Despite the gloomy economic climate, business owners are pretty happy these days.
According to a survey that measures how a job impacts well-being, business owners came in above nine other occupations.
The survey released today by Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index shows business owners are happier than any other occupation despite working more hours and earning less money in general.
We want to know how are local business owners feeling about their job and their business these days?
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Retailers face a fork in the road
As retailers order merchandise for the holiday sales season they’re faced with a daunting task.
Sales continued to decline this summer, and back-to-school sales are projected to be 7.7 percent less than in 2008. If retailers, use this as a gauge to order less merchandise for the fourth-quarter and consumer confidence improves, they’ll miss out on profit.
However, being overly optimistic, the consumer spending this holiday season will improve from last year when sales fell 2.8 percent could pose a risk, too. If retailers order too much merchandise they’re stuck with the leftovers that they’ll have to drastically discount.
So what’s a retailer to do? If you are a business or a consumer, let us know what your approach will be this holiday season.
Sales continued to decline this summer, and back-to-school sales are projected to be 7.7 percent less than in 2008. If retailers, use this as a gauge to order less merchandise for the fourth-quarter and consumer confidence improves, they’ll miss out on profit.
However, being overly optimistic, the consumer spending this holiday season will improve from last year when sales fell 2.8 percent could pose a risk, too. If retailers order too much merchandise they’re stuck with the leftovers that they’ll have to drastically discount.
So what’s a retailer to do? If you are a business or a consumer, let us know what your approach will be this holiday season.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Financial aid roadblocks
The Small Business Administration and banks aren’t seeing eye to eye on America’s Recovery Capital loan. SBA created the ARC loan this year with stimulus funds to provide financial assistance of up to $35,000 to small businesses that need to pay existing loans or debt.
The Small Business Administration saw success in the loan program because it is interest free, there are no fees for the borrower and it is 100 percent guaranteed by the SBA.
Many banks, however, say the loan is too risky because it targets borrowers who are likely to default and underwriting guidelines must be free of error or the SBA will revoke its 100 percent guarantee.
Two local business owners talk about their problems in getting the loan in today’s Bradenton Herald. Let us know what your experiences in trying to obtain a loan for your business have been.
The Small Business Administration saw success in the loan program because it is interest free, there are no fees for the borrower and it is 100 percent guaranteed by the SBA.
Many banks, however, say the loan is too risky because it targets borrowers who are likely to default and underwriting guidelines must be free of error or the SBA will revoke its 100 percent guarantee.
Two local business owners talk about their problems in getting the loan in today’s Bradenton Herald. Let us know what your experiences in trying to obtain a loan for your business have been.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Source of inspiration
In Friday’s Bradenton Herald, we take a look at local chefs who were inspired by famous chef Julia Child, subject of the movie "Julie & Julia."
Several say her craft in the kitchen was unlike anyone else in the culinary industry.
Child motivated aspiring chefs to have fun with French cuisine and know that it was OK if the recipe didn’t always turn out as expected.
"She taught us, the recipe is only a map and everything else you’ve got to learn to think on your feet," said Bradenton chef Dave Shiplett, owner of Soma.
For business owners and professionals out there, tell us who or what was the inspiration behind your business or career?
Several say her craft in the kitchen was unlike anyone else in the culinary industry.
Child motivated aspiring chefs to have fun with French cuisine and know that it was OK if the recipe didn’t always turn out as expected.
"She taught us, the recipe is only a map and everything else you’ve got to learn to think on your feet," said Bradenton chef Dave Shiplett, owner of Soma.
For business owners and professionals out there, tell us who or what was the inspiration behind your business or career?
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Hurting for health care
Due to rising health insurance premiums, the National Small Business Association says about 10 percent of small businesses are thinking about dropping health care coverage over the next year.
As businesses look to trim costs, it’s hard for employers not to look at health insurance when they’ve seen a 74 percent increase from 2001-08, according to a non-profit research group Kaiser Family Foundation. Meanwhile, small businesses fear President Obama’s proposed health care reform could add more issues for employers.
Under Obama’s plan, Americans will be required to increase their insurance so they carry a certain level of coverage. The result -- another spike in employer premiums. Of course, businesses could consider alternatives to discontinuing health insurance such as cost sharing, increasing charges, shopping around, managing prescription drug plans and wellness plans.
We'd like to hear from local businesses about how they are facing their health care challenges, what strategies are you employing and do you have any suggestions for others?
As businesses look to trim costs, it’s hard for employers not to look at health insurance when they’ve seen a 74 percent increase from 2001-08, according to a non-profit research group Kaiser Family Foundation. Meanwhile, small businesses fear President Obama’s proposed health care reform could add more issues for employers.
Under Obama’s plan, Americans will be required to increase their insurance so they carry a certain level of coverage. The result -- another spike in employer premiums. Of course, businesses could consider alternatives to discontinuing health insurance such as cost sharing, increasing charges, shopping around, managing prescription drug plans and wellness plans.
We'd like to hear from local businesses about how they are facing their health care challenges, what strategies are you employing and do you have any suggestions for others?
Welcome to Taking Care of Business
Welcome to the Bradenton Herald’s new blog for Manatee County’s small business community.
These are tough times, and we need to take care of small businesses and entrepreneurs to get the local economy back on track. Afterall, small businesses are job creators and make up 85 percent of all businesses in the United States.
The goal of this blog is to post topics impacting small businesses and entrepreneurs, and allow those of you from the business community to discuss such issues. We want this blog to be a forum where you can share your knowledge, experience or advice. We also hope this blog will be a forum for conversation and networking.
We want business owners, local organizations and the county’s workforce to share their thoughts, advice and ideas with one another. Through this blog, we hope those in the business community will find the support or ideas they need to tackle issues or improve their company.
-- Grace Gagliano
These are tough times, and we need to take care of small businesses and entrepreneurs to get the local economy back on track. Afterall, small businesses are job creators and make up 85 percent of all businesses in the United States.
The goal of this blog is to post topics impacting small businesses and entrepreneurs, and allow those of you from the business community to discuss such issues. We want this blog to be a forum where you can share your knowledge, experience or advice. We also hope this blog will be a forum for conversation and networking.
We want business owners, local organizations and the county’s workforce to share their thoughts, advice and ideas with one another. Through this blog, we hope those in the business community will find the support or ideas they need to tackle issues or improve their company.
-- Grace Gagliano
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