by Admin | May 21, 2026 | Business Strategy, Economic Insight, SMB Leadership
On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a category of tariffs called IEEPA tariffs. More than 300,000 U.S. companies that paid these tariffs are owed refunds, totaling roughly $166 billion. U.S. Customs opened the refund process on April 20, and...
by Admin | May 7, 2026 | Becoming Bankable, SMB Leadership, Strategy Planning
Each year since 1963, National Small Business Week, typically celebrated during the first week in May, has served as the nation’s official recognition of the contributions small businesses make to the economy. America’s 36 million small businesses make up...
by Admin | Apr 30, 2026 | Becoming Bankable, SMB Leadership, Strategy Planning
For nearly four years, lenders across the country have reported a net decline in the credit quality of small business loan applicants. Fifteen consecutive quarters of declining applicant credit quality, running from the second quarter of 2022 through the fourth...
by Admin | Apr 23, 2026 | Becoming Bankable, SMB Leadership, Strategy Planning
Most small business loan denials are not decisions made at the end of the process. By the time a lender delivers their answer, your financials have already told them what they need to know. Understanding what they are looking for is the first step toward changing the...
by Admin | Apr 16, 2026 | Becoming Bankable, SMB Leadership
For many small businesses, online lenders feel like the easiest path to capital. Applications are simple. Decisions are quick. Funding can happen in days instead of weeks. That convenience matters, especially when cash flow is tight or an opportunity cannot wait. But...
by Admin | Apr 9, 2026 | SMB Leadership, Strategy Planning
Artificial intelligence is often discussed as a technology that will replace jobs. But the reality inside many small businesses looks different. Recently published Federal Reserve data shows that 46% of small businesses report currently using AI tools, while another...