Small Business News
Local and national business news for Wichita, Kansas.Louisville, Ky.-based ResCare, a company that provides support services for people with disabilities, will build a 30,000-square-foot facility in northeast Wichita.
Downtown YMCA to rebuild on current site
The Greater Wichita YMCA won’t build a new downtown branch on city-owned property on North Waco Street, the YMCA and city said Thursday.
Boomers may create 'entrepreneurship boom'
Aging baby boomers aren’t headed out to pasture — they’re starting new businesses, according to a Kauffman Foundation study that predicts the United States may be “on the cusp of an entrepreneurship boom.”
Boeing ahead of last year’s delivery pace
Boeing Co. said it has delivered 246 commercial airplanes so far in 2009, ahead of last year’s pace when it had delivered 241 by the same time. (BA)
Boeing 787 assembly in South Carolina? Rumors are flying
Boeing seems to be preparing to buy supplier Vought Aircraft Industries Inc. in North Charleston, S.C., which likely will lead to establishing a second 787 assembly plant there.
Parkinson uses revenue gains, cuts for balanced-budget plan
Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson has proposed a plan made up of revenue gains and spending cuts to generate $160 million to balance the state budget.
Foreclosure suit filed against Legends car wash
A group of subcontractors who had filed multiple mechanic’s liens in conjunction with work they did for an eastside car wash have now filed a foreclosure suit against the site.
Freddie Mac allows financing of 125% of home value
Freddie Mac announced Wednesday that it would offer loan-to-value ratios on home mortgage refinancings of up to 125 percent for qualified borrowers. (FRE)
U.S. unemployment hits 9.5 percent
Employers cut more jobs in the U.S. in June causing unemployment to rise to 9.5 percent from 9.4 percent in May, the highest since August 1983.
Wachovia unit takes on Wells Fargo name
Wachovia Insurance Services Inc. has changed its name to Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA Inc. (WFC)
Big Dog Motorcycles said Thursday that the Wichita-based manufacturer of heavy cruisers laid off "just over 20 workers" on Wednesday.
The company blamed a "challenging economy and lack of retail financing and consumer discretionary spending" as causes of the layoffs.
The company did not respond to a request for the number of employees it would have following this latest layoff.
"Big Dog Motorcycles has done everything possible to avoid additional layoffs but the dramatic economic downturn continues to impact the entire motorcycling and powersports industries," the statement said. "A work force reduction is never easy. It was painful, but necessary."
Laid off workers have been offered a severance package, the statement said.
GM urges judge's fast approval of sale plans
NEW YORK — The judge in the General Motors Corp. bankruptcy case adjourned a three-day hearing without indicating when he will rule on the company's plan to sell its good assets to a new company.
U.S. Judge Robert Gerber asked GM's attorneys to submit a proposed order that would be entered if the sale were to be approved. They said they would do so by tonight or Saturday. Gerber is expected to rule sometime after that.
A lawyer for GM warned the court that the only alternative to GM's plan would be a liquidation of the company's assets that would have "horrific" consequences for everyone involved.
Attorney Harvey Miller said the government is committed to cutting off funding to GM if the sale is not approved by July 10. That followed testimony Wednesday from a member of President Obama's automotive task force who indicated the government has no plans to continue funding GM past next Friday if the sale is not approved by then.
GM's government-backed plan for a quick exit from Chapter 11 protection hinges on the sale of most of its assets to a new entity, allowing the automaker to leave behind many of the costs and liabilities that have made it unprofitable. The Detroit carmaker's June 1 filing for bankruptcy protection was the fourth-largest in U.S. history.
UMB starts wealth management unit
Craig Anderson said there are more ideal times to start a bank wealth management unit — not necessarily in the midst of a recession.
But now is the time because it's when UMB Bank's Kansas region found the right people to staff its new Wichita wealth management unit.
The unit was launched this month with the hiring of Carolyn Adams and Kim Gattis.
Adams, senior vice president and private banking client manager, has worked in wealth management for 26 years. Gattis, senior vice president and wealth adviser, has 15 years in the industry. Both came to UMB from Bank of America.
Anderson, CEO of UMB's Kansas region, acknowledges that now is not the best time to be hiring new people and attempting to launch a new unit.
Job cuts keep mounting
WASHINGTON — Employers kept slashing jobs at a furious pace in June as the unemployment rate edged ever closer to double-digit levels, undermining signs of progress in the economy, and making clear that the job market remains in terrible shape.
The number of jobs on employers' payrolls fell by 467,000, the Labor Department said Thursday. That is many more jobs than were shed in May and far worse than the 350,000 job losses that economists were forecasting.
Job losses peaked in January and had declined every month until June. The steep losses show that even as there are signs that total economic activity may level off or begin growing later this year, the nation's employers are still pulling back.
The unemployment rate, meanwhile, which is based on a separate survey of households, rose to 9.5 percent from 9.4 percent. While it is now rising at a more measured pace than in the recent past, many economists still expect that the rate will surpass 10 percent by fall.
Separately, the Labor Department reported that 614,000 people applied for new unemployment insurance benefits last week. While down slightly from the previous week, that measure of weakness in the job market has remained stubbornly high, with more than 600,000 jobless claims every week since late January.
Carnahan: 'Recession fatigue' helping
"Recession fatigue" is the good news that has perked up Cindy Carnahan's residential real estate business.
Home buyers from Wichita and across the country are tired of fretting about the recession, said the longtime Wichita real estate agent who runs the Carnahan Group with J.P. Weigand & Sons.
"Business is up in the last 30 days," she said. "I think people are just ready to move ahead with their lives."
With Wichita home sales lagging about 28 percent behind 2008, dragged down by a stream of aviation layoffs, any sign of life in the local and national markets is good news.
And there were a few more signs of life in May. Pending home sales slipped in the Midwest but nationally recorded their fourth consecutive monthly gain, according to figures released by the National Association of Realtors.
Sedgwick County gets 5 industrial-park proposals
Sedgwick County received five proposals Wednesday to establish a new industrial park for large-scale industrial recruitment.
The proposals, filed by the 5 p.m. deadline with the county, include:
* 808 acres between Webb and Greenwich in Bel Aire, brokered by J.P. Weigand & Sons in Wichita. Asking price is $6.5 million.
* A two-tract private proposal totaling 523 acres, mostly near Mid-Continent Airport, also marketed by Weigand. Asking price is $20,000 an acre, about $10.5 million.
* The 241-acre Derby Corporate Park, a Lusk Communities development marketed by Grubb & Ellis/Martens Commercial group at 55th South and Oliver in Derby. Asking price is a little more than $14,000 per acre, or $3.5 million.
Merger in works for 2 Kansas credit unions
Mid American Credit Union is in talks to merge with a small Arkansas City credit union.
Mid American, a $141.5 million credit union at 8404 W. Kellogg, has sent Sunflower Credit Union a proposed merger plan and agreement, said Mid American president and CEO Jim Holt.
"We're talking at this stage," Holt said Wednesday. "We have a proposed plan that our board has approved."
Mary Strange, Sunflower's manager, confirmed that board members at her credit union have approved the proposed merger plan and agreement, though Holt said he has not received those documents.
If completed, the merger plan would make Mid American the succeeding institution and give it its first physical presence in Arkansas City and Cowley County.
Wesley Medical Center gets reaccredited for chest pain
Wesley Medical Center has regained its accreditation as a chest pain center.
The designation by the Society of Chest Pain Centers means Wesley has met the standards and clinical protocols set by the nonprofit international society.
Galichia Heart Hospital, which was accredited in December, is Wichita's only other chest pain center.
Wesley lost its accreditation last year, saying a change in personnel kept its reaccreditation paperwork from being filed on time.
"It was basically a record-keeping glitch," said physician Mark Mosley, Wesley's emergency department medical director. "This is not a new designation for us."
Lonny McCurdy insists: Lots left to do
Lonny McCurdy insists that he's going to retire.
In a year or so, he says.
No, really.
McCurdy's friends and family say he doth protest too much.
"He told me last year he was going to retire this year," said commercial real estate broker Tony Utter. "This year, it's maybe next year.
Poll measures energy awareness
What country is the United States' biggest supplier of imported oil?
If you answered Saudi Arabia, you're wrong.
Canada is the biggest supplier, according to the Department of Energy. The U.S. imported more than 715 million barrels from the Canadians in 2008.
But if you didn't know that, you're in the majority, according to a recent poll of Americans.
Fifty-three percent of those surveyed identified Saudi Arabia as the biggest supplier of foreign oil to the U.S. Only 12 percent picked Canada.
Lawsuit filed over use of Feist name
Feist Publications has filed suit against Yellow Book Sales and Distribution, the company that bought Feist's assets in 2004.
Feist, 3020 N. Cypress, Suite 200, contends in a suit filed recently in U.S. District Court that Yellow Book violated the 2004 purchase agreement that set a five-year period allowing Yellow Book to use the Feist name and for Feist to not compete against Yellow Book.
The five years expired on March 26, the suit contends, but Yellow Book continues to use the Feist name by charging advertisers monthly fees for placement in the most recent Feist telephone books.
The suit seeks damages of more than $75,000.
A Yellow Book spokesman said the company does not comment on pending litigation.
Changes in banking industry will hit smaller banks, says professor
Wichita State University finance professor Rick LeCompte thinks the banking industry is in for a cycle of consolidations, either through bank failures or acquisitions.
LeCompte, whose expertise is in commercial banking, thinks that partly because of the current industry turmoil. Historically, changes in regulation and policies follow banking crises.
"Anytime there's a crisis, there's a good reason to redo banking," LeCompte said.
And he thinks the consolidation will happen largely with small community banks.
He said all one has to do is look at the list of banks that have failed so far to see that most of them are not banks with billions of dollars in assets, but banks with millions in assets.
Day care for dogs, on a smaller scale
Terri Grooms gets a kick out of watching the small dogs interact at Paws to Play, her new day care and boarding facility at 4710 W. Central.
As with children, cliques are formed, newcomers are carefully studied, and a rambunctious pooch can set all the others in motion.
It's Grooms' reward for launching a business that required careful planning and research. She loves dogs. But at 58 and recently divorced, the former teacher and Realtor wanted to make a smooth transition to a new venture.
"I really was looking for something I could do as I entered retirement age," Grooms said. "Something I could do physically. I didn't want to have a lot of inventory and not a lot of employees, either. But I wanted to do something that I can feel proud of."
With the help of employees JoAnne McAdams and Wanda Crowner, Grooms is offering unique alternatives to dog day care and boarding. Paws to Play caters exclusively to dogs 25 pounds and under. Dogs can run and play throughout the 2,500-square-foot building, and also have a designated napping area.
EADS will secure Saudi borders
PARIS — European aerospace and defense contractor EADS has won a major contract with Saudi Arabia to supply a border security system covering 5,600 miles of the kingdom's land and sea frontiers, the company said Wednesday.
The company said the system will be put in place over the next five years. It didn't disclose the size of the contract, but French media reported it was worth about $2.8 billion. A spokeswoman couldn't immediately be reached.
EADS Defense & Security will carry out the contract with Saudi Arabian partner Al Rashid group for construction works.
The company — a division of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. —beat out French, British and U.S. rivals for the contract, with Thales, BAe Systems and Raytheon Co. also having reportedly been in the running.
EADS already had been awarded a contract for security along Saudi Arabia's border with Iraq.
Car sales slump shows signs of leveling off
DETROIT — After a yearlong free-fall in the American car market, the decline of sales slowed in June, offering hope to automakers that the bottom has been reached and more shoppers may slowly start returning to showrooms soon.
Still, sales were down 7.1 percent from May, which generally is a stronger sales month.
Overall, automakers sold 859,847 vehicles in June, a 28 percent drop from the same month last year, according to Autodata Corp.
Sales declines slowed for four of the six major carmakers, with Ford Motor Co. reporting the smallest drop of 10.7 percent. For many months, Ford and other companies have been reporting year-over-year declines of 40 percent or more.
Even Chrysler, which emerged from bankruptcy protection early in June, saw its decline shrink.
Housing, manufacturing give stocks nudge in 3Q
NEW YORK — Investors kicked off the stock market's third quarter with a moderate gain after getting some reassuring data on manufacturing and housing.
The Dow Jones industrial average rose by 0.7 percent Wednesday, rebounding from the previous day's selloff that was triggered by a drop in consumer confidence. Other indexes made moderate advances as well.
The buying was tempered by caution ahead of today's June jobs report.
"That's going to be the big one," said Chris Johnson, president of Johnson Research Group. "People are keeping their eye on the unemployment figure."
The Labor Department is expected to report another uptick in the unemployment rate, to 9.6 percent, according to economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters. Growing unemployment has been keeping investors nervous about consumer spending — a major driver of growth.
Public gets peek at new ultralight plane
Dozens of aviation buffs and others watched the unveiling of Belite Aircraft's small prototype ultralight Tuesday in Old Town.
The one-seat plane is a new business venture of entrepreneurs James and Kathy Wiebe.
They acquired the tooling, existing parts and manufacturing rights to the plane — formerly called the Kitfox Lite — in March. They changed the name to Belite Aircraft and plan to sell the plane completed or in kits.
"Wichita is the Air Capital of the World," U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt said in remarks before the unveiling. "We forget that sometimes."
Flying represents freedom, he said.
Apollo 13 lead flight director to be at chamber event
Serving Tang and ice cream made from liquid oxygen and using a spacesuit and 5-foot-high model rocket as a backdrop, Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce officials announced Tuesday that Gene Kranz will be the group's keynote speaker at its annual meeting Nov. 17.
Kranz was the lead flight director during the Apollo 13 mission, in which an explosion aboard the spacecraft left it disabled.
He was credited with leading the Mission Control teams that helped bring the Apollo 13 crew safely back.
Bryan Derreberry, chamber CEO, said at a news conference that the group chose Kranz largely because he marshaled a group of people to successfully accomplish a goal during a crisis.
He drew parallels between that crisis and the recession, noting that it was creativity and human ingenuity, not technology, that led to a successful end to the Apollo 13 mission.
Retiree has served three generations
In her almost five decades at Devore & Sons, Sharon Trax has seen three generations of owners at the Wichita-based Bible publishing business.
President and general manager Ross Devore's father, uncle and grandfather have all employed Trax.
"We went from door-to-door selling to telemarketing to direct mail to the Internet," Ross Devore said. "She's seen all of that."
The company is celebrating Trax's 48 years of service with a retirement party today.
Trax joined the company as a receptionist in 1961 and eventually moved into a sales position.
B-52 work to stay with Boeing
Boeing Wichita has won a $750 million, 10-year contract from the U.S. Air Force to provide engineering support for the B-52 bomber.
The majority of the engineering work will be done in Wichita, said Boeing Wichita spokesman Jarrod Bartlett.
The remainder will be done at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma and at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, La.
In all, the contract sustains about 150 jobs, about 95 percent of which are in Wichita, Bartlett said.
The award is a follow-on to a previous B-52 fleet support contract.
The owners of a 32-room hotel on Mohegan Island off the coast of Maine are putting it up for sale. Is the place really worth $4.3 million?
A Start-up Takes on Wal-Mart
Alice.com, which launched recently, is the fourth Internet start-up from co-founders Brian Wiegand and Mark McGuire and, according to Wiegand, "our biggest swing of the bat." Can the partners, who sold their last business to Microsoft, disrupt the stolid consumer-products industry?
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Inc.com Blogs: Greater New York Holds Its Second Meeting
On June 23 and June 24, the greater New York chapter of Inc. Magazin...
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Even as credit card companies rush to raise rates and fees before a reform law takes effect in February, they are moving to reduce one thing -- rewards.
Would you pledge your soul as loan collateral?
RIGA (Reuters) - Ready to give your soul for a loan in these difficult economic times? In Latvia, where the crisis has raged more than in the rest of the European Union, you can.
Atlantic City in need of a makeover
NEW YORK (Reuters) - More than three decades after the opening of the first casino saved Atlantic City's boardwalks, the seaside town once again finds itself in need of redemption.
U.S. regulators close seven banks
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. bank regulators closed seven institutions on Thursday, including six banks in Illinois controlled by one family and a small bank in Dallas, bringing the total number of U.S. bank failures to 52 so far this year.
Retailers ax non-core brands to play safe in slump
BANGALORE (Reuters) - The recession is forcing many U.S. retailers to focus on their key brands and pull the plug on secondary lines -- a move that could have the added benefit of helping them return to their more successful roots.
Cost cutting in U.S. to drive BPO healthcare business
BANGALORE (Reuters) - Outsourcing of healthcare services is expected to gain momentum as the prolonged slowdown forces U.S.-based government agencies and healthcare firms to cut spiraling costs and deal with a shortage in qualified personnel.
U.S. migrant money pools thrive in the recession
TEMPE, Arizona (Reuters) - A year ago, waitress Erica Rendon was invited by a Mexican colleague at the steakhouse where she works to put $50 a week into a fund with nine co-workers.
Web advertisers propose self-regulation principles
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Online advertisers are proposing a mix of consumer education, disclosures about what information is being collected and special protections for children and sensitive information in an effort to head off tough legislation.
More small business loans in arrears
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Delinquent loans at small and medium-sized U.S. businesses jumped in May to new highs for the current recession, according to PayNet Inc, a firm that provides risk-management tools to the commercial lending industry.
U.S. venture capital activity up in Q2, but still low
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Venture capital activity bounced in the second quarter, but remained well below historical averages, the National Venture Capital Association said on Wednesday.
Every company has secrets. But what's to prevent an employee from jumping ship and sharing this information? Non-compete agreements. And they're becoming more popular. Associate editor Hannah Clark Steiman explains.
They say cash is king. But it can take customers months to pay up, leaving you in the lurch. So where can you turn? Associate editor Hannah Clark Steiman explains.
Mergers may seem like a great way to expand your company. But at least 60 percent of them fail to achieve their goals. And culture clash is a big reason why. Associate editor Hannah Clark Steiman explains.
Every entrepreneur has an experience that puts them on a new course and ultimately proves instrumental in their success. For Michelle Tjelmeland, a loss of hearing proved to be a gain in many other ways.
Every company has problems. And Joseph Grenny, the co-founder and co-chairman of VitalSmarts has spent the past two decades helping businesses zero in on the answers.
It's no secret that America is facing an obesity epidemic. Jay Ferro, founder and CEO of Nutricate, thinks he may have a solution. And no, it's not another diet fat.
Synthetic body parts. It may sound like the work of Dr. Frankenstein, but Chris Sakezles, president of Animal Replacement Technologies, has found a way to test medical devices and surgical techniques -- without harming animals.
What if you could save the world, one box of cereal at a time? Bob Danielson Sr., the president of Amerikal Products Corporation, thinks he's found a way.
He co-founded PayPal. He's building the coolest car ever. And he's ready to colonize Mars. Meet our 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year.
Credit-card companies continue to roll out new offers aimed at business owners. How do you choose the right card? Reporter Ryan McCarthy explains.
Every company gets stuck in bad contracts. Think there's no escape? Think again. Reporter Sarah Goldstein explains.
Death and taxes -- the only two sure things in life. And for business owners, the estate tax combines the worst of both worlds. Could a permanent life insurance policy be the solution? Associate editor Hannah Clark explains.
Online video is transforming the way companies communicate with customers and employees. How can your company take advantage of the trend? Associate editor Hannah Clark explains.
Saying you're sorry -- it's something most of us hate to do. But as a CEO, sometimes you have to acknowledge mistakes. Associate editor Hannah Clark explains.'
Wouldn't it be great if your customers actually paid in advance? Unfortunately, for many small-business owners, that's easier said than done. But with the right incentives, that can all change. Associate editor Hannah Clark explains.
When it comes to taxes, many people simply toss receipts into a shoebox. But for business owners, good recordkeeping is essential. Inc. Expert Barbara Weltman explains.
Many entrepreneurs are making big money on eBay these days. Inc. Expert Barbara Weltman highlights everything you need to get started.
How do you get customers to preach your gospel? Inc. Expert Nancy Michaels offers tips on generating grassroots buzz.
The best customers are those who bring in new ones. Inc. Expert Nancy Michaels explains how to boost your referrals.
Not quite. But BestParking.com founder Benjamin Sann helps customers find the cheapest parking rates in some of the nation's biggest cities.
As it turns out, a lot. A memorable company name can leave a lasting impression on customers – and just might be the competitive edge you need. Carey Smith, CEO of the Big Ass Fan Company, explains.
For every family business success story, there are cautionary tales. How can family businesses ensure a smooth transition from one generation to another? Senior writer Stephanie Clifford explains.
When it comes to setting prices, most entrepreneurs are playing a guessing game. How much should you be charging? Senior writer Stephanie Clifford explains.
What's the secret to backyard barbeque bliss? Our grillmaster-in-chief, creative director Blake Taylor, offers his tips.
When it comes to doing business abroad, sometimes you have to pay to play. Problem is, it's usually illegal. Associate editor Hannah Clark explains the risks.
A tax audit can be one of a small business owners most terrifying experiences. Inc. Expert Barbara Weltman offers some tips for dealing with the IRS.
Planning a summer trip? Here are some tips on how to effectively write off your business travels, and avoid IRS scrutiny.
Use the slow summer months to consider how you might best decrease your tax burden. Inc. Expert Barbara Weltman offers five tips to help you get started.
Seth Berkowitz started a late-night cookie-delivery service out of his dorm room. Today, Insomnia Cookies delivers fresh-baked goodies to hungry college students across the nation.
Nanda Home creates cute, clever products that are intended to "humanize technology." Founder Gauri Nanda talks with staff writer Max Chafkin.
Vacations – a time to relax, try new things, visit new places. And that makes them a perfect marketing opportunity. Senior writer Stephanie Clifford explains.
When you're starting a company, it can be tempting to hit up friends and family for that much-needed first investment. But, oh, can it backfire. Staff writer Max Chafkin explains.
Divorce can pose a serious threat to a company. Associate editor Hannah Clark explains how you can protect yourself.
A growing number of new voice mail tools are making life easier for business owners. Reporter Ryan McCarthy explains.
Fidel Castro has given up power. The bad news is that he gave it to his brother Raul. Could the shift bring opportunity for U.S. entrepreneurs? Reporter Sarah Goldstein explains.
When it comes to venture capital, small may indeed be the new big. A growing number of firms are giving away small amounts to young start-ups. Reporter Ryan McCarthy explains.
Rule No. 1 – don't panic. Tax & Law columnist Barbara Weltman shares tips on surviving the IRS nightmare.
The IRS is no longer collecting federal excise tax on long-distance and bundled telephone services. So how can you get your refund? Tax & Law columnist Barbara Weltman explains.
It's one of an entrepreneur's biggest fears. Tax & Law columnist Barbara Weltman offers advice on keeping a low profile – and minimizing your chances of getting selected.
Shouting matches. Heavy perspiration. Tequila shots. Is this the future of sales? Staff writer Max Chafkin explains.
A recent report puts the new economy in perspective, ranking states for innovation. Reporter Ryan McCarthy offers his take on the most forward-looking and the least inspired of the bunch.
The global economy may offer a world of new opportunities, but it also means dealing with red tape, foreign currencies, and confusing local tax laws. Where do you begin? Senior writer Stephanie Clifford explains.
The world may indeed be your oyster. But not all countries are friendly to American entrepreneurs. Staff writer Max Chafkin highlights the best and worst.
There’s a good chance you might be shortchanging your staff. Reporter Ryan McCarthy explains.
Ever wonder why some slogans stick, and others fall flat? Executive editor Mike Hofman explains how to craft a winning marketing message.
Some companies are now employing outside bloggers, to chronicle almost everything that goes on behind closed doors. Can it really help your business? Articles editor Larry Kanter explains.
Forget holiday shopping. Articles editor Larry Kanter explains why now is the time to huddle with your CPA and find some year-end tax breaks.
It may be known as Sin City, but Las Vegas has also become a business boomtown. Associate editor Bobbie Gossage highlights some of the hotspots for entrepreneurs.
From the founders of K2 skis to the woman who invented tortilla chips, we lost a number of great entrepreneurs in 2006. Executive editor Mike Hofman takes a look back at their business legacies.
How can cheap, homemade movies help you connect with customers? Associate editor Nadine Heintz explains why more and more companies are turning to YouTube.
Recycline’s toothbrushes, razors, and plastic flatware can be found on the shelves of Target and Whole Foods. Founder Eric Hudson explains the challenges – and benefits – of taking a green company mainstream.
The Ryzex Group recycles everything – literally. The company eliminated trash cans in 2006 and went 100 percent waste free. How? Founder and CEO Rud Browne explains.
With more people buying stuff used, companies have to rethink everything from a product’s durability to the terms of their warranties. Staff reporter Max Chafkin explains where the opportunities lie.
For decades, office buildings have been blamed for making employees sick. But bad bosses could be the real culprits. Ryan McCarthy shares insight on a new study.
Credit card companies send out billions of offers every year. From introductory rates to rewards programs, articles editor Larry Kanter explains how to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.
Are you an imposter? For many entrepreneurs, success can bring a lot of self-doubt. Articles editor Larry Kanter explains.
Can’t get a bank loan? More and more entrepreneurs are turning to online lending networks. Associate editor Nadine Heintz explains how they work – and how to get your hands on startup cash.
Most business owners are not protected from catastrophe. Articles editor Larry Kanter explains which types of insurance can help keep your company afloat.
Are there opportunities for your business in the Middle East? Staff writer Darren Dahl explains the benefits -- and challenges -- of expanding to the region.
From yoga in the Caribbean to surfing in Canada, there’s no shortage of fitness retreats for burned-out CEOs. Associate editor Bobbie Gossage highlights the best of the best.
Booking business travel can be a logistical nightmare. Articles editor Larry Kanter offers tips on outsourcing the task.
Steven Preston, a little-known corporate executive, is poised to take over the Small Business Administration. Executive editor Mike Hofman shares insight on the problems plaguing the agency -- and what Preston can expect.
Finding affordable office space is no easy task. Articles editor Larry Kanter explains how to get the best deal possible.
Doling out flashy titles may seem like a cheap way to attract and retain top recruits. But it's also risky. Associate editor Nadine Heintz explains the hidden dangers.
Small businesses are running commercials on ESPN and MTV for a few hundred dollars. Staff writer Darren Dahl explains how.
You can save a bundle on your taxes during the summer months. Associate editor Nadine Heintz explains how.
Associate editor Nadine Heintz explains how the maker of Marshmallow Peeps, the colorful Easter candy, learned to cash in on its cult following -- and how other companies can make use of their intellectual property.
Editor-at-large Bo Burlingham shares insights on the unfortunate demise and surprising rebirth of Kepler’s Books.
Is college housing the next frontier of product placement? Staff reporter Max Chafkin explains why Kiehl’s, Red Bull, and other companies are now stocking campus apartments with free stuff.
Staff writer Darren Dahl explains why some businesses that once feared whistleblowers are now giving workers new ways to report wrongdoing.
Tired of dealing with health care, retirement plans, and other HR issues? More and more companies are learning how to outsource their biggest headaches.
Contributing editor Joel Kotkin explains why some cities are thriving, why others are failing, and where the most opportunity for entrepreneurs lies today.
It’s supposed to make life easier, but e-mail has become a big pain. Staff writer Darren Dahl explains why the wiki will change the way you communicate.
Most people in and around the government are beholden to Corporate America and don’t pay attention to (let alone understand) the needs of entrepreneurs. Executive Editor Mike Hofman highlights the Beltway movers and shakers who are trying to change that.
What does it take to get your way in Washington? Executive Editor Mike Hofman offers some advice on making friends inside the Beltway.
Editor-at-Large Bo Burlingham, author of the new book Small Giants, discusses his search for companies that choose to be great instead of big.
Like a lot of entrepreneurs, Jay Goltz couldn’t imagine doing anything but building his company as big and as fast as possible. Editor-at-Large Bo Burlingham explains how it almost destroyed him.
Staff Writer Stephanie Clifford explores how Method is using cutting-edge innovation and design to take on the giants of the household-products industry.
Talk to a bunch of entrepreneurs about the new year and you'll hear the same concerns again and again. We name them, explain them, and offer ways around them.
With revenue flattening, David Galbenski needed a bold new plan. But was outsourcing everything to India really the right move? Darren Dahl speaks to some of the complexities in outsourcing legal work overseas.
The roof leaked, the financials were sketchy, the employees were unmotivated, and the customers were disgruntled -- so Mike Schwartz decided to buy the place. Now his Harley-Davidson business is a $53 million-a-year phenonmenon. Inc.'s Donna Fenn goes inside the issue and discusses the success of Mike's Famous Harley-Davidson.
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