Posts by Deborah Sweeney
How Small Businesses Can Show Employees They’re Valued During COVID-19
When COVID-19 safety-in-place initiatives were first announced in March for Los Angeles, our team began to transition from working at the office to working from home. One of the first things I did at the start of this transition was give everyone on our team my personal cell phone number. Why did I do this?…
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How to Hear the Customer Out in Three Easy Steps
There are some customers that just want to be heard. We all know the type—they aren’t so much upset with your company as they just want your company to hear them out. In fact, these types of customers are typically easier to handle than customers who are truly upset at your company. You can tell the…
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Starting a Small Business? Here’s What You Need to Stay in Compliance
As of mid-May, there has been a reported nationwide uptick in filing tax ID applications. According to Grow from Acorns + CNBC, the number of employer identification number (EIN) application filings rose 1% by May 16, 2020. This increase followed eight straight weeks of year-over-year declines during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Information in the same article…
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How do I Get a Federal Tax ID for my Business?
Generally, businesses need a Federal Tax ID number or an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to legally conduct business. Whether a sole proprietor or a corporation, an EIN is necessary. This number is used to identify a business entity for tax purposes and is fairly simple to obtain. The IRS supplies multiple ways to apply for…
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The Accidental Leader: How to Lead During a Crisis If You Haven’t Done It Before
Times of crisis often reveal the true character of a person. An unprecedented event will trigger our internal flight or fight response. Some people may immediately exit a company, revealing their desire to choose flight first. Others will fight in and for their leadership roles, determined to keep going and not give up. There is…
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There’s No Better Time Than Now to Embrace Entrepreneurship
One of my favorite quotes is “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky is the attributed source. One of the reasons why I think this quote resonates with me so much is that it’s universal to everyone and every situation. Each day is filled with new opportunities,…
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Do I Need to File For a Foreign Qualification?
Maybe you’ve heard the term foreign qualification before, but aren’t exactly sure what it means. How does your business qualify to file as a foreign qualification? What do you need to do in order to foreign qualify? If you’re not sure, you’ve come to the right place—here’s a look at what you need to know…
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Do You Know the Difference Between LLC Structures?
Did you know that when you form a limited liability company (LLC) you can choose its management structure? There are three types of management structures available to individuals that incorporate as an LLC. Single member LLC Member managed LLC Manager managed LLC What’s the difference between each management type? How can you determine which structure…
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Business Licenses 101
Starting a business involves a great deal of filling out and filing the appropriate paperwork to get up and running. A lot of it is fun to work on—picking a business name, logo, color scheme and location—but there’s also plenty of legal work that new small business owners need to think about, including deciding whether…
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Certified B Corporations: 3 Reasons Why It’s Time to Make the Shift
Google the phrase “certified b corporation” and take a quick scroll through the results in Google’s News tab. Chances are, you’ll come across dozens of press releases about various companies throughout the United States that are earning their B Corporation certification every week. Making the shift to a Certified B Corporation, whether you were already…
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