FastUpFront Small Business Blog

The 2009 tax season may have come to an end. But now that all the dust has settled and those tax returns have been spent, its time to begin thinking about 2010… To get you started, take a look at these strange, but true attempts individuals have made to reduce their tax burdens. And yes, [...]

Yes, there are small businesses out there that are considering growth opportunities even as our current recession keeps a tight hold on our economy. But for those small businesses that are in this situation, any steps that they take to expand operations should be carefully implemented. Here are a few tips on how to responsibly [...]

Over the past few weeks the Obama Administration has placed the topic of health care reform front and center on the national agenda. The move has sparked fresh debate, concern, and anxiety among politicians, consumers, business owners big and small, as well as health industry experts and representatives. Most agree that something must be done [...]

The recent announcement that GM has filed for bankruptcy is only the latest in a list of big corporations that have taken the financial plunge- a list that includes such “household names” as Circuit City, KB Toys, CompUSA, Linens n’Things, and most recently, Chrysler). This unavoidable trend also includes many smaller businesses and consumers. Since [...]

This post is the final part of a four-part series on credit card reform. In the three previous posts, I discussed the possible affect of the credit card reform bill that was passed by the US Senate earlier this month. The bottom line for consumers and small businesses is that this new legislation will probably [...]

This post is the third of a four-part series on credit card reform. The consumer reaction to the credit reform bill has been taking the spotlight ever since the legislation was approved by the US Senate two weeks ago. Though the changes proposed in the new legislation will have some effect on consumer credit card [...]

This post is the second of a four-part series on credit card reform. Two weeks ago the US Senate approved a credit reform bill designed to protect customers overburdened by their financial obligations and subsequent poor credit ratings. But even after the bill was pushed through the Senate, one glaring question still remains: Will the [...]

This post is the first of a four-part series on credit card reform. The next three posts in this series will discuss the expected effects of the credit reform bill in general as well as how credit reform may effect small businesses in particular. The series will then end off with some credit card alternatives. [...]

It used to be that credit insurance was exclusive to the large companies that could afford to pay the high premiums in exchange for a bit of financial peace of mind. Not any more. In response to the economic slowdown and an across-the-board reduction in consumer spending, now even small and mid-sized businesses are considering [...]

With all the talk about the recession, job insecurity and lay offs, here are a few business jokes to lighten things up a bit. The Flowers A new business was opening and one of the owner”s friends wanted to send flowers for the occasion. They arrived at the new business site and the owner read [...]