• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Big Ideas for Small Business logo

Barbara Weltman

Big Ideas for Small Business, Inc.

Whitepaper download

Subscribe and download our eBook, "150+ Tax Deductions for Small Business A to Z."

This field is hidden when viewing the form
Get the:

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Big Ideas For Your Business
    • Idea Of The Day ®
    • SMB Legal
    • SMB Taxes
    • SMB Financial
    • Small Business
    • Newsletter Archive
  • Services
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Radio Shows/Podcasts
  • Be a Guest Blogger

Gratitude on this Thanksgiving

November 23, 2017 / By Barbara Weltman

Gratitude on this ThanksgivingEvery year on Thanksgiving I like to focus my blog on gratitude because I have so much to be grateful for. Gratitude is defined as “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.”  

Research shows that practicing gratitude can be beneficial to your health and satisfaction.

Last year my blog shared quotations about gratitude. This year I’d like to run through some of the business-related developments this past year that I’m grateful for.

Small business optimism is up

A year ago, the NFIB’s Small Business Monthly Index was at 94.9%. The recent NFIB’s Small Business Monthly Optimism Index shows optimism in October 2017 was 103.8%.

Tax laws have changed or are being changed

While we’re in the midst of talks on major tax reform and it’s unclear what the ultimate resolution will be, I’m grateful that we’re having the discussion. I know better than anyone else how complicated the current tax rules are and that they should be simplified and made fairer.

  • In the past year, we’ve had some tax law changes that are favorable to small businesses. For example, the 21st Century Cures Act created Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements (QSEHRAs) to allow small businesses to reimburse employees for their individually-obtained health coverage on a tax-advantaged basis.
  • And there’s been tax relief for victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, including an employee retention credit for employers impacted by these disasters. There’s also been some tax relief for victims of the California wildfires.

New technology simplifies business operations

Small businesses have embraced low-cost “standalone credit card machines”, like Square (2.75% per swipe or dip) and Paypal Here (2.7% per US swipe transaction). These devices have enabled small businesses to get paid on the spot, even if they’re mobile.

  • The use of apps, and small businesses creating and having their own, is a continuing development. My app lets users see my Idea of the Day®.
  • And let’s not forget the release of new iPhone in November 2017. With a computer in your pocket, small businesses and their staff can go and transact business, anywhere, while staying in contact with the company.

Stock market is up

This means that the value of 401(k) and other retirement plans is higher. From Election Day 2016 to Election Day 2017, the Dow went from 18,332.74 to 23,557.23. That’s a more-than-22% increase.

Final thought

I have so much to be grateful for: my family and friends, surviving Hurricane Irma, my business, and more. I also want to give thanks to readers who have commented on my postings. Many of you have expressed appreciation for my content, and for that I’m grateful.

Tags gratitude small business small business optimism Thanksgiving

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • General Business (498)
  • Guest Blog (109)
  • Homepage (21)
  • Small Business (990)
  • SMB Financial (322)
  • SMB Legal (66)
  • SMB Taxes (324)

Barbara’s Recent Posts

  • Scale Your Business by Stepping Up IP Protection May 29, 2025
  • Disasters Happen: It’s Important to Be Prepared Now May 27, 2025
  • How Work Order Software Transforms Small Business Operations May 26, 2025
  • The Numbers Are Up for Sole Proprietorships May 22, 2025
  • New Business or Project Crowdfunding: What To Know May 20, 2025
  • Old-School Estimating vs. Smart Solutions: What’s Really Holding You Back? May 19, 2025
  • Employees Getting Called to Public Service: What to Know May 15, 2025
  • Not Too Late to Prep for Summer Now May 13, 2025
  • How Will the Next Generation of Learners Affect the Workplace May 12, 2025
  • Moms Know Best: Lessons for Entrepreneurs May 8, 2025
  • Mental Health Challenges in the Workplace May 6, 2025
  • Let’s Celebrate Small Business! May 1, 2025
Awarded Top 100 Small Business Blog medal (link will open in a new window or tab)
Marquis Who's Who 2023 Badge
Top Small Business Blogs (Link will open in a new window or tab.)
8 Financial blogs small business Owners Need to Read. Invoice home.  (link will open in a new window or tab)
Best Small Business Blog, Expertido.org
Top 50 Small Business Blogs 2018
Best Small Business Blogs
BizHumm Top 100 Business Blog Award to Barbara Weltman
FitsSmallBusiness.com: Award for Best Small Business Blog 2017 (link will open in a new window or tab)
FitsSmallBusiness.com: Award for Best Small Business Blog 2016 (link will open in a new window or tab)

Footer

Big Ideas for Small Business logo

Small business ideas, business tax news and small business consulting from Barbara Weltman to provide business owners with the information they need to succeed. Visit our small business blog, Idea of The Day®, small business books and articles on small business taxes, small business finance and small business legal advice.

Contact Us

[email protected]

(772) 492-9593

gacor maxwin situs slot thailand terpercaya situs slot gacor situs gacor akun pro thailand slot bandar togel terpercaya

Latest Tweets

bigideas4sb Big Ideas for Small Business® @bigideas4sb ·
May 31

Starbucks Rediscovers Its Human Side - Branding Strategy Insider https://bit.ly/3H9KwHP #smallbusiness #branding #marketing

Reply on Twitter 1928884285445931367 Retweet on Twitter 1928884285445931367 Like on Twitter 1928884285445931367 2 Twitter 1928884285445931367
bigideas4sb Big Ideas for Small Business® @bigideas4sb ·
May 31

New Business or Project Crowdfunding: What To Know - https://bit.ly/43nclnL #startups #loans #crowdfunding #smallbusiness

Reply on Twitter 1928862798886441182 Retweet on Twitter 1928862798886441182 Like on Twitter 1928862798886441182 1 Twitter 1928862798886441182
bigideas4sb Big Ideas for Small Business® @bigideas4sb ·
May 31

10 Simple Ways to Get Employees to Quit — Improve Your HR https://bit.ly/44KRu01 #smallbusiness #workplace #hiring #employees

Reply on Twitter 1928844506998136977 Retweet on Twitter 1928844506998136977 1 Like on Twitter 1928844506998136977 1 Twitter 1928844506998136977
Load More

Copyright © 2008–2025 Big Ideas for Small Business, Inc  |  Designed by Hudson Fusion

  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap