Getting Started

Facebook has revitalized its job search capabilities, giving small businesses a powerful new tool to connect with local job seekers. As of today, the social media giant is reintroducing jobs on Facebook, aiming to streamline the hiring process and facilitate community employment connections across the U.S. For small business owners seeking talent, this initiative could be a game-changer. The platform now features a dedicated jobs tab within Marketplace, where job listings are easily accessible to all adults 18 years and older. With the click of a button, businesses can reach potential employees, making the hiring process as simple as posting on their Facebook pages. The…

Salesforce is making a significant commitment to the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and economic growth in San Francisco. With plans to invest $15 billion over the next five years, the company aims to establish the city as the global epicenter for AI innovation. This announcement comes ahead of the Dreamforce conference, which is set to bring nearly 50,000 attendees to the city and contribute an estimated $130 million in local revenue. Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce, expressed the company’s ambitions, stating, “San Francisco is a city of innovation, talent, and vision. This $15 billion investment reflects our deep commitment to our hometown — advancing…

As the holiday season approaches, small business owners find themselves on the cusp of significant revenue opportunities. According to the recently released Intuit QuickBooks Holiday Shopping Report, U.S. consumers are projected to spend $263 billion this holiday season, marking a remarkable 25% increase from the previous year. This heightened spending presents a $109 billion chance for small businesses, as consumers increasingly lean towards local shops, with 41% of their holiday spending designated for small business purchases. In this annual survey conducted by Intuit, involving 6,000 consumers and 1,000 small business owners, participants expressed that the desire to…

In an era where remote collaboration is vital, Slack has rolled out an updated version of its Community Forum Companion App, designed to enhance user experience in connecting and learning within the platform. Small business owners can benefit significantly from this new iteration, which aims to create a seamless environment for asking questions, sharing insights, and accessing a wealth of resources—all within the Slack workspace. The companion app brings the versatility of the Slack Community Forum directly into the familiar interface of Slack. This integration allows users to engage with a global community of Slack users without the need to switch back and forth between…

As the holiday season approaches, small businesses are gearing up for one of the busiest periods of the year. Recognizing this, Intuit has unveiled enhancements to its Mailchimp platform designed specifically for retailers to optimize their marketing strategies and drive revenue growth. These tools come at a critical time, as a recent Mailchimp report indicates that 43% of shoppers engage in holiday shopping as early as October. Among the standout features in this update is an improved integration with Shopify, which now boasts deeper behavioral insights. Retailers can leverage new triggers—like product views and checkout history—to create tailored marketing campaigns th…

As businesses continue to navigate the complexities of a digital-first world, the need for tools that enhance productivity and streamline operations is more pressing than ever. Recognizing this shift, Slack has partnered with industry leaders to launch a suite of tailored solutions aimed at helping organizations break down silos and foster collaboration. The initiative aims to establish what is termed a “digital HQ,” a unified platform that integrates different tools and connects people with the workflows essential to their work. According to Slack, companies of any size can reap the benefits of such a platform, but many small business owners are often left wondering: ho…

Small business owners may want to brace themselves as new insights from the latest CNBC | SurveyMonkey Small Business Index reveal an uptick in inflation concerns. With 71% of respondents believing that prices will continue to rise, many are grappling with the distinct threat inflation poses to their operations and profitability. This marks an increase from 66% in the previous quarter, with only 28% now convinced that inflation has peaked, down from 32%. The Small Business Index offers a window into the thoughts and feelings of entrepreneurs across the nation, providing vital information that could influence business decisions. The survey explicitly highlights that small…

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, small businesses are being presented with an array of opportunities and challenges brought on by artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. Visa Inc. recently announced the launch of its Trusted Agent Protocol, a framework aimed at enhancing security and trust in AI-driven commerce—an initiative that could significantly benefit small business owners navigating this new terrain. As AI-driven traffic to U.S. retail sites has skyrocketed by 4,700% over the past year, shoppers increasingly engage AI agents to search for products and make purchases on their behalf. While 85% of users affirm that AI has improved their…

In a notable step towards environmental sustainability, Lyft recently announced that it has achieved a target set for 2025: delivering 100 million electric vehicle (EV) rides on its platform. This milestone, reached in September 2025, is part of Lyft’s broader strategy to facilitate America’s transition to electric transportation. For small business owners, particularly those considering incorporating rideshare services into their operations or evaluating sustainable transport options, this development holds significant implications. As Jeremy Bird, Lyft’s Executive Vice President of Driver Experience, noted, this achievement demonstrates that the company’s efforts to en…

In a groundbreaking move for small businesses, Salesforce has expanded its partnership with OpenAI, integrating its powerful CRM tools with the widely-used ChatGPT platform. This initiative promises to streamline operations, enhance customer relationships, and reshape how businesses engage both employees and consumers. The integration, highlighted in a recent announcement, allows the seamless use of Salesforce’s Agentforce 360 within ChatGPT, revolutionizing daily workflows. Small business owners can now instantly query sales records, analyze customer conversations, and even create visualizations from Tableau—all just by typing a command in ChatGPT. With capabilities lik…

In a bold move to streamline restaurant operations, Block, Inc. has announced an enhanced partnership with Grubhub aimed at simplifying how cafes and eateries manage food orders while offering customers new payment flexibility. This integration allows restaurant owners to utilize Square’s point-of-sale system alongside the popular delivery service, delivering a seamless experience for all parties involved. Understanding the daily challenges small business owners face, this partnership offers practical benefits that could transform the food service landscape. By integrating Square’s point-of-sale functionalities directly with Grubhub, restaurants can reduce the complexity…

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced a significant extension of the disbursement period for wildfire survivors in Los Angeles County who hold approved SBA disaster loans. This decision, effective immediately, grants an additional twelve months for homeowners and business owners to access their approved funds. The urgency for this extension stems from ongoing permitting delays imposed by state and local offices, which have hampered the rebuilding efforts for thousands affected by the devastating wildfires of January 2025. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler emphasized the need for immediate relief, stating, “No city in America has been approved for…

Oracle has unveiled exciting updates to its Oracle Database@AWS, aiming to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in optimizing their cloud-based operations. As the shift toward cloud computing accelerates, new features in Oracle Database@AWS promise to enhance data management, boost security, and facilitate innovation—all crucial for small businesses competing in a digital landscape. Karan Batta, senior vice president of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, spoke about the strong demand for these offerings, particularly from larger enterprises. However, these enhanced capabilities also offer significant advantages for smaller operations. “The newly added Oracle AI Dat…

Small business owners constantly seek ways to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen security. The latest announcement from Oracle introduces tools that could help meet those objectives: the new networking capabilities in Oracle Acceleron. Designed for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), these innovations promise to elevate the performance and scalability of cloud operations, making them particularly relevant for small businesses aiming to innovate and compete. Oracle Acceleron is not just an evolution of cloud networking; it represents over a decade of cloud networking innovation, promising faster and more cost-effective operations. According to Clay Magouyrk, …

In today’s fast-paced business environment, staying attuned to customer needs is crucial, especially for small businesses looking to scale. Microsoft has recently announced a new tool, the CX Observe Product Feedback Copilot, designed to enhance how product teams harness customer feedback. This innovation promises not just to streamline the feedback process but also to turn it into actionable insights. At the heart of the challenge for many product teams is the deluge of customer feedback that arrives through various channels—support tickets, surveys, feature requests, and more. Amir, a product leader at Microsoft, highlighted this issue, stating, “Every month, we receiv…

When you’re ready to register your business name, there are several key places to evaluate. The Texas Secretary of State Office is vital for official registrations, whereas your local County Clerk’s Office can help with assumed name certificates. Online platforms like SOSDirect offer a convenient option for filing, and local business licensing agencies can provide further assistance. As you explore these resources, you’ll find more avenues to support your entrepreneurial expedition. What should you prioritize next? Key Takeaways Secretary of State Office: Register your business name online through SOSDirect, ensuring it is distinguishable from existing entities in Texas…

Oracle has recently unveiled OCI Zettascale10, a cutting-edge supercomputer in the cloud designed to push the limits of artificial intelligence. Featuring unprecedented capabilities, this technology offers small business owners significant advantages, transforming how they approach AI applications while unlocking potential challenges. At its core, OCI Zettascale10 connects hundreds of thousands of NVIDIA GPUs across multiple data centers, delivering up to 16 zettaFLOPS of peak performance. This architecture is particularly well-suited for large-scale AI workloads, allowing businesses to train and deploy their AI models efficiently. Mahesh Thiagarajan, Oracle’s Executive …

When starting a business, it’s crucial to know whether you need to register your company. Depending on your chosen structure, such as an LLC or corporation, formal registration with the Secretary of State is often required. Sole proprietors may only need an Assumed Name Certificate if using a different name. Comprehending these requirements can protect you from personal liability and other legal issues. So, what steps do you need to take for proper registration? Key Takeaways Register your business with the Secretary of State if forming an LLC or corporation for legal recognition and liability protection. Sole proprietors must file an Assumed Name Certificate if using…

Lyft’s recent acquisition of TBR Global Chauffeuring marks a significant shift in the landscape of premium transportation services. For small business owners, this development could introduce a new suite of offerings and potential challenges within the luxury market. The acquisition, valued at approximately $110 million, combines Lyft’s expansive technology platform with TBR’s renowned expertise in luxury chauffeured services, a sector valued at over $54 billion globally. TBR operates across 120 countries and 3,000 cities, providing high-quality transportation to Fortune 500 companies, investment banks, and major global events. Lyft emphasizes that this merger is design…

As the landscape of business technology evolves, the alliance between Salesforce and Amazon Web Services (AWS) is set to redefine the way small businesses harness artificial intelligence. Salesforce recently announced significant advancements in AI tools through their partnership with AWS, highlighting the rapid adoption of AI agents as essential systems in workplaces. For small businesses, these developments promise not just improved efficiency but also a transformative effect on customer interactions. Salesforce’s Agentic Enterprise Index revealed that in the first half of 2025, the deployment of AI agents jumped an astonishing 119%. Businesses are seeing a 65% month-o…

Scan, edit and share receipts and other business documents and free yourself from piles of paper. Zoho Scanner enables this and more. The company recently upgraded the software formerly called Zoho Doc Scanner with some truly remarkable features. Consider switching to Zoho Scanner now as Microsoft Lens closes down shunting customers to Microsoft 365 Copilot. But first, look at what Zoho’s scanning option offers. “It’s a smarter way to scan and share your documents, receipts or whatever it may be and it also provides a way where the scanned documents are available across all your devices,” says Ashok Ramamoorthy, Director of Product Management for Zoho Scanner. Use Z…

As National Cybersecurity Awareness Month unfolds, PayPal is stepping up its efforts to educate consumers about the growing menace of phishing scams. For small business owners, understanding these scams is crucial not just for their own financial security but also for protecting their customers and employees. The Rise of Phishing Scams Phishing scams have evolved into increasingly sophisticated traps designed to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or transferring money. These scams can manifest through various channels—emails, texts, or calls—often impersonating reputable brands or individuals to gain trust. The urgency created by these unsolicited me…

Dropbox has unveiled a significant upgrade to its Dropbox Dash tool, positioning it as a game changer for small business owners looking to enhance productivity and streamline workflows. The enhanced Dash now features advanced search capabilities for videos and images, along with AI-driven tools designed to expedite document creation. This evolution comes as small businesses increasingly seek ways to optimize their operations in a competitive landscape. According to Dropbox CEO Drew Houston, “Knowledge workers waste more than a month a year just looking for information and switching between apps. With the new Dash, we’re not just helping you find your content faster—we’re…

Twilio, a leader in customer engagement technology, recently unveiled a new suite of features designed to enhance data handling for small businesses seeking to improve their customer experiences. As the landscape of customer engagement continues to evolve, maintaining high standards for data integrity is essential for staying competitive. At the heart of these updates is the need for small businesses to harness real-time, trustworthy data to drive customer interactions. According to Inbal Shani, Chief Product Officer at Twilio, “High-impact customer engagement starts with data that is real-time, contextual, and trusted.” This acknowledgment underscores an ongoing challen…

If you’re considering selling handmade products on Amazon, grasping the process is crucial. First, you’ll need to apply for Amazon Handmade, which requires high-quality images and detailed descriptions of your items. Once approved, you can create your artisan profile to highlight your unique craft story. It’s important to manage your orders efficiently during the time you engage with customers to boost your sales. Next, let’s explore the pros and cons of selling on this platform. Key Takeaways Apply for Amazon Handmade by submitting product descriptions, images, and details about your production process for approval. Create your artisan profile after approval, showcas…