CT Expert Insights

New businesses created by people 45-years-old and above have been a growing trend for more than two decades, and in the wake of the pandemic, even more people are wondering if now is the time to make their move. "Ageless Startup" author Rick Terrien explains why middle-age is a great time to launch your own business and walks us through the smart ways to do it.

While you focus on reopening your business, the Federal Trade Commission reports that small business scammers are aggressively on the prowl. Rosario Mendez from the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection joins us to discuss the scope of the problem, the different methods that scammers are using to access your data and your money, and what you can do to stop them.

The legal profession is known for being resistant to change but LawSites blogger and podcast host Robert Ambrogi says the ongoing pandemic has forced law firms and courts to adapt in ways that will change the legal system for the better. Ambrogi walks us through seven critical changes - from modernizing the courts to clients and lawyers no longer needing to meet in person to overhauling how law schools train the next generation of attorneys.

Small business owners are facing unprecedented challenges right now, both in enduring shutdowns and preparing to reopen, but there are some best practices for making sure your business survives. In this conversation from March, Big Ideas for Small Business Inc. President Barbara Weltman walked us through some of the many loan programs available to business owners and points out that some of those loans don't even need to be paid back! She also offers examples of how businesses adapted to the new conditions and how this experience may help owners with long-term planning.

Many businesses are open again and millions of others are planning to reopen soon. But things will look very different than they did back in March. What steps do you need to take to protect customers and employees? How might your vendor relationships have to change? And how can businesses band together to make reopening as successful as possible for everyone? We get answers from Matt Wagner, vice president of revitalization programs at Main Street America.

Quintessence Group President Melinda Emerson explains how ramping up your online presence is now critical to your business surviving and possibly thriving. Emerson details how to proceed, whether you have no website or whether you need to improve your website and get serious about social media. She says there will be winners and losers after this recession and how we approach our online efforts can make all the difference.

Small business expert Barry Moltz explains how businesses need to pivot for the next year or longer since many customers will be reluctant to do business in person until the coronavirus threat is behind us. Moltz tells us what changes to expect in customer behavior, how to adapt to them, and how your online engagement will be critical to convincing people that their safety is your highest priority.

Small business owner and author Gene Marks explains the many benefits of the government's Paycheck Protection Program, what to be aware of before you apply for the money, and how to make the process work as smoothly as possible. He also details several other federal programs available to assist business owners. Finally, Marks offers advice on what to do when you open your doors again and outlines the financial lessons every business owner ought to learn from this crisis.

Congress appears close to replenishing funds for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to give many more small businesses assistance in meeting payroll and other obligations until they are able to reopen. But what can you expect when applying for these forgivable loans? Lisa Ellen Downs owns Ellen's Bridal and Dress Boutique in Wabash, Indiana. She explains some of the challenges in getting financial relief but also how it most likely saved her business.

Emergencies like COVID-19, a fire, or a tornado could force businesses to shut down for long stretches of time. But just because the doors are closed doesn't mean the compliance obligations stop. CT Corporation Publications Attorney Sandra Feldman explains how to respond if your LLC or corporation has to close for a while and details the responsibilities you still have under the law. She also provides critically important tips if your business needs to close permanently.