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| MIDNIGHT OIL |
| EDITION 288 |
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| CONTENT FROM METLIFE |
| Voluntary Employee Benefits:
A Step-by-Step Guide |
| Retaining top talent is a challenge for any business, but for small businesses, it can feel like a constant uphill battle. According to MetLife’s 2024 U.S. Employee Benefit Trends Study, a whopping 60% of employers cite retention as a major hurdle. But what if there was a way to combat this? The answer could lie in offering tailored voluntary employee benefits.
Get started with this step-by-step guide for everything you need to know. |
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| CO— EVENTS |
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| Last chance to register for our Small Business Update! |
| With tax season approaching, a new administration taking office, and the ever-present possibility of policy shifts, businesses must be proactive in preparing for the changes ahead.
Join us next Wednesday, January 29th, at noon ET for a special Small Business Update. During this discussion, U.S. Chamber’s Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley will delve into the most immediate and pressing issues facing small businesses in 2025 and beyond. RSVP now to ensure your business is positioned for success in the year ahead. |
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| One of the most accessible and powerful tools for creating financial projections is one you may already pay for — Microsoft Excel. Dive into ways you can leverage Excel to project your sales and revenue, setting the stage for a brighter future without breaking the bank. |
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| That’s how many Americans had fitness facility memberships in 2023. To cater to this huge client base, some fitness centers are embracing a ‘phygital’ approach: combining physical spaces with virtual programming — here’s how. |
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| Many entrepreneurs, especially in the early stages, try to handle their own accounting to save money, but mistakes can be costly. Check out eight common accounting errors to help you navigate the financial side of your business more effectively. |
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| A MESSAGE FROM THE U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
| 2025 State of American Business: All Business Is Local |
| At the 2025 State of American Business, discussions centered on the significance of small businesses and their role in the economy. Key insights reveal that the future of American business is deeply rooted in supporting local entrepreneurs. Leaders advocated for pro-growth policies, streamlined regulations, and workforce development to ensure ongoing economic success.
Read the takeaways to discover how local businesses can drive economic progress and resilience. |
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| GRANTS & AWARDS |
| The Pitch Perfect Grant, a collaboration between Pink Print, Ellie Talks Money, and Skip, offers a $5,000 grant to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Open to individuals aged 18+ in the U.S. or Canada with an active business, this grant aims to support and scale businesses to reach important financial goals. Applicants must submit their applications by January 30.
The Santander X Cultivate Small Business Grant is a $13,000 grant and training program designed to support early-stage food entrepreneurs in the northeast and beyond. This 12-week program focuses on woman-, immigrant-, and BIPOC-owned businesses in low-to-moderate income neighborhoods, offering a food-focused curriculum, mentorship, and access to capital grants. Applications are open through January 30.
The 2025 January Jumpstart grant by HoneyBook offers U.S.-based businesses a chance to win one of ten prize packages valued at over $10,000 each. Eligible participants must be business entities or sole proprietors providing consultative services and can enter by starting or restarting a HoneyBook trial or referring new users. Entries are open until January 31.
The EmpowHer Grant from Boundless Futures Foundation offers entrepreneurs up to $25,000, with funds provided as reimbursements for business expenses upon proof of payment. Nonprofits that support female entrepreneurs through education, mentorship, or financing can request up to $30,000 in grant funding through the Her Village Grant, also through Boundless Futures Foundation. Applications are accepted until February 15.
More grant & program information can be found here. |
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