For the love of your business

Articles to LIFT Your Life and Business

Become More Successful by Recharging on Weekends

The “work hard, play hard” attitude has infiltrated American sportswear and music. And it can also be applied to our attitudes about the balance between our professional and personal lives. A study from Stanford University examined the effect of working long hours on productivity. The results may surprise you: Employees who regularly worked more than […]

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Common Ways to Finance a Small Business

If you have decided to take the plunge into the world of small business, you are likely evaluating finance options. Most businesses require some initial influx to cover startup costs. Before you embark on the exciting journey of owning a small business, however, it is important that you evaluate the financing options available to you. […]

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A friend of mine who keeps a pet at his office says the mascot helps to boost employee morale. Is that true?

Q:     A friend of mine who keeps a pet at his office says the mascot helps to boost employee morale. Is that true? –Skeptical Business Owner A:      Dear Skeptical: CNBC reports that more businesses are allowing pets in the office. Many big businesses support the practice, finding that it pays to invest in […]

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Partnerships and LLCs, Take Heed of New Tax Law

Beginning with tax year 2018, all partnerships and limited liability companies (LLCs) taxed as partnerships will be affected by a new federal tax audit law. In 2015, the Bipartisan Budget Act repealed the earlier audit system, known as TEFRA, and replaced it with entirely new taxation audit provisions. It is important for those affected by […]

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Do your family, friends or spouse see your business as a hobby and not a real deal business venture?

If you are relatively new in business, you may find that one of your biggest challenges is facing the reality that the people in your life aren’t taking your entrepreneurial endeavors seriously. This can show up in a variety of ways which undermine your success, including: Interrupting you when you’re trying to focus on your […]

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Never Underestimate the Power of an Older Employee

The inclusion of older employees in the workforce benefits companies, the economy, and the employees themselves. More people are choosing to work later in life, sometimes to delay retirement and boost their Social Security check. Often, however, mature workers choose work as a means to remain engaged and relevant. Contributions of Mature Employees Hiring, training, […]

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Sports Authority Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy: Lessons for Small Businesses

Just last month, the nation’s former largest retailer of sports apparel and equipment filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. What can small business owners learn from Sports Authority’s failed business plan? After all, if the retail giant that owns the naming rights for Denver’s Mile High Stadium can’t make it, what hope is there for […]

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You Can Improve Your Work-Life Balance

A major topic of discussion in the business community is work-life balance. Business owners are concerned about this issue because they do not want quality employees to burn out; employees are concerned about this issue because they want to have meaningful personal lives, as well as purposeful jobs. The younger generations, in particular, actively pursue […]

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I don’t have enough money to pay my taxes. What happens if I submit my tax return late?

Q:     I don’t have enough money to pay my taxes.  What happens if I submit my tax return late? — Worried Small Business Owner A:      Dear Worried: As an entrepreneur, cash flow can easily impact your ability to pay your taxes on time.  Obviously, it is best to avoid that predicament if you […]

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Why Diversity?

Most of us have been exposed over the years to discussions in the media around the issue of diversity. The concept is applied to most of the structures of our society — schools, employers, governmental bodies, and so on. For businesses, the interest in diversity stems largely from legal mandates such as the federal Civil […]

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Important Deadline March 15 re Your Business Entity That Could Save Thousands on Next Year’s Taxes

If you have a newly incorporated LLC or Corporation, you only have until March 15 to elect S-Corporation status for the 2016 tax year, using IRS Form 2553. This is important because there could be significant tax consequences to you, if you do not elect for S-Corporation status. As the owner of an LLC interest, […]

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