David Rivera

Helcim and Square are both excellent merchant accounts that often place high on our evaluations for multiple uses. Helcim is best known for its affordable interchange-plus rates and monthly fees, as well as invoicing, point-of-sale, and ecommerce tools. Meanwhile, Square has fixed-rate pricing but a premium POS system, top-notch free ecommerce and invoicing, and a…

Struggling to find modern, user-friendly software that can handle all the needs of your furniture store without breaking the bank? Read on for our expert picks. Furniture store business operators need an array of tools, including point of sale (POS), inventory management, order and delivery tracking, layaway, warehouse management, and vendor directories. I evaluated nearly…

Clover is a point-of-sale (POS) system that offers an all-in-one, cloud-based solution for small retailers, restaurants, and service-oriented businesses. Its POS software comes with an integrated payment processor and proprietary hardware included in each plan, plus you can integrate additional apps. However, many Clover competitors offer different features, clearer and more flexible payment options, and…

Impulse buyers—customers who make unplanned or spontaneous purchases—are among the types of shoppers you’ll encounter as a small business owner. Impulse buyers’ needs and motivations might seem tricky to predict, but they are a profitable demographic to tap into. A commonly cited statistic estimates impulse buying comprises 40% to 80% of all purchases. Familiarizing yourself…

A point-of-sale (POS) system is an invaluable business tool that has replaced the traditional cash register with constantly evolving, tech-driven solutions. POS systems do more than ring up sales. Most can track inventory across multiple sales channels and store locations, handle employee schedules and clock-ins, generate reports, and collect data for business intelligence and personalized…

A grand opening is crucial for attracting potential customers to your storefront, raising brand awareness, and networking with local businesses. Any business that is new, expanding, or even relocating can benefit from a grand opening event. In this guide, we cover 20 unique grand opening ideas for small businesses to evoke excitement and interest from…

The best bike shop point-of-sale (POS) systems have advanced inventory management features to handle a diverse category of items, including parts, warranty tracking, used items, and consignments. They should also be able to manage an array of transaction types, including custom orders, rentals, repairs, and trade-ins. In addition to these features specific to bike shops,…

Learning how to start a lawn care business begins with writing your business plan and understanding the various associated costs and required legal documents. You’ll also need to research the market, analyze your competition, secure funding, and set up your business systems. Step 1: Write Your Lawn Care Business Plan Starting a business begins with…

The three main Amazon seller fees are sale-related fees (which include referral and closing fees), seller account fees (which will depend on the selling plan you choose), and shipping/fulfillment fees. Miscellaneous fees may also apply in rare cases. Amazon deducts these fees directly from your sales earnings before payouts every 14 days. We’ll walk you…

I’ll walk you through how to start a vending machine business, from evaluating your product options and estimating profit potential to determining sourcing and staying on top of trends, technologies, and markets. Having a clear business plan and understanding the legal formalities are also important. If you think you might be cut out for the…

Wave is primarily an accounting software, but it also offers free invoicing, recurring billing, and online payment processing tools. It includes a free starter plan and offers a simple flat rate to accept credit card, digital wallet, and direct-to-bank (ACH/e-check) payments. Wave Payments is ideal for freelancers, serial entrepreneurs with multiple small businesses, and solo…

Ideal businesses for kids require little training, minimal equipment, and little time commitment (or at least should be time-flexible). Before officially selling their services, children should practice the job with family and friends. For example, before providing lawn maintenance services to paying customers, they should learn the basics of lawn care by tending to their…