Fewer small-business owners sought credit last year. But those who did had more success, according to the National Federation of Independent Business.
The U.S. push to spur homegrown innovation by fast-tracking the patent process might do more harm than good, some in the patent industry say, by giving money-rich companies an edge over start-ups.
If the Packers-Steelers game goes into overtime this Sunday, Papa John's International Inc. may be shelling out a lot of free pizzas.
Angels and venture capitalists welcome permanent capital-gains tax relief, but await details of Obama's proposal.
U.S. trade officials plan to spread out across the country this year to recruit small-business owners in the administration's effort to double exports by 2015.
From brew-pub operators to manufacturers of irrigation gear, more small companies are following the trail blazed by bigger ones toward globalization.
The NSBA and NFIB applauded the president's desire to correct health law's 1099 provision, but wanted more.
A new study suggests employers tend to advance workers in January, June and July. Most small businesses, however, aren't held to a specific timetable.
In a move aimed at celebrating the role of entrepreneurs in the economy, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear last week unveiled the state's first small-business specialty license plate.
Worried that your business will get extra scrutiny from the Internal Revenue Service? Here's how to reduce your chances of being flagged.
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The Labor Department Tuesday withdrew a proposal that would require companies to more carefully log workplace muscle sprains and strains.
Collateral is helping small businesses grab the attention of banks as they begin to loosen their purse strings. But companies will need more than collateral to seal the deal.
While most businesses start out as solo enterprises, few can afford to stay that way. At some point taking on help -- whether it's temporary telecommuters or full-timers -- is vital to a young company's survival.
Bagels by Bell Ltd. says the initiative wasn't intended as a publicity stunt. But the move has generated a slew of press in recent days, including radio and Internet coverage.
The U.S. economy looks to be in better shape, but a full recovery will only be achieved once small firms begin to prosper, Bernanke said.
DoodyCalls, a waste-removal franchisor, is looking to scoop up new business by targeting feline lovers.
If the Packers-Steelers game goes into overtime this Sunday, Papa John's International Inc. may be shelling out a lot of free pizzas.
Panera Bread Co.'s Ron Shaich, discusses his early days at the helm of Au Bon Pain to his latest entrepreneurial endeavor, Panera Cares.
Small businesses whose books are audited by a hired certified public accountant improve their chances of getting a loan than businesses with less scrutinized financial statements.
Books are becoming popular marketing tools for self-employed professionals able to take advantage of new forms of publishing, including electronic publishing and print-on-demand.
Compensation and benefits at publicly traded banks and securities firms rose 5.7% from 2009, according to a Journal analysis. An increasing portion reflects deferred compensation.
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Starting a business is a lot like becoming a parent. Not only do you have to prepare for your start-up emotionally and financially, but you have to be committed to its constant needs until it's mature enough to hum along on its own. And even then (much like a child) it will always need you in some capacity, no matter how old it gets.
With the economy in the dumps, an array of franchisers are raising their standards for prospective buyers.
Small 'business-to-business' companies are trying their hand at marketing on sites like Facebook, but some find social media might not be the best way to connect with their target audience.
Entrepreneurs have long tapped family for help in launching new businesses, but recent data suggest that friends and family may be less willing to take such a gamble on their loved ones.
Curves, whose 30-minute workout for women once made it among the world's fastest-growing franchises, seems to be running out of steam.
Use this startup calculator to figure out the true costs of launching a company. How much do you think it will take to open your business?
From Palo Alto Software, the makers of Business Plan Pro
With inspiration from the Better Business Bureau
The Young Entrepreneur Council answers a reader's question on becoming a recognized specialist.
The widely repeated notion that small businesses face disproportionate regulatory costs rests on some questionable calculations and assumptions.
Approaching an industry with fresh eyes can lead to a great business concept. After all, Amazon.com's Jeff Bezos was a hedge fund guy, not a bookseller, when he applied technology to the way books get sold.
Being first on the scene rarely pays off, a new research paper concludes. Think Netscape, Friendster and Commodore Business Machines.
A U.S. financial institution plans to spur exports by providing $6 billion in loans to small businesses this year and $9 billion a year by 2015.
After four consecutive gains, the National Federation of Independent Business index of small-business optimism fell back in December.
While U.S. entrepreneurs continued to struggle in 2010—facing tight credit markets and weak consumer spending—those problems paled in comparison to what business owners faced in the world's more troubled regions.
Pizza Patrón, a 100-unit restaurant chain that has long catered to a Spanish-speaking clientele, is turning its charms on English speakers.
From BP's oil spill to Apple's "antennagate," 2010 saw more than its fair share of corporate crises. Here's a look at how some companies handled the heat.
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Gap is expected to name Art Peck, its head of outlets, to lead its namesake division in North America, succeeding Marka Hansen.
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AnnTaylor said fourth-quarter sales and margins will be stronger than what it predicted in November.
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Carrefour shares rose after the French retailer said it was considering a radical restructuring. It is right to consider its options, but shareholders shouldn't count on easy solutions.
Visit our How-To Guide for Small Business to get tips from The Wall Street Journal's reporters and columnists on everything from "How to Pick a Credit Card for Your Business" to "How to Attract Talent to a Small Company."
Insights for starting and running a small business. Tuesdays
Wall Street Journal on Small Business: Ten ways to jump-start sales; a new rule at the post office that could save you money on marketing; and the new credit-card rule that can affect small companies.
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