Don’t Shop on Thanksgiving Day
Happy Thanksgiving! We’re thrilled to be celebrating with our loved ones, and we hope you are too. While you think about your holiday shopping, consider #shoppingsmall to support your neighbors…
It’s Admission Day!
Our office is closed tomorrow, Friday, September 9, in celebration of Admission Day. Click here to read our previous post about the history of Admission Day. In 2005, the…
Free Business Plan Template
If you’re thinking about starting a business or if you’re currently operating a business without a business plan or strategic plan, here’s a free business plan template to get you started.
Urban Strategies Council is Hiring!
Our friends at the Urban Strategies Council are hiring a Director of Development and Communications. Click here for more details and application information. The role skews more to the resource development work, and they’re encouraging candidates with that background to apply, even if their communications experience is not as extensive.
What is a CDFI (and who cares)?
OBDC is proud to be a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), but we find many people don’t understand what CDFIs are of how they have an impact in local economies. Here are some CDFI myths dispelled:
myRA: A Retirement Savings Option for Small Businesses
Small businesses now have a new way to help their employees save for retirement. The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently introduced myRA (my Retirement Account), a new…
Reliable Transportation is Good for Business
The New York Times reported on a new study that reveals that commuting time is the single most important indicator in whether or not low-income families are able to escape poverty. This relationship between social and economic mobility and transportation is stronger than other factors like crime, elementary school test scores, or the percentage of two-parent families within that community, according to the article.
Who Else is Raising the Minimum Wage?
Small business owners are not the only people thinking about changes to the minimum wage. A few major corporations have made the choice to voluntarily raise their compensation levels for their lowest-paid workers.
Diverse Companies Make More Money
A recent report from McKinsey & Co demonstrates that diversity in a company’s leadership is not just nice to have, but actually has a strong relationship to better financial performance.
Consulting for Business Success
successEarlier this year, James Stephenson produced a list of 25 common characteristics of successful entrepreneurs. We’ve seen entrepreneurs work hard to get great at all of these and know what a big impact there can be with advisors, coaches, consultants, and experts available to support you and your business. Here are four important areas in which all business owners can continue to develop and grow.
