Welcome to my Small Business Resource Site!

This website is an educational and reference tool for small business owners to get information on topics like picking the right business structure, planning, marketing, and more. This site is intended for any small business person, including home-office professionals, new start-ups,  or even if you’re just contemplating a new business.

You’ll get breaking news updates here about SBA loans & grants, federal bidding opportunities, legislation affecting small businesses, free online training opportunities, and how-to articles covering everything you need to start or grow your business.You can use the drop-down menus on the top of any page for navigation.  They are self-explanatory.  If this is your first visit here, my Table of Contents is a great place to start. 

I’m a Small Business Marketing and Development Consultant. I help small business owners and home office professionals start or grow their business by differentiating themselves and the way they do business. You can learn more about who I am by clicking here, and more about what I do on my Services page.  I don’t believe the self-employed or home-office professional is served very well by current media or educational outlets.  Hence, this site.   

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Apps for Entrepreneurs Challenge Winners Announced by SBA

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by Sean Greene, SBA Official

Recently, the SBA asked how we could use apps to put customized tools directly in the hands of entrepreneurs and small business owners.

We reached out to entrepreneurs themselves to help find the answers through a nationwide competition with $20,000 in total prizes.  Here are the winning apps:

First Place:

Second Place:

Third Place:  

Read more... (287 words, estimated 1:09 mins reading time)

2011 Small Business Profiles for the States and Territories

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The economic condition of small businesses in the United States is captured in the Small Business Profiles. The profile shows that small businesses are key players in the U.S. and state economies, and highlights their performance on employment, business turnover, owner business demographics, finance and income.  This annual publication provides information for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories and United States.

A copy of the state profiles  is located at: http://www.sba.gov/advocacy/848/41391

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Important Federal Tax Dates for February 2012

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Wed 1 Deposit payroll tax for payments on Jan 25-27 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri 3 Deposit payroll tax for payments on Jan 28-31 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Wed 8 Deposit payroll tax for payments on Feb 1-3 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri 10 Deposit payroll tax for payments on Feb 4-7 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Fri 10 Employers: Employees are required to report to you tips of $20 or more earned during Jan.
Fri 10 File 2011 Forms 940, 941, 943, 944 and/or 945 if you timely deposited all required payments.
Wed 15 File a new Form W-4 if you claimed exemption from income tax withholding in 2011.
Wed 15 Furnish Forms 1099-B, 1099-S and certain Forms 1099-MISC to recipients.
Wed 15 Deposit payroll tax for Jan if the monthly deposit rule applies.
Wed 15 Deposit payroll tax for payments on Feb 8-10 if the semiweekly deposit rule applies.
Thu 16 Begin withholding on employees who claimed exemption from withholding in 2011 but did not file a W-4 to continue withholding exemption in 2011.

Do you need a website to market your small business?

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Are you thinking about starting your online business in 2012, or adding an online presence or webstore to your existing business?

As my way of saying thank you to my readers, and in trying to start 2012 off in the right direction, I’ve worked with DreamHost to set up a fantastic discount for you!

I host four of my sites (including this one) on DreamHost, and I’m very happy with them. I’m comfortable recommending them to you.

DreamHost offers some great features like unlimited disk storage, unlimited domains, unlimited bandwidth, unlimited email/users, one-click software installations,  and more.  Check out everything they offer here.  Pricing starts at $8.95 per month before any discounts.

Use the coupon code GROWYOURBIZ30 to save an additional 30 percent!

Go ahead, check them out!  2012 will be a great year to start your online business, and I’ll be here to help however I can!

Thank you.  Be well.

~John