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.

This calendar is designed for makers, artists, and small business owners who sell online—whether you’re on Etsy, your own website, or another marketplace. It highlights the key holidays and seasonal moments shoppers are already thinking about, so you can plan new products, refresh your listings, and time your promotions before the rush. Use it as a quick guide to decide what to focus on each month and when to start getting ready, instead of scrambling at the last minute.

Finding gratitude in the wins—big and small. The holidays are more than a busy season for small businesses—they’re a natural moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate the milestones that often get overlooked duringthe daily hustle. Whether you’re a solopreneur, a growing team, or a long-established local shop, this Thanksgiving week is the perfect time to recognize the bright spots that power your business forward.

Launching a business? Learn the ten essential steps every entrepreneur should take—from validating your idea to building systems that scale. A practical startup guide from Boston Business Mentors.

Your brand’s voice isn’t just what you say—it’s how it looks. In 2026, typography is becoming more personal, expressive, and human than ever before. From handcrafted fonts that feel warm and approachable to bold, modern typefaces that stand out in digital spaces, your choice of font can instantly shape how customers see your business. In this post, we’ll explore the top typography trends for 2026 and share free Google Fonts that small businesses can use to look fresh, professional, and on-trend—without spending a dime.

Here’s a breakdown of major design-trends expected to dominate 2026, across graphic design, web/interactions, and interiors/branding — tailored for your design/dev-oriented work so you can spot what to adopt, adapt or consciously sidestep for your projects.