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Launching a tax return business demands precision, not guesswork. For Black entrepreneurs ready to serve clients during peak filing seasons, success hinges on seven non-negotiable steps that protect your assets and ensure compliance. You cannot afford to wing this; one missed deadline or structural error can cost you clients and money.

Pick the Right Business Structure to Protect Your Assets

Your choice of business structure dictates your tax liability and personal risk exposure. As a sole proprietor, you report income on Schedule C and face a 15.3% self-employment tax on net earnings [1]. An LLC offers critical personal asset protection while providing tax flexibility; single owners report on personal returns, while multi-member LLCs file partnership returns [1].

Avoid the pitfalls of C-corporations, which are taxed separately and risk double taxation on dividends if you owe $500 or more in quarterly estimated payments [1]. Instead, consider an S-corporation, which allows income to pass directly to shareholders, avoiding double taxation, provided you file Form 2553 and follow strict IRS guidelines [1]. Choosing the right structure now sets the foundation for your entire operation.

Build a Secure, Dedicated Workspace for Efficiency

You need a workspace used exclusively and regularly for business to qualify for the home office tax deduction [1]. This space must be separate from personal areas, such as a dedicated room or clearly defined section, to meet IRS requirements [1]. Document your office with photos and measurements to substantiate claims if audited [1].

Equip this area with a computer, printer, scanner, and secure filing system to guarantee confidentiality and focus [1]. Ensure your technology includes a reliable internet connection and access to tax software like Intuit to streamline workflow and maintain compliance [1]. An organized, professional environment signals reliability to your clients.

Master Bookkeeping, Laws, and Ongoing Education

Accurate bookkeeping is your lifeline; track every financial transaction to identify deductions and ensure regulatory compliance [1]. You must stay informed on current tax laws and filing deadlines to provide accurate advice [1]. Ongoing education and joining professional organizations will sharpen your expertise and keep you updated on industry trends [1].

What you can do right now: Draft a checklist for your business structure decision, designate your office space today, and set up a separate bank account for your business finances. Review IRS guidelines for the home office deduction immediately to maximize your eligible expenses like utilities and internet costs. Your next step is filing Form 2553 if you choose S-corp status or securing your LLC registration to lock in asset protection.

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Stop letting a racist stereotype dictate your food choices or your brand identity. The watermelon was weaponized against Black entrepreneurs specifically to crush our post-emancipation economic independence, but understanding this history gives you the power to reclaim the fruit as a symbol of your own business sovereignty.

From Cash Crop to Racist Trope

After the Civil War, formerly enslaved people across the South turned watermelon into a legitimate cash crop because it required little land or capital [1]. Black farmers became the nation’s largest producers of watermelon, using the fruit to build income and property ownership outside the plantation system [1]. This success made watermelon one of the first tangible paths to Black economic independence during Reconstruction [1]. Freed people grew, ate, and sold the fruit in public squares to celebrate their new property rights [1].

Southern whites, threatened by this newfound freedom and self-sufficiency, deliberately rebranded the fruit to disparage Black people [1]. They labeled watermelon a symbol of uncleanliness, laziness, childishness, and unwanted public presence to argue that Black people were not ready for freedom [1]. The trope spread through print culture and visual media, including postcards and ads that shamed Black watermelon merchants by depicting them as ignorant buffoons [4].

How the Stereotype Crushed Black Business

The smear campaigns weren’t just about hate; they were a strategic attempt to squash African American businesses [6]. By associating the fruit with ignorance and laziness, white supremacists justified refusing to accept Black participation in society, politics, and business [6]. Ads showed Black people “stealing, fighting over, or sitting in streets eating watermelon” to shame Black merchants and undermine their legitimacy [6].

This narrative forced many Black people, including children, to avoid eating watermelon in mixed company to avoid confirming stereotypes of being lazy or dirty [1]. As a result, entrepreneurs and individuals placed restrictions on themselves, bending to the very thing they thought they were resisting [1]. The stereotype was carefully engineered generations ago to limit Black wealth and keep Black people landless [1].

Reclaim Your Slice and Your Market

You do not have to let historical propaganda limit your palate or your market strategy. The best watermelon you can find traces its genetic roots to ancient Egypt and Sudan, where it was first domesticated as a sweet, red fruit [1]. When you grow, sell, or simply enjoy watermelon today, you are enacting the same property rights and economic independence that your ancestors fought for [1].

What you can do right now:

Audit your brand: If you are a food business, ensure your marketing doesn’t accidentally lean into tired tropes. Instead, highlight the fruit’s African origins and its history as a symbol of freedom.

Educate your customers: Use your platform to share the true history of watermelon as a cash crop for Black farmers, turning a potential stereotype into a story of resilience.

Support Black growers: Buy from Black-owned farms that continue the legacy of watermelon cultivation as a path to economic independence.

Reclaiming your slice is about rejecting the lie that you are unfit for business and embracing the truth that you are the original innovators of this crop.

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Small business optimism finally turned upward in June, offering a rare signal of relief for Black entrepreneurs navigating high inflation and tight labor markets. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index climbed 2.1 points to 97.4, edging closer to its 52-year average of 98.0 and marking a shift from the declines seen earlier this year [1][2]. This rebound wasn’t just noise—it was driven by concrete improvements in real sales expectations and confidence that business conditions will improve over the next six months [1].

Hiring Plans Rebound While Labor Shortages Persist

For small business owners trying to scale, the job market is showing mixed but promising signs. Thirty-two percent of owners reported unfilled job openings in June, up 3 points from May’s lowest level since May 2020 [1]. More importantly, a net 11% of owners now plan to create new jobs in the next three months, up 2 points and signaling a correction from May’s hiring slump [1].

NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg noted that while lower fuel costs are providing welcome relief, high interest rates and modest economic growth are still making owners cautious about hiring and capital spending [1]. If you’re looking to expand your team, this rebound in hiring plans suggests the labor market is stabilizing, but qualified workers remain hard to find in sectors like wholesale trade and agriculture [3].

Inflation Remains Top Concern, But Price Hikes May Ease

Inflation is still the single most important business problem for 21% of owners—the highest reading since October 2024 [1]. However, there’s forward-looking good news: only 32% of owners plan to raise prices in the next three months, down 2 points from May’s peak [1]. Meanwhile, 38% of owners actually raised prices in June, the highest level since January 2023 [1].

Capital spending is also picking up. Twenty percent of owners plan capital outlays in the next six months, the highest reading of the year [1]. Short-maturity loan rates dipped to 7.4%, the lowest since October 2022, which could help ease borrowing pressure [1].

What you can do now: Use this optimism to finalize hiring plans and lock in capital projects before rates potentially rise again. Monitor inflation trends closely, but don’t let price-hike fears stall growth—sales expectations are improving, and that’s your real opportunity. Watch the next NFIB report in August for confirmation that this upward trend holds.

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Georgia lawmakers are actively gathering data on critical policy issues that will shape legislation for small business owners when the General Assembly returns on January 11, 2027. This interim work is not about passing bills today; it is about building the foundation for the laws that will impact your bottom line, taxes, and workforce stability in the coming year.

Why Interim Committees Matter for Your Business

Interim study committees do not write or vote on legislation, but they collect testimony, data, and stakeholder input that often becomes the basis for future bills [1]. Hunter Loggins, the NFIB Georgia State Director, is tracking these meetings closely to protect the interests of small business owners across the state. The range of topics covers nearly every corner of the small business community, from local taxation to prescription medication access.

Key committees Loggins is monitoring include:

Joint Study Committee on Generational Sustainability of Family Farms

House Study Committee on Education Performance Metrics and Workforce Stability

House Study Committee on Local Government Taxation, Funding, and Budgeting

House Study Committee on Transportation Infrastructure and Vehicle Regulation

Senate Study Committee on Protecting Free and Fair Markets in Georgia

Issues like local taxation, pharmacy benefit manager practices, and workforce stability are perennial concerns for business owners. The direction these interim discussions take will directly influence which bills get filed when the session reconvenes in January.

What Small Business Owners Should Do Now

No specific legislative proposals have emerged from these committees yet, but the groundwork is being laid right now throughout the summer and fall. NFIB will continue monitoring these meetings and keep members informed as specific proposals take shape.

If you have interests or concerns about any of these issues, you need to get involved before the session starts. Small business owners are encouraged to reach out to the NFIB Georgia office to share their input directly. Your voice matters in shaping the rules that govern your business, and waiting until January to engage is too late.

Watch the committee meetings over the next few months. The data gathered during these interim sessions will determine the legislative priorities for the 2027 session, making this the critical window to influence policy before the bills are even written.

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Olympic gold medalist Michael Cherry didn’t just win on the track; he reversed a failing business and is now on pace for $275,000 in annual revenue with his Painting with a Twist franchise in Chesapeake, Virginia. For Black entrepreneurs and small business owners, Cherry’s story proves that an Olympic work ethic applied to a struggling franchise can turn decline into rapid growth—fast.

From Olympic Relay to Franchise Owner

Cherry, 30, won gold in the men’s 4 x 400 meters relay at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. But his next victory came in the boardroom. For years, he attended at least 30 classes at Painting with a Twist locations across Orlando, Los Angeles, New York City, and Miami, falling in love with the “fun art, not fine art” experience. In October 2025, he bought a studio in his hometown of Chesapeake that was down 16% in revenue from the prior year.

He saw potential in the decline. Within months, he reversed the trend, generating more than $168,000 in revenue through early June—an 11.5% increase over the same period last year. The studio hit $231,000 in 2025 and is now projected to reach $275,000 in 2026.

The 400-Meter Mindset in Business

Cherry’s main event was the 400 meters, the longest sprint. He says it teaches patience, pain tolerance, and execution under pressure—all critical in business. “You can’t panic in a 400, and you can’t panic in business,” he told Entrepreneur. “There will be slow days, but you have to trust that things will turn around if you keep working.”

He applies the same discipline: showing up daily, staying calm, and experimenting. “In track, you might try something different in a race to get better results; in business, you might put out something that doesn’t work one week and then try something new the next week that becomes a hit.”

What You Can Do With This

If you’re considering a franchise, Cherry’s lesson is clear: visit the location repeatedly, understand the customer, and don’t buy a “maybe” gig. Painting with a Twist requires engaged owners who invest time daily. Qualified candidates need a minimum net worth of $200,000 and $80,000 in liquid assets, with startup costs ranging from $119,000 to $255,500.

Cherry says, “If I had to make this decision all over again, I would still choose Painting with a Twist. I would choose it over a million times.” For Black entrepreneurs, that kind of conviction—backed by discipline and customer focus—is the real gold medal.

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Choosing the right sales CRM software is the fastest way to stop losing leads and start closing more deals for your Black-owned business. Instead of relying on messy spreadsheets or sticky notes, a CRM centralizes customer data so you can track leads, manage deals, and monitor follow-ups with precision. This automation keeps your communication consistent, boosts engagement, and frees you up to focus on selling rather than administrative tasks [1].

Key Features That Drive Real Sales Growth

Don’t just pick a tool because it’s popular; look for specific features that match your workflow. You need robust reporting and forecasting tools to gain insights into your sales performance and predict future trends based on real data [1]. Integrations are equally critical; your CRM must seamlessly connect with your existing email, calendars, and other business tools to maintain workflow efficiency as your team grows [1][3].

For teams new to CRM or looking for budget-friendly options, HubSpot stands out for its ease of use and generous free plan, making it ideal for quick onboarding [1][2]. If your priority is managing your sales pipeline visually, Pipedrive offers a visual sales CRM experience that helps you close deals faster [1][5]. Consider adding an AI sales CRM to maximize efficiency, as these tools provide smart data analysis and recommendations to save you time [1][3].

How to Choose the Best Fit for Your Budget

Start by evaluating your specific needs, such as whether you need advanced automation or just simple lead tracking. Look for user-friendly options that fit your team’s workflow without requiring zero training [1][8]. Always check scalability options to ensure the software can handle more customers and advanced features as your business expands [1].

Evaluate pricing structures carefully. Some CRMs offer powerful free plans, while others have low-cost paid options that might include advanced features like AI capabilities [1]. Before committing, test usability by taking advantage of free trials to see which platform works best for you [1]. Ensure your selected choice has robust integration options with tools you already use to enhance workflow efficiency, especially if you are a small business [1].

Match the platform to your team size, budget, and processes to ensure your CRM evolves alongside your business [10]. Start by identifying where your team struggles most, such as losing track of leads, and prioritize a system with strong lead management to fix that gap immediately [10].

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The most powerful breakthroughs for your Black-owned business won’t come from a market report or a new consultant. They come from the people already doing the work inside your company. These internal innovators, known as intrapreneurs, see the friction, know the customer experience, and hold the ideas that can turn your business into a competitive edge competitors can’t copy [1].

Leaders often scan the outside world for inspiration, but the biggest innovations in mature organizations start with a founder’s mindset embedded within the team. When you recognize and empower these individuals, you unlock speed and innovation that is hard for outsiders to replicate [1].

Spot the Hidden Intrapreneurs in Your Team

Intrapreneurs are the employees who see how things could be better. They share three specific traits: they are knowledgeable about a specific area of your business, they show genuine passion for improving it, and they are credible enough that others believe they can execute their ideas [1].

Unlike employees who just complain, intrapreneurs offer specific improvements. Instead of saying something is broken, they explain exactly what needs to change [1]. Leaders often miss these people because finances, hiring, and customers demand constant focus. To find them, you must ask routine questions during check-ins: How is the work going? What are you seeing that we might be missing? What would you change if you could? [1].

Create Psychological Safety for Innovation

Innovation fails when people are afraid to speak up. Many businesses say they want innovation, but their culture suppresses it because of leadership insecurity. If leaders feel threatened when challenged, employees learn that raising new ideas creates problems instead of opportunities [1].

Culture also matters. When specific results are the only metric that matters, experimentation feels risky. If every unsuccessful attempt is condemned as a failure, employees stop proposing new approaches. You must demonstrate that thoughtful experimentation is valued [1].

In team meetings, talk openly about initiatives that did not work but produced valuable learning. Celebrate both wins and failures that generated progress. When someone raises a concern or proposes a change, respond constructively [1].

What You Can Do Right Now

Start by asking your team what they would change. Look for the person who offers specific solutions rather than vague complaints. Build psychological safety by celebrating learning from failed experiments. When you spot an intrapreneur, give them room to experiment and bet on their ideas. This internal investment creates a competitive advantage that is impossible for outsiders to replicate [1].

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Governor Josh Shapiro signed a $50.85 billion state budget into law on Sunday, July 12, delivering immediate relief for Pennsylvania small business owners by guaranteeing no tax increases or costly new mandates. This deal, finalized after lawmakers returned to Harrisburg to close the gap, means your bottom line stays protected right now without new government fees hitting Main Street.

What the Numbers Mean for Your Business

The final budget represents a 3.7% spending increase over the previous year, totaling $5.85 billion in new spending, which is notably lower than Governor Shapiro’s original proposal. Crucially, the agreement returned funds that PennDOT and the Department of Health did not spend, directly reducing the structural deficit for fiscal years 2027-28. The Senate passed the spending bill with a 44-6 vote, while the House approved it by 167-35, showing strong bipartisan support for keeping taxes stable.

For Black entrepreneurs and small business owners in the state, this is a clear signal that the current administration is prioritizing fiscal restraint over expanding regulatory burdens. You do not need to budget for new state taxes or mandatory wage hikes included in this specific package.

Why NFIB Is Still Urging Action

Despite the good news, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) warns that deferred payments now could lead to tax increases on small businesses in future years. NFIB is specifically concerned about potential future mandates, such as a minimum wage hike, which they argue only hurts small businesses by increasing operational costs. They are calling on owners to take action and remind lawmakers that increasing costly mandates damages the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

What You Can Do Right Now

Do not wait for the next fiscal year to protect your business. NFIB urges you to contact your lawmakers immediately to reinforce that costly mandates like minimum wage hikes are dangerous for small operations. Use this budget victory as leverage to argue against future tax hikes. Keep your business lean and ready, but stay vocal about the need to maintain this no-tax-increase stance. Watch the legislative calendar for any new proposals on wage mandates, as the current budget only secures relief for the upcoming year.

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If you want to keep your customers loyal and grow your revenue, you need to know exactly how they feel about your business. Implementing an online customer satisfaction survey can boost your customer retention rates by up to 55% [source]. For Black entrepreneurs and small business owners, this isn’t just data collection; it’s a strategic move that can increase your overall profitability by 10% [source]. Companies that actively seek these insights are 2.5 times more likely to outperform competitors in revenue growth [source].

Why Gathering Direct Feedback Drives Growth

You cannot make informed decisions without understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your products and services. These surveys gather direct feedback that reveals exactly where you are winning and where you are losing ground [source]. When you use the best surveying software, you enhance your survey data collection, leading to response rates often 30% or more [source]. This quality feedback allows you to adapt quickly and thrive in a competitive market [source].

Top Tools Built for Actionable Insights

Choosing the right tool depends on your specific needs, like ease of use and data analysis features. Here are the top options to help you drive meaningful insights:

SurveyMonkey: Offers a vast library of templates and advanced analytics, making it ideal for actionable insights and real-time feedback [source].

Typeform: Engages users with conversational surveys and personalized paths through logic branching for a better experience [source].

Jotform: Provides over 10,000 customizable templates and strong compliance with regulations for businesses needing flexibility and security [source].

Google Forms: A free, user-friendly tool that integrates seamlessly with Google Sheets for easy data management and unlimited responses [source].

Qualtrics: Excels in advanced analytics and AI-powered text analysis, offering deep insights into customer sentiments and trends [source].

What You Can Do Right Now

Start by identifying your needs, such as drag-and-drop editors or pre-made templates to streamline your process [source]. Look for a user-friendly interface that doesn’t require extensive technical knowledge, ensuring both you and your respondents can navigate easily [source]. Don’t forget customization options to align the survey with your brand identity [source]. If you need mobile access, ensure the tool is optimized for smartphones, and consider adding QR code functionality to enhance accessibility [source]. Start leveraging these surveys today for better business outcomes [source].

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Ohio Governor DeWine signed House Bill 105 into law last week, delivering a critical win for small business owners facing third-party litigation funding. This new legislation forces transparency on outside groups funding lawsuits and, most importantly, bans foreign entities from investing in or influencing Ohio courts [1][10]. For Black entrepreneurs and independent business owners, this means your legal battles won’t be secretly manipulated by overseas financial interests looking to profit from local disputes.

What HB 105 Actually Changes for Your Business

The core of this law requires all third-party litigation funding companies to register with the Ohio Attorney General before conducting business in the state [1][2]. These funders must now disclose their funding agreements after a case concludes, ensuring that plaintiffs and business owners know exactly who is backing a lawsuit and what terms they face [1][2]. Previously, these agreements could remain hidden, leaving small business owners vulnerable to predatory funding terms they couldn’t see until a dispute escalated.

The bill also establishes clear definitions for funding companies and plaintiffs, setting specific terms for when a violation occurs [2]. This creates a legal framework that protects consumers and business owners from being taken advantage of by unregulated funders [2]. NFIB Ohio, which advocated heavily for this bill, identified it as a top legislative priority to bring accountability to the litigation funding industry [1].

Why Blocking Foreign Funders Matters Now

House Bill 105 includes a first-in-the-nation ban on all foreign governments, foreign corporations, and foreign investors participating in third-party litigation funding [10]. This prevents outside entities from secretly influencing Ohio’s legal system with capital that has no stake in our local economy [10]. State Representative Meredith Craig, who sponsored the bill, emphasized that this ensures no foreign entity can invest in or influence our courts [10].

NFIB State Director Jared Weiser confirmed that Ohio’s small business community just scored a major victory with this passage, bringing greater transparency and accountability to outside lawsuit funding [6]. The bill was sponsored by Reps. Meredith Craig and Jim Thomas, along with Senators Steve Wilson and George Lang, and NFIB key-voted for it this session [1].

What You Can Do Right Now

If you operate a small business in Ohio, monitor any legal disputes you face for third-party funding involvement. The new registration requirement means you can now verify if a funding company is legitimate by checking with the Ohio Attorney General [1]. Stay informed about how this transparency affects your legal strategy, as funders must now disclose agreements post-case [1]. Watch for NFIB Ohio updates on how this law impacts litigation trends in your sector, as the organization continues to advocate for small business protections statewide [1].

Have a business tip or success story? Contact [email protected]