Images of rioting, looting and vandalism of businesses makes most of us angry. As you are no doubt aware, riots, vandalism and looting are a hazard that can strike any business without warning. Businesses in urban areas are especially vulnerable. These hazards can damage buildings, personal and business property, and can be personally dangerous to Read More

If the coronavirus affects you, family, friends or employees, there is nothing more important than recovery. Coronavirus has halted social activity and commerce around the globe, fast. It is time to plan for the possibility that social activity and commerce will resume fast. Why? In China, coronavirus patients are recovering and resuming their lives. Temporary Read More

Our guest, and the author of this article is Jeffrey Skolnick, CPA, M.S. Taxation. The federal income tax filing date has been pushed back until July 15th. You are not required to file an extension or make any payments. No interest will be charged on payments normally due on April 15th. Some states have also changed the Read More

How does it feel when a good situation rapidly turns uncertain? You may have had a steady paycheck, contract, or supply chain with a large “reliable” company, institution or government. After watching large gatherings, contracts and jobs vanish on short notice due to coronavirus, you are unlikely to ever take these things for granted again. Read More

Although we may not have met, you have our sympathies for loss of your job. It’s a shock and leaves you with a great deal of uncertainty and loss. It’s depressing. It sucks. But in the long term, the news is good. Life goes on. If your job caused dread and anxiety, that’s gone. If Read More

In years past, options for financing your business were limited. Just a generation ago, your bank was the first of few stops available if you needed a business loan. If you were old enough to be in business before the mid-1990s, you may recall how formal it was. You had to make an appointment with Read More

No doubt, this strange virus is causing a panic around the world. At a death rate of 2.5 percent, but with 82 percent of cases classified as “mild”, needing no medical intervention,  the actual number of deaths is low relative to active cases. However, airlines, governments, and millions of people are treating the coronavirus with Read More

According to often published statistics, more than 80 percent of small businesses fail. On the surface, this is lamentable and common scapegoats for small business failure are often “the economy” or “systemic disadvantages for small businesses” or “lack of access to capital”. However, the causes for business failure are quite often preventable through sound practices, Read More

“Pete” owns and operates a well-established plumbing company, founded in the 1920s. Pete had about two dozen employees and was a fixture in his community and the local Chamber of Commerce. For many years, his business thrived, providing plumbing contracting services to the local public school district. In 2008, the collapse of the real estate Read More

A “friend of a friend asking on behalf of another friend” asked me to help finance part of a building acquisition. “Michael” wanted the loan arranged through his representative, “Jay”. The amount requested was $1 million. With great flourish, Jay told me about Michael, who was requesting the money. I learned of Michael’s great wealth, Read More