Pitching a biotech startup is different from pitching a typical tech company. Investors are not only evaluating the market opportunity. They are also evaluating the science, the evidence, the development path, and how this round of funding will reduce risk.

If you run a small science or technology business—or are thinking about starting one. There’s a significant source of grant funding you should know about: the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.

Small business owners often face significant challenges in growing and sustaining their businesses. While passion and expertise in their field drive them, there are crucial knowledge gaps that can prevent them from making the best decisions for long-term success. Addressing these gaps can lead to better strategic choices, increased profitability, and sustainable growth.

Can a nonprofit generate a profit? Absolutely, and over time it must. Nonprofits range in size from small organizations that run on a shoestring, to billion-dollar organizations such as Harvard University or Mass General Brigham health system. In order to be sustainable, income must exceed its expenses; otherwise it will starve or go under.

While a nonprofit can generate a positive bottom line, it cannot distribute its profits to individuals, board members, or owners. The profits must be reinvested to further the organization’s tax-exempt mission.

Customer testimonials are one of the most powerful tools a small business can use to build trust and convert visitors into customers. Yet, many business owners either overlook them or fail to display them strategically. The truth is, when used effectively, testimonials can transform a website from a static information page into a dynamic, credibility-building sales tool.

I got into websites in 2017 while building one for a nonprofit I started for my mother. My goal was simple: help her retire early. I had no idea that years later I’d understand websites, platforms, hosting, SEO, freelancers, and strategy the way I do now.

I’ve taken classes, tested platforms, hired help, rebuilt sites, upgraded, downgraded, and learned the hard way.

Here’s what actually matters.

Government contracts offer significant advantages. For many small businesses, however, the contracting process can be complex and resource intensive. Extensive documentation requirements and competition from firms with dedicated contracting teams can make direct bidding difficult. But there is an effective alternative.

Products don’t usually become obsolete because they get worse. They become obsolete because the definition of “valuable” changes—often driven by new platforms, new expectations, or new narratives.

Here are five practical ways to future-proof what you’re building—so it stays valuable even as the rules change.

For small business owners, inventory is often one of the biggest investments—and one of the biggest risks. The good news is that with the right strategies, even very small operations can run lean, profitable, and organized. Here are the most practical inventory management strategies for small retail and e-commerce businesses.

Planning can feel like a luxury you don’t have time for. In reality, planning is exactly what gives you time back. The old saying “Plan your work and work your plan” isn’t just a motivational quote—it’s a practical survival strategy for small business owners who want to grow intentionally rather than react constantly.

Why postcards still work, what the data says, and how small businesses can use direct mail to win locally. Direct mail (especially postcards) still wins because it’s physical, local, and hard to ignore — and it can amplify word-of-mouth in the neighborhoods you want to “own.”

Securing funding is one of the most pivotal—and challenging—moments in a small business’s journey. Whether you’re applying for a bank loan, pitching angel investors, pursuing a grant, or raising capital from community partners, how you structure your funding request can be just as important as what you’re asking for.

A clear, well-organized request signals credibility, preparedness, and stewardship. Here is a practical framework small businesses can use to structure funding requests that resonate with lenders, investors, and grant committees alike.

Revenue from federal government contracts can complement a company’s private sector sales, building on the expertise and brand developed commercially. Defense, civilian, intelligence and law enforcement agencies acquire over $700 billion in services and products annually from commercial companies and nonprofit organizations.

A strong business plan is more than a document, it’s a strategic roadmap that clarifies your vision, guides decision-making, and builds confidence with investors, partners, and stakeholders. Whether you’re launching a startup, scaling a growing company, or refocusing an established organization, these ten steps will help you create a powerful, actionable business plan.

When someone has a business idea, there are many things they begin to work on — the market, the customer, funding, branding, and go-to-market plans. One of the most critical, yet often underestimated, pieces of this journey is product definition.

Small business owners wear many hats—often all at once. From managing customers and marketing to handling finances and day-to-day operations, time and efficiency are always in short supply. Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming one of the most powerful tools small businesses can use to simplify operations, reduce manual work, and operate more efficiently.

The good news? You don’t need a big budget or technical background to get started.

For entrepreneurs and solopreneurs, the new year isn’t just about fresh starts — it’s about focus. With limited time, limited resources, and unlimited ideas, 2026 is the year to work more intentionally, not just harder.

Whether you’re running a solo consultancy, coaching practice, creative business, startup, or side hustle turning full-time, these ten resolutions belong on every entrepreneur’s list.

How to Save Money, Stay Compliant & Maximize Deductions This Year. Running a small business in 2025 means navigating new tax rules, rising costs, and constant regulatory changes. The good news? With the right strategies, you can reduce your tax burden, strengthen your cash flow, and avoid costly surprises next April.

Here are the Top 10 Tax Tips for Small Business Owners in 2025—practical, actionable, and designed to keep more money in your business.

While AI platforms are valuable for creative support like designing logos and drafting marketing copy, they have critical limitations in strategic business and legal matters. Uninformed reliance on these tools can lead to complications and severe consequences for your business.

Running a small business can feel like navigating uncharted waters — exciting, full of potential, but also filled with challenges you’ve never faced before. That’s why one of the smartest moves any entrepreneur can make is to work with a business mentor. A mentor provides not just advice, but perspective, confidence, and accountability.