<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?><!-- generator=Zoho Sites --><rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"><channel><atom:link href="https://www.helpondeck.net/blogs/small-business/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><title>HelpOnDeck - Blog , Small Business</title><description>HelpOnDeck - Blog , Small Business</description><link>https://www.helpondeck.net/blogs/small-business</link><lastBuildDate>Sun, 22 Mar 2026 14:20:07 -0700</lastBuildDate><generator>http://zoho.com/sites/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Financial Literacy: The Small Business Superpower You Can’t Ignore]]></title><link>https://www.helpondeck.net/blogs/post/financial-literacy-the-small-business-superpower-you-can-t-ignore</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.helpondeck.net/cover.jpg"/>When you’re running a small business, you wear a lot of hats—visionary, marketer, customer service rep, and yes, chief financial officer. But here’s t ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_-4OVGUBORZGxxSkK_rgI9w" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_DobjZbppQRuNvewx3q8Dqg" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_1uhbZDfvTPK3eHsdFKBdeg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_15w8tFc5RMSgA-B9GfDd2Q" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style></style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center zpheading-align-mobile-center zpheading-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><span style="font-weight:700;color:rgb(11, 15, 45);">Confidence Starts with Clarity</span><br/><span style="font-weight:700;"><span style="color:rgb(11, 15, 45);font-size:12px;">​<span style="font-size:14px;">By Lynette Newman</span></span></span><span style="font-weight:700;"></span><span style="font-weight:700;"></span><span style="font-weight:700;"></span></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_wOlXaWYrRgWfgXCCb2cthg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-center zptext-align-mobile-center zptext-align-tablet-center " data-editor="true"><p><span><span style="font-family:&quot;Josefin Sans&quot;;"></span></span></p><p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span>When you’re running a small business, you wear a lot of hats—visionary, marketer, customer service rep, and yes, chief financial officer. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be a CPA to make smart money moves. What you </span><span style="font-weight:700;font-style:italic;">do</span><span> need is financial literacy.</span></p><p></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_zq13XaavDRBPtdhPIXT0tw" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> @media (min-width: 992px) { [data-element-id="elm_zq13XaavDRBPtdhPIXT0tw"] .zpimage-container figure img { width: 500px ; height: 409.09px ; } } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="false" data-mobile-image-separate="false" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-tablet-align-center zpimage-mobile-align-center zpimage-size-medium zpimage-tablet-fallback-fit zpimage-mobile-fallback-fit hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
                type:fullscreen,
                theme:dark"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/piggy.jpg" size="medium" data-lightbox="true"/></picture></span></figure></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_AgnRUZIHooaMvWugUFoQ3w" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p><span><span style="font-family:&quot;Josefin Sans&quot;;"></span></span></p><p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span>Financial literacy is more than just knowing your numbers. It’s about understanding how money flows through your business, so you can make confident decisions that support growth, sustainability, and peace of mind.</span></p><p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span>Here are a few key areas every small business owner should get familiar with:</span></p><p></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_xRCupTRY2riXRB94saraxg" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> @media (min-width: 992px) { [data-element-id="elm_xRCupTRY2riXRB94saraxg"] .zpimage-container figure img { width: 500px ; height: 414.86px ; } } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="false" data-mobile-image-separate="false" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-tablet-align-center zpimage-mobile-align-center zpimage-size-medium zpimage-tablet-fallback-fit zpimage-mobile-fallback-fit hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
                type:fullscreen,
                theme:dark"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/chart.jpg" size="medium" data-lightbox="true"/></picture></span></figure></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_1hlSVLGH7EKcAzs-NdofqQ" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p><span><span></span></span></p><p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Josefin Sans&quot;;"><span style="font-weight:700;">1. Cash Flow Is Queen<br/></span><span> Knowing how and when money comes in and goes out helps you avoid those tight squeezes. Review your cash flow regularly and plan ahead for slower months.</span></span></p><p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Josefin Sans&quot;;"><span style="font-weight:700;">2. Know Your Break-Even Point<br/></span><span> This magic number tells you how much you need to earn to cover your costs—and it’s essential for pricing, goal-setting, and strategic planning.</span></span></p><p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Josefin Sans&quot;;"><span><span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-weight:700;">3. Separate Personal and Business Finances<br/></span><span> Mixing the two can lead to chaos (and tax-time headaches). Set up separate accounts and track expenses.</span></p><p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:12pt;"><span style="font-weight:700;">4. Budget With Intention<br/></span><span> A well-thought-out budget isn’t restrictive—it’s empowering. It gives you clarity, helps you prioritize spending, and makes investing in your business feel less risky.</span></p><span style="font-weight:700;">5. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help<br/></span><span> You don’t have to master it all alone. Whether you use user-friendly software or lean on a virtual assistant (</span><span style="font-style:italic;">hi there! 👋</span><span>), getting support can free you up to focus on what you love.</span><br/><p></p><div><span><br/></span></div><p></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_0Dw7zP0c1W0m34uF-LI6lA" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> @media (min-width: 992px) { [data-element-id="elm_0Dw7zP0c1W0m34uF-LI6lA"] .zpimage-container figure img { width: 500px ; height: 421.31px ; } } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="false" data-mobile-image-separate="false" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-tablet-align-center zpimage-mobile-align-center zpimage-size-medium zpimage-tablet-fallback-fit zpimage-mobile-fallback-fit hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
                type:fullscreen,
                theme:dark"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/girl.jpg" size="medium" data-lightbox="true"/></picture></span></figure></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_e5P7oDyWrtZnyGFTJqgqdA" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style></style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left zptext-align-mobile-left zptext-align-tablet-left " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Josefin Sans&quot;;"><span><span>At Help On Deck, we know that understanding your finances is one of the most powerful tools in your small business toolkit. Need help staying organized, managing your business calendar,&nbsp; business tools and resources, or implementing expense tracking software? We’ve got your back—so you can spend less time stressing and more time growing.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span><span style="font-family:&quot;Josefin Sans&quot;;"><br/></span></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span><span><span><span><span style="font-weight:700;font-family:&quot;Josefin Sans&quot;;">Let’s make financial clarity part of your business plan. Book a call today!</span></span></span><br/></span></span></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_HuHD8MkqQjaPVjKJL056HQ" data-element-type="button" class="zpelement zpelem-button "><style></style><div class="zpbutton-container zpbutton-align-center zpbutton-align-mobile-center zpbutton-align-tablet-center"><style type="text/css"></style><a class="zpbutton-wrapper zpbutton zpbutton-type-primary zpbutton-size-md zpbutton-style-none " href="https://calendly.com/hodrelationshipbuilding/30min?month=2025-04"><span class="zpbutton-content">Book NOW!</span></a></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:07:22 +0000</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Great ways to help support and empower small businesses]]></title><link>https://www.helpondeck.net/blogs/post/Great-ways-to-help-support-and-empower-small-businesses1</link><description><![CDATA[<img align="left" hspace="5" src="https://www.helpondeck.net/capture.JPG"/>Some Great Ideas&nbsp; One great way to support small businesses is to shop locally and buy from small businesses whenever possible. You can also share ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="zpcontent-container blogpost-container "><div data-element-id="elm_7N1jTpitTpuVVUWgRmGGtw" data-element-type="section" class="zpsection "><style type="text/css"></style><div class="zpcontainer-fluid zpcontainer"><div data-element-id="elm_hXIaqXlXQ4is_MlqBixWAA" data-element-type="row" class="zprow zprow-container zpalign-items- zpjustify-content- " data-equal-column=""><style type="text/css"></style><div data-element-id="elm_uCudFJaITsGRCf7AtLfmhg" data-element-type="column" class="zpelem-col zpcol-12 zpcol-md-12 zpcol-sm-12 zpalign-self- "><style type="text/css"> [data-element-id="elm_uCudFJaITsGRCf7AtLfmhg"].zpelem-col{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-element-id="elm_X9C0vGh-Rp6LgHnB8YYvgg" data-element-type="heading" class="zpelement zpelem-heading "><style> [data-element-id="elm_X9C0vGh-Rp6LgHnB8YYvgg"].zpelem-heading { border-radius:1px; } </style><h2
 class="zpheading zpheading-align-center " data-editor="true"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-size:18px;color:rgb(11, 15, 45);">Why Shopping Locally Is Emerging To Be The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread</span><br><span style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(11, 15, 45);">​by Lynette Newman</span></span><br></h2></div>
<div data-element-id="elm_RjidnglNjwVm9VaSDsqkOg" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_RjidnglNjwVm9VaSDsqkOg"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:8pt;"><span style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;">Some Great Ideas&nbsp;</span></p><p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:8pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">One great way to support small businesses is to shop locally and buy from small businesses whenever possible. You can also share the business's social media posts and reviews and spread the word about them to your friends and family. If you have the means, consider purchasing a gift card or donating to a small business to help them stay afloat during difficult times. You can also volunteer to help with tasks such as marketing, bookkeeping, and other administrative tasks. Finally, consider writing a blog post or article that features the small business and the products and services they offer.</span></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_vWdsslWHBxCAx167vlwEHA" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> @media (min-width: 992px) { [data-element-id="elm_vWdsslWHBxCAx167vlwEHA"] .zpimage-container figure img { width: 404px !important ; height: 341px !important ; } } @media (max-width: 991px) and (min-width: 768px) { [data-element-id="elm_vWdsslWHBxCAx167vlwEHA"] .zpimage-container figure img { width:404px ; height:341px ; } } @media (max-width: 767px) { [data-element-id="elm_vWdsslWHBxCAx167vlwEHA"] .zpimage-container figure img { width:404px ; height:341px ; } } [data-element-id="elm_vWdsslWHBxCAx167vlwEHA"].zpelem-image { border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="false" data-mobile-image-separate="false" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-size-original zpimage-tablet-fallback-original zpimage-mobile-fallback-original hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
                type:fullscreen,
                theme:dark"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/team.JPG" width="404" height="341" loading="lazy" size="original" data-lightbox="true"/></picture></span></figure></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_YofpvTk3OvwcXDPxmMVAUw" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_YofpvTk3OvwcXDPxmMVAUw"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:8pt;"><span style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;">Why Is It So Important?</span></p><p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:8pt;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Supporting small businesses is incredibly important for a variety of reasons. First, small businesses create jobs and help grow the economy. Small businesses employ 47.5% of the private sector workforce and are responsible for creating two out of every three new jobs in the United States. Second, small businesses tend to provide higher-quality goods and services. Because they are often run by a small number of people who are passionate about the product or service they offer, they can provide a more personalized experience and higher quality goods than larger businesses. Third, small businesses help to create vibrant, diverse local economies. They provide goods, services, and employment opportunities that larger businesses may not, which helps to create a unique and diverse culture in their communities.</span></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_koEz8DYqFR1EYubWreupmw" data-element-type="image" class="zpelement zpelem-image "><style> @media (min-width: 992px) { [data-element-id="elm_koEz8DYqFR1EYubWreupmw"] .zpimage-container figure img { width: 413px !important ; height: 347px !important ; } } @media (max-width: 991px) and (min-width: 768px) { [data-element-id="elm_koEz8DYqFR1EYubWreupmw"] .zpimage-container figure img { width:413px ; height:347px ; } } @media (max-width: 767px) { [data-element-id="elm_koEz8DYqFR1EYubWreupmw"] .zpimage-container figure img { width:413px ; height:347px ; } } [data-element-id="elm_koEz8DYqFR1EYubWreupmw"].zpelem-image { border-radius:1px; } </style><div data-caption-color="" data-size-tablet="" data-size-mobile="" data-align="center" data-tablet-image-separate="false" data-mobile-image-separate="false" class="zpimage-container zpimage-align-center zpimage-size-original zpimage-tablet-fallback-original zpimage-mobile-fallback-original hb-lightbox " data-lightbox-options="
                type:fullscreen,
                theme:dark"><figure role="none" class="zpimage-data-ref"><span class="zpimage-anchor" role="link" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open Lightbox" style="cursor:pointer;"><picture><img class="zpimage zpimage-style-none zpimage-space-none " src="/capture-1.JPG" width="413" height="347" loading="lazy" size="original" data-lightbox="true"/></picture></span></figure></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_18hxreK-8rJ3FlocppEQNw" data-element-type="text" class="zpelement zpelem-text "><style> [data-element-id="elm_18hxreK-8rJ3FlocppEQNw"].zpelem-text { border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zptext zptext-align-left " data-editor="true"><p style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:8pt;"><span style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;">Most Importantly</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Small businesses are the backbone of our community because they provide much-needed jobs and services and stimulate our local economy. They help create an entrepreneurial spirit in our neighborhoods and cities, which encourages creativity and innovation. Small businesses often provide unique and personalized services that can't be found in larger, chain-style stores, and they often have a more intimate connection with their customers. They also help support our local community by donating time and money to important charities and causes to them and their customers. Ultimately, small businesses are the lifeblood of our community and are a vital part of our local economic health and </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;">the greatest thing since sliced bread!</span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-weight:700;"><br></span></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Need more ideas on how to support small businesses, or thinking of starting a small business of your own? Book a call with us today!</span></p></div>
</div><div data-element-id="elm_JF8uUCHdSYq068okGqCgsA" data-element-type="button" class="zpelement zpelem-button "><style> [data-element-id="elm_JF8uUCHdSYq068okGqCgsA"].zpelem-button{ border-radius:1px; } </style><div class="zpbutton-container zpbutton-align-center "><style type="text/css"></style><a class="zpbutton-wrapper zpbutton zpbutton-type-primary zpbutton-size-md zpbutton-style-none " href="https://calendly.com/hodrelationshipbuilding"><span class="zpbutton-content">Book a Call!</span></a></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div> ]]></content:encoded><pubDate>Thu, 16 Feb 2023 16:21:23 +0000</pubDate></item></channel></rss>