Business Ideas and Inspiration

Bubble tea, or boba tea, is a popular beverage that originated in Taiwan. It usually includes tea, milk, tapioca balls, and sometimes other toppings. There are several franchises available in the U.S. for entrepreneurs interested in building a business around this beverage. Here are a few bubble tea franchise opportunities to consider. Top Bubble Tea Franchises If you’re ready to start a bubble tea business, there are plenty of brands offering new franchise locations around the U.S. Here are some top bubble tea franchise opportunities to consider. Kung Fu Tea Kung Fu Tea is a popular brand with over 2000 stores across the U.S. The company provides a ten-step process f…

The build-to-rent (BTR) housing market continued its upward surge in 2024, reaching a historic milestone with 39,000 new single-family rentals completed across the United States, according to a new report from Point2Homes. Based on Yardi Matrix data as of March 2025, this figure marks a 15.5% increase over 2023 and underscores the sector’s rapid growth since the pandemic era, when completions hovered around 6,000 to 7,000 units annually. Point2Homes’ analysis highlights how the BTR model—which merges the low-maintenance appeal of rentals with the space and privacy of detached homes—has evolved into one of the fastest-growing segments of single-family home construction. T…

Key Takeaways Global Marketplace Expansion: Building an effective international sales team is essential for businesses seeking to expand their reach and adapt to diverse markets. Cultural Awareness: Understanding cultural nuances and consumer behavior is key to tailoring sales strategies that resonate with different audiences. Effective Relationship Building: Prioritizing relationship building enhances trust and communication with international customers, leading to increased sales and repeat business. Key Skills for Success: Strong negotiation and communication skills, along with active listening and flexibility, are crucial for navigating the complexities of inter…

Key Takeaways Trust is Essential: Trust forms the foundation of successful business partnerships, enabling better collaboration and innovation.Shared Values Matter: Choose partners who align with your core values to create a cohesive brand and shared market goals.Open Communication: Maintain transparency in communications to foster trust and encourage open discussions about challenges and opportunities.Assess Reliability: Evaluate potential partners based on their character, integrity, track record, and industry competence to ensure a trustworthy relationship.Establish Clear Expectations: Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and goals to avoid misunderstandings and s…

Staying at home with kids is a full-time job on its own. But many moms also want to make extra money online or with a home-based business idea. If you’re looking for the perfect business idea for stay at home moms, read on for some options. What is a Mompreneur? A mompreneur is any mom who also runs a business. The term is often applied to those who run companies that serve other moms, or those who serve as the primary caregiver for their children. Read more: What is a Mompreneur? Business Opportunities for Stay-at-Home Moms Technology has opened lots of opportunities for stay-at-home moms and anyone looking to run a business remotely. You can run a company completely…

Small business loans can be an excellent option for starting or expanding your business. However, with the variety of loan types available, it can be challenging to determine which one suits your needs best. In this article, we will cover some of the most common business loan terminology you should know to make an informed decision. Let’s get started! What is Loan Terminology? Business loan terminology can be confusing for small business owners. Business loan terminology is a set of words and phrases used in the lending and borrowing of money. The most common terms in a business loan agreement are principal, interest, maturity, and amortization. Business Loan Glossary…

You do not always need a lot of money to start a new business, and there are many business ideas you can pursue that do not require a large upfront investment. So, if you are considering starting a new business venture but do not have a lot of capital, there are still plenty of options available for you. Whether you’re interested in e-commerce, freelancing, or passive income ideas, there are opportunities that can be explored with minimal upfront investment. Read on to discover what kinds of businesses you can start without requiring a large investment. How Can You Start Your Own Business With No Money? If you would like to start a new business without incurring larg…

The California Chamber of Commerce has announced the launch of the first Small Business Grant Awards, offering $20,000 in total funding to support small businesses across the state. In partnership with the Sacramento Host Committee, the California Retailers Association, the California Restaurant Association, the California New Car Dealers Association, Western Growers, and Visit California, CalChamber will award four $5,000 grants to selected recipients. Two of the grants will go to small businesses impacted by recent wildfires in Los Angeles—specifically one business affected by the Eaton Fire and another by the Palisades Fire. The remaining two grants will be awarded to…

A federal grand jury has indicted Edward Michael Greer, a Newport Beach businessman, on charges of tax evasion. According to the indictment, Greer, the owner of insurance salvage company Greer & Kirby Co. Inc., allegedly misclassified millions of dollars in personal expenditures as business expenses between 2017 and 2020. The indictment alleges that Greer used his company’s bank accounts to cover personal expenses, including payments to bookmakers Wayne Nix and Ken Arsenian to settle gambling losses, as well as the purchase of a 2021 Mercedes Benz. Greer allegedly concealed these payments in the company’s financial records and directed them to be recorded as business…

Small businesses often struggle with advertising due to limited budgets. However, there are many completely free ways to promote your business online and increase brand awareness. In this article, we will explore the best free small business advertising ideas that can help small businesses grow their customer base without breaking the bank. Let’s get started! What is free advertising? Free advertising refers to promoting a product or service without spending any money on advertising costs. Instead, businesses can utilize various methods such as social media channels, word-of-mouth marketing, community events, and Google search engine optimization to reach their target au…

If you’re unfamiliar with What is Canva, it’s an excellent tool for producing professional-quality designs. Many individuals are curious about whether they can sell products made with images created with Canva. In this blog post, we’ll explore the Canva personal or commercial use policy to help you understand what you can and cannot do with your creations. Can You Use Canva for Commercial Use? Canva is an excellent tool for creating stunning designs on your personal computer or mobile device, even if you aren’t a professional graphic designer. According to the license agreement, all free photos, music, and video files available on the Canva platform can be used for both…

Canva has introduced a range of new features aimed at enhancing presentations, collaboration, and design customization. The latest updates include offline presenting mode, interactive animations, collaboration enhancements, and AI-driven creative tools, addressing key user needs in delivering impactful presentations. Enhancing Presentation Delivery One of the most requested features from users was the ability to present without relying on an internet connection. Canva’s new Offline Presenting Mode allows users to deliver presentations seamlessly, ensuring that slides, animations, and transitions function without disruptions. This feature is designed for conferences, clie…

Canva has officially launched Visual Suite 2.0, its most comprehensive product update to date, during the Canva Create 2025 event. The update introduces a suite of AI-powered tools and new features aimed at seamlessly merging creativity with productivity. According to the announcement, Visual Suite 2.0 is designed to eliminate the disconnect between productivity tools and creative platforms by allowing users to work across presentations, videos, whiteboards, websites, and spreadsheets within a single format. “Whether you’re brainstorming on a whiteboard, mapping out your strategy in a doc, or building a campaign across slides, spreadsheets, and socials, everything lives …

Cash App has announced it is beginning the rollout of Afterpay’s pay over time offerings to eligible customers across the U.S., bringing the popular Pay-in-4 product to hundreds of thousands of merchant partners starting this week. The integration marks a major step in unifying the two leading fintech brands under a new identity: Cash App Afterpay. According to the announcement, customers shopping online at participating merchants can now select $Afterpay at checkout to split purchases into installments. Eligible Cash App customers new to Afterpay will be able to begin using the pay over time service immediately through merchant websites, while existing Afterpay users wi…

Are you looking to start your entrepreneurial journey and need some ideas? Here are 25 cash flow business ideas you can start. These small businesses are easy to start, require little up-front investment, and generate a consistent flow of income. Let’s get started! What are the Characteristics of a Good Cash Flow Business? Having a steady cash flow business with recurring income is important for small business owners. Here are five characteristics of a good cash flow business: Low Overhead Costs A business with low overhead ensures that a significant portion of the revenue isn’t eaten up by fixed and variable costs. It’s the foundation of sustainability. Less money sp…

Growing cherry tomato seeds can be a lucrative venture when managed properly. Cherry tomato plants yield substantial amounts of fruit annually and are available in various types, including black cherry tomatoes, sungold cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and more. Cherry tomatoes are extremely popular. Their compact size enables them to be packed with flavor, and with their many varieties, they can add a beautiful pop of color to salads and other dishes. Not to mention their health benefits. Cherry tomatoes contain vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene – even more than their larger counterparts. They are also lower in calories and carbohydrates. Cherry tomato plants need ple…

Key Takeaways Significance of Naming: The name of your spiritual business plays a crucial role in conveying your mission and values, influencing customer perception and connection. Purpose Alignment: A well-chosen name reflects your core values and aligns with your entrepreneurial vision, attracting clients who share similar beliefs. Branding Impact: A memorable name enhances your branding strategy, supports marketing consistency, and fosters an emotional connection with your audience. Types of Names: Classic names evoke peace and wisdom, while creative names offer intrigue and uniqueness, both serving to attract your target audience. Audience Understanding: Resear…

In the bustling world of the built environment, a civil engineer’s job description at a small business encompasses a spectrum of responsibilities. From the inception of an idea to the final execution of the project, the civil engineer becomes an indispensable character who ensures that visions turn into reality. What Does a Civil Engineer Do? A civil engineer in a small business environment performs a blend of tasks, including but not limited to civil engineering projects, feasibility studies, construction site management, and more. The roles often include project management and maintaining project status, frequently updating the team and stakeholders regarding project p…

Stripe announced a new partnership with CLEAR, the identity verification platform trusted by over 30 million customers, to power its billing and payment infrastructure. As of March 24, 2025, CLEAR has officially migrated its online and in-person payments to Stripe, adopting the platform’s suite of tools including Stripe Billing, Stripe Terminal, and Stripe Radar. CLEAR, widely recognized for its CLEAR Plus membership that uses biometrics to streamline airport identity verification, has expanded its reach into industries such as healthcare and financial services. Now, with Stripe handling its payment processing, the company aims to provide the same seamless experience for…

Cloud Engineers are using artificial intelligence (AI) more than any other profession in 2025, according to a new study by ZapCap. The report evaluated AI engagement across industries by analyzing Google search volume, professional AI usage rates, and the number of AI-focused courses available on one educational platform. These factors were combined into a weighted AI usage score, with Cloud Engineers earning a perfect 100. The field recorded 32 million monthly Google searches for AI-related tools, the highest among all professions examined. In addition, 70% of Cloud Engineers are actively using AI tools, supported by access to 27 specialized courses. ZapCap’s study sugg…

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced the launch of a new three-year Rural Jump-Start (RJS) Operating Grant program aimed at stimulating economic development and job creation in economically distressed rural counties. The initiative, approved by the Colorado Economic Development Commission (EDC), will distribute up to $630,000 in grants to support approximately 36 businesses and at least 120 new jobs across the state. “Colorado is committed to supporting the small businesses that drive our economy and these grants will support businesses in our rural communities around the state. Colorado is one of the best places to start …

Key Takeaways Understanding Bad Behavior: Recognize that bad behavior, including gossip, negativity, and disrespect, disrupts team dynamics and productivity, leading to a toxic work environment. Identifying Common Types: Familiarize yourself with common misconduct such as poor communication, failure to collaborate, and not meeting deadlines to proactively address these issues. Impacts on the Organization: Acknowledge the negative effects of bad behavior on employee morale, work-life balance, interpersonal conflicts, employee retention, brand reputation, and overall operational efficiency. Effective Management Strategies: Implement strategies such as documenting beha…

Comcast announced Thursday that 100 small businesses in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and surrounding communities will receive comprehensive grant packages through the Comcast RISE program. The initiative is part of a broader $3 million national effort aimed at supporting 500 small businesses across five U.S. regions. The grant packages will include a $5,000 monetary grant, a full technology makeover, professionally produced marketing assets, media exposure, access to educational resources, and business coaching sessions. Applications will open May 1 and close May 31, with interested businesses directed to apply at www.ComcastRISE.com. “Small business owners in Grand Rapids a…

When starting a restaurant or renovating your kitchen, a commercial broiler is essential in today’s modern culinary environment. These powerful appliances significantly influence the flavor and presentation of your signature dishes. Their main purpose is to cook food at high temperatures from above, creating a delicious sear or crust. Due to its importance, it is crucial to comprehend the benefits of a high-quality broiler. Definition and primary function Commercial broilers, commonly found in restaurants, operate differently than your typical home oven broiler. While both aim to apply high heat, the commercial version does so more efficiently and over larger food volume…

Excess humidity in work settings can lead to a variety of issues, such as mold growth, musty odors, and damage to equipment and products. To combat these problems, businesses often turn to commercial dehumidifiers, which are designed to remove moisture from the air and maintain optimal humidity levels. With a wide range of options available on the market, selecting the right commercial dehumidifier can be a daunting task. Importance of humidity control in businesses Humidity control is essential in a business environment as it directly affects employee health and safety, as well as the lifespan of equipment and products. High moisture levels in the air can foster the gro…