In a letter by Benjamin Franklin in 1789 to Jean-Baptiste Leroy, he wrote ‘In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” That still holds true today. As we head into 2020, it’s time to start thinking about taxes. So, it’s the perfect time to sit down with a tax…
Every year at holiday time, we reach into our hearts to make sure that local families in need have toys for their children at Christmas. For several years now, we have partnered with Toys for Tots, hosting a toy drop-off for the area, and inspiring our members to get involved. Toys for Tots has…
Coworking provides small businesses with a range of benefits, both quantifiable and otherwise. As the most disruptive thing to happen to office work since—arguably—the dreaded cubicle, the success of coworking can be attributed to many things: Coworking facilitates collaboration Innovation is the product of energy. Energy builds when highly motivated people work in proximity to…
Family-owned businesses are the backbone of the American economy. Studies have shown about 35 percent of Fortune 500 companies are family-controlled and represent the full spectrum of American companies from small businesses to major corporations. This month, we were excited to sit down with Wes Foreman of Foreman Pro Cleaning, a family-owned business here in…
When the temperatures cool, the summer crowds disperse, and the trees begin to show their true colors, Annapolis teems with activities and great things to see and do. Whether you love the bustle of the city or prefer the wide-open rural spaces, there’s something here for everyone. A consensus on the “best” things to…
Sales is a never-ending process that every business owner must engage in. Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes it’s a challenge, but no matter how effective you are at building your pipeline, having a few new ideas is never a bad idea. Closing more sales: quick tips to keep your pipeline moving 1. Know your customer and…
Networking is one of the most effective methods of building your business, but if you are a new business owner, if you consider yourself to be an introvert, or simply don’t have a lot of professional connections, it can be challenging. Networking, however, might be the single most important thing you do in the effort…
Summertime in Annapolis is a wonderful thing. Sunshine (hopefully a lot of it), and the beauty and joys of our gorgeous waterfront are things we look forward to throughout the long, cold, wet winters. But when those joys become distractions, our businesses may suffer – especially home-based businesses, which are often subject to a few…
These days, with more reliable internet access and innovative communications platforms, it’s becoming more common for employees to work remotely or for employers to access workers who live in other places. If this sounds similar to your situation, you are probably maintaining office space that you just don’t need anymore. To save costs and meet…
Lead generation is a crucial sales activity. It’s how we obtain new customers and grow our businesses. If new business is lacking and find yourself stuck for ideas on how to generate new sales leads, we’ve put our heads together to bring you three great ways to make it happen. What is a sales lead?…
