Advice from Business Mentors in Central New York

2018 Farm Bill Widens Tax Breaks for Industrial Cannabis

When you consider the recent U.S. Farm Bill signed Dec. 20, 2018, tax law is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. A farm bill is passed about every five years that lays out the government’ Read More
The Facts about Grants for Small Businesses

As advisors and community economic-development specialists, we are often approached by individuals who are looking to start a business or expand an existing one with one common question: “Are there an Read More
How to Mess Up a Company’s Sales & How to Stop Doing It

When salespeople can’t do their job Thousands of salespeople work in conditions that are stacked against their success. Even though it’s 2019, the belief persists that “nothing happens until someone Read More
Motivated Employees May Not Create Motivated Businesses

There are tons of self-help and qualified experts giving advice on how to motivate employees — but is motivating a business the same thing? Not necessarily. A business is made up of employees, so the Read More
Business Vs. Family: 4 Tips For Finding A Successful Balance

Almost everybody bemoans the difficulties in trying to maintain a healthy balance between family and work. But for entrepreneurs, the inability to find that balance is not just unhealthy, it can resul Read More
Customer Discovery: It’s Essential for Entrepreneurs

As a business advisor for the Onondaga Small Business Development Center (SBDC), I frequently encounter entrepreneurs with great ideas for new businesses. Most often, they are convinced that they have Read More
Foreign Derived Intangible Income: A New Deduction for Domestic Corporations

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 added many new acronyms to tax advisers’ vocabularies. A few of the new acronyms in the international arena are GILTI, FDII, BEAT, DEI, and QBAI. Some of these acrony Read More
Don’t Let Low-Hanging Fruit Hold Back Your Sales

When things aren’t going well, salespeople often give in to the quick and easy sale in an effort to get through the troublesome “dry spells.” Others become so addicted, they never reach higher. It’s e Read More
How to Get Started with your Idea for a Food Business

The holidays are over, and as we reflect on the weight gain, credit card debt, and family get togethers, one thing may be sticking out in your head. At least everyone loved my recipe for “fill in the Read More