If your business has 50 or fewer employees, there’s no penalty for not offering a group health insurance plan. But there are many bottom-line benefits that come with group insurance. Together, these benefits can make providing group health insurance more than worth the cost. According to a recent survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, […]
Do you have employees who are 65 or older? If so and you provide group health insurance, what pays first? Medicare or your company plan? For employees who are Medicare-eligible or already covered by Medicare, you want to understand the rules about which insurance plan pays first (the primary payer) and which pays second (the […]
“When you buy a franchise, you may be able to sell goods and services that have instant name recognition and get training and support that can help you succeed. But purchasing a franchise is like any other investment: There’s no guarantee of success.” — Federal Trade Commission There are two main participants in a franchise […]
The Business Incubator Center in Grand Junction serves as an umbrella organization for facilities and programs offering a range of resources to entrepreneurs starting and growing their ventures. The center houses the Small Business Development Center, a satellite office of the Circular Economy Development Center, GJ MakerSpace and business and kitchen incubators as well as […]
Are you looking for working capital or a business loan? Maybe you’re consider ways to win more contracts. Your business plan — you do have one, I hope — is an essential element for these financial endeavors. A business plan offers a road map that keeps you on track and lets potential lenders, investors, business […]
When you bring new employees on board, the last thing you want is to run afoul of workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, wage reporting and other new hire requirements. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) publishes a monthly newsletter and offers other useful information. Once you’re registered as a business in Colorado, you should […]
No later than the end of this year, almost all small businesses must complete and file what’s called a Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOIR). You can complete this form online and print a copy for your records. You’ll also be offered an opportunity to obtain a Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) identification. It’s not required […]
Once a year, businesses registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) must update those registrations whether there have been any changes or not. In 2022, the federal government replaced the old registration with what’s now called SAM. In addition to changing how information about contracting and other opportunities is displayed, the annual registration update […]
Should you enroll your business in the U.S. Small Business Administration 8(a) program? Here’s some information to consider to help you decide. First, what is the 8(a) program? According to the SBA: “The 8(a) program is a robust, nine-year program created to help firms owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.” The program […]
Thinking about a New Year’s resolution for your business? Ever considered selling your products or services to the federal government? The opportunities are vast and varied. As the U.S. Small Business Administration notes, the U.S. government is the world’s largest customer. It buys all types of products and services. Moreover, it’s required by law to […]