As we approach the holiday season, we find ourselves reflecting on the year, measuring our successes and focusing on ways to avoid our lesser successes. Then, we can start formulating our goals for the New Year. Looking back, we find that we are thankful...
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Benetrends Blog
Handy in the Kitchen? How to Start a Ghost Restaurant
There is nothing scary about ghost restaurants. The National Restaurant Association’s 2019 survey reveals 46 percent of phone users order food from ghost restaurants once a month, at least. That eye-opening statistic underscores the notion that a ghost restaurant...
How to Start Your Own Coworking Space Business
The boom in the number of co-working spaces followed the entry of Millennials into the workforce. Why the surge in interest in coworking spaces, you ask? Studies indicate that productivity rates increase when freelancers ditch their isolated stay-at-home set-ups and...
Future-Proof Business Ideas for 2020 and Beyond
Entrepreneurs often look to start businesses that will stand the test of time. As trends evolve and customer habits and expectations change, having a business model that endures means steady, reliable business. What is even better is when an entrepreneur can get...
Small Business Grants for Women: Where to Look
If you’re a female entrepreneur, several grants programs provide you with funds that can be used for multiple small business funding needs. Knowing where to look for small business grants for women gives you an advantage in financing your business launch or expansion....
The Who, What, and Where of Small Business Grants
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is well known for its funding programs that guarantee a portion of loans that can launch and expand businesses. What’s less well known is the SBA grants program, a far-reaching group of programs that also provide...
How to Understand the Credit Elsewhere Requirement for SBA 7(a) Loans
A recent report from the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) reveals that a large number of lenders are failing to comply with a key requirement for Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. The issue is the lack of documentation of the "credit elsewhere"...
Exploring the State of American Small Businesses
The most recent report from the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) paints a clear picture of the state of small business in the United States. The report indicates that small business owners have a positive outlook on the nation’s economy and...
Need Business Equipment? Try a Lease vs. Buy Equipment Calculator
Small business owners often struggle to know whether to lease or buy business equipment. It’s a critical decision and one that is shaped greatly by access to capital and cash flow. When you need business equipment, try a lease vs. buy equipment calculator to help you...
How and When to Use Financial Projections Calculators
Business owners know the importance of accurate financial projections. Accurate information about your company’s financial position helps you make better decisions about strategy, investments, hiring, and operations. Small business financial projection calculators are...