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A new name, and familiar faces

Wayne Butterfield could have walked away. After nearly four decades in printing, he had plenty of experience and other work to keep him busy. But there were customers to think about. Employees, …

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Herald 10-19-26

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Winning at business

Report: 82% of new small businesses have insurance, but many SMBs remain at risk

ERGO NEXT reports that 82% of new small businesses have insurance, yet 73% remain underinsured, often due to cost, confusion, and compliance issues.

China-US ocean freight rates hold steady as post-holiday space tightens

Freight Right reports China-U.S. ocean freight rates remain steady amid tighter post-holiday space, while air freight prices have surged due to increased demand and reduced capacity.
5 Insurance Company Tactics That Could Shrink Your Injury Claim
5 Insurance Company Tactics That Could Shrink Your Injury Claim
(NewsUSA) - After a car crash, dealing with injuries, medical appointments and vehicle repairs can be overwhelming enough. Then comes another challenge: dealing with insurance companies.While …
Turning confidence into a plan: Five ways small business owners can help strengthen their financial future
(NewsUSA) - If you own a small business, you're likely focused on growing revenue, serving customers, supporting employees, and staying competitive. But when you think about the business you've …
7 year-end strategies small businesses are using to prep for tax season
1-800Accountant reports seven year-end strategies small businesses should use for tax prep, including reconciling books, managing mileage logs, and timing equipment purchases.
ERGO NEXT reports on hiring seasonal employees for the holidays, offering 7 key tips to ensure effective staffing, training, and business protection measures.
Bluevine reports the best U.S. cities for small businesses in 2026, with Colorado Springs topping the list, followed by Denver and Raleigh.
States where car wash businesses are growing the fastest
Way reports that the car wash industry is booming, expected to grow from $16.3 billion in 2025 to $20.7 billion by 2033, driven by demand and private equity interest.
Intuit QuickBooks reports small businesses are set to capture $118 billion this holiday season, with consumers planning to spend $278 billion, highlighting a rise in support for small businesses amid varying shopper concerns.
BILL reports that automating expense reporting streamlines financial processes, captures spending at purchase, and enforces policies in real-time, boosting efficiency.
How much does payroll cost? A $50,000 hire can run up to $70,000
Xero reports that hiring a $50,000 employee can actually cost up to $70,000 when factoring in taxes, benefits, and payroll software—owners should budget accordingly.
SVGMaker reports on the importance of centralized vector systems for brand consistency, highlighting how AI tools can streamline design processes and reduce fragmentation.
Clym reports that website accessibility lawsuits are on the rise, with 5,006 federal cases filed in early 2026, often targeting small businesses.
Small Business Features

How to reduce finance tool sprawl in an early-stage company

Mercury reports that early-stage companies struggle with finance tool sprawl, which adds complexity and costs, and recommends consolidating financial workflows to streamline operations.

How to manage the accounts receivable process step by step

Ramp reports that the accounts receivable (AR) process is crucial for tracking customer payments and ensuring steady cash flow, enabling timely operations and growth.
With AI driving up energy costs, commercial and industrial companies have a narrow window to act
Emergent Solar Energy reports that Midwest and Rust Belt manufacturers face rising electricity costs due to AI-driven data center loads, prompting urgent energy strategy shifts. 
6 mistakes startups make when choosing a domain name
Wix reports six common mistakes startups make when choosing a domain name, emphasizing the importance of long-term strategy, domain history, and appropriate extensions.
Americans think it takes $28,000 to start a business. Owners say it's less than half that.
Intuit QuickBooks reports Americans think starting a business costs $28,000, while actual owners spend about $12,000, highlighting perception barriers to entrepreneurship.
As Americans start businesses at record rates, Shopify data helps quantify the growing economic impact of the retail sector
Shopify reports that Americans are starting businesses at record rates, generating $688 billion in economic activity and supporting 2.3 million jobs.
Google Ads conversion adjustments: How to bid toward better leads
WebFX reports highlight how Google Ads conversion adjustments allow advertisers to correct recorded conversions, improving Smart Bidding's accuracy.
Entrepreneurship

68% of small business owners are open to AI in payroll, but only 11% trust it to take over

OnTheClock reports that 68% of small business owners are open to AI in payroll, but only 11% trust it fully, concerned about errors and responsibility.

Clym reports California fines for consumer privacy violations hit $17.1 million in 2026, driven by opt-out issues, especially in cases against major companies.

Companies spend six figures on AI. A third of employees don't know what it costs

Zapier reports that companies are significantly investing in AI, with 52% spending over $100K monthly, yet a third of employees are unaware of these costs.
Get Ahead in Business
The SaaSpocalypse is real, if you're not a system of record
ZoomInfo reports a surge in small companies dropping point solutions, four times last year's rate, as AI reshapes SaaS usage, highlighting a SaaSpocalypse.
WebFX reports compare in-house, centralized agency, and multiple agency marketing models for PE-backed companies, emphasizing control, speed, and expertise across brands. 
BDO reports on shifting from performance management to development, emphasizing continuous feedback, clearer goals, and leveraging technology for enhanced leader support.
How bot traffic is wasting your ad budget and training Google to spend more
WebFX reports highlight how bot traffic wastes ad budgets by causing fake clicks and corrupting data, leading to inefficient targeting and wasted spend.
WebFX offers insights into what makes a post-acquisition rebrand successful. 
Plains State Bank reports that Preferred SBA lenders expedite loan approvals for small businesses, providing critical financial support quickly, especially during economic downturns. 
Why everything has a monthly membership now
Way.com reports that monthly memberships are now ubiquitous, driven by the appeal of recurring revenue for businesses and convenience for consumers.
WebFX reports outline an 8-step process to protect SEO during a merger, emphasizing careful planning, inventory assessment, and post-launch monitoring.
Toggl reports that winning new business can hide costs due to delayed responses, poor project scoping, and unrecorded hours. 
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