Grow Your Business

If you are like most independent contractors, you value your freedom. You work when you want, where you want, and, if you are really lucky, as often as you want. That freedom does not extend to your business taxes, however.

Your business ideas are hot -- and fire in your belly is going to keep them that way. That’s the attitude that launches promising start-ups and sustains industry icons. It can’t be learned, faked, or manufactured. So hold onto it. It’s gold. 

For many of the more than 16 million self-employed individuals in the United States, the answer to this question is probably ‘both.’ All sole proprietors are, by definition, self-employed.  But not all self-employed persons are sole proprietors. A little confusing, right?

Whether you’re an ambitious entrepreneur or an industry titan, you have an important choice when building or expanding your workforce. Do you recruit employees – individuals who will build value by championing a business objective long term? Or do you bring in contract workers – experts who will jazz up, prune, fix, build, (or do anything else you want), and then leave?

As part of the American Rescue Plan, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is now accepting applications for the Community Navigator Pilot Program. This program will provide grants to organizations that support small businesses, and prioritizes very small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. 

June is Pride month and small businesses are flying their rainbow flags. There are many ways to celebrate Pride, whether yours is an LGBTQ+ business or an ally – a business that demonstrates inclusion every day.