Cinderella Dreams, Shoestring Budget? No Problem

Social-Media Blitz Is Sweet for Bakery

New York's Spot Dessert has been holding contests on Facebook and offering discounts to people who "like" the place—and that's just the beginning.

Help From the Inside

Companies of all sizes are urging their franchisees to share ideas and help each other out. They're holding conference calls and conventions, setting up mentoring programs and sending in veteran owners to assist newcomers or struggling outlets.

Franchisee v. Franchiser

Issues large and small marked another litigious year for the U.S. franchising industry. Here's a look at the landmarks.

How to Work With Your Spouse

We're still getting comments and letters from readers about yesterday's story, "Married to the Job (and Each Other)," about sweethearts who run businesses together.

Smaller Firms Struggling to Pay Bills

A growing share of unpaid bills at smaller businesses are 'severely delinquent,' a report says.

Obama Proposes Belt-Tightening for SBA

President Obama's fiscal 2012 budget proposal for the Small Business Administration asks Congress for $985 million—45% less than the $1.8 billion that the agency received in 2010.

• In Charge: Breaking Down the SBA Budget

Married to the Job (and Each Other)

While some sweethearts can handle the pressure of building a relationship and a company, many others warn it's a difficult path. The secret to making it work? Have a good marriage in the first place.

• Two's Company: Husband-and-Wife Teams
• Read the full report.

Housing Slump Fuels Credit Squeeze

It's no secret that some entrepreneurs use home equity to finance their companies, but during the housing boom they leaned on it harder than ever. That set them up for a credit crunch when the market collapsed.

The Battle Against Slow Payers

Small companies are using a host of online options to make billing and payment as easy—and inescapable—as possible. Some are even trying to head off problems before they arise by checking potential clients' credit history over the Web.

Supporting Solo Entrepreneurs

Growing numbers of Americans are striking out on their own as solo entrepreneurs. And a whole industrial complex has sprung up to support them, with everything from temporary offices to online services.

Small Talk

We answer questions on choosing a company name, creating an iPhone application and raising funds online.

Unlucky in Love? Turning a Break-up Into a Business

These scorned entrepreneurs didn't get mad. They got profitable.

Fabulous Deals for Gay Consumers?

The daily deal trend is continuing to spread its wings, this time to the gay community. Is this a long-lasting trend or a fad?

Tapping Customers' Egos to Build a Web Presence

There are two words that will grab a prospect's attention every time: The person's first and last name.