Key Takeaways Lighting Transforms Atmosphere: The right lighting significantly enhances your bar’s ambiance, setting the mood for gatherings and celebrations. Blend Function and Aesthetics: Effective bar lighting solutions should merge functionality with visual appeal to create inviting spaces that encourage conversation. Explore Ambient and Task Lighting: Utilize warm-toned pendant lights and wall sconces for ambiance, while implementing task lighting options for clarity in work areas, such as under-cabinet lights. Choose Your Style Wisely: Popular bar lighting styles like modern minimalist and rustic charm can draw in customers and enhance the overall experience. DIY Options for Personal Touch: Consider unique DIY…

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Starting a business doesn’t have to mean raising big capital or inventing something new. Sometimes, the best opportunities are right in front of us — like helping other businesses show up online where it really counts. In this article, I’ll give you six ideas to start a small business for under $1,000. 1. Web design service In today’s world, almost every business needs a website — whether it’s a local hairdresser or a large company. This opens up a great opportunity to start a web design business with very little money. With…

Financial crime doesn’t wait for anyone. Whether it’s fraud, money laundering, or suspicious transactions slipping through the cracks, the threats are constant, and they’re getting smarter.

U.S. stocks advanced across the board by midday Friday, with the S&P 500 eyeing its ninth consecutive day of gains—poised for the longest winning streak since May 2024. Risk appetite remained firm, underpinned by solid corporate earnings and a stronger-than-expected April jobs report. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 177,000, beating expectations of 130,000 and easing concerns over tariff-related hiring slowdowns. All eleven S&P 500 sectors traded in positive territory, led slightly by financials over technology. Major indexes have now fully recovered from the declines sparked on April 2, when President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs across trading partners. The Nasdaq 100…

Key Takeaways Understand the Cake Business: Gain knowledge about culinary and entrepreneurial aspects by researching market viability and customer preferences to establish a strong foundation for your cake business. Identify Your Niche: Define your specialty, whether it be custom wedding cakes, birthday cakes, or unique offerings like cupcakes, to differentiate your brand and cater to specific target audiences. Develop a Solid Business Plan: Create a detailed business plan outlining your objectives, target audience, sales strategies, and financial projections to guide your cake business’s growth. Comply with Legal Requirements: Familiarize yourself with the necessary licenses and permits, and choose a suitable…

by Stacy Jackson May 2, 2025 Immigrants fear they may have to return to gang and political violence in Haiti due to Trump’s order to end the CHNV Humanitarian Program. With gangs taking over more than 90% of Port-au-Prince, hundreds of thousands of Haitian immigrants may be returning to a land of chaos if a judge rules in favor of the Trump administration’s executive order to end the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela Humanitarian Sponsorship Program. The humanitarian parole program, established under the Biden administration, has permitted more than 500,000 people to enter the U.S. under temporary legal status. According to NBC News,…

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. If you’re serious about building real wealth and autonomy in 2025, your fastest path might be the family business down the street. Over the next decade, millions of small businesses — an engine of America’s real economy — will transition to new ownership. But this shift won’t play out on public markets or through high-profile dealmaking. It will happen in quiet, negotiated transactions between retiring owners and the next generation of hard-working entrepreneurs. The numbers prove just how large an opportunity this is: 70% of small business owners have no formal succession…

McDonald’s Corp. MCD is kicking off 2025 with a warning about a growing divide among U.S. consumers, noting a clear split along income lines. What Happened: During its first quarter earnings call on Thursday, McDonald’s CEO, Chris Kempczinski’s opening remarks centered around the declining foot traffic in the quick-service restaurant industry, especially from the low and middle income consumer cohort, both of which are down nearly 10% compared to the prior year quarter. However, traffic among high-income consumers remains strong, which Kempczinski said “illustrates the divided U.S. economy, where low- and middle-income consumers in particular are being weighed down,” by…

Key Takeaways Company Innovation is Essential: In a competitive business environment, fostering innovation is crucial for growth and sustainability, not just a trendy concept. Types of Innovation: Key innovation types include product, process, business model, marketing, and organizational innovation, each contributing uniquely to enhancing business performance. Driving Factors: Technological advancements and market demands play pivotal roles in shaping innovation, helping businesses meet customer needs and enhance operational efficiency. Cultural Influence: Creating an organizational culture that nurtures creativity and collaboration empowers employees to contribute ideas and embrace innovation. Overcoming Challenges: Addressing resistance to change and resource limitations is vital for small…

by Sharelle Burt May 1, 2025 The reset will include department directors will no longer have P-cards issued to allow them to focus on approving purchases. Richmond, Virginia, Mayor Danny Avula announced the city’s procurement card program, also known as the p-card program, will be paused and called for a “reset” after accusations of abuse, 6 News Richmond reported.  In a statement, Avula, the city’s first immigrant and Indian mayor, said the number of city p-cards will be reduced by more than 80%, from 320 to approximately 60, by May 9. As the p-cards are known as credit cards for staff to…