FastUpFront Small Business Blog

Over the past couple of years, crowdfunding has emerged as a quick and agile way to raise money- whether for a new business, charity, or artistic project. While many have been quick to point out the various “side benefits” of turning to the online community for funding, such as generating customer interest and building brand [...]

New research about possible hormonal reactions to social networking has big repercussions for small businesses. In a preliminary study (chronicled here), Dr. Paul J. Zak, aka “Dr. Love,” has found that levels of oxytocin, which creates feelings of trust, spike during Facebook, Twitter, and blog use. Businesses can capitalize on this finding to enhance customer [...]

With the holiday shopping season upon us, workers who have access to their employer’s computers will likely spend work time bargain-hunting and shopping online, exposing the business to computer-based viruses and hacks as well as lost productivity.   A recent study conducted by the global non profit information systems association ISACA revealed that nearly 40% [...]

As an employer, dealing with a wage garnishment can be a difficult and awkward task. When the business is small and employee relationships have been cultivated, then having to be in the middle of a wage garnishment is all the more uncomfortable. The following is a brief guide to the wage garnishment process including what [...]

Credit report inaccuracies can wreak havoc on your business’ credit score- and when they do the result can be disastrous. A business’ credit score is generally the deciding factor in the approval of most business loans and business financing. Moreover, prospective business partners, investors, and clients all may consider your business’ credit rating when deciding [...]

Reports from Thanksgiving weekend carried good news: promotions and special deals persuaded consumers to open their wallets on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Americans’ willingness to buy could indicate a subtle turn-around among recession-weary consumers- a trend that could translate to better economic conditions down the road.   On Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday, online [...]

Amid cautious consumer spending and an overall economic and legislative uncertainty, having a reliable source of credit and short-term financing is a necessity for small business owners. One of the more popular credit options among small businesses has been a bank sponsored business line of credit. But these days, many current small business account holders [...]

Aside from being a logistical headache, bounced customer checks levy a significant expense to small businesses in terms of both time and money, and these costs often go way beyond the actual face value of the check.     As economic recovery continues at a snail’s pace, and consumer dollars are stretched ever further, the [...]

Now that the U.S. House of Representatives has decided not to extend long-term unemployment benefits past November, job creation is more urgent than ever. But recent statistics suggest that most new businesses are sole proprietorships or very small companies. Thus, new job creation remains elusive.   According to research by economists John Haltiwanger, Ron Jarmin, [...]

The current recession is leading more people toward entrepreneurship, according to a new study. Robert Fairlie of the University of California Santa Cruz found that in every month in 2009, 340 out of every 100,000 American adults founded a business. In comparison, on average, 290 adults a year started new businesses in the ten years [...]