For the love of your business
For the love of your business
Q: How does the new email phishing scam that targets employee payroll work? —Concerned Business Owner ______________________________________________________________________________ A: Dear Concerned Business Owner: Known as “business email compromise” or “business email spoofing” (BEC/BES), these scams target businesses of all industry types and sizes. The emails typically impersonate a high-level company employee, like the CFO or CEO, […]
Read MoreQ: Will my homeowner’s insurance policy cover my home-based business? —Home Biz Bro ______________________________________________________________________________ A: Dear Biz Bro: You might think that your homeowner’s policy would protect a business run out of your home, but this is a common misconception. Homeowners insurance doesn’t offer coverage for any business property, including both equipment and structures used […]
Read MoreQ: What type of startup costs can I write off on my company’s income taxes? —Tax Savvy CEO ______________________________________________________________________________ A: Dear Savvy: According to the IRS, there are three categories of startup expenses that are eligible for deductions: expenses for creating your business, expenses for launching your business, and expenses for organizing your business. Each […]
Read MoreQ: Do I need to trademark my logo if I’ve already trademarked my company name, and they’re used together? – Enquiring Entrepreneur ______________________________________________________________________________ A: Dear Enquiring: Registering your business’ name for a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provides protection for the name itself, but that protection doesn’t extend to your […]
Read MoreQ: Do I need to trademark my logo if I’ve already trademarked my company name, and they’re used together? – Enquiring Entrepreneur ______________________________________________________________________________ A: Dear Enquiring: Registering your business’ name for a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provides protection for the name itself, but that protection doesn’t extend to your […]
Read MoreWhen it comes to your company’s identity, nothing is more vital to your company than your name and logo. By developing a catchy name and snazzy logo for your business, you can quickly get your company recognized, remembered, and respected. Once you have come up with a winning name and logo, you will want to […]
Read MoreQ: How do nonprofits stay in business if they aren’t allowed to turn a profit? —Wondering A: Dear Wondering: The term “nonprofit” can be confusing. Nonprofits can and do earn a profit—they wouldn’t be able to survive otherwise. However, unlike for-profit businesses, nonprofits don’t distribute their profits to their members as personal income. Instead, […]
Read MoreQ: How do nonprofits stay in business if they aren’t allowed to turn a profit? —Wondering A: Dear Wondering: The term “nonprofit” can be confusing. Nonprofits can and do earn a profit—they wouldn’t be able to survive otherwise. However, unlike for-profit businesses, nonprofits don’t distribute their profits to their members as personal income. Instead, […]
Read MoreQ: What is a SAFE investment, and could one benefit my company? —Seeking Funding A: Dear Seeking: SAFE stands for “Simple Agreement for Future Equity,” and a SAFE investment is basically an agreement between an investor and your company that provides rights to the investor for future equity in your company. In exchange for the […]
Read MoreQ: What are restrictive covenants in employment contracts, and should I use them? —Eager Employer A: Dear Eager: Whenever an employee is terminated, laid off, or resigns, there’s always a chance the individual might use the inside knowledge of your operation to benefit a competitor. Adding restrictive covenants to your employment agreements can protect your […]
Read MoreQ: I didn’t apply for a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) last year. Can I apply for a PPP loan now? —Business Borrower A: Dear Borrower: Yes, the new PPP funding allows you to apply for a loan whether you received an initial PPP loan or not. If you didn’t receive a PPP […]
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