News & Insights

Financial Planning Tips for Widows Transitioning to Solo Entrepreneurship

Transitioning to solo entrepreneurship is a significant challenge for anyone, but for widows, this journey comes with unique financial considerations. According to a study by Bowling Green State University, approximately 29.5% of women aged 65 and older were widowed as of 2022.

What Does the SBA Announcement of $3 Million in New Grant Funding to Strengthen Cybersecurity Infrastructure for Emerging Small Businesses Mean for You?

Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), announced $3 million in new funding under the Cybersecurity for Small Businesses Pilot Program. Three grants will be awarded to state agencies to provide training, counseling, and other tailored cybersecurity services for startups and emerging entrepreneurs. “With small businesses accounting for 99.9 percent of all American businesses and employing nearly half of the private workforce, any cyber threat to our small businesses is a threat to our country’s overall economy,” said SBA Administrator Guzman.

Applications will be accepted from July 2-Aug. 2, and applicants can apply for awards ranging from $1,000,000 to $1,045,000 for a performance period of 24 months ending September 2026.

Negotiation Strategies for Profit and Customer Retention

For small business owners, pricing is a delicate balance between profitability and customer retention. Mastering the art of price negotiation can significantly impact your bottom line while maintaining strong customer relationships. Let's explore effective strategies and insights backed by data.

According to a study by McKinsey & Company, a 1% price increase can translate to an 8.7% increase in operating profits, assuming no loss of volume. This underscores the significant impact that effective pricing can have on a small business's profitability.

Integro Bank Announces Special Guest Speaker Jack Selby for May's CEO Club Event

Integro Bank announced their upcoming event for the May CEO Club: "The Secret with Capital Access & Not all Capital is Created Equal." featuring guest speaker Jack Selby, a managing partner at AZ-VC the largest Arizona venture capital fund.  CEO Club members, as well as business owners and business leaders, can learn about the importance of capital access and the differences between various types of capital available in today's market.

Navigating and Negotiating within the Venture Capital Landscape

At its core, venture capital is a form of private equity financing provided by firms or individuals to high-potential startups and early-stage companies. According to data from Pitchbook, a leading provider of private market data, venture capital investment in the United States reached a staggering $166.6 billion across 8,835 deals in 2022, highlighting the immense appetite for backing promising entrepreneurial ventures.

Trends Transforming Entrepreneurial Funding Landscape

According to a report by the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, the global alternative finance market grew by 92% in 2021, reaching $1.19 trillion in transaction volume. This growth is being driven by the increasing popularity of platforms like Lending Club, Funding Circle, and Kabbage, which have collectively facilitated over $50 billion in loans to small businesses and individuals since their inception. In the United States alone, online alternative lending to small businesses reached $25.7 billion in 2021, up from $19.6 billion in 2020, according to data from Transunion.

Unveiling Challenges for Minority-Owned Businesses in 2024

The 2022 Annual Business Survey (ABS) revealed that there were around 5.9 million employer firms in total. Out of these, 1.2 million (21%) were owned by minorities, 304,823 (5.2%) were owned by veterans, and approximately 1.3 million (22%) were owned by women. These businesses together generate over $1.8 trillion in revenue and employ 6.3 million workers. However, some minority-owned businesses are facing challenges that are holding back their growth. Bank of America's 2022 Women & Minority Business Owner Spotlight highlights that 46% of Women & Minority Business Owners have faced difficulties in accessing capital, among other challenges. Minority-owned businesses should remain vigilant and watch out for these challenges in 2024.

The Power of Strategic Collaborations for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs

Small businesses often face numerous challenges when scaling and expanding their operations. From visioneerit.com "statistics showing 70% startups finding it hard to scale their business". Limited resources, market saturation, and lack of expertise can hinder growth prospects for entrepreneurs and small business owners. However, strategic collaborations offer a powerful solution to these obstacles, providing opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and mutual benefit.

Securing and Strategizing for More Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in 2024

Securing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) is a crucial gateway to growth and opportunity for most small businesses and entrepreneurs. As per openassets.com, RFPs have consistently influenced approximately 30-40% of companies' sales revenue over the past four years. However, navigating the intricacies of the bidding process can be challenging, and it requires a strategic approach to stand out amidst the competition.

Entrepreneurship rates have been trending upwards in the United States for the past 19 years.

The top three challenges in entrepreneurs:

1) Recruiting

2) Inflation

3) Insufficient Capital or Cash Flow.