Maine has the fourth-worst tax system for small businesses, according to a new report from the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council, an organization based in Oakton, Va. The "Business Tax Index 2009" report measured 16 tax indicators,
Public Pension Managers Rethink Hedge Fund TiesEven before state and federal regulators began investigating whether several prominent investment firms had made improper payments to gain business from New York’s state pension fund, public pension funds were backing away.
Los Angeles TimesFor three fragrance firms, joining forces sometimes makes scentsHarris provided the fragrances, one temporary partner provided the material that carried the scents, and a third small business helped with packaging. "Our areas of expertise and competency were complementary, and together we could work to help each
Business Calendar for April 14April 23 — A Serve Safe food safety training is planned by the Butte College Small Business Development Center. Details: 9 am to 4 pm at the center, 19 Williamsburg Lane. Cost: $110 in advance, $120 at the door. Reservations: 895-9017.
California Legislation Would Require Firms To Provide Paid Sick LeaveAssembly member Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) has reintroduced a bill (AB 1000) that would require employers to provide paid sick leave to workers, the Orange County Register's "Jan Norman on Small Business" reports. Businesses could not take action
For three fragrance firms, joining forces sometimes makes scents - Los Angeles Times
14.04.09
"I call it 'co-opetition,' " said Jim Blasingame, a small-business expert and host of a national radio show called "The Small Business Advocate." "It's a highly intelligent survival strategy, and they wind up helping each other get more business. They're also providing customers with a better product than they could provide as individual companies."
Collaborative strategies are much more prevalent in times like these, when companies can ill afford to waste money putting together expensive, time-consuming proposals for business that might ultimately go to someone else.
"If you can get by and win business without having to use up all of your cash, it's much better," said William F. Lyte , a business development expert and a co-founder of Technoplex Group in San Pedro. "It's a better use of their existing resources."
Harris hopes his three-employee company will bring in about $1.5 million in revenue this year, slightly better than last year. Working with his
Is it true that in California small business gets tax refund/waiver in its first three years of operation?
Nov 19, 2008 by Toidi | Posted in United States
I was told that in California a newly registered small business could get tax refund/waiver in its first three years of operation (if business is not good), is this true or complete BS?
Are California small business owners required to pay an employee any salary during maternity leave?
May 28, 2008 by Anne L H | Posted in Law & Ethics
Not unless it's in your contract.
How ever you can apply on line for EDD Unemployment Insurance Programs And services which cover unrelated to employment disabilities including pregnancy.
Roz | May 28, 2008
Are there any grants available for small business owners in California?
Sep 10, 2007 by YORLEE | Posted in Small Business
Are there any grants available for small business owners in California? If so where do you obtain information on grants on small businesses ?
Doesn't look like it. The California state government website lists a whole bunch of grants -- but none are for small businesses http://www.calbusiness.ca.gov/cedpgybfafedg.asp
It is hard to find grants to start or expand a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for starting a for-profit business.
One possible exception is for companies developing or exporting agricultural goods, including food and forest product. Another exception could be the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/sbir/index.html , which fund the research and development of technological innovation that meets specific government needs.
Your best bet actually will be from the states if they offer grant programs for women (or any other special interest groups -- minorities, women, disabled, veterans, etc). Or check with non profit organizations, particularly women organizations if they offer grants. Examples include
Iowa Women's Foundation http://www.iawf.org/
New Mexico Women's Foundation http://www.nmwf.org/guidelines.html
Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/mostrequesteditems/CON_FAQ2.html
"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."
Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.
Here is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business -- THERE'S NONE.
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show
Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program
Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs
For private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online http://gtionline.fdncenter.org . It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.
Small Business Administration - California
Small Business Planner. Services. Tools. Local. Resources ... Business.gov. Recovery. FOIA. Recovery Act. Inspector General. SBA Resource Partners. USA.Gov ...
Small Business California
SB-Cal is working hard to help California small businesses, please become a member! ... Become a member of Small Business California ...
Small Business Advocate
California Prepares to Speed Economic Stimulus Dollars to Small Business ... CARB should work with California small business leadership to develop a dialogue ...
Los Angeles TimesFor three fragrance firms, joining forces sometimes makes scentsHarris provided the fragrances, one temporary partner provided the material that carried the scents, and a third small business helped with packaging. "Our areas of expertise and competency were complementary, and together we could work to help each
