#small-business

#small-business

Ice-cream parlours are usually associated with a trip to the seaside but they are coming to a high street near you as a mixture of nostalgia and convenience puts sundaes and posh gelato on the menu all year round.The number of parlours on high streets in England, Scotland and Wales has soared in the past two years, with the tally rising by more than 200 to 1,015, according to analysts the Local Data Company (LDC).

Tasked on Thursday with deciding whether the state of Nevada will cough up $380 million to help the Oakland Athletics build a new state-of-the-art ballpark on the Las Vegas strip, the state's top legislators instead bought themselves more time.Following an hourslong delay before a special legislative session, the state's senate punted its big decision to Monday, leaving in limbo a proposal that could make or break the A's dreams of a new digs.

Greg Gianforte, the Republican governor of Montana, has signed into law the first state-wide TikTok ban in the United States.Depending on which side of the argument you fall on, the ban is being hailed as a way to protect citizens from the Chinese Communist Party or is an assault on the freedom of speech that all Americans are guaranteed.

OPINION: Whether it's written down or not, all small businesses are running on strategy.It might be planned out, it might be "go with your gut", or it might be "whatever is going to get us through the next week."Your strategy may be your unconscious planning, or you may have taken the time to sit down and put it to paper, getting your thoughts, goals and objectives clear, with an accompanying plan to get you there.

Alibaba's landmark restructuring has sent its shares soaring in New York and Hong Kong, as investors bet on the return of regulatory support for China's tech industry and private businesses after more than two years of a brutal crackdown.But the nature of the overhaul, in which the internet conglomerate will split its business into six separate units, is a sign that Beijing's campaign against Big Tech hasn't fundamentally changed.

1. Patent owners are increasingly using legal tactics to limit challenges to the validity of their patents.
2. The USPTO’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) plays an essential role in allowing challengers to invalidate patents that are not valid or are overly broad.

The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is today launching two new services pitched at the country's 5.5 million small businesses, a third of which were targeted by cyber criminals in 2022, but which frequently lack the know-how and resources to effectively respond to the threat and protect their livelihoods.

The green walls and wooden decor at Old Mandarin Islamic Restaurant snuggle up to guests like a tight embrace, shielding them from the neighborhood's chilly fog.One night at the low-lit Northern Chinese restaurant, a bodyguard came into the business telling owner Shuai Yang he had "someone famous" coming in for dinner.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle It has become increasingly normal for employers in major cities to offer hybrid or fully remote work since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but San Francisco's employers stand out.Nearly 30% of San Francisco job openings in January 2023 offered hybrid or fully remote work, up from about 5% in 2019.

Many UK businesses which import food products from the European Union will have to pay a special Brexit tax that will further drive up prices, particularly in smaller shops such as delicatessens, under proposals set out by the government last week.The planned charge of 43 per consignment, outlined in a consultation document issued by the Department for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), was described on Saturday by a leading industry figure as the sting in the tail of a post-Brexit food inspection regime that was already fuelling inflation.

The UK narrowly avoided falling into recession in 2022, new figures show, after the economy saw zero growth between October and December.This is despite a sharp 0.5% fall in economic output during December, partly due to strike action, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the figures showed "underlying resilience" but said "we are not out of the woods".

Adrienne Alher and Okan Aslan have spent almost 11 years growing their east London business.But it's more than that for them.Their vision was to create a shop that was sustainable and green, selling products sourced from suppliers who paid their staff a decent wage, and offering organic produce that didn't need packaging.

There's no shortage of budding entrepreneurs making one-of-a-kind, beautiful (and delicious) products.But between big-box stores and a host of online marketplaces, finding a small business that meets your interests can feel like a never-ending hunt.Luckily, home cooks and hosts alike can have their pick of products while supporting craftspeople, brands, and shops, below.

Wunderground founder & CEO Jody Hall has led several companies with a pioneer spirit and a mindful approach.Made with the power of adaptogenic mushrooms, Wunderground coffees aim to combat escalated levels of stress and anxiety and provide clarity and inspire wunder, a feeling we have when we're grounded and present.

Founder and Explorer-In-Chief Cason Crane was the first openly LGBTQ+ person to climb Mt Everest and the Seven Summits, while raising money and awareness for LGBTQ+ suicide prevention.On this adventure and others, he discovered the magic of coffee, and wanted to introduce some of the world's best cold brew coffees to customers.

The ability of Chicago aldermen to hold down outside jobs would be sharply curtailed under a proposed ordinance.Ald.Andre Vasquez, 40th, is taking another stab at the measure that was sidelined last term that would bar him and City Council colleagues from holding outside jobs.In a proposed ordinance filed last week, Vasquez's measure stipulates "serving as alderperson shall be considered a full-time job" and allows only a few carve-outs for attorneys performing pro-bono work and aldermen who are landlords for fewer than five properties.

This week in Washington IP news, the House of Representatives is busy with several hearings related to innovation.The House Committee on Small Business is looking at inflation's impact on small businesses, while another House subcommittee looks at how tax policy can stimulate U.S. innovation.Elsewhere, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) discusses whether the United States needs further regulation on artificial intelligence.

Sheldon Whitehouse, chair of the Senate Budget Committee, pointed out that the cuts will add $19 billion to the deficit.Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy holds a news conference after the House passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the U.S. Capitol on May 31, 2023, in Washington, D.C.Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images A preliminary analysis from the Congressional Budget Office released Thursday estimates that the $21.4 billion in IRS funding cuts that Republicans and the Biden White House agreed to enact as part of their debt ceiling agreement would result in $40.4 billion in lost tax revenue - adding to the federal budget deficit.

From January through March, 18 congressional party leaders reported raising a combined $16 million for their campaigns.Rep. Hakeem Jeffries hugs Rep. Kevin McCarthy after handing him the speakers gavel in a meeting of the 118th Congress, Friday, January 6, 2023, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.Jabin Botsford / The Washington Post via Getty Images US House party leaders brought in the biggest fundraising hauls during the first three months of the 2024 election cycle, a new OpenSecrets analysis of first quarter federal campaign finance disclosures found.

(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

With pandemic state of emergency over, the government programs tied to COVID-19 have either ended or are winding down.But if you have a small business in Los Angeles that was affected by the pandemic - and which ones weren't? - you still have time to apply for a shot of free money.

Realtor.com Steak and corn are usually what come to mind when someone says Nebraska.How about wine?Yes, really.Soaring Wings Vineyard is for sale outside Omaha, NE, for $3.1 million."The current owners moved to Nebraska and wanted to find land to start a winery, because they have always been fascinated with wine," explains listing agent Michael Maley, with BHHS Ambassador Real Estate.

First Big Sky gets canceled, and now this?! Montana has become the first state in the country to ban TikTok.Per The Guardian,Governor Greg Gianforte signed into law a bill that prohibits app stores from offering TikTok within the the state by next year.The social-media app, owned by China's ByteDance, has come under U.S. scrutiny for fears that it gives user data to the Chinese government.

The race to create quality, insightful content is only becoming more difficult for marketers.It's already a challenge to secure a high-ranking article on Google - and it's even harder when your business is newer or lacks authority on the search engine.In 2023, many businesses are looking to leverage more tools to increase content output and improve SEO, and AI-generated content is a popular solution.

TikTok logo.Dado Ruvic, Reuters Montana on Wednesday became the first US state to ban TikTok, with the law set to take effect next year as debate escalates over the impact and security of the popular video app.The prohibition signed into law by Governor Greg Gianforte will serve as a legal test for a national ban of the Chinese-owned platform, something that lawmakers in Washington are increasingly calling for.

Beer has a complicated relationship with television.It's often used as comedic fodder, to represent drunkenness or excess, often appearing sloshing around in red plastic cups at wild parties.It's a far cry from the refined treatment reserved for wine, which, by and large, is depicted as a mark of sophistication.

This week in Washington IP news, the House Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access examines how well creditors are able to identify small businesses that are eligible for additional capital.Elsewhere, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) hosts the third event of the 2023 Women's Entrepreneurship Symposium.

TL;DR: Get the scoop on all things YouTube with the 2023 All-in-One YouTube Masterclass Bundle(opens in a new tab) , on sale for just $48.99 as of May 13.That's 77% in savings.Since YouTube launched in 2005, it's remained one of the biggest platforms to market yourself or your business.Many people have used it to turn their hobbies into full-time careers.

Maybe you want to promote an event or advertise for your small business.Maybe you just want to make something unique.Regardless of why, there are plenty of online tools out there that let you create free posters quickly and easily.Here are five of the best for you to give a shot.First up on this list, we have Canva's free online poster maker.

The Polono PL60 fills a dire need in today's courier society.It's an office tool made primarily for printing 4-by-6-inch stickers and postage labels but can print smaller labels and stickers too.It's a thermal printer, so doesn't use any toner or ink, which is definitely a resource-saving relief in these eco-conscious, high-cost times.

Coffee: Ditch Starbucks and Go Local Guy Denne, Merchant Taylors' School (Image: Unsplash) Coffee shop chains are forever on the rise, with Starbucks now having a U.S. market share of 37%- yet customers should be flocking to independent and local coffee shops for a more environmentally conscious, healthier, and tastier option.

(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

When business owner Robert Cornejo commissioned a mural to adorn his newly opened vehicle tinting shop in February, the Lakewood resident's goal was to grab patrons and attention.He accomplished his objective.Scores of visitors have flocked to Bellflower's Speedy Auto Tint & Detail to gaze upon the L.A.-centric 54-foot-by-10-foot painting.

Tips for Success for using Instagram for any small business.Full Article Below Source
Written by: Albert de Venecia | Published: 25 March 2023
Building a legitimate Instagram following is very difficult.Unless you are a very pretty woman or a very rich man, you are going to have a hard time building a following on Instagram.

By Sylvia Corbet | Associated Press PARIS French people hoping to preserve their retirement benefits took to the streets in a nationwide protest on Wednesday as a committee of lawmakers meeting behind closed doors validated the wording of President Emmanuel Macron's unpopular pension plan.Macron had the means on the joint Senate and National Assembly committee to advance his plan to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, but it remains to be seen whether it can command a parliamentary majority.

Ciao Bella, a Prospect Lefferts Garden hidden gem, celebrated their third anniversary with a late night fiesta in their Italian cafe on March 11.The shop isn't your average place of business - as they offer relaxing study vibes by day, but hosts community events by night.On the weekends you can catch owners hosting everything from comedy shows and salsa nights to movie screenings and open mics.

Two businesses went viral with their first videos posted to TikTok, and their content is pretty similar.Both videos were posted by social media managers claiming to need views to stay out of trouble with their boss.The videos garnered millions of views and an outpour of support, but one marketing professional says it's likely a business tactic.

It's no secret that Instagram prioritizes Reels over any other type of content on its app.But when you're used to posting pictures, carousels, and short Stories, it might be hard to get into the groove of constantly creating short-form video content that feels true to your audience.So, if you're stuck, we've put together this list of creators that are creating incredible content with Reels and broken down what we think they do really well that you can replicate.