting showered with $45 billion in tax breaks designed to spur them on to purchase more equipment, cars and other assets sooner rather than later. Congress boosted the limit on first-year expensin Read More

The turbulent economy is exposing yet another type of credit where bankers let their guard down: small-business loans. Missed payments and losses on small-business loans are surging at banks throughout the country that were so eager to pad their profits that they essentially threw typical underwriting methods out the window. Some lenders doled Read More

Be wary if some of your clients are getting slow on payments. More businesses filed for bankruptcy in April, 2008, than in any month since new bankruptcy laws took effect in 2005, according to a company that tracks federal court filings. The numbers show a 49% increase in commercial bankruptcies over last year, with an average of 235 daily fil Read More