BGA Business Desk

Latest business owner guides

• Build a four-week cash-flow forecast before your next spending decision

  An original weekly cash worksheet with a worked example, delayed-payment scenario and decision rules for owners weighing inventory, hiring or a large new order.

• Registered Apprenticeship for small employers: join a program or create your own?

  A practical employer opportunity guide to sponsor partnerships, mentor capacity and a first-month cost screen, without assuming grants, immediate placement or nationwide identical rules.

• Build a referral-partner pilot you can measure: fit, introductions and follow-through

  A practical small-business referral workflow: choose complementary partners, define a useful introduction, protect the handoff and measure completed business instead of exchanged contacts.

• HUBZone expansion in 18 states: check the address, workforce and contract fit first

  SBA's October 22 announcement covers 252 governor-designated areas. What the expansion means, why a state name is not eligibility, and how owners can assess the opportunity before applying.

• Before your AI receptionist answers customers: a practical acceptance checklist

  Test the promise, booking record, human handoff and failure path before routing customers to an AI receptionist. Includes a small-business test log and release decision.

• Is an SBA microloan right for your business? Check the use, lender and repayment first

  A small-business decision guide to SBA microloans: permitted uses, intermediary lenders, a repayment stress test and the questions to settle before submitting an application.

• Before offering 20% off: calculate the sales your holiday discount must earn

  A practical holiday pricing worksheet for small businesses: contribution per sale, extra orders required, capacity limits and a clear stop rule.

• ITA opens resource-management industry listing: who should apply before December 11

  A new federal visibility opportunity for eligible U.S. water, recycling, monitoring and related businesses. Check fit, certifications and follow-through before applying.

• Paid family and medical leave tax credit in 2026: wage or premium method?

  A decision guide to the updated Section 45S employer credit, including eligibility screens, wage-versus-premium tradeoffs and records to assemble before filing.

• SBA veteran training awards: where owners can look for acquisition and procurement help

  SBA awarded $1.05 million to five veteran-training organizations. Here is what was funded, what is not a direct business grant and what owners should verify before enrolling.

• How to follow up on a quote without chasing customers: a service-business playbook

  A practical quote follow-up system: three useful messages, clear stop rules and a worked example that separates accepted work from collected cash.

• SBA adds five surety partners: a contract-readiness guide for small businesses

  SBA expanded its surety network in October. Here is what contractors and suppliers should verify about bond access, fees and readiness before bidding.

• D.C. startup funding: new accelerators, free office space and what founders should check

  D.C. announced $5.15 million in startup support. Here are the funded accelerator operators, what founders can pursue and which enrollment details remain unconfirmed.

• Maryland EARN training awards: where DMV employers can look for hiring and upskilling partners

  Maryland announced $4.7 million for EARN workforce training. Find the DMV partners and the questions employers should ask about recruitment, training and costs.

• Maryland REALTOR® Tenise Foxx helps with Section 8 voucher rentals and landlord placement

  Maryland REALTOR® Tenise Foxx supports Section 8 and Housing Choice Voucher renters and rental owners with search planning and tenant placement in Prince George’s, Montgomery, Charles and Anne Arundel counties.