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It may say more about the state of affairs in our society and our economy than anything else, but the truth is that you need to borrow money. Lending and credit have become such integral parts of the way our society does things with money that your entire financial reputation is not based on how you manage your money; it’s based on how you manage your cred Read More

Thanks in part to the recession, businesses especially in the "lower-middle market" are handling their own financing with buyers when it comes time to sell. When a buyer can't get the loans they once did to cover purchase of a company from a bank often the business being purchased is providing the additional needed financing usually with longer involvement in the company after closing Read More

By now, many of you may have heard that BizSugar was honor last week with the Best Of Tech Award For Best Social Media App from the Northeast Ohio Software Association. I wonder if the community would join me in thanking our global team of moderators, great executive board and others who have been such a great help in making BizSugar the social media site it is today. Also thanks to our wonderful community members. You made it all possibl Read More

It seems that credit unions and community banks, the kinds of institutions that usually loan to small businesses, are prevented from doing so as much as they would like because of a credit cap that limits the amount of lending permitted for them under law. Now credit unions are asking that the cap be lifted allowing them, and community banks, to approve more loans for small businesses. And guess who's objecting to the change! Read More

In a world of identity theft and the selling of customer information, how you handle the data collected from customers says a lot about your business. It also says a great deal about the amount of trust customers are likely to put in you. The Better Business Bureau has put together this video and post to share some tips on how to deal with customer information and how to protect the information with which you have been entrusted Read More

What's in a name when picking one for your business. Quite a lot, say some entrepreneurs who fret over what to name their new venture during startup. Not only will the name you choose stay with you for a long time, but it will communicate much about your values and your business to customers. It will be a first impression but must also leave a lasting impression and with all of this said, here are some other thoughts from Wharton Entrepreneurial Programs Read More

There's still time, just barely, to win a scholarship worth $200 allowing you to attend the Small Biz Social Media Summit June 5-6 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Decisions on the scholarship will be made May 21. (That's this Friday.) For details read the full post on the upcoming event in this post at Small Business Trends. There is also a link to information on how to simply make arrangements to attend the event. BizSugar.com is a media sponsor for the event, by the way. Hope you can take part Read More

Just like the community in which you live, social media neighborhoods are created by the people who inhabit them. Here at BizSugar.com, for example, we feel we have one of the best online communities on the planet, but making a difference in your social media community or neighborhood has to do with your effort and the efforts of your fellow members to make them good places to interact and network.
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This encouraging story talks about a small business owner who has not only created his own program of rehabilitation by hiring ex-cons as a way to give back to the community but also visits prisons to mentor on entrepreneurship. Todd Pemberton is founder and owner of Brooklyn-based pest control company Bugs Are Gone and you can read more about his story in the latest edition of Inc.com Read More

You don't have to be a social media guru to become an effective online networker. Whether here on BizSugar.com or on another social media platform, all it takes is some common sense and the same kindness and courtesy you might exhibit in the day to day operation of your small business. If you can think of any other tips, please leave them below or in the comment section on our blog Read More