Blogs

Plenty of entrepreneurs like to think of their business as one of a kind, but for Dr. Heather Nelson it might actually be true. Heather owns Heather Nelson Studio in Springfield, Mo. Heather’s unique musical training certainly qualifies her as a piano and vocal teacher, but she primarily works with those suffering from vocal injuries. While her typical clients range from novices to professional vocalists, Heather also provides vocal regimens and techniques to those who have damaged their vocal cords or been diagnosed with nodes or polyps to help them sing again.

As an entrepreneur, you now need to be a Chief Everything Officer, and that includes managing your business’s financials. Navigating small business finances can be overwhelming, but it’s important to understand all the factors that go into overseeing your business’s daily finances. A good place to start with is a small business bank account.

Kateri Gutierrez co-founded Collective Avenue Coffee in Lynwood in 2016 with big dreams of what the business could do for her community. As her business has grown, this commitment to community has become the foundation of Collective Avenue Coffee, from it business structure to its mission and even how it's funded its growth.

This blog post originally appeared on SBA.gov.

Linda McMahon, SBA Administrator

For this blog about Hurricane Season preparedness, we thought it would make sense to get some business continuity tips from a real expert—a business owner who survived multiple disasters. 

This article originally appeared on Forbes.com

Levi King, CEO & Co-Founder of Nav.com

The devil is in the details. And when you’re applying for a business loan, there are a lot of details.

As a small business owner, you’ve probably found yourself in the position of needing extra funds to help you expand, whether you need to buy equipment or you have a new product idea you need help developing.

Small business owners seeking funding to start, operate, or expand their businesses often fall prey to banks and lenders who are deceiving about the costs associated with borrowing. Monthly interest rates alone are not an indicator of the overall cost of a loan. Predatory lenders may hide additional costs, such as the annual percentage rate (APR), closings costs, service fees, and other fees or penalties. If you are a small business owner looking for financing, it is essential that you do your research not only to calculate cost accurately, but also to become aware of all lending options available to you.

National Small Business Week, which began on Sunday, April 29 and runs through Saturday, May 5, is a time to highlight the role small businesses play in our economy. Small businesses represent 99% of all employer firms and account for half of our nation’s jobs and economic output.

This article originally appeared on Forbes.com Rohit Arora, Forbes.com Contributor Each year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation calling for the celebration of National Small Business Week, which in 2018 spans from April 30 – May 5. The Small Business Administration (SBA), which provides services through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, is the driving force behind Small Business Week. The agency provides access to training and mentoring programs, assistance in exporting, and, importantly SBA funding for startups and growing companies.