Micro Loans for Business Owners and Entrepreneurs in MD

All over the country there are small business owners who are running their business from an extra bedroom in their home, a basement, or even their garage. It may be a humble beginning but many of the country’s largest companies have started in a similar fashion: Amazon, Apple, Disney, and Under Armour to name a

It’s that time of the year again; office parties, family gatherings, endless hours spent shopping locally for just the right gifts, and, of course, tax-planning. While most people keep their end of year tax planning to dropping off a bag of clothing at Goodwill, or writing one last check to their nonprofit of choice, there

One of the most frequent reasons would-be entrepreneurs give for wanting to start a business is: “I want to be the master of my own destiny!” This desire for independence, and to a large extent for control, is a good thing. The motivation it provides is critical for the survival of the start-up during the

If you haven’t heard, there’s a real Irish pub in Salisbury now and business has been brisk since opening the doors in December 2012. Located in the Clairmont Shopping Center on Route 13 just north of Salisbury University, co-owners Jeff Trivits and Scott Urban have created an atmosphere you might find in any good pub

As an insurance representative with 17+ years in the business, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has been the most challenging and time consuming regulatory task I have faced. The law as approved March 23, 2010 has not significantly changed from its inception. The several thousands of pages of proposed guidance, transitional relief and

According to the US Census bureau, there are more than 1,000 businesses owned by African Americans located on the Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Most of these are “micro-businesses” being led by entrepreneurs. They are owned and operated by one person and he/she is the only employee.         They are truckers, DJ’s, real estate

After receiving the first paycheck this year many employees had a moment of shock and awe. The immediate response was likely a desire to run to whoever processes payroll and demand to know why they had received a pay reduction. However, the decrease in take-home pay was not a result of a bad work ethic

Employees and employers often think of the performance appraisal as a once a year, one hour long (or less) meeting. However, the most effective program is one that is administered throughout the year and is a process rather than just a review. The performance appraisal process will be more effective if you understand its underlying purpose—to provide

MCE sits down with nurse practitioner Kerry Palakanis, DNP, FNP-BC, who has opened a health clinic in Crisfield to serve a chronically underserved community. Tell us about your background. Are you a local? How did you end up in Crisfield? I have been a nurse for over 28 years and a family nurse practitioner for

EASTON, MD – A recent Harvard Business Review blog described “action” as what differentiates an entrepreneur from an inventor. Three Maryland entrepreneurs were recently awarded a total of $35,000 to turn their innovations into business enterprises on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The startup cash and services were awarded through the inaugural Eastern Shore Business Plan Competition,