MAE ANDERSON

AP Business Writer

Starting a small business is hard. Exiting can be even harder, but planning early is the key

Figuring out what to do with a small business when an owner is ready to retire can be difficult, but it’s best to have a plan well in advance of making a big change.

Small businesses can capitalize on Small Business Saturday with some planning

Small Business Saturday — the Saturday after Thanksgiving — is coming up. But it doesn’t always translate to big sales for small businesses.

Veterans face challenges starting small businesses but there are plenty of resources to help

Many veterans who’ve started small businesses tell a similar story: Their military service prepared them mentally for the task, but they were at a disadvantage when it came to the financial part.

Small Business Administration-backed financing rose 7% to $56B in fiscal 2024

The Small Business Administration said it backed $56 billion in financing to small businesses and disaster-affected areas during the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, up 7% from a year prior.

Google ad change could affect millions of small businesses

Google is changing the way its Google Local Services ads work, which could affect millions of small businesses. Google Local Services ads run locally and are a big way that small businesses market their goods and services.

Business owners in disaster areas should be wary of possible scams

The devastation of Hurricanes Milton and Helene have opened the floodgates for people seeking disaster relief. Along with that comes the danger of fraud.

Small business disaster loan program is out of money until Congress approves new funds

The Small Business Administration has run out of money for its disaster assistance loans, delaying much needed relief for people applying for aid in the wake of the destruction caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

After hurricanes, the business of rebuilding lives means navigating the insurance claims process

Now that the threat of Hurricanes Helene and Milton has receded, millions of homeowners and business-owners across Florida and the Southeastern U.S. are faced with traversing the often long and laborious process of using insurance to rebuild their lives.

Ahead of the presidential election, small biz owners are growing more uncertain about the economy

Small business owners are growing more uncertain about the economy ahead of the presidential election and are reining in spending, according to a new survey.

Small business disaster loan program said to be in danger of running out of funds by end of month

The Small Business Administration could run out of money to fund disaster loans in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation. As is typical after a disaster, the government is offering aid to small businesses that were in Helene’s path.

The US could have seen shortages and higher retail prices if a dockworkers strike had dragged on

The union representing striking U.S. dockworkers has reached a deal to suspend the strike until Jan. 15 to provide time to negotiate a new contract.

Marketing plans are key for small businesses ahead of a tough holiday shopping season

The holidays are the busiest time of year for many small retailers and other businesses. But the holidays this year could be particularly challenging.

The US could see shortages and higher retail prices if a dockworkers strike drags on

U.S. ports from Maine to Texas are closed due to a strike by the union representing about 45,000 dockworkers.

Department of Justice sues Visa, alleges the card issuer monopolizes debit card markets

The U.S. Justice Department has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Visa, alleging that the financial services behemoth uses its size and dominance to stifle competition in the debit card market.

Almost all small businesses are using a software tool that is enabled by AI

More small firms say they’re harnessing AI to help their businesses. In a survey by The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Teneo, nearly every small business — 98% — said they are utilizing a tool that is enabled by AI.

How small businesses can recover from break-ins and theft

Break-ins and thefts can happen at any small business, no matter how tight the security. In the retail sector alone, more than half of small businesses said they had been victims of shoplifting in in the prior year, according to a 2022 survey by the U.S.

Labor costs remain high for small businesses, but a report shows wage growth is slowing for some

Employee wages are one of the biggest costs for small businesses. A new survey found some owners may be seeing a bit of relief when it comes to wages.

COVID-19 government disaster loans saved businesses, but saddled survivors with debt

In 2020 and 2021, COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans were a lifeline for small businesses. But now some small businesses are having trouble paying them off.

Fake online reviews and testimonials are a headache for small businesses. They hope the FTC can help

Online reviews and testimonials are a key way that small businesses can attract new customers and boost sales of products. But fake reviews and testimonials can make it harder for people to trust what they read online and ultimately hurt businesses.

High rents are forcing small businesses into tough choices like raising prices or changing location

While many costs have come down for small business, rents remain high and in some cases are still rising, forcing many owners into some uncomfortable decisions.

Book Review: In ‘The Slow Road North,’ a New York writer finds solace in a Northern Irish town

Can what looks like running away from grief and sadness actually be a way to heal? In “The Slow Road North,” writer Rosie Schaap chronicles her circuitous route from spending most of her life as a dyed-in-the-wool New Yorker to finding herself settling down far away in a small town in Northern Irela

New surveys show signs of optimism among small business owners

Small business owners overall are feeling positive about their business and achieving the goals they set for this year despite inflation and high labor costs, according to two new surveys.

Spending at small businesses rose in July as consumers spend more on general merchandise

Consumers spent more at small businesses in July, a rebound fueled by strong sales of general merchandise and health and personal care products. The Fiserv Small Business Index rose one point to 141 after a four point decline in June.

Summer tourists flock to boardwalks and piers while sticking to their budgets

Susan Wojcicki, former YouTube CEO and longtime Google executive, has died at 56

Susan Wojcicki, the former YouTube chief executive officer and longtime Google executive, has died. Her husband, Dennis Troper, said in a statement posted on social media late Friday that Wojcicki, who was 56, has died after suffering with non small cell lung cancer for the past two years.

The Small Business Administration expands clean energy loan program

The Small Business Administration is looking to attract lenders to finance small businesses’ clean energy projects. It’s targeting lenders ranging from hyperlocal microlenders to nationally oriented financial institutions.

A ‘side hustle’ can be a way to try out a new business idea before jumping in all the way

A “side hustle” can be one way to try out a new business idea before taking a full-fledged jump. Nearly 1 in 3 Americans earn money on the side in addition to working full time, a Bankrate survey found.

As hurricane season begins, here’s how small businesses can prepare in advance of a storm

The hurricane season roared into the U.S. with Hurricane Beryl hitting Texas in early July. And NOAA is predicting an above-average storm season this year. So how can a small business be ready?

Summer pause: Small business sales growth tapers in June as consumers take a breather on spending

Small business sales growth slowed in June as consumers took a pause on spending. That’s according to new data from financial services and payments provider Fiserv.

Rent inflation remains a pressure point for small businesses

Rent inflation remains a pressure point for small businesses. The Bank of America Institute found that average monthly rent payment growth for the bank’s small business clients rose 12% year-over-year in May.