Ryan Weber considered himself a prudent business owner. He borrowed $6,000 from family members to start Radiant Photography in Las Vegas, and he paid them back–with interest–in three years. To cut expenses, he rented a studio when he needed it, instead of building his own. And when Advanta, a credit card company in Spring House, Penn., offered a business credit card with a $7,500 line of credit, he accepted it.

“Having $7,500 in reserve really helped,” Weber says. “In case a check didn’t go through from a client, it was there to rent studio lights or pay my cell phone bill.”

Then last spring–a few months before declaring bankruptcy–Advanta pulled the credit lines of 1 million small-business customers, including Weber. It also capped their credit cards at the level of their outstanding balances, effectively cutting off their access to emergency cash.

To read more of this Entrepreneur magazine article click here.

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A recent report published by BizBuySell — one of the Internet’s largest marketplaces for buying or selling a small business — confirmed a hunch I’ve had for several months, namely that small business deal flow seemed to pick up during the latter part of 2009. While many business owners have put their exit plans on hold until the economy recovers, others are not only hanging on but enjoying growth and have a bright outlook for 2010.

The New York Times published two retrospective articles in December — one featuring small businesses that managed to grow in 2009 and one on businesses that had to close their doors. In the latter article by Ian Mount, business owners were asked to look back on their experiences. One owner’s response was that she should have sold her business when she had the chance.

To read more of this NY Times article click here.

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I’ll just say it up front. The most hotly anticipated mobile tech trend of 2010 is the computer tablet’s coming of age – and it’s all due to a product Apple is rumored to announce in late January.

While we await the secretive Apple tablet, or slate as it’s allegedly called, there are plenty of other mobile tech trends to focus on. What follows is a subjective guide to the hardware trends that could affect how you work when you’re mobile, and to the mobile marketing trends that might change how you interact with customers when they’re out and about.

Working on the Road: From Smartphones to Smartbooks

In 2010, it’ll be easier than ever to leave your laptop at home, yet still stay connected and productive on the go.

To read more of this Small Business Computing.com article click here.

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A survey reveals that SMB owners enjoy social media news that doesn’t require participation.

Social networks evoke ideas of vigorous discussions and active online schmoozing. But, in recent small business news, a study from Business.com shows that small business owners prefer passive social media sources of business-relevant information.

To read more of this gaebler.com article click here.

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John Courson, president and C.E.O. of the Mortgage Bankers Association, recently told The Wall Street Journal that homeowners who default on their mortgages should think about the “message” they will send to “their family and their kids and their friends.” Courson was implying that homeowners — record numbers of whom continue to default — have a responsibility to make good. He wasn’t referring to the people who have no choice, who can’t afford their payments. He was speaking about the rising number of folks who are voluntarily choosing not to pay.

Such voluntary defaults are a new phenomenon. Time was, Americans would do anything to pay their mortgage — forgo a new car or a vacation, even put a younger family member to work. But the housing collapse left 10.7 million families owing more than their homes are worth. So some of them are making a calculated decision to hang onto their money and let their homes go. Is this irresponsible?

To read more of this New York Times article click here.

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During the first days of January I worked at the Rose Parade’s Post Parade Park in Pasadena. As one of Tournament of Roses volunteer members I help bring this great event to fruition. This year I was curious if the attendance will be higher than last year and if vendor sales increase accordingly.

Tournament of Roses organizes the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl’s Game. Both are events with national and international significance and attract great number of out of town visitors. The Parade and the New Year’s game are major economic drivers for the area. They bring estimated $200,000,000 to Los Angeles and Pasadena.

This year is special because of BCS National Championship Game. Many fans of Alabama and Texas teams are spending extra days in Southern California. In addition, low temperatures and bad weather in other parts of the country contributed to the extended stay of many.

The Post Parade Park is where all floats are parked after the parade ends. In addition to static displays there are life and animated shows. The entry fee is $7 per adult, children are admitted at reduced price or free, depending on age. Inside the park there are three food courts, mobile food and refreshment carts and souvenir vendors.

As a volunteer member of the Tournament of Roses visitors approach me with questions or just to have a small talk. Vast majority of people like the floats and enjoy the warm weather. Comparing with last year the attendance increased with over 16%.

Yet, I noticed that the food courts are not as busy as in 2009. The cart vendors do not enjoy long lines. But, I saw families bringing picnic, setting up their blankets and consuming food and drinks from their coolers.

At the end, I asked food and souvenir vendors how are sales comparing to last year’s. According to them sales are 25% to 35% lower.

We had a very well attended event complimented by a spectacular January weather and four out of town teams playing on the Rose Bowl. However, people spent less. The situation where 16% increase in attendance leads to 25% to 35% decrease in sales is a good sign about the current state of the economy. The post parade viewing of the floats shows that demand for affordable family entertainment is on a rise.

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Continuing on with my 2010 edition of the Top 10 trends in Small Business. This week we get to the Top 5.

5. Social Media Grows Up: Have you noticed that “social media” is a term that doesn’t really describe the experience that well anymore? Yes its social, and yes its media, but for business it has become so much more than that. Tapping, nay, mastering, social media is one of the hottest of all online trends:

• Everyone from Jet Blue to Comcast has turned to Twitter as a customer service tool.
• Companies like Whole Foods and Popeys increasingly use it to get feedback, post company news, etc.
• Big business has discovered what many small businesses already know: Facebook is a great place to advertise. “Facebook” in fact was the most searched term in 2009. (Source: Experian Hitwise)

Hop on the social media train, Jane, because it’s headed out of the station at light speed.

To read more of this USA Today article click here.

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As has become a tradition now, this is the time of year when I offer my annual look at the top 10 trends in small business. While not a prediction column, there is by necessity a tad of prediction in it, since trends, by their very nature, are gathering forces.

Certainly this was true last year when I listed, to no one’s great surprise, the economy as the top trend of the year, and sadly, it didn’t disappoint. I am sure I speak for many of us when I say we are happy to say goodbye to 2009.

This year, the top trend is also related to the economy, but is thankfully it is not bad news. In fact, it offers fantastic opportunities for the savvy entrepreneur. .. but I am getting ahead myself. That will need to wait until next week.

Here then are the Top Trends in Small Business, 2010:

10: The New Frugality: A variety of factors have coalesced to create an era of frugality – the bad economy, stubbornly high unemployment rates, and the burst of the housing bubble to name just a few.

To read more of this USA Today article click here.

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