The first step to succeeding in small business is choosing the right type of business to launch. This depends largely on the current market and specific industry, but also includes factors like profit potential, loan availability, competition, and industry growth. To help you decide which specific business is best for you, we identified the 40…
About the Author
Kiah Treece
Kiah Treece is a staff writer at Fit Small Business. As an MS/JD, Kiah was formerly an environmental scientist and attorney specializing in regulatory compliance and real estate development. During law school, she served as an editor of the Law Review and edited manuscripts for faculty and students around the world. When not writing for Fit Small Business, Kiah enjoys yoga, crafting, and working on the farm she shares with her husband and pet pig.
Best States to Start a Business in 2018: Definitive Ranking of All 50 States
As of 2016, there were almost 30 million small businesses in the United States. To succeed, small businesses need a favorable economic environment to limit costs, a high-quality labor market, and a local quality of life that attracts both employees and clients. We compiled and analyzed publicly available data for all 50 states to compile…
15 Best Cities for Gig Economy Jobs in 2018
The “gig economy” is a market consisting of short-term contracts and freelance work. Earlier this year, an estimated 11 percent of working adults in the U.S. worked in the gig economy as full-time independent contractors, with freelance Americans contributing nearly $1.4 trillion to the economy every year. Whether you’re considering a gig-based career or are…
How to Set Up an LLC on LegalZoom in 7 Steps
An LLC is a business structure that provides its members tax and liability benefits. Filing LLCs is a state-specific process, so it’s important to draft accurate articles of organization with your state. You can file an LLC yourself, but we recommend hiring an attorney or legal service to show you how to set up an…
How Much Does a Patent Cost? Types, Factors & Ways to Save
Common patent costs include legal, filing, and maintenance fees. Filing and maintenance fees range from $50 to $700 and $400 to $7,400, respectively, depending on the type of patent. Patent lawyers charge from $1,000 to $10,000-plus depending on the patent type and complexity. How much does a patent cost? Total costs range from $1,500 to…
How to Hire Freelancers in 8 Steps [+ Free Contract]
![How to Hire Freelancers in 8 Steps [+ Free Contract]](https://fitsmallbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/How-to-Hire-Freelancers-in-8-Steps-Free-Contract-300x200.png)
Freelancers are third-party contract employees like bookkeepers and graphic designers who perform various tasks for your business. There are eight steps to hire freelancers, including choosing the right freelance hiring website and writing an effective job description. Following these steps correctly will help you hire high-quality freelancers at a lower cost than traditional employees. Because…
20 Ways to Spend Cryptocurrency for Small Business in 2018
The total value of cryptocurrencies available in the marketplace has grown from roughly $1.6 billion in 2013 to over $300 billion in 2018, with common coins like Bitcoin averaging 150,000 – 250,000 daily transactions. Further, during the first half of 2017, there was an 11.4 percent increase in the number of businesses that accept Bitcoin….
