2008-05-15T19:51:45Z tag:blog.washingtonpost.com,2008:/small-business//319 Copyright (c) 2008, WashingtonPost.Newsweek Interactive 2008-05-15T19:51:45Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-05-15:/small-business/2008/05/many_firms_failed_to_claim_tel.html

A recent study from a government inspector general adds merit to the complaint long held by the small business community that onerous and complicated rules are putting micro firms at a disadvantage. The report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration said the IRS's recent effort to refund to individuals and businesses what's called the "telephone excise tax" was a success, but a huge amount of money has gone unclaimed and unrefunded. Many of...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

washingtonpost.com Editor 2008-05-14T18:08:20Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-05-14:/small-business/2008/05/prestons_confirmation_process.html

The Senate Banking Committee has scheduled a hearing on Tuesday to examine whether Steven Preston, the current head of the Small Business Administration, should take over the reins at the nation's beleaguered housing department. Preston is the only witness before the morning panel. Administration and Hill sources have told the Small Business Blog that SBA Deputy Administrator Jovita Carranza is expected to take over as head of the SBA if Preston is confirmed as head...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

washingtonpost.com Editor 2008-05-13T13:46:12Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-05-13:/small-business/2008/05/welcome_voices_on_small_busine.html

Almost everyone is familiar with the owner of the corner store, a friend or neighbor dabbling away in the garage to create the next big thing, the technology whiz kid, a seasoned executive ready to make a new start or the savvy "mompreneur" who seeks a more flexible schedule. They are all critical to U.S. competitiveness, especially during an economic downturn. There are nearly 27 million small businesses in the United States that account for...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

washingtonpost.com Editors 2008-05-09T14:48:15Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-05-09:/small-business/2008/05/small_business_on_capitol_hill_4.html

Here is the Small Business blog's monthly roundup of legislation, regulation and other government activity affecting small businesses. Both Earth Day and National Small Business Week occurred in April, and much of the activity centered on those events. Legislation The House approved legislation reauthorizing programs that provide federal support for new technologies emerging from private-sector small businesses. H.R. 5819 reauthorizes through 2010 the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Research programs. The...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

washingtonpost.com Editor 2008-05-07T15:33:19Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-05-07:/small-business/2008/05/check_out_tom_heaths_latest.html

Check out Tom Heath's latest post over on the WashBiz blog about the Canine Fitness Center, a small business that's all about man's best friend. Entrepreneurs Maury and Lynn Chaput opened the Canine Fitness Center in Crownsville, Md., after their beloved dog Shadow tore a muscle in his leg and needed "swim therapy" as part of his rehabilitation. The couple couldn't find a pool built for dogs nearby, so they opened their own. Read more...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

washingtonpost.com Editor 2008-05-07T13:53:05Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-05-07:/small-business/2008/05/may_is_a_good_month_to_reasses.html

While most small businesses choose to use e-mail or cell phones for quick communication, those who still use snail mail will soon be feeling the pain in their wallets. The U.S. Postal Service is increasing shipping rates beginning May 12. The cost of sending a first-class letter will go up 1 cent to 42 cents, but the so-called "forever" stamps that currently sell for 41 cents will remain valid after the increase. If you buy...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

washingtonpost.com Editor 2008-05-05T15:35:35Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-05-05:/small-business/2008/05/study_energy_costs_a_challenge.html

The Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy released a study late last month that examined energy costs. Characterization and Analysis of Small Business Energy Costs explores whether rising energy costs are harming small business growth. The analysis found that small entities in the manufacturing and construction sectors pay higher prices for most, but not all, fuels. The price disparities are most pronounced for electricity and natural gas. Electricity costs for small businesses in the manufacturing...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

washingtonpost.com Editor 2008-05-02T14:26:36Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-05-02:/small-business/2008/05/women_entrepreneurs_spur_econo.html

Women entrepreneurs are key contributors to economic growth in low- and middle-income countries, particularly Latin America and the Caribbean, according to a new report from the Center for Women's Leadership at Babson College. Data gathered for the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report on women and entrepreneurs show that women who are employed and have built a social network of entrepreneurs are more likely to become entrepreneurs themselves. It's a surprise that developing countries in Eastern Europe...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

washingtonpost.com Editor 2008-05-01T18:40:40Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-05-01:/small-business/2008/05/tax_gap_plan_vexes_small_busin.html

Small business advocates are mobilizing to quash a proposal being considered by a powerful Senate panel that would require credit- and debit-card issuers like MasterCard and Visa to report business owners' electronic payment transactions to the IRS. The Senate Committee on Finance is considering the plan as part of a greater effort to increase tax compliance and narrow the "tax gap," which the IRS defines as the difference between the amount of tax that taxpayers...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

washingtonpost.com Editor 2008-04-30T17:52:58Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-04-30:/small-business/2008/04/calendar_of_events_1.html

MAY 1 Financial and legal issues workshop for an emerging high-tech firm. The event, held at Teqcorner in Tysons Corner, Va., from 6:15 p.m to 9 p.m. is free for MIT Enterprise Forum members and $25 for non-members. The speakers include lawyers, investment bankers and accountants. 2 Sustainable Business Incubator at Fairleigh Dickinson University is hosting, with other entrepreneurial groups, a day-long affair in Madison, N.J. focusing on growing the next generation of green ventures....Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

washingtonpost.com Editor 2008-04-29T14:37:06Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-04-29:/small-business/2008/04/three_women_who_founded_busine.html

Three women who founded businesses focused on babies and children won Yahoo grants for growing their firms, the online media giant announced Tuesday. The women entered the Seeds for Success competition and won $20,000 in cash, $5,000 worth of Web site consulting, and Web site hosting from Yahoo. Pediatric speech pathologist Karla Duncan of Birmingham, Ala., will expand her firm Head2Toe Publications, a developer of toys and educational materials for special needs children. Abby Port...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

washingtonpost.com Editor 2008-05-14T00:25:48Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-04-28:/small-business/2008/04/the_small_business_administrat.html

The Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy today released a study that examines why women are emerging as a fast-growing sector of new small business owners. The study, Human Capital and Women's Business Ownership, which focused on women who were self-employed and held only one job, found that self-employed women have more education and increased their educational attainment at a faster rate compared to other working women. The percentage of self-employed women in managerial occupations...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

washingtonpost.com Editor 2008-05-14T00:25:48Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-04-25:/small-business/2008/04/sba_deputy_expected_to_be_nomi.html

The Small Business Administration's second in command is expected to be named acting administrator if agency chief Steven Preston leaves to head the Housing and Urban Development Department, as requested by President Bush. When SBA Deputy Administrator Jovita Carranza was confirmed for her current position in December 2006, she said: "I will bring to the Small Business Administration a goal-oriented management philosophy with a history of successes on two continents." At the time, the...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

washingtonpost.com Editor 2008-05-14T00:25:48Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-04-25:/small-business/2008/04/experts_told_the_house_small.html

Experts told the House Small Business Committee yesterday that times are tough for small firms with close ties to the housing market, but they're pretty good for those who have gotten cozy with the tech industry. Small businesses dominate the home building industry, according to Michael Hodgson, the owner of consulting firm ConSol who testified on behalf of the National Association of Home Builders. He noted that 60 percent of the association's members build fewer...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

washingtonpost.com Editor 2008-05-14T00:25:48Z tag:washingtonpost.com,2008-04-24:/small-business/2008/04/house_passes_bill_supporting_s.html

The House on Wednesday approved legislation reauthorizing programs that provide federal support for new technologies emerging from private-sector small businesses. H.R. 5819 reauthorizes through 2010 the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Research programs. The bill was passed 368-43. "Innovation is crucial for maintaining America's competitive lead in this global economy," said Science Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.). "SBIR and STTR are good economic stimulus programs that support research and innovation among...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.

washingtonpost.com Editors