The rush from Thanksgiving to Christmas moves fast, and small businesses often feel the pressure more than anyone. After surviving the wave of holiday shopping events, the real test begins: preparing for the December surge. From staffing and inventory to customer service and digital readiness, the holiday season demands intentional planning. This article explores how small businesses can strengthen operations, protect cash flow, and position themselves for a successful finish

Small business owners often feel pressured to give more than they should, especially when trying to provide great customer service. But when does a small favor create bigger expectations? This article explores the balance between generosity and boundaries, helping business owners protect their time, value, and long-term sustainability.

The Abilene SBDC is using Google’s NotebookLM to enhance how we create and share small business resources. By integrating AI into our content process, we’re improving clarity, consistency, and efficiency—ensuring every guide, article, and handout reflects accurate, up-to-date information. This initiative demonstrates how responsible AI use can empower small business owners to organize knowledge, save time, and make better decisions with confidence.

Visionaries see the horizon; creatives build the path toward it. Both roles are essential to a thriving business. When they drift apart, even great ideas lose direction. This article explores the psychology behind each, why solopreneurs struggle to balance them, and how understanding the tension between dreaming and doing can strengthen every decision you make as a business owner.

A Field Advisor's Perspective, By: Zel McGhee When the Knock Comes to Your Door As a Business Field Advisor with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), I spend my days helping entrepreneurs navigate challenges both expected and unforeseen. Among these challenges, few generate as much unease as the concept of “cancel culture.” When it happens to someone else, it feels like background noise, something far away, perhaps even deserved. But when it comes to your business, i