Idea of the Day®
June 30, 2026
End to First Half of 2026
Close your books on the first half of the year and assess your activities year to date (e.g., sales, expenses, profits). It may be time to revise your business plan, adjust your budget, change your marketing tactics, increase employee compensation and benefits, or make other changes. BLS reported that the CPI (a measure of inflation) rose 4.2% for the 12 months ending this May, so inflation remains a concern for small businesses. In revising things, factor in continued high prices for many items, the likely prospect of declining gasoline prices, rising minimum wage rates in some locations, and other costs into your budget for the second half of 2026. #IdeaoftheDay
Big Ideas for Your Business
Resources For Your Business
June 30, 2026
By Barbara Weltman
With 2026 half over, now is a great time to review your results year-to-date and, if needed, revise your plans for the second half of the year. The first half of the year has been challenging for small businesses. Gas prices were high, inflation persisted, and interest rates did not fall. Looking ahead, there’s still […]
Read More
June 25, 2026
By Barbara Weltman
“Learning never exhausts the mind.” ~ Leonardo Da Vinci School days may be long behind you, but that doesn’t mean you should stop learning. Courses, seminars, talks at business or professional meeting and conventions, and reading (self-teaching) can all be used to improve your mind and likely help you in business. You may be thinking […]
June 23, 2026
By Barbara Weltman
If your business needs money, a loan claiming to be “no-interest” may be deceiving. Interest may be zero for only a limited time or may still be owed, or there may be other financial or tax consequences. Here’s what you need to know. SBA loans During COVID-19, the SBA made Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) […]
June 19, 2026
By Ryan Rodriguez
The digital landscape is shifting faster than most of us can keep up with, and if you’re making things online, you’ve probably felt the pressure. Honestly, content creation used to be about having a good idea and a decent camera or keyboard. Today, it feels like you need to be a full production studio, a […]
June 18, 2026
By Barbara Weltman
Several years ago, when Father’s Day was approaching, I couldn’t help but think about my dad and his relationship with cash so I wrote this blog (which I’m reposting with some changes). He died many years ago, but I still miss him. One thing that came to mind about him and made me chuckle was […]
June 16, 2026
By Barbara Weltman
A couple of years ago, the Bureau of Labor statistics said between 7.4% and 15% of the U.S. workforce is independent contractors…freelancers, gig workers, and independent consultants. Who knows what the actual statistic is today (I’m guessing it’s higher). Employees enjoy various legal and financial protections: minimum wage and overtime rules, employee benefits (health coverage; […]
June 12, 2026
By Dan Parks
Consider how often you take out your phone throughout the day. Whether you are checking messages, looking for a nearby shop or making a quick purchase, mobile devices have become a mainstay of everyday life. For small businesses, that change is a huge chance to engage with customers and clients where they already spend their […]
June 11, 2026
By Barbara Weltman
The World Cup, an event held every 4 years, begins today in North America—Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. There are 11 host cities in U.S. It’s estimated that the World Cup could mean $17 billion in additional GDP for the U.S. How much revenue will accrue to small businesses in the host cities and across the […]
June 9, 2026
By Barbara Weltman
Have you thought about what would happen to your business if you became disabled or were away for an extended period of time? Who would sign payroll checks (if you don’t already make payments electronically)? Who would submit tax returns? Who could approve new vendor contracts? These and many other routine functions of a business […]
June 4, 2026
By Barbara Weltman
Privacy issues concern your employees, your customers, and your company information. With the internet, social media, and now AI, maintaining privacy can be challenging. What types of information should be kept private? Which policies and actions should companies take to keep information about employees, customers, and the company private? Consider the following actions: Overview Determine […]
June 2, 2026
By Barbara Weltman
The annual Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Hurricanes typically hit the Atlantic regions (East coast and Gulf coast of the U.S) and as well as in the Pacific. For the Atlantic regions, NOAA has predicted below normal during the 2026 hurricane season and is using AI in making these predictions. If […]
April 14, 2026
By Barbara Weltman
Each year, April 15th—Tax Day—is a reminder that part of the cost of doing business is paying taxes on profits. The federal government, and perhaps state and local governments too, are effectively silent partners in your enterprise. To handle this obligation, small business owners need to be familiar with tax rules (even if they use […]
Multimedia
Resources For Your Business
Sitting All Day at Work: How to Prevent Desk-Related Health Problems
Why Owner Health Matters: 10 Practical Tips for Business Owners
Small Business Tax Recordkeeping Made Easy: 7 Proven Tips
Sustainability: 4 Important Reasons Why and How
Barbara’s Books
By Barbara Weltman
A Lexicon of Words Essential for Small Business Owners ~ This book is designed as a reference guide to help small business owners understand terms, acronyms, and initialisms you may encounter so that you make more informed business decisions and converse more effectively with your tax professional and other advisers. In thinking of how you […]
By Barbara Weltman
THE COMPREHENSIVE HANDBOOK FOR AMERICAN TAXPAYERS LOOKING FOR EVERY LEGAL TAX DEDUCTION AND CREDIT This edition of this popular book has been fully updated to reflect changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including the no-tax-on tips deduction and overtime pay deduction, expanded child tax credit, and the deduction for interest on new car […]
By Barbara Weltman
COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO SMALL BUSINESS TAX WRITE-OFFS AND STRATEGIES FROM A LEADING NAME IN TAX If you own a small business, this comprehensive guide explains in easy-to-understand terms the essentials of business taxes to prepare you to work better with your CPA or other tax adviser or handle tax responsibilities on your own. Whether you’re […]
By Barbara Weltman
Ideas you’ll use everyday! With only so many hours in the day, it’s impossible to stay on top of key developments and opportunities to help you run your business better and smarter. 500+ Big Ideas for Your Small Business gives you quick access to resources and tips you can use every day. Whether you’re a […]
By Barbara Weltman
Your GPS to Get You Where You Want to Go in Your Business Do you enjoy driving and being your own boss with flexible work options? Are you looking for a part-time (or full-time) activity that earns good money? Maybe you’ve already discovered that there are great opportunities for making money with your car. Or, […]
By Barbara Weltman
A Step-By-Step Road Map–with Checklists–to Get You Started Up, Profitable, and Successful Whether you want to start up a part-time home-based business or jump in full throttle and work on it full time, you need a start-up guide. A road map! Home-Based Business Start-Up Guide will help you chart your course to work-from-home success. Written […]
What every self-employed person needs to know about their taxes! If you’re self-employed, chances are the majority of your time is spent finding new customers or clients, servicing existing ones, and handling each and every aspect of your business. Freelancers, independent contractors, gig economy participants, and other individuals working for themselves need to be aware […]
By Barbara Weltman and Harvey Bezozi
Created for Uber and Lyft drivers as their GPS — to help them get where they want to go in their business, safely and securely. Note: This e-Book has been updated with a new title and revised content (shown). Do you enjoy driving and being your own boss with flexible work options? Are you looking […]
By Barbara Weltman
Presenting a recently-launched, updated, paperback edition! Barbara Weltman takes an inspired look in Smooth Failing at the hard lessons learned when things go wrong. Through extensive interviews with entrepreneurs whose ventures failed for a variety of reasons — some stunningly unexpected, some painfully inevitable — Weltman gleans valuable insights about the small mistakes that can lead to large scale catastrophe. Smooth Failing seeks to save readers from similar disaster — while empowering those who are learning from failures and adversity to bounce back stronger and wiser on the often rocky road to success.
By Barbara Weltman and Jerry Silberman
12 surefire ways for your business to survive and thrive! Owning a small business can be a fulfilling and financially rewarding experience, but to be successful, you must know what to do while the business is up and running, and, most importantly, what to do when the business runs into trouble. This book is definitely […]
Testimonials
I just wanted to take a moment to say that I really enjoy reading your content each day. It’s always insightful and appreciated!
– Kristie Walker, Walker Properties, LLC
Thank you for all the helpful tips and ideas I’ve learned from your daily email!
– Sally Howard
You help me become better informed and to feel better connected to other small businesses even if just through knowing we’re all seeing your newsletter and paying attention to the same concerns.
– Sally
Barbara’s newsletter and the information she shares are always useful and topical. Always an excellent newsletter from you, Barbara!
– Bob Benowitz
I love the simplicity of your articles. — Marie
– Marie Porolniczak, CB
Jim Blasingame, Host of The Small Business Advocate Show, and author of the award-winning books, “The 3rd Ingredient,” and “The Age of the Customer” says: “At a time when working from home is becoming the norm, why wouldn’t right now be a perfect time to start a home-based business? If you’re still with me, here’s the next logical question: Why wouldn’t you want to learn how to do that from someone who was home-based before it was cool? Someone who was making being home-based look good before technology made it easy.
Well, that person is my friend, Barbara Weltman, and she’s put all of her experience, wisdom and perspective in a new book, “Home-Based Business Start-up Guide.” It’s a by-the-numbers tutorial on how to launch a successful home-based business.
Let Barbara help you get your home-based business going with her book, and all of the other awesome resources she produces in support of small businesses. She’s the best.” — Jim
– Jim Blasingame, Host of The Small Business Advocate Show
I love your ideas of the day! They have become an instrumental part of my learning!
– Gina Bertoletti
You should sign up for the “Idea of the Day®” by Barbara Weltman. This will give you great tips and help you with your daily business needs. She writes every article with consummate skill.
– Lesley
As a tax attorney and small business specialist, Barbara has a lot of great information to share. Barbara, your blogs contain information that everyone can use! Your newly-expanded ebook, “175+ Big Ideas for Small Business” ebook has lots of great recommendations for small business owners.
– Lisa Rubenfeld
For a small business owner, the information [in your book] is absolutely one of the best I’ve come across! Thanks so much for the break-down of information.
– Michelle Joe
I just wanted to reach out and give you a very big, truly heartfelt “thank you” for all the work that you do to help small business owners grow and succeed.
More specifically, I wanted to offer you some praise for your blog posts and Idea of the Day®. My email inbox gets so very cluttered. And honestly, on most days I will do a wholesale delete of many, many messages. But I literally stop and specifically look for your name and your small business Idea of the Day®. I don’t want to miss it! In fact, I look forward to reading it daily (even on weekends!) because I know I’m going to learn something new that saves me money, time or just adds to my professional knowledge in a way that helps me help others too.
So thank you, thank you, thank you for your efforts!
– Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach
Thank you for finding this important information. Getting your daily email is like getting an MBA in small business.
– J. S. Budnik
“Thank you, Barbara Weltman, for all of your articles and tax advice to small business owners! All the best.”
– Shane Madigan
I follow your blog religiously for the great tips you provide. I love the new look. It makes me smile to see that your blog got an update. Thanks for providing such useful information.
– Lee Drozak
She has been an advocate, public speaker, and resource for small business news since the release of her first book, J.K. Lasser’s Tax Deductions for Small Business, in 1995. Since then she has run her website, her Big Ideas for Small Business® newsletter, and her blog, not to mention written over a dozen books. Ms. Weltman is on this list twice because for many business owners, it is easier to scroll through her Twitter feed for trending topics and news events than search her website. However, if you don’t take a minute to read her newsletters or blog — you’re missing out.
– Meredith Wood, Fundera Ledger
You help me become better informed and to feel better connected to other small businesses even if just through knowing we’re all seeing your newsletter and paying attention to the same concerns.
– Sally
Barbara’s newsletter and the information she shares are always useful and topical. Always an excellent newsletter from you, Barbara!
– Bob Benowitz
I love the simplicity of your articles. — Marie
– Marie Porolniczak, CB
Jim Blasingame, Host of The Small Business Advocate Show, and author of the award-winning books, “The 3rd Ingredient,” and “The Age of the Customer” says: “At a time when working from home is becoming the norm, why wouldn’t right now be a perfect time to start a home-based business? If you’re still with me, here’s the next logical question: Why wouldn’t you want to learn how to do that from someone who was home-based before it was cool? Someone who was making being home-based look good before technology made it easy.
Well, that person is my friend, Barbara Weltman, and she’s put all of her experience, wisdom and perspective in a new book, “Home-Based Business Start-up Guide.” It’s a by-the-numbers tutorial on how to launch a successful home-based business.
Let Barbara help you get your home-based business going with her book, and all of the other awesome resources she produces in support of small businesses. She’s the best.” — Jim
– Jim Blasingame, Host of The Small Business Advocate Show
I love your ideas of the day! They have become an instrumental part of my learning!
– Gina Bertoletti
You should sign up for the “Idea of the Day®” by Barbara Weltman. This will give you great tips and help you with your daily business needs. She writes every article with consummate skill.
– Lesley
As a tax attorney and small business specialist, Barbara has a lot of great information to share. Barbara, your blogs contain information that everyone can use! Your newly-expanded ebook, “175+ Big Ideas for Small Business” ebook has lots of great recommendations for small business owners.
– Lisa Rubenfeld
For a small business owner, the information [in your book] is absolutely one of the best I’ve come across! Thanks so much for the break-down of information.
– Michelle Joe
I just wanted to reach out and give you a very big, truly heartfelt “thank you” for all the work that you do to help small business owners grow and succeed.
More specifically, I wanted to offer you some praise for your blog posts and Idea of the Day®. My email inbox gets so very cluttered. And honestly, on most days I will do a wholesale delete of many, many messages. But I literally stop and specifically look for your name and your small business Idea of the Day®. I don’t want to miss it! In fact, I look forward to reading it daily (even on weekends!) because I know I’m going to learn something new that saves me money, time or just adds to my professional knowledge in a way that helps me help others too.
So thank you, thank you, thank you for your efforts!
– Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach
Thank you for finding this important information. Getting your daily email is like getting an MBA in small business.
– J. S. Budnik
“Thank you, Barbara Weltman, for all of your articles and tax advice to small business owners! All the best.”
– Shane Madigan
I follow your blog religiously for the great tips you provide. I love the new look. It makes me smile to see that your blog got an update. Thanks for providing such useful information.
– Lee Drozak
She has been an advocate, public speaker, and resource for small business news since the release of her first book, J.K. Lasser’s Tax Deductions for Small Business, in 1995. Since then she has run her website, her Big Ideas for Small Business® newsletter, and her blog, not to mention written over a dozen books. Ms. Weltman is on this list twice because for many business owners, it is easier to scroll through her Twitter feed for trending topics and news events than search her website. However, if you don’t take a minute to read her newsletters or blog — you’re missing out.
– Meredith Wood, Fundera Ledger
Barbara Weltman is one smart cookie – I follow her on Twitter, and her content is always interesting and informative.
– An eBay Radio listener – purplejaime1976
It’s BRIEF, concise and timely. Funny, I do a quick scan of my bloated mail box, quickly deleting what I feel is a time waster. But I NEVER delete Idea of the Day® until I’ve first opened it. Both you and Napoleon Hill’s Thought for the day ALWAYS get read. You’re in terrific company. Thanks.
– Don Aronowitz
