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MiamiHerald.com: Small Business
- Small businesses cutting benefits
<p/>Many small businesses trying to weather the recession are cutting employee benefits along with other expenses, reducing or even eliminating their contributions to healthcare insurance and retirement plans. - Year-end planning gets more complex
<p/>One of the most important tasks for small-business owners is a year-end checkup of their companies' financial health. It's even more critical now as the economic downturn persists. - ScootCoupe built for two
<p/>It was 1990, and times were tough. The country was battling a recession and fighting a war in the Persian Gulf. The savings and loan crisis was hitting its peak. Oil prices were at a record high. - EyeGlow sheds light on middle-aged problem
<p/>Miami-based eyewear designer and retailer Edward Beiner has an eye for style and an ear for his customers. A few years ago, one complaint he heard often -- that it's hard to read in dimly lit places -- gave him what he considered a bright idea. - Resources
<p/>Helpful links to launch or boost your small business - 2008 Challenge
<p/>Read about the Herald's Business Plan Challenge winners - Write a plan
<p/>Get the 101 to writing a business plan from the SBA - Young Popsy Cakes entrepreneur wins national award
<p/>When Jessica Cervantes, the 18-year-old entrepreneur behind Popsy Cakes, needed to make a promotional video, she recruited her 10-year-old cousin Natalie to star in the commercial. - Ads need wordsmiths, not blacksmiths
<p/>Building a business in a stalled economy requires tenacity, creativity and resourcefulness. When you focus these traits upon your marketing communications, you bring in new sales and customers even in tough times. - Managing employees through the holidays
<p/>Managing employees during a bad economy is difficult, and managing them through the holidays can also be a challenge. Small business owners may find that doing both is particularly rough this holiday season. - Many corporate gifts going to charity
<p/>Many small businesses are scaling back their holiday plans not only because of budgets and cash flow but because some owners believe these hard times call for less frivolity. They're still marking the holiday season, but parties may be a little more subdued, and there may be fewer gift baskets sent to customers and clients. - Digital interface design firm The Skins Factory takes off
<p/>If you're a Star Trek fan, you wouldn't pay to download a desktop background image from the upcoming movie. That sort of thing is always available for free on movie websites. - Some firms can't spend for tax break
<p/>When Congress passed the economic stimulus package back in February, the measure contained a huge tax break for small businesses, dramatically increasing a popular deduction on equipment purchases. Now, with a faltering economy, many companies are likely finding they have to forgo the deduction because they can't afford to buy or finance a vehicle or computer gear. - Customers enjoy haggling over price
<p/>Would you haggle over a price? Nearly everyone, if asked, says, ''No way!'' Most research confirms that shoppers hate haggling and actually look for the ``best lowest price.'' - Yummy in My Tummy offers organic baby food
<p/>Like many parents, Karen and Michael Stanley wanted to give their daughter the best when she was born 17 months ago. Then they went a little crazy. - Support system can help owners navigate rough waters
<p/>Many small business owners believe you should never go it alone -- you should always have a support system, whether it consists of financial advisors, mentors, fellow entrepreneurs or consultants, to guide you. It's true in the best of economic times, and it's certainly the case in the current climate. - Big banks turning their backs on small businesses
<p/>It's official: The credit crunch is smashing small business. With banks reining in lending, entrepreneurs -- the backbone of the local economy -- are having a harder time than ever finding needed capital. As a result, more are putting off expansion and just scraping by. - Small business lending plummets in South Florida
<p/>It's official: The credit crunch is smashing small business. With banks reigning in lending, entrepreneurs are having a harder time than ever to find needed capital. As a result, more are putting off expansion and just scraping by.