Most of the 2019 California wildfires got extinguished or mostly contained recently. But the damage and impact of those fires will be felt by Californians for years. And among the many people particularly hurt by the wildfires are California’s small businesses. According to a Fox Business News report, wildfires this year put California’s prosperous wine country in their cross-hairs. In fact, more than 40,000 small business jobs are tied to the wine and tourism industry, many of them small business. They’re not the only ones, of course. The question now is, will those small businesses be able to re-open once some sense of normal gets restored. See, most small businesses, according to one expert we contacted, says small businesses are unprepared for disaster like… [Read More...]
Tin Hut BBQ Is a Veteran Owned Business Helping Other Veterans in Need
Frank Diaz is a twice-retired vet who opened a business in Honolulu, Hawaii to provide fresh food to active service members. Small Business Trends contacted him to learn about how Tin Hut BBQ helps veterans with more than just food. Mainland Style BBQ “Tin Hut BBQ is a disabled Veteran Owned business specializing in bringing mainland style BBQ to Hawaii,” Diaz says. “The goal is to hire veterans and active duty military spouses.” He got the idea while stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. Diaz had volunteered at a church convention to smoke BBQ. When he craved BBQ the next day, he couldn’t find any on base. As a result, the idea for a small business was born. Diaz drew on his… [Read More...]
Facebook Deploys New Tools for Military and Veteran Entrepreneurs
Facebook helps veterans and active military members stay connected. As a result, over 900,000 Americans participate. For example, there are over 2000 groups for veterans, active military people and spouses. Now, Facebook announces new tools focusing on veteran owned small businesses. Small Business Trends contacted Payton Iheme, Public Policy Manager at Facebook who is also a US veteran, to learn more. She says the various military Facebook groups are just one way they get involved. Veteran Owned Small Businesses “We’ve also been in contact with many veteran-owned small businesses,” she writes. “They utilize our tools every day to stay connected with their community. These people source employees and sell their wares and/or services.” Veterans use these resources for business. As a result… [Read More...]
Google Makes Major Commitment to Small Businesses in Underserved Communities
Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL) is pledging $10 million to help small businesses in underserved communities. The first part of the initiative involves $2 million to the American Library Association (ALA) to bolster entrepreneur centers in 10 states. Small Business Trends spoke with Kim Spalding, Global Product Director of Small Business Ads at Google to find out more. Google Is Helping Small Businesses “When I talk to small business owners about what they need from Google and digital marketing, I hear the same thing,” she said. “They never have enough time for everything they need to do.” Part of what sparked this new SMB push was Google releasing new search trends. Numbers from the data showed a three-year high in “mom and pop” (… [Read More...]