The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

Perform a quick Google search and you will discover that there is no shortage of articles and ideas online clamoring to offer you tips and pointers about how to best manage your credit. You can find videos, podcasts, and even television shows from many self-proclaimed "gurus" who are quick to share their credit secrets with you. Add in the well meaning credit advice you may have received from your family, friends, and acquaintances and before long your head will be spinning with dozens of contradictory credit improvement strategies.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

It's no secret e-commerce has had an impact on brick-and-mortar businesses, and you can point to its growth in annual sales as proof: a steady 17% increase in annual sales year over year. However, people often miss out on the fact that e-commerce shopping is still tiny compared to brick-and-mortar sales. Also, the health of the brick-and-mortar industry shouldn't be summed up in just one metric.

It's not to say that e-commerce hasn't affected brick-and-mortar sales. More than 6,400 brick-and-mortar stores closed down in 2017, and key brands in the industry, like Sears, have also recently closed their doors. Much of that has to do with the growing e-commerce space.

Additionally, consumers are now largely plagued by the Amazon effect, which means they expect a seamless shopping experience with instant rewards. Consumers expect to find exactly what they're looking for with little effort and want the item(s) delivered within a very short time frame. However, this is by no means the end of retail. In fact, numerous stores have taken steps to take advantage of the intersection of technology and retail shopping.

Here are four ways you can optimize your brick-and-mortar experience to best fit today's modern consumer. 

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

Accessing your credit information is easier now than it has been at any other point in history. Thanks to the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, an amendment to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you even have the right to view a free copy of all 3 of your credit reports every 12 months. To claim your free reports from Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian simply visit AnnualCreditReport.com. Depending upon your state of residence you may have access to additional free copies of your 3 credit reports each year as well.

Even for veteran small business owners who are accustomed to multi-tasking and problem-solving, the entrepreneurial quagmire is still a reality. Entrepreneurs don't want to stop creating products and enhancing their services in order to spend time marketing. Running a business is a juggling act that requires developing the product or service, attending to administrative demands, and managing professional relationships. So where does that leave time to trumpet the company value propositions with a social media marketing strategy?   

In order for a business to stay vibrant in today's economy, it’s necessary to establish your brand, create brand awareness and get the word out. Even if your business is brick and mortar, it’s even more important to stay relevant and promote your business online.

The idea of utilizing social media to promote your business might seem tedious but think of it this way: online presence isn't just shameless promotion. If approached correctly, it's an opportunity to connect with your customers, other servicemembers, veterans and veteran business owners and to start smart and helpful conversations. Here's a basic social media strategy that will boost your company visibility without investing a ton of time or money. 

Responsible lending is a term that can get thrown around in the lending industry—it sounds great and certainly makes financial institutions look good when they use it... But practically speaking, what does it mean? And more importantly, how does it affect you as a business owner?

It matters a lot, actually. If you’re looking for business funding to grow your veteran business, you want to work with small business lenders who will set you up for success. It’s in your best interest to work with a lender who practices responsible credit reporting, has an alignment of interests and provides you with the right-sized funding so you won’t default on a loan.

If your small business lender claims to practice fair and responsible lending, here are the top six characteristics you should expect to see in them:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

The digital universe gets more crowded and complicated every day. Many business leaders struggle with knowing what tech to embrace and what tech to move beyond.

Emerging cloud environments options look promising, no doubt about it. But keeping everything in-house means retaining a higher level of control. Like so many things in business, there are benefits and drawbacks to consider for both options.

The U.S. Government constantly adjusts and grows as new needs arise with changes in technology and resources. As the nation's largest consumer, the government needs an army of contractors to support its massive consumption requirements. As a result, the benefits available through government contracts are abounding. Veteran contractors are perfect candidates to fill this growing landscape because of your previous employment by the government. You’ve also learned lessons, acquired tools, and made contacts from your military experience that could be valuable in the government contracting space.

Did you know that if you went “green”, hired a veteran, or started a company last year you might be eligible for three important but little known tax deductions?

Small tax deductions and credits take a little extra work, but your savings can really add up. Every dollar counts when it comes to running a veteran small business. We’ve compiled some resources of available credits and deductions your business may qualify for:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

There’s a sense in which “every business is a technology business.” After all, IT is central to the operations of every company, large or small. In fact, research and advisory firm Gartner estimates that global IT spending reached a total of $3.5 trillion in 2017.

In order to better serve your customers and beat your rivals, you need to make sure your business technologies are as correct and reliable as possible. Whether you’re a multinational firm or a mom-and-pop store with a website, being able to deliver a consistent, predictable, reliable IT experience is crucial.

This article will go over 4 of the most important strategic methodologies for small business IT network upkeep, support, and stability.

The finalists of this cycle of the Veteran Small Business Award, presented by the StreetShares Foundation and Sam Adams Brewing the American Dream, have been announced! Your vote determines which of these businesses will win a total of $25,000 in small business grant money. Learn more about the finalists under the cut, or click here to vote now! Voting ends at midnight Eastern on 11/24/2018.