Weekly Blog

CNBC ranked North Carolina the No.1 state in the U.S. to do business in 2025. Gov. Josh Stein said $17 billion in investments have been announced this year alone. Picture: Courtesy of Josh Stein. May was North Carolina’s second-busiest month on record for new business starts, new data shows. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall said…

These expert-approved strategies can help small business owners create a smart and financially healthy budget. By: Kaytlyn Smith, Contributor Creating a budget is vital for the financial health and longevity of your small business. However, it can also be a daunting task. From monthly budgets to vendor choices, there are many elements to plan for…

A decade-long study reveals that turning your passion into a career can lead to fulfillment, but it also comes with trade-offs like financial instability and burnout. By: Erica Sweeney, Contributor Have you ever dreamed of starting a business based on your favorite activity? If you think starting a business based on your passion will make…

Christmas in July: How You Can Sleigh Summer Sales It may be extraordinarily hot and sunny (at least it is in most parts of the country right now), but it’s also the perfect time to jingle your way to more sales with a Christmas in July promotion. This festive mid-year moment is a golden opportunity…

Facebook continues to be one of the most powerful platforms for businesses to connect with customers, build brand awareness, and drive sales. With over 2 billion users and tools that support everything from video marketing to community building, it remains a key part of many business marketing strategies. And that’s why it’s important to keep…

(Your success may depend on how honestly you answer these) When you want to get to know someone better and have a great conversation, what do you do? You ask them questions, of course. Questions get the conversation started and they show you have an interest in the person you’re speaking with. The same is…

Even though being part of the chamber is one of the easiest ways to increase your network, we understand that some business pros can’t make it to networking events. But networking is incredibly important because people want to do business with those they know, like, and trust. If you don’t have the time to attend…

Learn about viral marketing and the elements of a successful viral marketing campaign to integrate into your content strategy.   By: Sydney Kerelo, Contributor Viral marketing campaigns can catapult brands into the spotlight, fuel massive engagement, and turn casual viewers into loyal customers. Here, we’ll break down what makes a campaign go viral, highlight some…

Who isn’t feeling the pain of being stretched too thin these days? If you’ve dabbled with AI, you may have cut the time it takes you to do administrative tasks by as much as 26 minutes a day (at least according to a recent survey in the UK). However, it’s possible to do a lot…

Have you ever wondered how you can compete with large companies like Amazon (or Walmart)? Well, the more important question may be more not be how but why. Megaretailers, like the two mentioned, aren’t looking to only sell their own products. They have launched large programs encouraging small businesses to use their distribution platform. So,…

Need to trim your overhead costs? Small business owners share their best tips for reducing expenses without impairing employee and customer satisfaction. By: Miranda Fraraccio , Contributor From verifying your subscriptions to automating administrative tasks, there are several ways to trim overhead costs. – Getty Images/ArtistGNDphotography For small businesses, staying profitable often means making tough calls…

Small businesses fail at an alarmingly high rate. Here’s how to mitigate the risks that all new ventures face. By: Emily Heaslip , Contributor By adopting a “lean and mean” cash flow mindset, ensuring steady demand for your product, and tapping skilled leadership, you can ward off the three biggest threats to failure. – Getty Images/Javier…