#small-businesses

#small-businesses

Customers are intrigued by vending machines filled with artisan items, priced at $20 or less, showcasing local artists' work. [ more ]

Chicago's Northwest Side Filipino community is thriving and expanding into the Filipino American restaurant scene.

Kathy Vega Hardy is collaborating with Crumbs and Creams to open her first standalone restaurant in Jefferson Park. [ more ]

GoDaddy unveils AI tool Airo for small businesses.

Airo generates logo, website, email, and social campaigns based on a brief description, boosting sales. [ more ]

AI-powered online marketing tools by GoDaddy called Airo assist small businesses.

Airo includes domain name suggestions, logo generator, website building, SEO optimization, and social media tools. [ more ]

Smaller companies eager to use AI for sales.

Darwin AI developing conversational AI for small businesses. [ more ]

Google is restructuring its sales team, primarily affecting roles within its Large Customer Sales division.

The restructuring is part of Google's strategic shift towards AI and automation in order to deliver improved services to customers, particularly small businesses. [ more ]

Google is eliminating positions from its global ad team as part of its push to use AI for efficiency and creativity.

The job cuts are intended to provide better support for small and medium-sized businesses advertising on Google's platform.

Google's cloud computing unit recently announced new AI tools to help retailers personalize online shopping and modernize operations. [ more ]

GenAI presents significant opportunities for SMBs in marketing.

GenAI enables highly personalized advertisements and deeper connections with consumers. [ more ]

Small businesses need to focus on customer service plans and marketing strategies for success. [ more ]

Small businesses must adapt to the evolving marketing landscape in 2024

Generative AI is a key marketing strategy for small businesses [ more ]

Small businesses in the UK are facing significant financial burdens with the newly imposed fees on individual food imports.

The government's decision to introduce import charges for animal products from the EU has raised concerns about higher food prices and limited choices. [ more ]

Essential workers faced peril during the COVID pandemic

Mom-and-pop workers in New York need urgent protection from persistent retail theft [ more ]

ZipRecruiter offers time-saving automation and AI-driven matching features for small businesses.

Indeed is a widely recognized job search engine connecting employers and job seekers. [ more ]

Free CRM software is ideal for small businesses with limited users.

Top free CRM software offers pipeline management, document management, and integrations. [ more ]

Facebook is a powerful platform for small businesses to engage and convert customers.

Setting up a Facebook page with the right category, name, and profile information is essential for brand success. [ more ]

Outdoor dining returns to Boston on May 1

North End in Boston mostly excluded from outdoor dining due to narrow sidewalks [ more ]

Kevin O'Leary offers to buy TikTok emphasizing on the value of its user base and appeal to small businesses.

O'Leary believes that the sale of TikTok will likely be to an independent group due to concerns over potential buyers like Meta and Google. [ more ]

Small businesses face unique challenges in marketing due to limited resources and personnel.

Having a small niche market can be advantageous for small businesses in terms of less competition and lower marketing costs. [ more ]

Mailchimp pricing starts from free for 500 contacts, offers A/B testing, and behavioral targeting.

Mailchimp is best suited for startups and small to mid-market organizations due to limitations on email volume and sales features. [ more ]

Generative AI can save small business owners time and money.

GoDaddy Airo™ provides AI-powered solutions for small businesses' online presence. [ more ]

Entrepreneurs should be willing to reinvent their business for growth.

Collaborations with companies like Walmart Business can provide valuable resources for small businesses. [ more ]

The percentage of small business owners who would have to abandon growth plans if they couldn't secure funding has reached a six-year high

Small businesses across multiple sectors are heavily reliant on finance to power growth initiatives [ more ]

Coal- and wood-fired oven businesses in NYC need financial help to comply with new emissions rule.

City Councilman proposes tax break to assist pizzerias and businesses impacted by anti-pollution regulations. [ more ]

NYC approved green plan for pizzerias and bakeries to reduce pollutants by 75%

Businesses can apply for variance if unable to comply with the mandate [ more ]

The NYPD in the Bronx is working more closely with small businesses to combat shoplifting.

Officers are handing out their personal phone numbers and creating WhatsApp chat groups to improve communication with business owners. [ more ]

A proposed worker safety bill introduced by state Sen. Jessica Ramos would impose costly security mandates on small businesses.

The bill includes requirements for risk assessments, employee safety training, installation of panic buttons, and hiring security guards in the event of violent attacks. [ more ]

Hyperlocal influencers have devoted followings despite modest follower numbers.

Hyperlocal influencers allow for customization, trusted endorsements, word-of-mouth amplification, and versatility for businesses. [ more ]

Chinatown night market in San Francisco held every second Friday from March 8 through December 13, 2024.

Event organized by community-based nonprofit @bechinatown features diverse food vendors, merchants, and aims to support small businesses. [ more ]

Downtown San Francisco has been struggling to attract office workers, leading to closures of many businesses.

The city encouraged pop-up shops during the holidays and many believe they have been successful and will continue to grow. [ more ]

Eight out of the nine businesses that opened temporary locations in downtown San Francisco will extend their leases until at least March.

The Vacant to Vibrant program provides selected business owners with free rent, grant coverage for some expenses, and other resources. [ more ]

Funding challenges for European startups

Mastercard's Strive EU Innovation Fund supporting small businesses [ more ]

Local news sources rely on community support for continued coverage and impact.

Small businesses face challenges like rising costs, making sustainability difficult. [ more ]

Property taxes in Nebraska are excessively high, causing frustration among residents.

Legislative Bill 1354, proposing an Advertising Services Tax Act, is facing opposition for potential negative impacts. [ more ]

The 7th Annual Black Joy Parade in Oakland celebrates Black joy and positivity in the community.

The parade provides an economic boost for small businesses in Oakland's Black business district. [ more ]

Cash is no longer the preferred method of payment for most consumers, with the majority opting for debit or credit cards.

Choosing the right credit card processor is essential for businesses that want to accept card payments and cater to customer preferences. [ more ]

The Canadian government has indicated that the deadline for businesses to repay CEBA loans will not be postponed again.

More than 885,000 small businesses and not-for-profits in Canada took out CEBA loans, totaling over $48 billion. [ more ]

Miami has a new tech hub called The Source, a Black-owned tech center that aims to develop local tech talent and support startups and small businesses.

The Source was founded by Ted Lucas, a Miami Gardens native and the founder of Slip-N-Slide Records, and Hilmon Sorey, a venture capitalist with experience investing in companies like Uber and Lyft. [ more ]

Cliff's Variety is a long-standing family-run business in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco and is a one-stop shop for a wide range of goods.

Terry Asten-Bennett, the general manager of Cliff's Variety, shares that the store constantly changes its selection based on the needs and wants of the community. [ more ]

SMBX allows people to invest in small businesses and get their money back with interest.

Small businesses can raise funding by directly selling bonds on the SMBX website. [ more ]

Establishing a Google Business Profile and claiming local listings on third-party websites can boost credibility and attract more customers.

Having a mobile-friendly website is crucial for local businesses to attract customers who are searching on their phones. [ more ]

Finally, a fintech startup focused on automating accounting and finance functions, has raised an additional $10 million in venture capital.

The company has expanded its offerings to include bookkeeping, expense management, bill payment, payroll, and a corporate card, all integrated into one automated solution for small businesses.

The new funding will be used to hire more talent, expand the company's tech stack, and develop mobile versions of its apps. [ more ]

Calavera, an Oakland restaurant and bar, announced its closure due to decreased sales and foot traffic caused by the state of Oakland.

Homemade Cafe in Berkeley, known for its classic diner-style dishes and community outreach, announced its closure but later decided to reopen for weekend brunch service. [ more ]

Independent liquor stores in Queens and across the state could be at risk if a bill allowing supermarkets to sell wine becomes law.

Opponents argue that this bill would lead to price competition that could put small businesses out of business. [ more ]

The interior design of a brownstone in Brooklyn celebrates the homeowners' African-American heritage.

Local artists and small businesses were used in the renovation to support the local economy. [ more ]

London mayor Sadiq Khan's Grow London Local initiative is expanding to cover all boroughs by the end of February.

The scheme aims to provide one-stop support for small businesses, helping them access finance, marketing, social media, and business development. [ more ]

Consumers are becoming more concerned about sustainability when shopping.

Small businesses need to be aware of and adapt to the major retail trends in order to grow in 2024. [ more ]

Small and midsize businesses are targeted by cybercriminals but lack the resources and expertise to develop security policies.

TechRepublic Premium is offering a set of policies to help businesses establish guidelines and reduce risks. [ more ]

AI dominated conversations at CES this year

Mastercard debuted a pilot AI tool for small businesses [ more ]

AI dominated conversations at CES this year

Mastercard debuted a pilot AI tool for small businesses [ more ]

Mastercard has developed an inclusive generative AI chatbot for small and midsized businesses.

The chatbot can answer questions on a range of topics and is available in English and Spanish. [ more ]

Live selling has grown rapidly in the Philippines since COVID-19 lockdowns, with sellers promoting goods on social media and shipping items directly to customers.

The live selling market is dominated by smaller merchants who are not hampered by brand guidelines that could restrain larger companies. [ more ]

Small and medium-sized businesses are capitalizing on major advertisers pulling their ads from X by buying ads at a lower cost.

X is heavily reliant on advertising revenue and is experiencing a drop in ad revenue due to the exodus of big advertisers. [ more ]

Over half of SME owners will have to close or put plans on hold if they don't have a successful festive trading period.

The festive period is vital for SMEs, with 20% of annual takings occurring during this time. [ more ]