Why Extending The PPP Is The Only Option | 10 Standout Black Small Business Owners From The Next 1000 | Inspiring Stories Of Female Entrepreneurs

Plus: 4 Basic Business Tools New Entrepreneurs Need To Succeed

Good news may be coming soon for small businesses. On the heels of the Biden administration’s announcement of sweeping changes to the Paycheck Protection Program, the House voted to extend it for an additional two months. Next stop: the Senate, where all signs point to a swift approval process.

Speaking of good news—there’s still two weeks left to apply for the second round of Forbes’ Next 1000 list of small-scale superachievers redefining what it means to build and run a business today. Fueled by your nominations and screened by top business minds and entrepreneurial superstars, at the year’s end, we’ll culminate with 1,000 new faces. Nominations are still open. Send us your story today.

And below you’ll find more insights and practical guidance on how to make big business decisions in the face of ever-changing market headwinds and the pandemic. As always, thanks for reading. You can also follow me on Twitter and on LinkedIn. 

"Growing up, I used to spend hours walking the aisles at Kmart and Target looking at packaging and experimenting with new products. I loved trying to understand what makes a brand work and what doesn’t."

Brett Thomas

Cofounder and Managing Partner, CAVU Venture Partners

Must Reads

Despite having been disproportionately affected by Covid-19, Black business owners have remained resilient, and entering 2021, nearly half say they expect revenues to increase and the economy to improve. They shone brightly on Forbes’ inaugural Next 1000 list, and here, we take a look at 10 standouts.

This Women’s History Month, we took a look back at the 21 most inspiring and enduring Forbes articles on the female entrepreneurs, executives and leaders who have defined the 21st century so far. Read the stories here.

Since launching in 2010, live video hosting company Brandlive’s core offering became increasingly irrelevant, what with the advent of Facebook and Instagram Live. CEO Sam Kolbert-Hyle pivoted the business model, aligning it with the wants and needs of his customers, and saw revenue increase 900% to $20 million in 2020. Here’s how he did it.

With overwhelming bipartisan support, it would seem as though an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program is imminent. This is why small business owners, lenders and the economy depend on it.  

Meet Joseph Lee: an unsung Black entrepreneur who changed the food industry forever. This is the story of how he became one of Boston’s most successful hospitality entrepreneurs when he invented machines that transformed industrial breadmaking for the next century.

Across Forbes