One of the mistakes that new business owners sometimes make is that they forget to check the local regulations and zoning ordinances before buying a new property. They just find a building that will work and that is for sale, and they assume that they’re allowed to do…

If you have recently started your own business or become CEO of a startup, you will already know the importance of having contracts in place. Making huge financial decisions on the basis of someone’s word is reckless because there is nothing in place to hold the…

Many businesses looking to expand their reach and revenue tend to look for outside resources that will make it easier to carry out their objectives. Joint ventures and mergers Business owners must understand what a joint venture is to see if it's best to help them meet their objectives…

Many Pennsylvania owners incorporate their business as either a partnership or limited liability company when first getting it off the ground. They may later shift to another corporate structure down the road that allows them to have a board of directors and shareholders. You may want to understand what these individuals' roles are if you plan to introduce them into the mix…

It looks as though the Equality Act could finally successfully make its way through both houses of Congress and be signed into law. The House of Representatives passed its version of the bill last month.Members of Congress and their supporters who have tried in the past and failed to pass the legislation are optimistic because of the gains made by Democrats in the Senate in November and President Biden’s promise to make it one of his first legislative priorities. He said, "Every person should be treated with dignity and respect, and this bill represents a critical step toward ensuring that America lives up to our foundational values of equality and freedom for all…”

If you've always thought of yourself as someone with an entrepreneurial spirit, you may finally in a place where you want to take action and create a startup. When creating a business from scratch, there is always an element of risk, but there is also a huge amount of opportunity for gain.

At some point, almost every small business borrows money to either start, expand or otherwise manage its operations. When that time comes for you, it's smart to understand as much as possible about the loan papers -- or promissory notes -- you will need to sign. Here's what you should know about these very important contracts…

If you’re thinking of starting a business, you need to take some time to consider your competition. Exactly what this means depends on the business itself. If it’s going to be a local brick-and-mortar store, for instance, you only really need to consider the close geographical location around your own property. If you’re starting an online business, the local area matters far less than the amount of competition you face online, regardless of where it is based…

You've been told to do your "due diligence" several times already, to be sure, before you buy a business. What exactly does that mean? Well, it’s more than just looking at the surface appearance of the business. It means that you need to dig deep and ensure that there aren't any hidden problems.It’s especially important for anyone who’s considering a large transaction, such as purchasing a business, to do their due diligence, even though it may delay your transaction considerably…

Business partnerships, much like marriages, often evolve over time. Your goals may no longer align, or your personalities could now clash. Even if you have been successful partners until this point, you may recognize signs that there will be conflict in the future.For example, maybe your partner wants to retire, but you want to keep the business running for a few years more to save more for your own retirement. If you want to buy your partner out of the business you own, there are several steps that you may want to take to improve your chances of success and reduce the conflict involved…