The Montana Department of Commerce announced Monday that a new loan participation program aimed at expanding access to capital for rural businesses will open for applications on Oct. 1, 2025. The Opportunities in Rural Economies (ORE) Loan Participation Program will partner with local lenders to provide low-interest loans for projects that support job creation, strengthen Read More…
Small business owners across the nation are showing renewed confidence in the economy, according to CNBC’s latest Small Business Survey, coinciding with the implementation of President Donald J. Trump’s landmark One Big Beautiful Bill and his broader pro-growth policies. The survey reveals a significant upswing in optimism: Nearly half of small business owners now rate Read More…
Performance Engineering continues to gain national attention for combining rapid growth with a people-first workplace culture, earning two prestigious 2025 awards from the Zweig Group: Best Firms to Work For and Hot Firm. The Montana-based civil engineering firm was recognized as one of the 100 fastest-growing Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) firms in the U.S. Read More…
The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) is proud to announce the launch of a new Job Board through Wyoming Venture Capital (WYVC), aimed at enhancing support for its portfolio companies and partners. This initiative addresses the ongoing challenges of recruiting qualified talent in Wyoming while providing job seekers with a streamlined resource to explore employment opportunities Read More…
The Montana Department of Commerce announced Monday that a new loan participation program aimed at expanding access to capital for rural businesses will open for applications on Oct. 1, 2025. The Opportunities in Rural Economies (ORE) Loan Participation Program will partner with local lenders to provide low-interest loans for projects that support job creation, strengthen Read More…
Small business owners across the nation are showing renewed confidence in the economy, according to CNBC’s latest Small Business Survey, coinciding with the implementation of President Donald J. Trump’s landmark One Big Beautiful Bill and his broader pro-growth policies. The survey reveals a significant upswing in optimism: Nearly half of small business owners now rate Read More…
Join us for Small Business Playbook Virtual Event on August 6th! Register now! Small Business Playbook Events Small Business Playbook Event 2025 Concerns about inflation and tariffs are still relatively high on Main Street, but small business owners are more confident in the economy and business outlook than earlier in 2025. President Trump’s approval ratings Read More…
Join us for Small Business Playbook Virtual Event on August 6th! Register now! Small Business Playbook Events Small Business Playbook Event 2025 The majority of small business owners who currently use AI plan on increasing investment, according to the latest CNBC|SurveyMonkey Small Business Survey. Four in ten small business owners overall use AI to help Read More…
Expanding Opportunity Some 10% of entrepreneurs who started their own businesses last year identified as LGBTQ, according to Gusto. LBGTQ-owned businesses contribute $1.7 trillion to the U.S. economy, according to the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Small business owners have found support amid DEI backlash Liz Whalen co-owns Rebel Rebel, a hair salon in Libertyville, Read More…
The new Small Business and Technology Survey from the National Federation of Independent Business on Main Street shows how smaller firms are using AI. The survey found that only 24% of owners said they are using AI, including ChatGPT, Canva and Copilot in some capacity, compared to 76% who are not. Notably, 98% of those Read More…
Performance Engineering continues to gain national attention for combining rapid growth with a people-first workplace culture, earning two prestigious 2025 awards from the Zweig Group: Best Firms to Work For and Hot Firm. The Montana-based civil engineering firm was recognized as one of the 100 fastest-growing Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) firms in the U.S. Read More…
Expanding Opportunity Logo with QR code for Fantuan Asian food delivery service in the Silicon Valley, Mountain View, California, January 3, 2021. Smith Collection/gado | Archive Photos | Getty Images NEW YORK – When Kelly Wu feels sick and wants a delivery of congee, the Chinese porridge she grew up eating, she opts for a Read More…
Currently, many pass-through businesses use a workaround — the pass-through entity, or PTE, tax — to bypass the $10,000 limit on the federal deduction for state and local taxes, known as SALT. The House-approved bill could block certain pass-through businesses from using the popular state-level tax break. However, this provision could still face changes amid Read More…
Isshiki Matcha is the latest business venture of 25-year-old Angel Zheng, who started her career as a fashion influencer. Zheng credits the Japanese concept of “ikigai” for helping her find purpose and success. Angel Zheng at Isshiki Matcha in New York, NY on May 21, 2025. Lisa Kailai Han | CNBC Angel Zheng is relying Read More…
For 2025, the Section 199A deduction for qualified business income, or QBI, is worth up to 20% of eligible revenue, with some limitations. This applies to so-called pass-through businesses, including sole proprietors, partnerships and S-corporations, along with some trusts and estates. The House Republican bill would make the deduction permanent, raise the maximum tax break Read More…
The Trump administration trade deal with China which paused the steepest tariffs on Chinese goods is not offering much relief to importers that face “stacking” of multiple import taxes sending the true cost well above 30%. From apparel to footwear, swimsuits to backpacks, tariff bills range from 40%-70%. Walmart said this week that prices will Read More…
Small Business Playbook Events Women business owners express more concern about inflation, the economy, and a potential recession than male counterparts, according to the latest CNBC|SurveyMonkey Small Business Survey for Q2 2025. Approval ratings of President Trump and his tariffs policy are both much lower among women who own businesses than among male small business Read More…
Founding Members CNBC CFO Council Just 30% of small business owners said they would rate the current state of the economy as excellent or good, according to the latest quarterly CNBC|SurveyMonkey Small Business Survey. While inflation and consumer demand continue to roil small business owners, it’s the threat of the potential Trump tariffs that is Read More…
For some Canadians, President Donald Trump’s tariffs may mean an erosion of trust with trade partners. Canadian national pride has sparked resistance and inspired action from small businesses. Canadian entrepreneurs are deciding which side of the border will absorb the costs of new tariffs. Close-up of ‘Shop Canadian’ poster displayed in a local storefront in Read More…
On Saturday, the Trump administration said it would exempt technology products like the iPhone, PCs and chips from much of the recently imposed Chinese tariffs. But for most businesses in the U.S., orders from China are being canceled and Chinese freight being shipped could be abandoned. Without a wider pause in the trade war with Read More…
President Trump’s new country-specific tariffs, on top of existing trade levies, will raise the cost of imports for U.S. businesses by an exponential amount, though in an announcement during the day Wednesday Trump said some countries, excluding China, would receive a 90-day reprieve. Rick Muskat, president of family-owned shoe retailer Deer Stags which imports its Read More…
President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian products, along with the escalating trade war and rhetoric between the two nations, is starting to squeeze some small businesses in Vermont. Concerns for those small businesses include a decline in merchandise shipments to Canadian customers, a drop off in Canadian tourism and higher prices from imported products. “I Read More…
Meta’s head of business AI, Clara Shih, tells CNBC’s Julia Boorstin in an interview for CNBC Changemakers that she expects AI to transform every job and every business, including the hundreds of millions of small businesses that use WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook to connect with customers. Meta Platforms is among the U.S. tech giants leading Read More…
The U.S. Department of the Treasury on Sunday said it won’t enforce the penalties or fines associated with the “beneficial ownership information,” or BOI, reporting requirements. Previously, the Treasury set a March 21 deadline for businesses to comply or risk fines of up to $10,000. The Treasury will also propose regulation to apply the BOI Read More…
Expanding Opportunity While many in Altadena’s entrepreneurial community remain optimistic about a recovery, multiple business owners described lengthy and difficult roads ahead. Some businesses were burned entirely to the ground, while others face long-term displacement due to damage or smoke. For those fortunate enough to have brick-and-mortar properties still standing, they’re surrounded by what some Read More…
The Treasury Department set a March 21 deadline for businesses to report “beneficial ownership information” or risk civil and criminal penalties. It delayed the prior deadline by 30 days. The delay comes after a Texas district court struck down a nationwide injunction on enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act. The Treasury Department left open the Read More…
Small Business Playbook Events CNBC and SurveyMonkey’s latest quarterly polling of America’s small business owners finds majority support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts at a time when many national corporations are scaling back or ending DEI programs. Small business owners say they see positive impacts on the business from DEI goals, such as Read More…
The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced today that 10 businesses have been approved for a combined total of $6,628,000 in loans through the North Dakota Development Fund, Inc. (NDDF). The funding aims to drive economic growth, create jobs, and address critical community needs across the state. “The NDDF is dedicated to fostering growth by Read More…
Steve D. Scheel, the board chairman emeritus of SCHEELS, has been named the 50th recipient of North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the state’s highest honor for its citizens. Gov. Doug Burgum presented the award today, celebrating Scheel’s achievements in building SCHEELS into a leading retail brand known for its exceptional customer service, leadership, Read More…
Idaho-based 7k Metals is set to make waves in the numismatic world with the launch of one of its largest and most innovative coins: the 1-kilo Grand Canyon silver coin. This impressive collector’s piece, part of the company’s Topography collection, will debut on Black Friday, November 29, 2024, with a limited minting of just 77 Read More…
The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) is proud to announce the launch of a new Job Board through Wyoming Venture Capital (WYVC), aimed at enhancing support for its portfolio companies and partners. This initiative addresses the ongoing challenges of recruiting qualified talent in Wyoming while providing job seekers with a streamlined resource to explore employment opportunities Read More…
Governor Greg Gianforte visited two prominent multi-generation family businesses in Missoula and Jefferson counties on as part of his 56 County Tour, highlighting the enduring spirit of the American Dream in Montana. “The American Dream is alive and well in Montana thanks to our hardworking job creators committed to carrying on their family legacy,” Gov. Read More…
Investing is a critical component of securing a comfortable future, but it can be a daunting task without the right knowledge and strategy. A well-rounded investment plan is not just about growing wealth; it’s about making informed decisions that align with your financial goals and risk tolerance. This guide delves into the essentials of investing, Read More…
In the contemporary world of digital art and design, vector graphics stand as a pivotal element, reshaping our approach to visual creativity. Unlike traditional bitmap graphics, which are composed of pixels and often struggle with scalability issues, vector graphics are defined by mathematical equations, allowing them to be scaled indefinitely without any loss of quality. Read More…
(The Center Square) – The Employee Retention Tax Credit, designed to help businesses keep employees on the payroll during pandemic shutdowns, could end up costing taxpayers seven times more than initially projected. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget said initial projections for the Employee Retention Tax Credit, or ERC, put the cost of the Read More…
Customer needs and expectations are ever changing. Identifying, analyzing, and meeting customer needs is the key to providing better customer service and growing your business. In this blog, we cover the A-Z of customer needs to help you create a product or service that is in line with everything that your customers need. What are Read More…
When it comes to managing finances, you don’t want it to be messed up, especially when it comes to complex businesses like pharmacies. Financial planning often includes challenges in a way that can be hard to navigate. This is where the decision to hire pharmacy financial planners comes to your rescue. Fortunately, thousands of great Read More…
Whether it’s not collaborating well in group projects, lack of communication or refusing to embrace your company’s culture, dealing with employees who aren’t team players can be challenging. In this article, Rapid Formations looks at the steps business owners should take to integrate the trickier employees on their team. Look at the evidence Before you start Read More…
Revolutionizing Finance: The Rise of Cryptocurrency Payments – Explore the transformative impact of cryptocurrency payments in the modern financial landscape. This article delves into how digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, powered by blockchain technology, are redefining transactional processes. Cryptocurrency payments have emerged as a disruptive force reshaping the financial landscape. These digital assets, Read More…
For many small business owners, the thought of diving into accounting and bookkeeping can be daunting. However, maintaining accurate financial records is crucial for the success of any business. Fortunately, there’s a straightforward method that doesn’t require prior accounting knowledge and won’t cost a dime. This guide will introduce you to a simple synoptic journal Read More…
You should focus mostly on content marketing if you own a small business. With the help of content, you may tell the world about products, services, businesses, and brands. In this guide, we are going to introduce you to new strategies for your small business to try out. If you apply these strategies yourself, you Read More…
(The Center Square) – Less than two months before implementation, a federal law impacting gig workers is being challenged in a Georgia court. Founders of Fight for Freelancers, a coalition of more than 2,500 independent contract workers in varying professions, seeks an injunction to prohibit enforcement of the new law announced this month by the Read More…
If you’re running a small business, you might feel the pressure of uncertainty in our current economy. And because the range of possible outcomes can seem vast, is it even worth planning to manage your business differently during economic uncertainty? Or should we brace for impact and hope we’re still standing when it blows over? While Read More…
Small businesses – the heartbeat of the U.S. economy – are beginning to feel the pinch of tighter credit conditions as the Federal Reserve continues to increase borrowing costs. A flurry of headlines in recent weeks has suggested a credit crunch – meaning the availability of lending gets scarcer – is already happening. That’s in large part brought on by the actions of Read More…