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Business Planning

Our business planning hub has all of the essential tools, strategies and insights needed to build and maintain a successful small business — a complete resource for starting, managing and growing your business. Discover everything you need to know at business.com.

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Expert Business Advice, Tips and Resources

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Expert Business Advice, Tips and Resources

How to Increase Your Restaurant’s Profits in 2026
Master the art of profitable restaurant hospitality with these 16 strategies to elevate your customer loyalty and overall success.
Sean Peek
Sean Peek
Executive Cars: Guide to the Best CEO Cars
Discover the ultimate guide to the best 10 vehicles for CEOs, including how each car reflects aspects of your character.
Miranda Fraraccio
Miranda Fraraccio
Open for Business: 5 Options for Setting Up an Online Store
Whether you have a new business or want to add online sales as a revenue stream, setting up an e-commerce store is easy. Here are some options to get started.
Jennifer Dublino
Jennifer Dublino
Trademark Examples: Learn From These Trademark Infringement Cases
You could be committing trademark infringement without knowing it. Here are several trademark cases to learn from.
Sean Peek
Sean Peek

Latest: Advice, Tips and Resources

Article
The 7 Biggest Challenges of Starting a Business (and How to Overcome Them)
By Jennifer Dublino | January 30, 2026

Starting a business is a difficult endeavor. Learn the biggest challenges that come with entrepreneurship and how to overcome them and find success.

Article
Confessions of an Entrepreneur: Technology Leads to New Opportunities
By Jamie Johnson | January 30, 2026

Technology plays a huge role in the success of your business. Learn more about how.

Business owner working on a laptop
Article
Starting a Business From Home: The Ultimate Checklist
By Julie Thompson | January 30, 2026

Starting a business requires an organized approach to administrative, legal and practical tasks. Follow this checklist to start a business from home.

accountants using computers and calculators
Article
Is Your Small Business Achieving Profitable Growth?
By Emil Abedian | January 30, 2026

Small businesses must understand if their growth is profitable. Learn about the profitability-growth relationship and achieving profitable growth.

man in a suit holding a green leaf
Article
5 Ways to Reduce Your Business’s Carbon Footprint
By Michael Wood | January 30, 2026

Find out what a carbon footprint is, how to reduce your company’s environmental impact and why it matters.

Article
How Women-Owned Businesses Can Use Social Media Marketing
By Ryan Ayers | January 30, 2026

How women-owned companies can highlight their business's unique features using social media marketing.

Article
Starting an Advertising Agency
By Sean Peek | January 30, 2026

If you have a background in marketing and communications, an advertising agency could be a smart startup option. Here's what you need to know.

Article
Best Uses for Tablets at Your Restaurant
By Sean Peek | January 30, 2026

Tablets make it easier for customers to order tableside and pay their bills quickly. Learn more about how your restaurant can use tablets.

Article
11 Ways to Drastically Cut Business Costs
By Katharine Paljug | January 30, 2026

Small businesses often have slim profit margins. Learn how to cut expenses to boost cash flow, invest in growth and lower prices without impacting revenue.

Article
The Best Places for Purchasing Office Supplies
By Mark Fairlie | January 30, 2026

Many office supply places offer savings programs for corporate accounts, volume sales and other benefits. Learn how small businesses can save.

Article
Buying a Car for Your Business? How to Avoid Mistakes
By Jennifer Dublino | January 30, 2026

Buying a company car can help your business run more smoothly and save money. Ensure you invest in the right business vehicle and avoid common mistakes.

Article
Requirements for Keeping Paycheck Records
By Julie Thompson | January 30, 2026

Employers keep paycheck records to comply with federal and state laws, complete tax returns, and use in audits. Here's what you need to know.

laptop
Article
Reducing Administrative Burden: How Small Business Owners Can Reclaim 10+ Hours Per Week
By Adam Uzialko | January 29, 2026

Automation can help small business owners save 10 or more hours every week on necessary administrative tasks. This guide covers how you can reclaim your time.

Article
Better Together: Making Magic Between Big Companies and Startups
By Mark Fairlie | January 29, 2026

Startups and enterprises can complement each other by collaborating. Learn how large and small players can overcome issues and work together.

Article
Industries That Take Full Advantage of the Subscription Business Model
By Kimberlee Leonard | January 29, 2026

See how specific industries have taken advantage of the subscription model. Learn subscription model benefits and tips for using it in your business.

Article
Important Things to Do After Your Trademark Is Registered
By Julie Thompson | January 29, 2026

Registering your trademark is the first step in protecting your brand. Learn what to do next to ensure you're handling the trademark process properly.

Article
How to Apply for a Copyright Online
By Julianna Lopez | January 29, 2026

Obtaining a copyright is a straightforward process online. Learn how to apply for a copyright online and the benefits of protecting intellectual property.

Article
Do It for Me: The Next Evolution of the On-Demand Economy
By Jamie Johnson | January 29, 2026

Consumers want convenience, which often means they want someone to do something for them on demand. Learn how to take advantage of the DIFM movement.

Article
9 Elements of a Successful Financial Plan for a Small Business
By Jamie Johnson | January 29, 2026

Improve your chances of growth and success by covering these bases in your financial plan.

Article
Build a Brand That Attracts Gen Z and Millennial Customers
By Sean Peek | January 29, 2026

Check out these branding tips for business owners to connect with Generation Z and millennial consumers.

Article
5 Ways a UX Designer Can Benefit Your Company
By Jamie Johnson | January 29, 2026

A user experience, or UX, designer makes products accessible and usable. Learn how a UX designer can optimize your offerings and help your small business.

Article
Managing Resources: ERP Industry Trends That Impact the Bottom Line
By Mark Fairlie | January 28, 2026

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) helps businesses drive quality by recording and storing real-time business performance data. Learn ERP trends to watch.

Article
Brand Reputation: How to Protect Your No. 1 Asset
By Mark Fairlie | January 28, 2026

Your most valuable asset is your brand reputation. Learn how to protect it by keeping employees and customers happy and using reputation-management tools.

Article
11 Scams That Prey on Small Businesses
By Jennifer Dublino | January 28, 2026

Scammers often target small and midsize businesses. Beware of these 10 business-related scams, and learn how to avoid cybercriminals and hackers.

online customer
Article
How to Set a Price for Your Service
By Jennifer Dublino | January 28, 2026

Setting the proper prices for your services is one of the most crucial elements of business. Learn how to set fair and accurate prices for your services.

Article
Business Insurance Guide
By David Gargaro | January 28, 2026

This guide to business insurance can help you understand the policies available to your small business and determine which policies are right for you.

creative marketing team
Article
Are You Telling the Right Story About Your Brand?
By Sean Peek | January 28, 2026

Learn how to identify and share the right story about your brand to usher in loyal consumers.

Article
Choosing the Right Outsourcing Partner
By Shahid Mansuri | January 28, 2026

Outsourcing is often great for business but it can offer challenges. Learn how to find the right partner to help you grow your company.

Article
8 Reasons Why the Cash-Only Model Doesn’t Work for Small Businesses
By Mark Fairlie | January 28, 2026

Customers want payment options, making the cash-only model inconvenient. If your business doesn’t accept credit cards, here are eight reasons you should.

Article
Take Your Restaurant to the Next Level: 13 Tips for Busy Owners
By Mark Fairlie | January 27, 2026

Opening your restaurant is only the first step. Embrace these strategies to keep your food establishment thriving.