Topic: Small Business

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

Briefing
Buffett rule: Five questions about Obama's plan answered

President Obama wants a proposed "Buffett rule" to make sure that millionaires pay at least a 30 percent federal tax rate. Here are five facts that shed light on the Buffett rule and the debate surrounding it.
The Masters: 12 women candidates for Augusta National membership

The Augusta National Golf Club has steadfastly refused to alter its all-male membership. But circumstances may soon cause the gender barrier to break, and if it does there are several women who might be good fits for the club.
What does the JOBS Act actually do? Six questions answered.

A bipartisan bill known as the JOBS Act, for 'Jumpstart Our Business Startups,' is among the GOP's priorities in Congress. It is targeted at small-business owners, but what would the bill actually do?
Top 10 cities where house prices are rising

House prices continue to fall nationwide, but here and there they’ve begun to turn up as Americans return to the housing market. Which 10 metropolitan areas have seen the biggest increase in the past year? The winners, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), include a state capital, a furniture-making center, and a resort that was once America’s foreclosure capital. Can you guess who they are?
Zetas break out of prison in Mexico. Who are they?

According to Mexican authorities, the Zetas have become the biggest drug trafficking organization in Mexico. On Feb. 19 Zeta members allegedly instigated a prison riot, killing members of the opposing Gulf Cartel, and covering up their escape. Here are four questions about the Zetas, answered.

All Content

What Congress has planned after Memorial Day

Congress will be racing to complete a number of priorities between Memorial Day and the August recess, all under the shadow of massive fiscal issues looming at year's end.
Mitt Romney's Bain problem: private equity has bad rap with public

Mitt Romney is using his record as a job creator at Bain Capital as a selling point, but – even before President Obama's attack ads – the public isn't inclined to buy it, polls suggest.
The Entrepreneurial Mind
Starting a business? Structure is key.

To be effective, the organization’s structure needs to align with the overall market strategy that the business is pursuing. As your business grows, make sure each new decision you make is beneficial to the mission statement of your company as a whole.
The Entrepreneurial Mind
How to find a small business-friendly bank

Using FDIC data, one online tool grades banks on their commitments to small business lending.
Liz Cheney: Are we ready for another political dynasty?

Liz Cheney – daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney – may be positioning herself to run for Congress from Wyoming, the state her father represented. Is America ready for another political dynasty?
Change Agent
Ethikus offers a service to find ethical, sustainable businesses

New York City startup Ethikus provides vouchers for small businesses whose practices embody principles of sustainability.
Tax VOX
Do Republicans contradict themselves in the Small Business Tax Cut Act?

The mechanics of the House GOP's Small Business Tax Cut Act seem to fly in the face of what many in the party have been saying lately.
Why recall target Gov. Scott Walker is taking his message to Illinois

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is facing a recall, but he still found time to visit Springfield, Ill., Tuesday to take on one of his favorite targets: Illinois' $8 billion budget deficit.
Briefing
Buffett rule: Five questions about Obama's plan answered

President Obama wants a proposed "Buffett rule" to make sure that millionaires pay at least a 30 percent federal tax rate. Here are five facts that shed light on the Buffett rule and the debate surrounding it.
It's not just Instagram. The 'app economy' is taking off.

Facebook's $1 billion purchase of smartphone app Instagram is just the tip of the iceberg. Apps represent a $20 billion industry employing nearly 500,000 people.
Cookie sales soar as Girl Scouts adopt smart phones, credit cards

New plug-in devices from Square and Sage Mobile allow some smart phones to become card readers.
Tax deductions: There's still time for small business

Tax deductions for retirement savings are still available through April 17. File an extension to get more time to qualify for tax deductions.
The Masters: 12 women candidates for Augusta National membership

The Augusta National Golf Club has steadfastly refused to alter its all-male membership. But circumstances may soon cause the gender barrier to break, and if it does there are several women who might be good fits for the club.
Global Payments credit-card data breach: How big is the theft?

The Global Payments breach is the largest known credit-card theft from a business or financial institution in the past two years. Last year, data from some 3.4 million credit cards were grabbed.
The Circle Bastiat
True entrepreneurs don't need encouragement

Government policies encouraging training of entrepreneurs won't kickstart the economy.
Cash mobs: a new boost for local business?

Saturday is International Cash Mob Day. Like flash mobs, cash mobs use social media to organize. But they don't perform, they spend money at a targeted local business.
Insider trading bill: A model to end gridlock on Congress?

The Senate passed jobs and insider-trading bills Thursday, hailing a moment of bipartisanship. But times when members of Congress get along are rare – and that isn't expected to change.
Horizons
Hacktivism accounted for majority of data theft in 2011: report

Hacktivism is rising, according to a new study from Verizon. 
JOBS Act: Why are Democrats suddenly raising red flags?

No one wants to vote against jobs, but a wide swath of critics – ranging from the SEC, the AFL-CIO, and pension funds – worry that features in the proposed JOBS Act could hurt investors.
Senate passes highway bill, but rough road ahead in House

After years of delay, the Senate passes a two-year highway bill to help fix the nation's roads, bridges, rails, and ports. But rifts in the House could delay passage.
Tale of two jobs bills: a parable of gridlock in Congress

The House passed the JOBS Act, which businesses call important but incremental. The much more consequential transportation bill, however, remains in partisan gridlock.
What does the JOBS Act actually do? Six questions answered.

A bipartisan bill known as the JOBS Act, for 'Jumpstart Our Business Startups,' is among the GOP's priorities in Congress. It is targeted at small-business owners, but what would the bill actually do?
Top 10 cities where house prices are rising

House prices continue to fall nationwide, but here and there they’ve begun to turn up as Americans return to the housing market. Which 10 metropolitan areas have seen the biggest increase in the past year? The winners, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), include a state capital, a furniture-making center, and a resort that was once America’s foreclosure capital. Can you guess who they are?
Health insurance: Vermont plan riles firms

Health insurance reform passes the Vermont House. But business group pushes back, saying health insurance choices would be limited.
'Joe the Plumber' and Herman Cain: A match made on cloud 9-9-9?

'Joe the Plumber' (a.k.a. Samuel Wurzelbacher), who is running for Congress, will campaign with Herman Cain. But the antitax everyman might be two years too late.