SmartBiz in the News

In April, the unemployment rate dropped to 3.6%, the lowest level in almost 50 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a stellar feat for the country’s economy and workers, but it makes hiring difficult.

I believe a timeless (and entertaining) quote famously attributed to baseball great Yogi Berra should be top of mind for entrepreneurs interested in expanding their business: “If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.”

These companies go out of their way to ensure their employees are having fun — whether it’s competing in office Olympics or escaping to the nap pod. Others are focused on serving their communities through organizing 5k races that raise money for charity and hiring local artists to create masterpieces.

Money is a major factor in growing any business, especially for smaller companies that are just getting off the ground. But you don’t need to have an outrageous budget to find success. There are plenty of affordable or even free tactics that can help you manage your business or scale up.

Running the financial side of your small business can be quite a challenge. Wouldn’t it be great to have a CFO to handle your finances for you?

Picture yourself at the beginning of the school year, selecting your course load for the semester. Your favorite subject is offering two courses. The first option is easy — you already know most of the material and you can coast through the class to get an A, no problem. 

If entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of an economy, consider Inc.’s ranking of 5,000 companies America’s circulatory system. Our annual report looks at these fast-growing innovators–and how they made our list.

What’s top of mind for American’s small business owners? Check out the infographic below from SmartBiz Loans to find out.

Traditional processes for underwriting and originating small business loans can be expensive and onerous for the typical financial institution, making it difficult to make these loans profitable.

SmartBiz Loans just released a survey that suggests small business in America are bullish on the economy in spite of all the top of mind concerns such as: health care costs, taxes, and hiring.

According to a survey conducted by SmartBiz Loans and released today, almost 57 percent of small business owners said their outlook on business growth over the next 12 months was “fairly positive” or “positive.”

Add Seacoast Banking in Stuart, Fla., to the list of community banks that now believe in working with fintechs. The $6 billion-asset company is gaining traction in Small Business Administration lending after partnering with SmartBiz Loans to speed its approval process.