Getting Started
New to home-based business? Learn about the essentials of setting up and running a successful business from home, including choosing the right business structure and tools.
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Finding reliable funding can be one of the biggest challenges for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Whether you’re launching a startup, expanding your team, or investing in new technology, securing a grant can offer the boost you need—without taking on debt. That’s why we’re here every week with the latest verified small business grant opportunities from across the country. From local government initiatives to national programs and private sector funding, our goal is to connect you with real, actionable funding that fits your needs. Here’s this week’s roundup of small business grants you can apply for right now: Gran Coramino Expands Small Business Grant Program…
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Key Takeaways Evolving Landscape: Small businesses must adapt to rapid changes in technology, consumer preferences, and global challenges to thrive by 2030.Technological Integration: Embracing artificial intelligence and digital marketing tools can streamline operations and enhance customer engagement, helping businesses to adjust effectively.Sustainability Matters: Prioritizing eco-friendly practices is crucial, as consumers increasingly favor brands that demonstrate environmental responsibility.E-Commerce Growth: Building a strong online presence is essential for reaching broader markets, with e-commerce projected to continue expanding significantly.Navigating Challen…
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Gas prices in the U.S. are rising as refineries begin their seasonal switch to summer blend fuel, pushing the national average to $3.16 per gallon, according to AAA. Routine maintenance and an offline refinery in Northern California are further tightening supply, contributing to the price increase. The shift to summer blend fuel, a routine adjustment designed to reduce emissions in warmer weather, historically results in higher fuel costs. In addition to this transition, gasoline demand increased from 8.32 million barrels per day (b/d) to 8.57 million b/d over the past week, while total domestic gasoline supply declined from 251.1 million barrels to 248.1 million barrels…
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The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped more than 10 cents over the past week, reaching $3.26, according to AAA. This marks the first time since September that prices have hit this level, reflecting typical seasonal shifts. Despite the increase, prices remain below last year’s national average of $3.54 for the same period. AAA attributes the rise to several contributing factors, including ongoing refinery maintenance and the transition to more expensive summer-blend gasoline. One month ago, the national average stood at $3.09. Supply and Demand Trends Data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows a decrease in gasoline demand, fa…
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Drivers across the U.S. are seeing some relief at the pump as gas prices continue to fall in mid-April. According to AAA, the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline dropped five cents over the past week, settling at $3.167 as of April 17. Analysts attribute the decline to softening demand and continued low crude oil prices. “With crude as low as it’s been in a few years, drivers may continue to see lower pump prices as summer approaches,” AAA reported in its latest update. Weekly Gas Price Trends The national average has fallen steadily in recent weeks: Today: $3.167 One week ago: $3.222 One month ago: $3.078 One year ago: $3.660 Data from the Energy…
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Gasoline prices across the U.S. are dropping, bucking the typical seasonal trend of increases, according to AAA. The shift is being attributed to supply and demand dynamics, particularly a significant announcement from OPEC+ and recent data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA). AAA reports that OPEC+ will increase oil production by more than 400,000 barrels per day starting next month. This unexpected output boost has triggered a decline in crude oil prices. The combination of oversupply and weak gasoline demand is driving prices at the pump lower. According to EIA data, gasoline demand fell from 8.49 million barrels per day to 8.42 million barrels. Total do…
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Gasoline prices across the U.S. remained largely unchanged over the past week, with the national average for a gallon of gas holding at $3.16, according to AAA. The price per kilowatt hour of electricity at public EV charging stations also remained stable at 34 cents. Gasoline Supply and Demand Trends The latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows a decline in gasoline demand, falling from 8.57 million barrels per day (b/d) to 8.23 million b/d. Total domestic gasoline supply also dropped slightly, from 248.1 million barrels to 247.9 million barrels. Gasoline production saw a decrease, averaging 9.2 million barrels per day. The current national gas…
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The national average for a gallon of gasoline has declined slightly, dropping one cent from last week to $3.11, according to AAA. The decrease is attributed in part to lower crude oil prices, though market fluctuations and the seasonal transition to summer-grade gasoline may impact prices at the pump in the coming weeks. AAA also noted that the national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at public EV charging stations remained unchanged at 34 cents. Fuel Supply and Demand Trends According to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand rose from 8.45 million barrels per day (b/d) last week to 8.87 million b/d. Total domestic ga…
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Despite an increase in gasoline demand, the national average price for a gallon of gas has dropped to $3.07, marking a three-cent decline from last week, according to the latest data from AAA. The decline comes as spring break travel picks up, with motorists in 31 states finding gas prices below $3 per gallon. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gasoline demand rose from 8.87 million barrels per day (b/d) to 9.18 million b/d over the past week. At the same time, total domestic gasoline supply decreased from 246.8 million barrels to 241.1 million barrels, putting supplies slightly below seasonal averages. Gasoline production also dipped, averaging 9.…
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Gas prices in the U.S. have increased slightly, with the national average for a gallon of gasoline rising by two cents to $3.13, according to AAA. The increase comes amid concerns over potential tariffs, despite fluctuations in supply and demand. Meanwhile, the national average for public electric vehicle (EV) charging remains unchanged at 34 cents per kilowatt hour. New data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows a minor increase in gasoline demand, climbing from 8.30 million barrels per day (b/d) to 8.32 million b/d. Domestic gasoline supply also rose, increasing from 248.9 million barrels to 251.1 million barrels, while gasoline production dipped to 9.…
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As Spring Break kicks off across the U.S., drivers are seeing a modest but expected rise in gas prices, according to AAA. The national average for a gallon of gas has climbed three cents since last Thursday, now sitting at $3.15. Gas prices typically begin their seasonal climb in spring and tend to peak during the summer months. However, despite the recent uptick, the national average remains about 40 cents lower than the same time last year. AAA attributes the lower year-over-year average to weak crude oil prices and subdued gasoline demand. Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicates that gasoline demand fell slightly, from 8.81 million barrel…
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Gas prices across the U.S. ticked up this week, according to a new report from AAA. The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline rose to $3.17, up slightly from $3.167 one week ago and 5 cents higher than one month ago. The moderate increase in gas prices is being attributed to rising demand as warmer spring weather encourages more drivers to hit the road. Despite the bump, prices remain significantly lower than this time last year, when the national average stood at $3.66 per gallon. A key factor keeping prices in check is the lower cost of crude oil, currently around $62 per barrel, down from $82 per barrel at this time in 2024. Fuel Supply and Demand …
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After a period of relative stability, the national average for a gallon of gasoline has climbed by 4 cents over the past week, reaching $3.12, according to AAA. The price increase comes despite crude oil prices remaining below $70 per barrel and is largely attributed to the seasonal transition to summer-blend gasoline, which is more expensive to produce due to its reduced volatility in warm temperatures. The national average for public electric vehicle (EV) charging remained unchanged at 34 cents per kilowatt hour. Supply and Demand Factors New data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows a decline in gasoline demand, which dropped from 9.18 million barre…
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In recent years, TikTok has taken social media by storm. Today, TikTok is available in over 150 countries, has over 1 billion users, and has been downloaded over 200 million times in the United States alone. Similar to YouTube, TikTok’s social media platform’s most appealing draw is its capability to share videos. TikTok is all about user-generated content, and besides sharing videos, TikTok’s social media platform has evolved into a marketing channel for brands where they use the platform to connect with consumers between the ages of 13 and 60. If you own a business, TikTok marketing can be a great medium for your brand to connect with your customers. With TikTok marke…
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A new survey released by GoDaddy reveals that domain names play a critical role in shaping consumer trust and online shopping behavior. The GoDaddy Consumer Pulse survey, conducted in March with 1,500 U.S. consumers, found that 80% of respondents have avoided visiting or purchasing from a website because it had an oddly spelled domain name. This reaction was most prevalent among younger consumers. According to the findings, 85% of Gen Z and 82% of Millennials reported skipping a business due to its domain’s spelling, while 76% of Gen X and Boomers said the same. The survey was released in March in recognition of the domain name’s 40th anniversary and explored what consu…
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Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has introduced the Cooper WORK Series Regional Haul All-position (RHA) 2, a commercial truck tire designed to balance fuel efficiency with durability for super-regional and regional fleets. The SmartWay-verified tire is engineered to deliver long miles to removal and even wear, addressing the evolving demands of Less-than-Truckload (LTL) carriers and super-regional operations. Addressing Efficiency and Durability in Super-Regional Transport As shipping hubs move closer to last-mile delivery networks, the demand for commercial tires that can withstand both highway and urban driving conditions is increasing. Joe Burke, vice president of N…
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A new study by Xodo has identified Google Drive as the most widely used Google productivity tool in the United States, ranking ahead of Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Slides. The study, which analyzed monthly active users and global search volume, also found that New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island lead the country in Google app usage. Google Drive Leads in Productivity App Usage According to the research, Google Drive ranks as the most popular Google productivity tool, with 2 billion monthly active users and a global monthly search volume of 338 million. The cloud storage service, which allows users to store, access, and collaborate on files, achieved a Usage Scor…
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Google has announced the rollout of a new AI-powered search enhancement for Gmail, designed to help users find emails more quickly and efficiently. The update introduces a smarter sorting feature that surfaces the most relevant results first, rather than simply displaying emails in chronological order. According to Google, the upgraded search experience considers several factors such as the recency of emails, user engagement like most-clicked emails, and frequent contacts. The goal is to make it easier for users to locate important information in cluttered inboxes. “If you’ve ever struggled with finding information in your overflowing inbox, you’re not alone. That’s why…
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Google has announced an expansion of Deep Research and Gems within the Gemini app, making the features available to additional Google Workspace customers. As of March 13, 2025, these AI-powered tools are now accessible to users in Business Starter, Enterprise Starter, Education Fundamentals, Standard, and Plus, as well as Frontline Starter and Standard, Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, and Nonprofits. Enhanced AI Capabilities for More Users Deep Research and Gems are designed to streamline workflows and enhance productivity by leveraging AI-driven capabilities. According to Google, Gems function as customizable AI assistants that help users …
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Google has announced the general availability of Gemini 2.0 Flash, expanding access to its AI models through the Gemini API in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI. The company is also launching an experimental version of Gemini 2.0 Pro, aimed at improving coding performance and handling complex prompts, and introducing Gemini 2.0 Flash-Lite, its most cost-efficient model to date. Gemini 2.0 Flash Now Widely Available Initially introduced at Google I/O 2024, the Flash series has been positioned as a high-speed, low-latency model optimized for large-scale AI tasks. Gemini 2.0 Flash now features improved performance on key benchmarks, with image generation and text-to-speech cap…
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Google has issued new guidance explaining how events such as flight confirmations, hotel bookings, and restaurant reservations sent to Gmail accounts are automatically added to Google Calendar. This feature, part of Google’s smart personalization tools, is enabled by default in most countries and helps users manage logistics by integrating event-related emails into their calendars. When Gmail detects an eligible email, such as a ticket or reservation confirmation, it automatically creates a corresponding event in Google Calendar. Events appear with key details such as time, location, confirmation number, and a link to the original email. These entries stay updated if cha…
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Google has officially launched the Pixel 9a, its latest A-series smartphone, now available in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. starting April 10. With a starting price of $499, the Pixel 9a integrates many of the premium features found in Google’s flagship Pixel 9 lineup while introducing a sleek redesign, upgraded camera, and cutting-edge AI capabilities. Pixel 9a is powered by the Google Tensor G4, the company’s fastest and most efficient chip yet. According to Google, the new phone “comes with everything you expect from our Pixel 9 series,” and is equipped with Gemini, Google’s AI-powered assistant. Fresh Look and Brighter Display The Pixel 9a features a revamped desig…
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GoPro, Inc. has unveiled a series of updates to its 360 video ecosystem, including the reintroduction of the refreshed MAX 360 camera, an upgraded mobile editing experience in the GoPro Quik App, and a new GoPro Reframe plugin for Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects. These updates enhance both mobile and desktop editing workflows, providing AI-powered tracking, advanced keyframing, and cinematic effects. GoPro’s MAX 360 camera now features a 5.6K spherical video capability, a longer-lasting MAX Enduro Battery, and a new mounting system compatible with standard ¼-20 tripod mounts. The camera is available for purchase at $349.99 MSRP. Quik App Introduces AI-Powered 360 E…
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Gran Coramino Tequila, co-founded by comedian Kevin Hart and tequila maker Juan Domingo Beckmann, has announced a new round of $10,000 grants for small businesses in under-resourced communities. The expansion brings the total amount awarded through The Coramino Fund to over $1.5 million, benefiting more than 150 entrepreneurs across the United States. Applications for this latest round of grants are now open. The initiative continues Gran Coramino’s collaboration with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and introduces a new partnership with 1st Street Partnerships. In addition to financial assistance, grantees will receive hands-on training and business ment…
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When it comes to running a successful business, communication is key. Effective business communication not only requires clarity but also the use of appropriate email format and etiquette. In this article, we’ll examine some different email format examples for businesses to help you get started creating professional emails that get results every time. Let’s get started with the basics of effective email communication! The Proper Business Email Format Business email writing follows a certain set of conventions that distinguish it from other types of writing. By following these conventions, you create a polished and professional impression that will be appreciated by your…
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