February 22, 2011

Cash-Flow Crisis Is Recession's Legacy for Small Biz

Companies reeling from stalled sales and tightened credit face formidable threats: customers paying more slowly and suppliers seeking to be paid more quickly

January 06, 2011

Small Business Is Hiring, but Very Carefully

In past recessions, small businesses led the rebound. Now they're relying on part-time workers and more productivity with fewer people

December 16, 2010

Perspective for Business Owners on the Estate Tax Saga

A certified financial planner explains what the current proposal could mean and offers advice to family businesses preparing succession plans

December 09, 2010

The Hidden Hazards of Private Placements

Investment vehicles intended for sophisticated wealthy investors are being sold to retirees who often don't understand the risk

December 02, 2010

A Way for Outsiders to Bet on Facebook

Specialty firms are buying shares of the social-network company from insiders and repackaging them for sale to outsiders

October 28, 2010

It's Getting Easier to Get a Loan

Banks, though still stingy, are starting to lend, even to small businesses

September 07, 2010

Raising Venture Capital: Start Early

Because it's so tough to land equity capital, Barnes & Thornburg's David Millard says entrepreneurs should cultivate investors before they'll need money

August 31, 2010

Five Rules for Collecting Late Payments

To increase your odds of getting paid, act quickly. Maintaining a credit policy can help you avoid getting into the situation, experts say

August 31, 2010

Why Small Business Can't Get Financing

Small companies are desperate for growth capital, but banks and investors remain cautious, says Pepperdine Private Capital Markets Project's John Paglia

August 06, 2010

Protecting Businessfolk from Personal Asset Loss

The co-founder of a new kind of insurance, which indemnifies people who take out guarantees for bank loans, explains how his product works

July 20, 2010

Beware High Fees for Help Raising Capital

Before signing a deal with a consultant, talk to former clients and find a lawyer to help you negotiate the contract

July 09, 2010

Why Equity Financing Eludes Startups

Most business models don't appeal to investors. Entrepreneurs shouldn't waste time and money pursuing equity capital from them, says Scott Shane

June 17, 2010

For Small Business, the Big Decision Is Hiring

Though sales are up, Blinds.com worries about adding workers

April 19, 2010

The U.S. Economy Needs a Host of Angel Investors

Never mind Wall Street. The best way to finance small business growth and job creation is to foster angel investing that helps entrepreneurs

April 08, 2010

Credit-Card Reform: No Fix for Small Biz

Small business cardholders still face penalties that issuers are now barred from charging consumers

February 26, 2010

Explaining Informal Investors

Finding so-called informal investors for a debt or equity financing in a small company isn't easy. It helps to understand who they are

January 19, 2010

To Understand Angel Investing, Watch TV

Most entrepreneurship professors say Dragons' Den and Shark Tank help educate startup students, an informal survey shows

January 05, 2010

Why Corporations Provide Little Venture Capital

The corporate share of the venture capital pool has declined to less than 8% for every year since 2001. One problem: revolutionary change

December 10, 2009

In Michigan, One Answer to the Jobs Crisis

By backing loans to small manufacturers, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. is helping companies diversify—if they add workers

October 27, 2009

Brazil: M&A Deals Heat Up

The surge in takeover activity is further evidence of the country's huge potential as an economic powerhouse