Idea of the Day®
April 25, 2025
Beauty Salons Would Get the Same Tax Credit as Restaurants
Employers in the food service industry (e.g., restaurants) can qualify for a tax credit for FICA on tips. The credit acts as a reimbursement for the costs employers incur in accounting for tipped income. The Small Business Tax Fairness and Compliance Simplification Act (H.R. 2603) would extend this credit to employers of beauty salons where employees rely on a large portion of their income from tips. #IdeaoftheDay
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April 24, 2025
By Barbara Weltman
If you and/or your employees sit before a computer screen all day or a good part of it, eye problems can arise. Eye strain is the most common ailment, but there can also be dry eye and retinal damage. Eye problems can cause an inability to sleep. Taken together, vision problems may seriously impact employees’ […]
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April 23, 2025
By Aaron Franks
Obtaining funding often feels like a significant milestone for small business owners. But when loan applications hit a wall, reality sets in fast. Denial letters don’t offer much comfort, and time is rarely on your side. If your loan application has been rejected, the path forward may seem uncertain—but it isn’t the end of the […]
April 22, 2025
By Barbara Weltman
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. It’s a good time to review your company’s driving policy to increase the safety of your staff and others, as well as to reduce your insurance costs and liability exposure. For example, driving-related injuries make up a quarter of all workers’ compensation claims and half of workers’ compensation […]
April 17, 2025
By Barbara Weltman
Traditionally, Spring is the time for individuals to clean out their homes…and for businesses to do the same. But moving beyond traditional approaches to spring cleaning, GiGO Clean Technology Inc., an app offering on-demand cleaning services by connecting customers to cleaners directly, says: “The world of hygiene and cleaning is evolving rapidly, driven by technological […]
April 16, 2025
Launching a new product is a strategic event that requires meticulous planning and execution. In today’s competitive market, a simple announcement isn’t enough to capture the attention of your target market. Small business owners must build genuine anticipation to maximize impact and drive initial sales. Discover actionable strategies to ensure your next product launch’s success. […]
April 15, 2025
By Barbara Weltman
Congress is continually giving lip service to its desire to help small businesses, but rarely does something important taxwise in this regard. Much assistance goes to “large” small businesses (remember the SBA definition of a small business in most instances is up to 500 employees). With Congress currently in the midst of talks about tax […]
April 11, 2025
By James Thompson
Businesses—especially home services companies—have recognized the importance of establishing a strong online presence. Search engine optimization (SEO) is a valuable tool for these enterprises, allowing them to reach more potential customers and increase visibility. This post will delve into which home service providers can benefit from SEO, as well as how it works to enhance […]
April 10, 2025
By Barbara Weltman
April is National Financial Literacy Month. According to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), “’Financial literacy’ describes the skills, knowledge, and tools that equip people to make individual financial decisions and actions to attain their goals; this may also be known as financial capability, especially when paired with access to financial products […]
April 8, 2025
The expression “may you live in interesting times” can be interpreted as a blessing or a curse. It certainly reflects uncertainty. We are surely in a period of interesting times. Legacy and social media are reporting doom and gloom, and small businesses are scrambling to adapt to actual and possible changes in the marketplace. Take […]
April 7, 2025
By Brenda Wanjiku
As a small business owner, you’ve probably spent a lot of time and effort getting your first customers. But here’s the thing, keeping them is just as important, if not more so. It’s a rule of thumb that the cost of acquiring a new customer is five times higher than retaining an existing one, although […]
April 3, 2025
By Barbara Weltman
Employers can easily be confused about their obligations under the Federal Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) Act, state-paid family and medical leave programs, and employer-provided paid leave time for employees. The DOL has provided some guidance to help employers properly handle payroll and comply with federal and state law. The following is adapted from this guidance. […]
April 1, 2025
By Barbara Weltman
“Humor Is Serious Business” is the title of an article that appeared last year in a Stanford Business Graduate School publication and it really hit home for me after the long tax season this year. The gist of the article is that there’s not enough humor in the workplace. It’s been statistically demonstrated that people […]
March 31, 2025
By Ryan Rodriguez
Starting an art gallery is an exciting venture that combines business acumen with a passion for art. Whether you’re an artist, a curator, or an entrepreneur looking to invest in the creative industry, launching a gallery requires strategic planning and execution. The art world is dynamic, and while the idea of owning a gallery may […]
March 29, 2025
Like the opening line of a book, the name of your business is an important asset to set the tone for your brand and capture a customer’s interest. But, in the whirlwind of launching a new business, the name selection process can easily feel like a minor detail. As the foundation of your brand identity […]
March 28, 2025
Gaining new knowledge is essential for businesses to thrive. After all, increased learning enables business owners and employees to become more productive and acquire useful skills that are applicable to their work. These valuable insights you gain from other professionals are crucial to helping you become a better entrepreneur. But while there are thousands of […]
March 26, 2025
By John Kabugua
Ever feel like your emails are just floating in inbox limbo, never to be opened or read? You’re not alone. With inboxes overflowing daily, getting people to stop, open, and engage with your email is no small feat. But here’s the good news: it’s not about sending more emails—it’s about sending the right ones. Send […]
March 25, 2025
By Barbara Weltman
A Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) IRA plan is a cost-effective way for a small business to offer a meaningful retirement savings option for its employees. There are no statistics on how much these plans are used as compared with other retirement plan options—I’m guessing not so much. But small business owners who […]
March 21, 2025
Why do some leaders inspire trust while others struggle? The answer often lies in emotional intelligence. Leaders with high emotional awareness connect better with their team and achieve lasting success. If you want to enhance your leadership skills, understanding emotional intelligence can help. Read this article and explore the top books on emotional intelligence in […]
March 20, 2025
By Barbara Weltman
A study in Australia last year entitled Lost Focus: The Cost of Distraction on Productivity in the Modern Workplace found that 92% of employers consider lost focus to be a major problem, with 80% of workers saying that cannot go one hour without being distracted. Lack of focus results in loss of productivity, lack of creativity, […]
March 19, 2025
Who pays the price when workplace theft occurs? Business owners bear the brunt, either directly or through escalating insurance premiums. By following some effective guidelines, you can address and minimize theft in your enterprise, both externally and internally. Addressing External Workplace Theft If you own a small brick-and-mortar retail business in America, it’s likely you […]
March 18, 2025
By Barbara Weltman
As of February 26, 2025, President Trump had signed 76 executive orders (EOs). A number of these orders have a direct or indirect impact on employers in the private sector. Some of these orders are being challenged in court. The result: there is considerable confusion about what to do. Here are some of the key […]
March 14, 2025
The food truck industry has grown 8% annually over the last 5 years, offering an exciting and flexible alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants. With relatively lower startup costs, the ability to move locations, and a direct connection with customers, a food truck business can be a rewarding endeavor for culinary entrepreneurs. However, while the appeal […]
March 13, 2025
By Barbara Weltman
Generative AI is defined as “deep-learning models that can generate high-quality text, images, and other content based on the data they were trained on.” According to a U.S. Chamber of Commerce study last September, 40% of small businesses use generative AI tools and 91% say AI will help with growth in the future. If you’re looking […]
March 12, 2025
By John Kabugua
Affiliate marketing can be a game-changer—but only if people actually see your content. You could have the most well-researched reviews, the best product recommendations, and persuasive calls to action, but without traffic, none of that matters. That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in. Instead of relying on social media algorithms or constantly paying for […]
March 11, 2025
By Barbara Weltman
Now that we’re at the height of the tax season, audits come to mind. Small businesses and owners who are audited may face time, considerable expense, and lots of angst. As Tom Herman, who wrote the tax column for The Wall Street Journal for many years, said: “Even if you are sure you are right […]
March 6, 2025
By Barbara Weltman
Many law changes, such as tax measures, that are being debated now in Congress will have an impact on small business. But there are some proposals specifically concerning small businesses. As you may know, the House has the Small Business Committee. In the Senate, it’s the Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship. Each has subcommittees […]
March 4, 2025
By Barbara Weltman
March is Women’s History Month, which is a great time to consider the impact of women in businesses. According to a Wells Fargo’s 2024 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses report, women-owned businesses are forming businesses, increasing revenue, and employing more people faster than men. Here’s a deep dive into the facts about women-owned businesses today. Women-owned […]
February 10, 2025
Running an optimized SEO framework for SaaS companies presents challenges beyond understanding keywords and refining website structure. It requires a comprehensive approach integrating everything from keyword planning to technical improvements. This article explores the crucial elements for developing a robust SEO strategy tailored to SaaS enterprises. Exploring the Significance of Keyword Planning A robust SEO […]
February 7, 2025
By Barbara Weltman
THIS SUPPLEMENT REFLECTS CHANGES THROUGH FEBRUARY 1, 2025 This year’s book, J.K. Lasser’s 1001 Deductions and Tax Breaks, covers the tax rules as they stood on October 1, 2024. The only tax legislation from Congress since then is the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023, which was signed into law on December 12, 2024 […]
February 5, 2025
By Barbara Weltman
THIS SUPPLEMENT REFLECTS CHANGES THROUGH FEBRUARY 1, 2025 This year’s book, J.K. Lasser’s Small Business Taxes 2025, covers the tax rules as they stood on October 1, 2024. The only tax legislation from Congress since then is the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023, which was signed into law on December 12, 2024, plus […]
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Increasing Productivity without Burning Out Your Employees
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Barbara’s Books
By Barbara Weltman
COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO SMALL BUSINESS TAX WRITE-OFFS AND STRATEGIES FROM A LEADING NAME IN TAX If you own a small business, this comprehensive guide explains in easy-to-understand terms the essentials of business taxes to prepare you to work better with your CPA or other tax adviser or handle tax responsibilities on your own. Whether you’re […]
By Barbara Weltman
THE COMPREHENSIVE HANDBOOK FOR AMERICAN TAXPAYERS LOOKING FOR EVERY LEGAL TAX DEDUCTION AND CREDIT This edition of this popular book has been fully updated to reflect the latest law changes, rulings and court decisions impacting 2024 returns. It’s organized in a way that allows you to easily refer to the appropriate deductions and credits for […]
By Barbara Weltman
Ideas you’ll use everyday! With only so many hours in the day, it’s impossible to stay on top of key developments and opportunities to help you run your business better and smarter. 500+ Big Ideas for Your Small Business gives you quick access to resources and tips you can use every day. Whether you’re a […]
By Barbara Weltman
Your GPS to Get You Where You Want to Go in Your Business Do you enjoy driving and being your own boss with flexible work options? Are you looking for a part-time (or full-time) activity that earns good money? Maybe you’ve already discovered that there are great opportunities for making money with your car. Or, […]
By Barbara Weltman
A Step-By-Step Road Map–with Checklists–to Get You Started Up, Profitable, and Successful Whether you want to start up a part-time home-based business or jump in full throttle and work on it full time, you need a start-up guide. A road map! Home-Based Business Start-Up Guide will help you chart your course to work-from-home success. Written […]
What every self-employed person needs to know about their taxes! If you’re self-employed, chances are the majority of your time is spent finding new customers or clients, servicing existing ones, and handling each and every aspect of your business. Freelancers, independent contractors, gig economy participants, and other individuals working for themselves need to be aware […]
By Barbara Weltman and Harvey Bezozi
Created for Uber and Lyft drivers as their GPS — to help them get where they want to go in their business, safely and securely. Note: This e-Book has been updated with a new title and revised content (shown). Do you enjoy driving and being your own boss with flexible work options? Are you looking […]
By Barbara Weltman
Presenting a recently-launched, updated, paperback edition! Barbara Weltman takes an inspired look in Smooth Failing at the hard lessons learned when things go wrong. Through extensive interviews with entrepreneurs whose ventures failed for a variety of reasons — some stunningly unexpected, some painfully inevitable — Weltman gleans valuable insights about the small mistakes that can lead to large scale catastrophe. Smooth Failing seeks to save readers from similar disaster — while empowering those who are learning from failures and adversity to bounce back stronger and wiser on the often rocky road to success.
By Barbara Weltman and Jerry Silberman
12 surefire ways for your business to survive and thrive! Owning a small business can be a fulfilling and financially rewarding experience, but to be successful, you must know what to do while the business is up and running, and, most importantly, what to do when the business runs into trouble. This book is definitely […]
By Barbara Weltman
As Vicki Raeburn of Dun & Bradstreet notes in the forward, “…the successful creation of credit by small business has a significant effect on one of the most important business drivers, namely cash flow. … [This book has] the information needed to understand and build business credit.”
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