Small Biz Matters
Articles
Flexibility lets firms focus on products, not processes
Can small-business owners afford to loosen their control of employees’ schedules? Can they afford not to?
What’s New: My Toy Garden
In this week’s startup profile, we meet Janet Pillsbury, who opened My Toy Garden in Carmel last month.
Venture for America aims to help startups
Modeled after the Teach for America program that trains recent college grads for two-year stints as educators, the initiative would put other graduates to work at fledgling companies.
Apple’s Jobs lived entrepreneurial dream
The director of IU’s Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation said Steve Jobs “epitomized the revolutionary genius that through hard work, determination and a maverick spirit, our world can be changed by one person.”
Jobs bill aims to give small business a boost
The American Jobs Act, which President Obama unveiled Sept. 8, includes several provisions intended to encourage small-business hiring. But would it really help?
What does Facebook tell your banker?
In addition to the expected factors like a potential borrower’s credit history and business plan, lenders increasingly are weighing intangibles such as moral character.
Is being your own boss overrated?
Freedom and flexibility are long-term goals for many entrepreneurs, but getting there is anything but easy.
Critics: Patent overhaul could hurt startups
When the Senate passed legislation last week overhauling the U.S. patent system, large multinational corporations like Eli Lilly and Co. rejoiced. But small-business advocates cried foul, saying the changes would put innovative startups at a disadvantage.
Should city do more to aid small biz?
Both candidates in the Indianapolis mayor’s race have promised to help small businesses as part of their economic development efforts—to different degrees.
To franchise or not to franchise
Are new small-business owners better off buying a franchise these days, or should they go it alone?
Stuffing the ‘best of Indy’ ballot box
Sure, it’s nice to be able to say you’re the best cat wrangler in central Indiana, but does it bring customers through the door?
Survey: Social media pays off
If there’s one thing most small-business owners don’t have in abundance, it’s time. But investing more of that precious resource in social media appears to be worth the effort—if it’s done right.
Are benefits the key to happy employees?
Employee retention will be a challenge as the economy recovers—and that could hit smaller firms especially hard.
Take it easy on me
I'm not an expert or an entrepreneur, but I look forward to learning from people who are and sharing my discoveries with you.
Small biz outlook: All doom and gloom?
The National Small Business Association’s 2011 Mid-Year Economic Report, released Wednesday, shows that small-business owners are losing confidence in an economic recovery.
Is it really veteran-owned?
The Veterans Administration is cracking down on shaky claims about veteran-owned small businesses.
Indianapolis dodges bullet in small-biz study
The smallest businesses took hits in cities all around Indianapolis.