A common concern I often hear from business owners and startup entrepreneurs is where the money will come from to fund future growth. For some, that might require outside investors, which in turn can mean giving up partial ownership or control. more

Uncle Sam wanted to know: What kinds of companies are America’s true growth generators? Is it corporate giants like Apple, Amazon or GE? Is it startups? Is it relative newbies such as Facebook. more

When Donald Perez hits the street in downtown Providence wearing his yellow jacket, a utility belt with an iPhone, flashlight, radio, disposable gloves and dining guides, he’s pretty much ready for anything. more

Looking to start a business? If you want something with big potential that doesn’t take much startup capital, consider an online service of some type. A major shift toward purchasing both consumer and business-to-business services online has created a slew of opportunities for would-be entrepreneurs. more

Though the housing market is rebounding in many local markets, there is one important segment that is not: First-time buyers are missing in action and represent a smaller proportion of overall sales activity than their historical norm. more

It’s a tough world out there. Customers are demanding more. Competition is keen – sometimes from unexpected places. Your business must work harder and smarter to improve profits. And on top of it all, there always seem to be new taxes and regulations to deal with. more

Rhode Island and 18 other states – including Massachusetts and Connecticut – have enacted laws legalizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Rhode Island’s Medical Marijuana Act permits individuals carrying a valid registry identification card issued by the R.I. Department of Health to legally use marijuana for the treatment of qualifying medical conditions. more

How do you stack up as a potential mortgage candidate in this year’s increasingly tough underwriting environment? Do you have the right stuff – credit score, debt-to-income ratio, equity or down payment – to get you through the minefield? more

Slowly but surely, many business owners are realizing that Twitter is a terrific (and free) tool for a variety of business purposes, including marketing, customer service, branding and PR and generating leads. Those who use it effectively are generating traffic for their websites, building networks and getting closer to their customers. more

Measuring the ROI of social media? There’s a laugh, and a joke. more