Category: Entrepreneurial Journey

Supporting Small Businesses Still Recovering After Helene

As news outlets focus on the tragic fires in Southern California, showcasing the heartbreaking destruction of residential and commercial properties, it’s crucial to remember that tragedy also struck Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee this fall. Businesses, homes, and critical infrastructure like roads, water, and electricity were lost.

While one disaster is not “worse” than the other, it’s important to recognize that the devastation felt by residents and small business owners in these areas endures long after the headlines fade.

If you’re based in or know others in Western North Carolina or Eastern Tennessee, here’s a list of resources that may provide help to those affected.

For those outside the area who want to lend a hand, consider “shopping local” to support small businesses recovering from this disaster. Your purchases can make a significant difference in helping these communities rebuild.

Entrepreneurship Can Be A Pathway Out of Poverty with the Right Support

In this article, Michael H. Morris, Professor in the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, highlights how entrepreneurship can help alleviate poverty by providing people with valuable skills and creating jobs, stability, and community benefits. Success for poor entrepreneurs doesn’t have to mean massive profits; even small ventures can improve lives and reduce poverty. With the right support—like training and mentorship—entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of economic disadvantage. Check out the article to read more about Professor Morris’ thoughts.

Anticipated Changes for Small Business in 2025

Small business owners should prepare for significant changes in 2025, including a potentially more business-friendly federal administration, state-level overtime and minimum wage adjustments, the phased implementation of new FinCEN registration requirements, and expanded tax regulations on third-party payment platforms like Venmo. Inflation remains a key concern, with conflicting policies from the incoming administration potentially impacting costs, while the Small Business Administration transitions to new leadership under Kelly Loeffler. To read more about these items, see this article in the AP News.

Preparing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday as a Small Business

This blog post from WooCommerce encourages small business owners to start preparing early for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. If you don’t have a solid plan in place, all is not lost! You still have time to build excitement with your loyal customers by offering them early access to exclusive deals, and focus your marketing on specific products that will grab attention without cutting too deep into profits. Make sure your website is ready for the rush—optimize for speed, simplify the checkout process, and use tools like chatbots and FAQs to keep things running smoothly. See the blog post for more tips!

How Entrepreneurs, Led by Women, Are Shaping 2025’s Business Landscape (from the EY Entrepreneur Ecosystem Report)

As 2025 approaches, entrepreneurs remain optimistic about growth despite economic uncertainties. According to EY’s Entrepreneur Ecosystem Barometer, many entrepreneurs who experienced strong revenue growth in 2024 anticipate a stronger market next year.

Key trends include significant investments in AI, product development, and talent to drive productivity. Fundraising and strategic transactions, like mergers and acquisitions, are major priorities, with many entrepreneurs planning to secure capital to fuel further expansion. Women entrepreneurs are particularly leading in AI adoption, with nearly half having established AI systems and a strong inclination toward staying ahead of technological trends, underscoring their commitment to innovation and growth.

Finally, entrepreneurs are balancing productivity with personal well-being, maintaining an in-office presence while prioritizing rest and work-life balance to sustain success and avoid burnout.

Corporate Transparency Act and What You Need To Do As An LLC

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), effective January 1, 2024, mandates that many U.S. small businesses report their beneficial ownership information to the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) by January 1, 2025. Failure to comply can lead to significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Filing is straightforward – businesses will not incur a fee for submitting their reports, and electronic forms are available on FinCEN’s website.

Building Community Support to Shop Local

Faire’s “Main Street Shopping” report (Faire is a leading online wholesale marketplace that connects locally-owned and operated shops with brands to stock their stores) highlights a growing trend: consumers are willing to spend more and travel farther to support local retailers, driven by a strong desire to engage with their communities. The report encourages small businesses to embrace this trend by building a unique, locally-focused shopping experience through curated products, partnerships with nearby businesses, participation in community events, and active social media engagement. You can read more in this piece on the US Chamber of Commerce site.

“Show Her The Money” movie

“Show Her The Money” highlights the struggles and triumphs of female entrepreneurs as they battle for venture capital funding, which women receive less than 2% of, while also demystifying what venture capital is. Featuring successful female investors and visionary entrepreneurs, the film demonstrates how financial backing empowers women to turn innovative ideas into billion-dollar businesses, ultimately reshaping the American economy. See this link to learn about the film.

Verizon Survey Shows Doubling in AI Adoption Among Small Businesses

Verizon Business’s fifth annual State of Small Business Survey, conducted with Morning Consult, highlights a notable increase in AI adoption among small and midsize businesses (SMBs), driven by growing awareness and accessibility. The survey found that AI usage has more than doubled in the past year, with 39% of SMBs now utilizing AI tools to streamline tasks and improve efficiency—up from just 14% in 2023. This increase reflects the perception among SMBs that AI can significantly enhance business operations, although it also raises new security concerns. Despite financial anxieties, SMBs are investing in AI, faster internet, and digital solutions, underscoring a strong commitment to technology as they adapt to changing consumer demands.

2024 Bank of America Women & Minority Business Owner Spotlight

The 2024 Bank of America Women & Minority Business Owner Spotlight reveals that 78% of small and mid-sized business owners anticipate revenue growth over the next year, with high levels of confidence among Hispanic-Latino, Black/African American, and AAPI entrepreneurs. Many business owners, especially women, plan to expand, hire, and invest in employee development, though concerns about inflation, labor shortages, and the political environment remain top challenges.