September 16, 2026
Untangling Your Messy Calendar
Learn how to successfully organize your business calendar
Keeping appointments and deadlines in a calendar is essential. Without one, unless you’ve got a fabulous memory, things go bad quickly!
Unfortunately, many people still struggle with electronic calendar set up, something I see with clients every day. This is how it usually happens:
- They have a job before they start their business, and they use a calendar associated with their personal email for their personal life. That makes perfect sense.
- They start a business and decide to keep business and personal lives separate (just like when they had a job). So they get a new email account for work, something like, mybusinessname@gmail.com account. Now there are two calendars.
- Then (sometimes), they get a “paid domain” email account (e.g., yourdomain.com ). Then they get a calendar with that and there are now three places to log into and three places to track.
I was one of these people until I decided it was time to consolidate everything in one place.
If there is resistance to this idea, it’s usually from people who want to keep their “work life” and “personal life” separate. I understand, but, since there is only one you and only one place you can be at any one time, it makes more sense to keep everything in one place.
You can even have other people’s calendars show up (with their permission, of course). For example, I can toggle on and off some clients’ calendars. This way, we can schedule meetings easier, reducing the confusion.
Sorting this out can take a little time, but I guarantee it’s worth the effort. Here’s how to start:
- Decide which calendar you’re going to use. Open the other calendars and transfer your appointments manually or hire someone to migrate them for you. Be sure to look a year ahead so you don’t miss any recurring events, like anniversaries and birthdays that might be months in the future.
- Make sure all calendar invites sent and received are done so using the email address tied to this calendar.
- Ask other calendar owners, like your children, significant others and select clients, to “share” their calendar with you. If you use Google calendar click here for step by step instructions, click here if you use Outlook.
When you’re finished with the consolidation, you’ll be able to access your calendar across all your devices knowing that everything you need is in one place.
What the Federal Reserve’s Expected Interest Rate Change Means for Small Businesses
Published on September 9, 2026
The Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions affect more than just macroeconomic policy. They also shape the financial playing field for Main Street. When the Fed raises rates, key business expenses become costlier, including loans, credit lines, and day-to-day financing. Conversely, monetary easing by the Fed can improve access to cheap capital, but can also shift consumer behavior and inflation dynamics.
This article explores how small business owners are impacted by rate fluctuations and provides guidance on navigating those shifts with confidence,
Things I Can’t Live Without: Ember
I’m a coffee aficionado, and the trips back and forth to the microwave to warm up coffee are HIGHLY INEFFICIENT. Introducing a life-changing gadget well worth the money: Ember mug. I have a lavender one on my desk, and a red one in the living room – because color is fun! It’s Bluetooth technology keeps your coffee warm for up to one and a half hours, but it does require handwashing. This will instantly become your new favorite mug, so clear out the cluttered coffee mug cabinets and ignore every other mug from now on in favor of the beauty of Ember. You’re welcome.
And, unbeknownst to me, they’re ON SALE! Get them for friends, coworkers, and relatives NOW for Christmas and birthdays!
On sale today for $39.99-incredible!
September 02, 2026
You Can’t Do It All! How to Delegate Effectively
Learn how to leverage your time with help
It seems that at least once each week I hear the same five words from friends and clients: “I need to delegate more.” And then, immediately afterward, they say, “But I don’t think there’s anybody who will understand my work, take it as seriously as I do, and do a really great job.”
As a result, nothing gets delegated and they are left doing everything for themselves.
The problem, I’ve discovered, is not a lack of capable and committed people willing to help. It’s that people simply don’t know how to delegate and are afraid to let go, even a little. So they assume there’s no way forward.
Here’s what I recommend instead on your way to becoming a delegation rock star:
1. Do your research. It’s important to know what skills are needed by the person you’re going to hire. Just like hiring an accountant to do your taxes, you’ll want to find someone with expertise. If you need to delegate setting up your newsletter, find someone with experience using Mailchimp, Constant Contact or a similar program.
This may sound obvious, but I often hear solo professionals say they are thinking about hiring very smart friends, but I discover after a few questions they don’t have any relevant experience. You wouldn’t hire a “very smart friend” who knew nothing about cars to act as your auto mechanic – delegation of your business needs works the same way; specific skills are required.
2. Take time to plan. You’ve got to give the person doing the work enough time to schedule it into their calendar and get it done. This requires planning ahead. When I get ready to write my newsletter, for example, I ask my editor on Sunday or Monday if she has time for edits on Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. I don’t just assume and send it over to her. You need to be prepared, too, for the answer to be “no” or “not this week.”
3. Provide specific information. “Can you handle this?” is not enough information for the person you’re delegating to – even if it’s a simple and (in your mind) self-explanatory task. Include details, timelines and any supporting information. For example: “I’m ready to publish my next newsletter. Attached is the word document and the images I’d like to use. Can we schedule it for this Friday at 6:00 am?” Be thorough: include deadlines and guidelines about how you’d like the work to be done.
4. Create check-in and control points. If you’ve delegated a project, schedule check-in points for milestones to make sure things stay on track. Sometimes there can be misunderstandings about the required tasks even when you both think you understand. Regular meetings will help with discovery and allow for adjustments.
5. Develop a communicative relationship. When you work with someone you are in a relationship with them. I don’t mean you need to be BFFs, but simple things that work in your other relationships will work in this one too. A simple, “Thank you – great job,” or “How was your weekend?” will go a long way. Be sure to answer questions about the project quickly so that it can stay on track and on time. Your work together will require conversation – either written or verbal.
My guess is that 99% of the time the person assisting you wants to do a good job. If that’s not happening, check these five points to see where you two might be going off track.
Delegation is a powerful way to leverage your time and get help with areas of your business where you might not have expertise. Done well, it can be a big win for you and your business.
SBA Proposes Overhaul to Simplify Small Business Classification and Expand Access to Federal Programs
Size standard proposal would increase small business count by over 110,000
Published on August 20, 2026
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) proposed a comprehensive overhaul of its small business size standards, modernizing how the federal government defines and classifies small businesses across the United States. Published in a proposed rule, the new standards would simplify industry categorization and raise applicable size thresholds, allowing small but rapidly growing firms to continue qualifying and adding over 110,000 firms to the 36 million small businesses in America.
“Thanks to President Trump and America First policies, small businesses are starting and growing at record rates, which is why the SBA is proposing modernized size standards that acknowledge their growth and empower them to compete against large corporations,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “Small businesses create the vast majority of new jobs. This proposal ensures that these job creators have the regulatory certainty to scale, expanding small business eligibility by 0.3%, or over 110,000 firms. By streamlining definitions, the SBA will expand access capital, counseling, and contracting opportunities, which in turn create jobs and drive growth.”
Mandated by law every five years, this historic update would introduce a market-size approach that would dramatically simplify industry classifications by transitioning from complex separate 6-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code standards to streamlined 4-digit category standards where appropriate. By cutting the total list of similar industry categories by approximately 65%, down to 338 broader classifications, the SBA seeks to remove regulatory complexities for business owners.
The proposed standards would also expand the official small business pool by over 110,000 firms, ensuring that rapidly growing companies can continue to qualify as small businesses under President Trump’s pro-growth economic agenda. By raising applicable size thresholds, the proposal is designed to reward growth rather than force successful firms out of small business eligibility prematurely, especially those in industries that are critical to American strength.
For example, the employee-based size standard for semiconductor manufacturers would increase from 1,250 to 2,800 employees, ship building would increase from 1,300 to 2,300 employees, and oil drilling would increase from 1,000 to 2,650 employees. The receipt-based side standard for support activities for animal production would increase from $11 million to $71 million. These changes would enable more businesses to access SBA loans, compete for federal contracts, and participate in other federal support programs, while reducing the regulatory ambiguity and compliance costs associated with overly narrow industry classifications.
Key highlights of the proposed size standard overhaul include:
- Streamlines the existing NAICS structure to a 4-digit classification system that reduces total size standard categories from nearly 1,000 down to 338 broad industry groupings, simplifying how firms determine their small business status.
- Introduces regional market considerations to ensure size thresholds accurately reflect the realities of local economic competition.
- Expands the pool of employer small businesses (firms with 1 or more employees) by 1.8%, growing the nation’s 6.3 million employer firms by over 110,000 and adding to the 36 million small businesses that exist today.
The SBA is seeking comments on the proposed rule. Small businesses can check their current industry classification and size eligibility by visiting www.sba.gov/size-standards.
Things I Can’t Live Without: My Echo Show
I admit that I was a little late to the game, but I finally bought an Echo Show and I’m in love. All day long Alexa is playing my favorite music, setting alarms to remind me of appointments, and keeping me apprised of the weather. And I’m only skimming the top of her capabilities.
Let me what you love about Alexa!