End of an Era

After 20 years' covering small business for the Los Angeles Times, Businessweek and Bloomberg, I'm moving on in 2015.

Starting Monday I'll be on staff at the San Fernando Valley Business Journal, which won first place in its category last year in a national competition sponsored by the Alliance of Area Business Publishers.

I'm sad that Bloomberg is phasing out its small business coverage in 2015, but I will always be an advocate for small businesses. I'm excited to start something new and I'm also very glad to continue in journalism, which is becoming an endangered profession at a time when we need it more than ever.

Happy New Year!

Six Tips

For effectively using mobile marketing this season.

Customer Service

It's what small biz does best, and it's crucial at holiday time.

No Dumping

Employers can't send sick workers to Obamacare exchanges. Loophole closed.

Sensible Advice

Why is it so many small biz owners don't want to hear it? Wait until you're ready - then expand.

How to Beat Amazon

Make a product people love, in small batches, with great service.

Immigration Reform

How will it affect biz startup rates? Positively, a new study says.

Cheating on Contracts

New report says 40% of "women-owned biz" are actually ineligible for government contracts.

Experience Counts

Companies that offer products and experiences appeal to millennials.

A Little Bit of Luck

Swiss entrepreneurs say luck has little to do with their success. Credit goes to hard work and education.

Obamacare

Signups for 2015 start Saturday. Here's a guide for the self-employed.

Cyber Monday?

I prefer Free Shipping Day, Thursday Dec. 18. More than 500 retailers; no minimum purchase.

That's Sick

Employee sick leave is now mandatory in some places. Where does your company stand?

Personal Guarantee

Can you get a loan without one? Maybe, maybe not.

Holiday Sales

Eight tips for increasing your company's revenues this Nov/Dec.

Get Lucky

A scientific understanding of biz luck includes flexibility, optimism and persistence.

Make It!

You need funding for a prototype. Here's where to find it.

Subtract, Don't Multiply

Having many locations doesn't mean you need many bank accounts.

New Restaurant Loan?

Not very likely. Some alternative funding choices to consider.

Hanging It Up

Small biz owners finally able to retire? BizBuySell reports market recovering.

Two Companies

One corporate entity - or two? Depends on your risk tolerance, among other factors.

Launch it Right

Half a dozen tips for getting your new product noticed.

What It's Like

To be the only woman in the room. Awkward, much?

Regression

Women-led firms get 15% of VC funds and there are fewer female investors than in 1999.

Love and Money

Going into business with your boyfriend? Read this first.

Bridging the Gaps

Minority women entrepreneurs forge their own paths to success.

Will Work For BC

What I learned about Bitcoin, in this month's OC Register Metro.

Women Ventures

As more women helm startups, more women angels are funding them.

Grape Crush

Small winemakers hardest hit in the Napa quake rush to reopen for Labor Day.

Out of Sight?

Doesn't mean you have to be out-of-touch. Networking is everywhere.

Closing the (IT) Gender Gap

A comprehensive look at the effort includes a link to my column.

Twitter Me

If you're not already following me, let's connect! I'm @kareneklein

Motivate Your Sales Team

With these tips from the pros.

Financially inKleined is Famous

Thanks to a mention from Independent We Stand, that is!

Maximizing Minimum

How small employers are coping with recent minimum wage increases.

They're Different

Speaking about Millennials at the Sage Summit tomorrow - stop by and see me!

Funding Options

New ways for entrepreneurs to get capital are proliferating.

Barriers to Success

It's not just racism, sexism and dearth of capital that stymies minority women biz owners.

As I Was Saying

How to get ahead by speaking vaguely. Brilliant.

Please "Like" Me

Tips on how to get online reviews for your products or services.

Sharing the Pie

How to reward tech workers with equity - or not.

Retention Tips

Don't let competitors steal your best employees.

Pivot

It's a cliche, but it works - and not just for tech companies.

Slippery Slope

No compromise when it comes to business ethics. That is all.

Questions, Questions

Small biz owners are still confused about Obamacare.

Moving Day

In 2013, 58 percent of existing home sales in the U.S. were closed from April to August.

Alternatives

Merchant cash advance loans are popular - but expensive. Here's another way to borrow fast.

Summertime

Can you take a vacation from your business? Sure - here's how.

IRS Mistakes

Can you fight the taxman? Yes you can.

Dilemma

Entrepreneurs get squeezed between long waits for payment or discounts that boost cash flow.

Explain, Please?

Online businesses offering free services, make your business model transparent. Hiding looks suspicious.

Get Noticed:

How to help make your web ad go viral.

Friendly

How much does business-friendly climate affect small biz success rates? Maybe not so much.

What's It Worth?

Lots of good reasons to know your business' value. 

For Shame

Little guys find a new way to spur deadbeat clients - call 'em out online.

Did You Know?

Your business can go public without Wall Street? DPOs explained.

Bring 'Em In

How does your store get noticed if you're off the beaten path? Some tips.

Hitting the Century Mark

How does a 100-plus-year-old business refinance its debt? Carefully.

SBA Online

New programs promises fast, easy loan approvals for entrepreneurs - without sky-high interest.

No Do-Overs

Hire the right employees the first time around.

Reading List

What books are on your nightstand - or in your Kindle? Suggestions for entrepreneurs. 

Selling in China

Are there easy ways to make your website appealing to Chinese consumers? You bet there are.

Retail Diet

Shrinking your store's footprint? Here's how to do it the right way. 

Uncoupling

Is there a brave new world where employers don't provide health insurance? Maybe.

Forgot About Taxes?

Or just didn't file? Oops. Here's what to do now.

Cottage Food Laws

Tips for passing home food inspections.

Earn a Living

Can you make money on your web videos? Some say yes.

Adult Education is a Wonderful Thing!

I listen to online university courses. Yes, for fun.

Truck Troubles

What's wrong with transportation brokers and how things might get better.

Crowdfunding

How to get your campaign seen and your project funded, in today's column.

No More Free Lunch

It's the end of an era for social media marketing, now that small biz has to pay up.

New Kids

Some new entrants into the small biz lending field are challenging the merchant cash advance lending model.

Do-Gooders

Ranking companies that aim to do well by doing good. Check 'em out.

Deadline Looming

Obamacare enrollment deadline is Monday, March 31. Enrollers aim to dispel myths around the program.

License It

Small biz can jumpstart market acceptance by licensing big brand equity. Here's how to get started.

Don't Risk It

Here are some ways that small biz owners can step up to better protect customer data.

Nerf Darts, Really?

The dark side of open offices, where too much creativity impedes actual work.

Zen Tips for Tax Time

Relax, it's only taxes! Some guidelines for coping.

Partner Love

Don't trust a would-be partner? Don't get married!

Famous Neighbor

Okay, so this crazy thing is happening right now around the corner.

Score A Goal

Looks like small biz share of govt contracting has hit 23% goal for the first time since 2005. Confirmation expected later this year.

The Ghost of Bad Debt

Options for erasing old credit card debt, in the column today.

Do You Free File?

If your income is below $58,000 you can! Free tax prep software is available now from your friends at the IRS.

Help for Health

Six in 10 uninsured adults don't know that millions of Americans qualify for insurance subsidies. This site offers options.

Smart Answers

Expansion plans are tough when payments are late. Solutions in my column.

High Praise

"You are one of the few writers who genuinely has the small business owner in mind and heart when you write - which is refreshing."

The What Rule?

Small biz owners probably aren't very familiar with it, but the Volcker Rule may increase small biz lending.

Forget Drones

Here's an interview with a small biz that literally reaches Mt. Everest.

Biz Expansion

Advice on how/when/why to expand a small business in this week's column.

Smart Answers

Q: Single-owner small biz asks about signing up for Obamacare's SHOP exchange. A: Can't be done. But there are alternatives.

Sticking Point

Navigating Obamacare subsidies has got self-employed types concerned. Advice on how to handle them here.

No More Shell Games

Small biz owners get scammed. Here's how they should deal with and prevent it.

Searching in China

How can a small business get seen on Baidu, China's search engine? Advice in my column. 

SBA Chief Nominee

Maria Contreras-Sweet, of LA's ProAmerica Bank, is Obama's pick to head the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

Free File Friday

The IRS’ online tax preparation and e-filing program for Americans with gross income under $58,000 (that's 70% of us) launches Friday.

Hot Diggity

Can Pasadena's Dog Haus do for the lowly hot dog what CPK did for pizza? My column in latest Pasadena Magazine.