Vacation rental apps like Airbnb have completely reshaped the travel industry. But members of the LGBTQ+ community don’t always enjoy the same experiences as others when traveling. Now, one entrepreneur is serving this community with a platform specifically built for them. Matthieu Jost is the founder of Misterb&b, a travel platform for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Jost got the idea for this service about a decade ago during a trip to Spain with his partner. They booked a room in a shared home on another travel platform, but it was clear that the host wasn’t comfortable sharing their s ..read more

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced that the next quarterly public meetings for the Interagency Task Force (IATF) on Veterans Small Business Development and the Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs (ACVBA) will take place on June 5 and 6. These meetings are important for veteran entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to stay informed and engaged with the policies affecting their businesses. Advisory Committee’s Role and Participants The Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs provides independent advice and policy recommendations to key stakeh ..read more

Digital marketing presents a number of challenges for small businesses. One major issue is keeping up with constantly evolving algorithms on platforms like Google and Facebook, which can impact visibility and engagement. MARKETING ANALYTICS SUMMIT 2024 brings together leading experts to teach you how to analyze your data for better outcomes with your marketing efforts. The competition for online attention is fierce, requiring businesses to create high-quality, targeted content consistently. Data privacy regulations, such as GDPR, also add complexity, demanding compliance and careful handling o ..read more

Several clean energy grants are available for small businesses to help with eco-friendly upgrades. But finding the most relevant opportunities and making sense of them can take a lot of time and resources. Now, the federal government is launching a new initiative to help businesses more easily access these funding options. Read about the new guide and other small business grants and funding opportunities below. U.S. Climate Capital Guidebook The White House recently released a new resource for small businesses looking for capital to pursue clean energy projects. The Climate Capital Guidebook i ..read more

Citizens has unveiled a new digital solution, Citizens Cash Flow Forecasting, allowing small business owners to predict their cash flow up to 12 months ahead. This tool provides tips, insights, and competitive benchmarking. It enables businesses to compare themselves with similar companies based on geography, revenue, and employee count. This tool addresses a need for small businesses by helping them manage their finances more effectively. By consolidating financial applications and leveraging expert advice, businesses can improve profitability, productivity, and cost efficiency. The survey’s ..read more

A small business in Las Vegas is building a large social media following using a unique strategy – giving away cash. Sticky Inky, a printing business that offers various products like stickers and decals, posts videos on their social accounts leading followers on scavenger hunts around the area. Each video starts by showing a sticker with a $100 bill attached, which is then stuck somewhere around the Vegas Valley. The video then zooms out to show a clue about the location, and followers have just minutes to find the cash. Each one includes the #FindSticky hashtag. Sticky Inky’s owner, Roycen S ..read more

The electric vehicle charging market is largely run by big names like Tesla, Electrify America, and EVgo. But there’s at least one small business breaking into the market early and showing other entrepreneurs what’s possible in this evolving market. Franklin’s Charging currently has two locations in Little Rock and Hot Springs, Arkansas. The owner, Jeff Franklin, is a former teacher who was an early investor in Tesla, giving him enough money to start the business. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center, there are currently about 64,000 public EV charging sta ..read more

Orlando, Miami, and Tampa have become hotspots for freelancers, leading the nation in population and revenue growth. This information comes from Fiverr’s 7th Annual Freelance Economic Impact Report. The report also highlights significant growth in cities like Las Vegas and Houston while traditional business hubs like San Francisco and New York show little change. Fiverr’s Freelance Economic Impact Report offers a detailed look at the evolving freelance landscape. The report underscores the growing importance of freelancers in major U.S. cities and the increasing reliance on technology and flex ..read more

Zoom has announced the general availability of new AI capabilities across Zoom Workplace, including enhanced features for Zoom Meetings and Zoom Team Chat. The AI Companion, Zoom’s generative AI assistant, now offers more customization, personalization, and quick reply capabilities. Since its launch in September 2023, over 700,000 accounts have enabled AI Companion, with adoption rates steadily increasing. Here’s a look at some of the new features: Quick Reply for Mobile: The AI Companion can now suggest short, contextual replies in Team Chat on mobile devices, helping users stay engaged and ..read more

Intuit Inc. has announced the launch of the QuickBooks Grant Program. This initiative will provide 20 small business owners with $10,000 each, alongside mentorship resources aimed at fostering their success. This program is a key part of Intuit’s Small Business Success Month, designed to support small businesses with essential tools, resources, and funding. “Helping small businesses thrive is critical to our communities and our economy, but access to capital continues to be a challenge many entrepreneurs face,” said Emma Rodgers, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Revenue at Intuit Quick ..read more