Since 2013 John LeClair and John Paul “JP” Painton spent long lunches brainstorming about starting their own music store.

A new bill that would not only legalize recreational use of cannabis in Pennsylvania, but also ensure small business owners aren’t crowded out of the market by larger players, has been introduced in the state Senate. Senators Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery/Delaware, and Sharif Street, D-Philadelphia, co-sponsored Senate Bill 350 to end what they described as the state’s prohibition of cannabis. And it’s a ...

When Fred Richstien II sought financing last fall to expand his business in Adams County, he heard about a federal loan program that might help him achieve his vision.. By summer, he had a financing package totaling $845,000 in hand for his company, Laboratory, Analytical & Biological Services, or LABS, of New Oxford, part of which included a Small Business Administration 504 loan facilitated by the Adams Economic Alliance.

Bill Kohler, 53, joined Mainstreet Waynesboro in 2016 and serves as director of economic development.

Stephen Gift, 63, founded Gift CPAs (formerly Gift and Associates) in 1984 and is today its managing member. The firm was named the 2019 large practice Accounting Firm of the Year by the Professional Association of Small Business Accountants. Gift CPAs has offices in five midstate locations, including Mechanicsburg and Harrisburg.

Honeycomb Credit, a Pittsburgh-based technology firm, has built a crowd-funding program that it is hoping to bring to small businesses across Pennsylvania.

When people think of forensic accounting, they often think of fraud investigations. The skill set, however, covers a much broader field, including business valuation.

Justine Trucksess, 31, joined Main Street Hanover in 2015 and was named executive director in 2018. Prior to that, she worked in development at the Hanover Hospital. She is also a co-author of “The Hanover, Pa. Bucket List.”

Entrepreneurs who want to launch small businesses can have trouble getting started. And even when they succeed, they may still face issues with planning for growth and job creation.

It may be allergy season, but poor indoor air quality could be the culprit behind many of common health complaints employees have on the job. Small businesses are often the most vulnerable to the problem.

Companies like Google, Cisco and Zappos encourage short, refreshing naps during the work day. But has the trend caught on in the Lehigh Valley?

A small-business leader must be a good listener while providing an environment where opportunities for mentorships can flourish and create a path for future leaders. How do you foster mentorships and ensure you are listening to new ideas?

Laura Deitch, 36, opened Mechanicsburg Pure Barre more than two years ago after falling in love with the discipline in New York City, where she worked in public relations and communications. She also teaches classes in the studio, and plans to open a second location later this year.

To plan military strategy, you would start by gathering facts. You would want detailed information about the enemy’s disposition, numbers, armaments and war-fighting doctrine. You’d want detailed maps of the terrain, climate reports and reports on the population where the fighting might take place. You would want frequent, regular updates to this information. Do you take that kind of approach to your business or nonprofit strategy?

During National Small Business Week May 5-11, we recognize the hard work, risk and resilience of the more than 25 small business tenants in Smith Land's Central Pennsylvania portfolio of plazas.