(Jeffrey MacMillan / Jeffrey MacMillan)

A tech start-up, building a home in a city not built for them

In a town designed for law firms and lobbying shops, Dan Berger struggled to find space for his young company.

OSB HEADLINES

At long last, a sigh of relief

At long last, a sigh of relief

Amid talks of closing the SBA, Main Street welcomes the president’s long-awaited pick to lead the agency.

  • Do small firms really need their own agency?

Obama nominates new SBA chief

Obama nominates new SBA chief

It took almost a year, but the White House has finally put forward a nominee: Maria Contreras-Sweet.

Small medical groups band together

Small medical groups band together

More than two dozen small practices in the region have teamed up to form one of the largest groups of its kind.

Sales of small businesses surging

Sales of small businesses surging

An improving economy and more baby-boomer entrepreneurs ready for retirement have revived the market.

A new vision for the blind

A new vision for the blind

He set out to build a better watch for the blind. It never occurred to him that was the last thing they wanted.

A second wave of nixed health plans

A second wave of nixed health plans

Some small employers have already seen their insurance plans cancelled. But that was just the beginning.

U.S. Chamber, small firms united?

U.S. Chamber, small firms united?

Often called the voice of big business, group says it plans to lobby on issues vital to small firms.

Small business hiring surges

Small business hiring surges

Coming off a hiring slump in the fall, small firms have clearly put the government shutdown behind them.

THE ROUNDUP

Christie’s scandal, Cantwell’s gavel

Christie’s scandal, Cantwell’s gavel

A review of the biggest small-business news last week.

SMALL BUSINESS ADVICE

How to choose the right capital

How to choose the right capital

Credit cards, bank loans, private equity — with so many options, which one is right for your company?

Small contractors, be a PEST

Small contractors, be a PEST

One federal contractor offers some pointers to firms hoping to break into the procurement business.

Xenophobia: A branding hurdle

Xenophobia: A branding hurdle

A Sikh-American entrepreneur details how he turned his heritage into an asset, rather than something to hide.

A small-business guide to giving back

A small-business guide to giving back

You don’t need a corporate charity arm to do a lot of good this holiday season. Here are a few tips.

Do you need an HR department?

Do you need an HR department?

It’s not generally the most popular department in the company. Here’s how to change that perception.

Common holiday marketing mistakes

Common holiday marketing mistakes

A social media ace walks us through some of the most common mistakes small retailers make this time of year.

Shutdown shakes up tax season

Shutdown shakes up tax season

One expert says small business owners should start planning now for next year’s odd tax season.

Don’t wait on these tax breaks

Don’t wait on these tax breaks

A look at four of the most important business tax breaks that are slated to expire at the end of the year.

How to break into gov’t contracting

How to break into gov’t contracting

Here are four important tips for small business owners hoping to start selling to the federal government.

OSB MEDIA GALLERIES

Businesses to start in 2013

These 10 sectors are primed for rapid growth this year.

Origins of start-up lingo

Ever wonder where the word “entrepreneur” comes from?

America’s innovation hubs

Where can you find the most high-tech professionals?

Business tips in movie quotes

Entrepreneurs explain which lines offer the best advice.

Best cities for small business

PHOTOS | See where your hometown ranks in this list of 25.

Capital Business

Our fresh take on the local business scene.

EDITOR'S CHOICE

A corner cafe, crippled by health-care uncertainty

Owner Jody Manor has big plans for his cafe and catering company, but looming health-care changes are holding him back.

Adapting on the fly to new crowdfunding laws

One crowdfunding platform is keeping close tabs on the latest SEC proposals and adjusting its business plan accordingly.

Campaign for immigration reform gains momentum

Entrepreneurs are shifting attention toward a comprehensive deal rather than the smaller, targeted proposals.