Entrepreneurship

30 articles

Actress Nia Long presents $20,000 Intuit Small Business Hero grants to three diverse local entrepreneurs on a community street.
Business Spotlights

Intuit Small Business Hero Day awards $20,000 grants to local entrepreneurs.

Actress Nia Long recently joined Intuit's Small Business Hero Program to personally award three local entrepreneurs $20,000 grants, directly investing in community-level economic growth.

Marco Alvarez·July 10, 2026
What Gin Enthusiasts Can Expect From Bathtub Gin Co.'s Contract Distilling Services
Food & Drink

What Gin Enthusiasts Can Expect From Bathtub Gin Co.'s Contract Distilling Services

The Australian thirst for unique, locally-produced spirits has created a vibrant landscape for craft distilling. For gin enthusiasts dreaming of creating their own signature label, the path from concept to bottle can be …

Sponsored·July 8, 2026
A lively small-town main street showcasing thriving local businesses and engaged community members, symbolizing economic growth and connection.
Community

Local Businesses Are The True Economic Engine For Community Growth

In the past year, 90% of small business owners didn't just run their companies; they donated money to local groups, charities, and schools.

Derek Molina·July 7, 2026
Auckland's dynamic cityscape at dusk, symbolizing a thriving startup ecosystem and economic growth powered by innovation and collaboration.
Business Spotlights

Auckland's Startup Ecosystem Boosting Economy in 2026

Auckland's Mayor will wear a different local startup's branded t-shirt every day for 100 days, starting in 2026, a highly visible commitment to local innovation.

Marco Alvarez·July 7, 2026
A small business owner at a crossroads of city streets, symbolizing the complex local permit and regulation process for entrepreneurs in 2026.
Business Spotlights

How Does the Small Business Local Permit Process Work in 2026?

A small business owner in Wyomissingboro, PA, could face a $600 fine plus prosecution costs for simply missing a $25 annual license renewal.

Marco Alvarez·July 4, 2026
A city skyline showing a few modern skyscrapers amidst older, smaller buildings, symbolizing concentrated job growth from startups.
Community

Local Entrepreneurship: Job Growth Concentrated, Not Widespread

In one Midwestern city, 85% of all new jobs created by startups last year came from just three software companies.

Sophie Nguyen·July 1, 2026
An entrepreneur looking at a map of city buildings, representing the journey to obtain local business permits and licenses in 2026.
Services

How to Get Local Business Permits and Licenses: A 2026 Guide

A business generating just $12,000 in gross income annually, or planning to hire its first employee, can immediately trigger a cascade of mandatory state and local registrations, often without clear i

Marco Alvarez·June 26, 2026
A lively marketplace at Kansas City's Union Station filled with local vendors and shoppers during a World Cup event, highlighting community and commerce.
Business Spotlights

Kansas City small businesses thrive at Union Station World Cup marketplace

Union Station leaders report that 15,000 visitors flocked to the World Cup marketplace in its first five days, creating an immediate boom for Kansas City small businesses and local entrepreneurs.

Marco Alvarez·June 22, 2026
Young, diverse entrepreneurs smiling behind their food stalls at a lively farmers' market, showcasing fresh produce and artisanal goods.
Business Spotlights

Young entrepreneurs launch food businesses at farmers' markets

At the Lake Oswego Farmers’ Market on June 13, recent high school graduates Ella Chang and Hailey Lim launched their matcha pop-up, Niko Matcha.

Marco Alvarez·June 21, 2026
New businesses thriving in a town square after the closure of Big Mike's BBQ Smokehouse, symbolizing economic renewal and opportunity.
Business Spotlights

Big Mike's BBQ Smokehouse Closure Fuels Regional Business Boom

Big Mike's BBQ Smokehouse, a regional staple for 25 years, has closed all 15 locations, leaving 300 employees jobless and local farms without a major buyer.

Marco Alvarez·June 19, 2026
An entrepreneur facing a cityscape of legal documents and permit forms, with a path forward illuminated by sunlight, symbolizing the challenge and clarity of local business regulations.
Business Spotlights

What Are Local Business Permits and Regulations for Entrepreneurs?

In some cities, a small home-based bakery might require permits from three different municipal departments, each with its own fee structure and inspection schedule, before a single cupcake can be...

Marco Alvarez·June 19, 2026
How This Husband and Wife Team at Have a Cup Coffee Co. Solves Your #1 Coffee Problem
Food & Drink

How This Husband and Wife Team at Have a Cup Coffee Co. Solves Your #1 Coffee Problem

A husband and wife team at Have a Cup Coffee Co. are solving the number one coffee problem: stale coffee. They've created a model that delivers freshly roasted beans directly to your door, bypassing the stale supermarket shelf.

Sponsored·June 18, 2026
Diverse group of Los Angeles entrepreneurs celebrating business growth and new opportunities amidst a vibrant city backdrop.
Business Spotlights

Los Angeles sees major business growth, new opportunities emerge

Seventy entrepreneurs in Los Angeles recently received $2,000 each from a $140,000 grant program, according to LA County Awards $140000 in Entrepreneurship Academy Grants to .

Marco Alvarez·June 17, 2026
Young entrepreneur studying a complex map of local, county, and state business permits, symbolizing the challenges of starting a new venture.
Business Spotlights

What Are 2026 Local Business Permit Requirements for New Entrepreneurs?

In Illinois, a simple Certificate of Registration can be obtained online in two business days.

Marco Alvarez·June 9, 2026
Brad Sugars’ Approach to Exit Strategy Planning for Las Vegas Business Owners
Services

Brad Sugars’ Approach to Exit Strategy Planning for Las Vegas Business Owners

Brad Sugars emphasizes that successful business exits are a result of proactive, multi-year planning, not last-minute efforts, especially for Las Vegas business owners in a competitive M&A market. His approach focuses on building a sellable asset that operates independently of the owner, significantly increasing its valuation.

Sponsored·June 7, 2026
Diverse local businesses with welcoming storefronts in a sunlit city street, highlighting community interaction and thriving commerce.
Business Spotlights

Local Businesses Redefining Service in 2026

Buono Jewelers, a local establishment, didn't just sell jewelry; it was named Small Business Manufacturer of the Year by the SBA New York Metro District.

Marco Alvarez·June 3, 2026
Home-based food business owners reviewing new regulations and permit requirements for 2025 with a serious yet hopeful expression.
Food & Drink

How Do Home-Based Food Business Regulations and Permits Work in 2025?

Starting September 1, 2025, even selling homemade cookies will require official registration, ushering in a new era for home-based food businesses.

Hannah Pierce·May 19, 2026
A certified Costa Rican local guide sharing knowledge with tourists amidst a vibrant rainforest setting.
Local Guides

Local Guides Define Destination Culture, But Face an Entrepreneurial Dilemma

In Costa Rica, local guides undergo rigorous certification in everything from safety protocols to regional knowledge, yet many still face the daily temptation to prioritize commissions over cultural a

Hannah Pierce·May 19, 2026
Brad Sugars’ Playbook for Dominating the Las Vegas Market: A Guide for Local Business Owners
Business Spotlights

Brad Sugars’ Playbook for Dominating the Las Vegas Market: A Guide for Local Business Owners

Brad Sugars offers a proven playbook for Las Vegas business owners to achieve growth and profitability by focusing on building systems that work for them, rather than solely relying on harder work. His "6 Steps to a Better Business" methodology aims to transition entrepreneurs from daily operations to strategic planning, ensuring their business can thrive independently.

Sponsored·May 13, 2026
An entrepreneur examining a storefront on a city street, symbolizing the impact of zoning laws on small business opportunities.
Business Spotlights

What Are Small Business Zoning Laws and Why Do They Matter?

A seemingly perfect storefront can be an illegal dream for a small business owner if local zoning laws prohibit their specific type of operation.

Marco Alvarez·May 12, 2026
A lively and modern pop-up shop in 2026, showcasing innovative products and engaging customers with a high-energy atmosphere.
Business Spotlights

How to Plan and Launch a Pop-Up Shop in 2026: A Complete Guide

In 2026, a successful pop-up shop is expected to achieve an Average Order Value (AOV) starting at $5060 and convert 80% of its visitors into buyers, according to financialmodelslab .

Marco Alvarez·May 11, 2026
An entrepreneur looking at a blueprint at a crossroads in Allentown, symbolizing the start of a new business journey.
Business Spotlights

How to Start a Small Business in [City Name]: A Complete Guide

In Allentown, starting a business in 2026 isn't just about one permit; it's a multi-departmental gauntlet.

Marco Alvarez·May 8, 2026
Diverse Indiana entrepreneurs in modern workshops and startups, symbolizing the state's economic growth driven by small businesses.
Business Spotlights

Indiana small businesses recognized for economic impact

Indiana companies in their first five years account for a staggering 74% of the state's net new job growth, demonstrating a robust economic engine fueled by nascent enterprises.

Marco Alvarez·May 6, 2026
A diverse and vibrant city street filled with thriving small businesses, symbolizing economic resilience and community strength.
Business Spotlights

Small Businesses Are Key to City Resilience in 2026, If Policy Lets Them.

Infrastructure work at the Port of Monroe, completed nearly a decade prior to 2020, proved vital during the global pandemic.

Marco Alvarez·May 6, 2026
A diverse group of entrepreneurs collaborating and working in a bright, modern coworking space, symbolizing innovation and community.
Community

Coworking Spaces Fuel Entrepreneurship

In just five years, the number of coworking spaces worldwide nearly tripled, from 8,900 in 2015 to an estimated 26,300 in 2020, according to pmc .

Sophie Nguyen·May 5, 2026
Durham Bulls mascot and PNC Bank representative congratulate local small business owners on the field during a special Small Business Day game.
Business Spotlights

Durham Bulls Announce New Small Business Day Initiative for 2026

Starting in 2026, the Durham Bulls will dedicate a game day to local small businesses, offering selected firms on-field recognition and branding benefits, thanks to an extended partnership with PNC Ba

Marco Alvarez·May 5, 2026
Diverse entrepreneurs collaborating in a bright, modern co-working space, symbolizing innovation and growth within a business incubator program.
Business Spotlights

What Are the Benefits of Business Incubators and Accelerators?

Incubated businesses boast a remarkable 70% survival rate post-program, far exceeding the typical odds for new ventures.

Marco Alvarez·May 4, 2026
Digital streams of data and information connecting to a small business icon in a modern cityscape, symbolizing opportunities during Small Business Week.
Business Spotlights

Small Business Week 2026 Kicks Off May 3 with Digital Outreach

From AI workshops to legal structure guidance, the 2026 National Small Business Week (May 3-9) is set to flood entrepreneurs with free, government-backed resources.

Marco Alvarez·May 4, 2026
Diverse small business owners networking and showcasing products in a lively community marketplace during Small Business Week.
Business Spotlights

Small Business Week Celebrates Community Impact and Entrepreneurial Growth

In 2022, nearly 30 million Americans operated businesses with no paid employees, a significant surge from 28.

Marco Alvarez·May 3, 2026
A small business owner overwhelmed by accreditation fees, symbolizing the financial hurdles of BBB accreditation for startups.
Business Spotlights

BBB Accreditation: Hurdles for Small Businesses

During National Small Business Week 2026, small businesses seeking Better Business Bureau accreditation confront annual fees ranging from $500 to $1,500, according to sbtdc .

Marco Alvarez·May 3, 2026