Category Archives: Small Business
Disputes Between Businesses And Landlords Linger After The Pandemic
A new strain of COVID, even more contagious than the previous ones, may be making its way to the DC area, but people are going to approach things differently. No one seems especially interested in holing up at home and doom scrolling for an entire winter or partying just to be defiant. This time,… Read More »
What Is The Penalty For Lying To Customers And Business Associates?
There is truth, there are lies, and then there is the special mix of reckless optimism and implausible tales that makes business school happy hour fun. It would be an exaggeration to say that every lie you tell in the context of your job can get you fired or sued. For example, if a… Read More »
DC Voters Approve Initiative 82 To Phase Out Tipped Minimum Wage
For months, the discussion about the midterm elections has been dominated by speculation about which candidates would win seats in Congress, but meanwhile, many states and the District of Columbia distributed ballots asking voters to vote directly for or against specific policies relating to issues such as abortion and cannabis policy. Here in Washington… Read More »
Corporate Fit Is Overrated
Two candidates interview for the same job. They have similar qualifications, and they both have good references. Which one do you hire? All else being equal, most businesses hire the person that the hiring managers consider friendlier and easier to get along with. This intangible characteristic that makes a job applicant appear collegial is… Read More »
Patient Financing Plans And Your Medical Practice
You went into the medical profession because you want to help people. Treating patients is the most rewarding part of your practice and, for some physicians, so is participating in medical research, but even the most business-minded doctors find medical billing stressful. Your billing staff is diligent about negotiating payment with insurance companies, but… Read More »
Which Debts Are You Responsible For Paying When You Close A Small Business?
The commentators on ESPN FC Extra Time sometimes play a game where, given a list of three professional soccer players, they must decide which one they would want to start, which one to bench, and which one to trade to another team. When you close a small business, you must attempt a similar form… Read More »
Credit Card Fraud Hurts Small Businesses, Too
Putting your finances back together after someone steals your credit card information is time-consuming and stressful. At least credit card companies usually give consumers the benefit of the doubt that they are telling the truth about the charges being fraudulent, and even though it takes time, you can usually get the money back that… Read More »
Is Your Small Business Charging Customers Illegal Fees?
The federal government instituted the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in 2010, when most working adults were reeling from the 2008 financial crisis. The goal was to protect consumers from abusive and unfair business practices, predatory loans, and excessive fees. Debt is still a widespread problem in American society; more than half of U.S…. Read More »
Maryland Employers Should Prepare To Comply With New Paid Family Leave Requirements
As of 2022, no federal laws guarantee paid leave from work for short-term illnesses or family caregiving obligations; all legal entitlements to paid leave in the United States are based on state laws. Maryland has been an early adopter of statewide paid leave policies; only ten other states and the District of Columbia implemented… Read More »
Do You Still Have Time To Collect The Debts Owed To Your Business?
Running a business would be easy if everyone paid you the money they owed you. In practice, almost every business operation involves lots of unfulfilled promises, including promises of payment. Not every customer who enthusiastically agrees to buy your products or services will have the money to pay for them when the bills come… Read More »
