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One swallow does not make a summer, but one skein of geese, cleaving the murk of March thaw, is the Spring.
Aldo Leopold Categories
Author Archives: Joyce M. Rosenberg
Older entrepreneurs call shots after long careers
Calling the shots isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be. But for people above 50, it’s become a more popular choice. Tony Uzzi knows all about that. After 30 years in traditional jobs, at age 52, he accepted a buyout from a pharmaceutical company and went into business for himself. Now, instead of having a fairly predictable schedule as a pharmaceutical salesman, work can interrupt just about anything — even dinners out. Read More
New entrepreneurs may need to learn about budgets
Many brand-new entrepreneurs learn quickly that they have to create a budget for their new companies. It can be a daunting experience for someone who doesn’t have an accounting background or never maintained a personal budget. Read More
Market’s down? Time to create a retirement plan
Many big investors look at the drop in the stock market as a buying opportunity. Small business owners should consider it an opportunity as well. Read More
It’s time for your business’s midyear checkup
It’s time to give your small business a checkup. The midpoint of the year is an ideal
time to look at the company and see what’s working, and what isn’t. Read More
Where should you look for your first employee?
You’ve decided to hire your first employee. But where do you go to find the best candidate? Read More
Business taxes done? You may still have work to do
Small business owners across the country are getting back to focusing on their companies now that they’ve filed their income tax returns. But many of those owners may still have some tax work to do. Read More
Small businesses are more optimistic about 2011
The signs might be obvious, like a surge in the number of phone calls and e-mails from prospective customers. Or subtle — a staffer gets a job at a competing company because business is picking up throughout the industry.
Many small business owners are optimistic about 2011 not because of the economic reports that come out each month. They’re getting the evidence from what’s happening in their own businesses… Read More
Businesses can get a holiday gift: tax deductions
Business owners get a gift from the government when they celebrate the holidays with employees and customers: tax deductions! Parties, dinners and gifts are all deductible expenses. There is a bit of Uncle Scrooge, though, in Uncle Sam. There are limits on how much you can deduct.
ENTERTAINING CLIENTS AND CUSTOMERS
The government has a 50 percent limit on the amount you can deduct for taking clients or customers out to dinner or to events like a Lakers game or Broadway show. It has another rule that says the main purpose…read more Read More
Stock market apt to stay difficult for some time
Get used to a difficult stock market.
It’s nearly four months since stocks reached their 2010 highs and began falling on investors’ doubts about the economic recovery. Some analysts say it could be another year before investors get up enough confidence to restart the rally . . . read more Read More
New entrepreneurs can keep startup costs down
Starting a business can be expensive, as people find when they become entrepreneurs after losing their jobs. But many of these brand-new company owners have also found ways to keep those costs down . . . read more Read More
Small business owners need a crash course in taxes
Estimated taxes. Self-employment taxes. Tax accounts.
These are words that quickly enter the vocabulary of people who have been laid off and are making the transition to working for themselves. These small business owners find they have to worry about tax matters that weren’t their problem when they worked for someone else.
Owners learn that they’re responsible for twice . . . read more Read More
Laid-off workers can’t find jobs; start businesses
When Darren Drewitz was laid off in February, his first move was to start looking for another advertising agency job.
He couldn’t find one. Instead, Drewitz began getting offers for freelance work. Four months later, he has become something he didn’t plan to be: a small business owner.
Laid-off workers across the country are finding themselves in similar situations. Instead of full-time work, they’re getting jobs as freelancers or independent contractors, and in the process have the role of entrepreneur thrust . . . read more Read More
Companies juggle rebuilding, employee vacations
Small business owners may feel in a bit of a bind this summer. Just as many companies are recovering from the recession and making do with fewer staffers, it’s high season for employee vacations.
Owners may feel anxiety and resentment when workers say they want time off. They may be afraid of losing customers just when the business is picking up some momentum . . . read more Read More
Small business owners consider vacations again
Karena Nigale used to take time away from her hair salon in New York’s financial district several times a year. Then the recession came, and some of her clients who worked in nearby banks were laid off.
Nigale had to let about half her staff go, and she had to take on more work. There was no way she could take a vacation.
Now, clients are getting jobs again. . . . read more Read More
