IN BOX
Dear Karen: I'm cutting costs and wondering whether cutting employee programs will cause resentment.
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With various cost and production challenges, showing feature films in amphitheaters and parks requires a host of business skills. >>
SMALL BUSINESS
Entrepreneurs see falling employment and tighter credit standards, reports show. >>
IN BOX
Dear Karen: I own a small appliance repair company and need a second car for the business and to run personal errands. If I lease, will the car be 100% deductible? Is leasing better than buying? >>
Many consumers and small businesses are refraining from borrowing over uncertainty amid the economic downturn. >>
SMALL BUSINESS PROFILE
Craig Lewis bought Artisan Precast after years in the banking industry and learned some hard lessons about being the boss of a construction business. >>
Later this month, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will host the state's first Governor's Conference on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, to be held in Los Angeles. >>
IN BOX
Dear Karen: I'm beefing up my website myself to save money. Can you give me some suggestions? >>
SMALL-BUSINESS MAKE-OVER
A small-business consultant advises owners of the Los Angeles firm to focus on marketing, expand the product line and boost Fancifull's presence on the Web. >>
IN BOX
Dear Karen: You told a reader to find out whether there was a viable market for his products. Are there companies that help establish if there is a market for a new product? >>
The federal government last year fell just shy of its goal of giving small businesses almost a quarter of its contracts, but the Small Business Administration warned that error-filled data submitted by agencies might have falsely inflated the government's numbers. >>
The Center for Education in TV and Radio trains people for behind-the-scenes jobs. >>
The sooner small-business owners deal with the souring economy the better, turnaround experts say. >>
IN BOX
Dear Karen: After reading your recent column I looked up the Small Business Administration's 504 loan program. How do we proceed? >>
SMALL BUSINESS
A couple opens the store Pussy & Pooch to help make downtown L.A. more dog and cat friendly. >>
Success more often finds those with assets such as experience, cash and contacts. >>
IN BOX
Dear Karen: I'm concerned that my business line of credit will be reduced or revoked. Do you have any advice? >>
With the credit crunch drying up traditional sources of funding, small-business owners who need cash are seeking alternatives. >>
IN BOX
Dear Karen: I'd like to sell my paintings. I have about 100 pieces in oil and watercolor. How do I start? >>
If cash flow is a problem, getting an installment agreement with the IRS can be a viable solution. >>
SMALL-BUSINESS MAKEOVER
The maker of music-education kits to help children learn language skills has seen its revenue fall. An expert suggests ways to boost sales. >>
Falling home prices, shrinking 401(k)s and job insecurity can affect performance. >>
IN BOX
Dear Karen: What tips do you have for small firms struggling in this business climate? >>
SMALL BUSINESS
Classes can help companies cope with emergencies before police and fire personnel arrive. >>
Tierra Mia Coffee's owner hopes to open more shops by surpassing Starbucks on quality and offering Latin-inspired drinks. >>
Sport Technology is marketing a crossover for boarders of all kinds. It looks like a skateboard, rides like a surfboard and is touted as 'the next best thing to the snowboard.' >>
A USC clinic offers aid with getting incorporated, drawing up documents and other services -- for free >>
Mustafa Arat is proud of his homeland's namesake brew, and he's proselytizing about it on the Web. >>
Entrepreneur looks for efficiencies while gas is high. But he's still investing in new vehicles. >>
Small-business makeover: The company
CK Arts is seeing big growth, but obtaining the funding to deal with associated costs poses a challenge. >>
Small-business makeover: The plan
Actions suggested for CK Arts include increasing the line of credit or forming a joint venture with a larger company. >>
LIVING SMALL
Echo Park Time Bank is a new online community that trades time, services and expertise, like dog walking, housesitting or advice on how to start a small business. >>
Terry Carter is trying to grow his La Palma-based business despite the sluggish economy. >>
The latest wave of cocoa hunters is seizing control, from bean to bar >>
SMALL-BUSINESS MAKEOVER: The company
As orders for their glass keepsakes pick up, Nick Savage and Loren Dion need to hand off duties so they can focus on creating. >>
SMALL-BUSINESS REPORT
The agency chooses 10 burdensome and costly laws that it will target for review and modification. >>
SMALL-BUSINESS MAKEOVER: The plan
Owners Nick Savage and Loren Dion need to adopt a formal business structure to get a loan to fund a major marketing push, a consultant says. >>
Provenance Fighter Sales is benefiting from growing interest in WWII-era aircraft. >>
John W. Murray Jr. discusses the work of the Southern California Minority Business Development Council and his outlook on minority businesses. >>
Silicon Valley workshop offers tools to an innovative community >>
Yorba Linda residents Monica Hillman and Gabrielle DeSantis-Cummings want to expand their home-based firm smartly. >>
SMALL-BUSINESS MAKEOVER
Consultant Eric Flamholtz offers steps that tote-bag firm Gigi Hill can take to grow into a big enterprise. >>
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Business: Latest AP News
Do you want a business makeover?
If your company could benefit from a free business makeover, to be published in The Times, send a brief description of your company and its challenges to bizmakeover@latimes.com or to Business Makeover, Business Section, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles CA 90012. Include a daytime phone number.
RESOURCES A link to help you find solutions to your legal issues by providing you with easy and comprehensive access to small business lawyers and legal information. FindLaw for Small Biz Business Special Reports
Contact
Sallie Hofmeister, Business editor
Business Section
Los Angeles Times
202 West 1st St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 237-7163
Fax: (213) 237-7837
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