The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched the Patriot Pitch Competition, a national pitch contest designed to spotlight innovative small businesses across the country. The competition includes a $1 million cash prize pool funded by Clover Network, Inc., and eligible small businesses are encouraged to apply by June 10 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

For small business owners who have used qualifying SBA capital products, this could be more than a chance at prize money.

Stop leaving your growth to chance. Learn how to turn happy customers into a steady stream of warm leads by creating simple, repeatable referral habits and leveraging your local Chamber of Commerce for better connections.

Is your office stuck in the 90s? Discover how modernizing your business practices—from reducing unnecessary meetings to embracing AI and workplace flexibility—can help you attract top talent and boost overall efficiency.

Stop overspending on digital ads and start building local trust. Discover how the Grandview Chamber of Commerce offers affordable, targeted marketing and sponsorship opportunities to help your business reach the right audience without breaking the bank.

Don’t let your summer interns just be coffee runners. Learn how to strategically use temporary labor to tackle high-value projects like process documentation, customer experience reviews, and content mining to drive business efficiency.

Discover how the "invisible network" of local business relationships drives referrals and revenue. Learn why being known is just as important as being good at your craft, and how small business owners can use Chamber networking to build long-term trust and stay top-of-mind.

Leading a small business through uncertainty? Discover practical, human-centered strategies to steady your team. Learn why honest communication, role clarity, and "calm leadership" are more effective than forced positivity when navigating unpredictable business seasons.

Master QR code strategy for your small business. Learn how to use QR codes to remove customer friction, update printed materials on a budget, and drive mobile-friendly actions. Discover the 9 essential rules for scannable, high-performing QR codes that improve the customer experience.

Facing a payroll shortfall? Use the "2:00 AM Audit" to manage small business cash flow stress. This 5-step financial triage checklist helps owners identify budget gaps, prioritize receivables, and build a concrete action plan to ensure employees are paid on time.

Starting a business? Use our simple 9-step framework to write a business plan that works. Learn how to define your target customer, outline your services, and set 90-day milestones. Perfect for side hustles, new startups, and local small businesses looking for clarity and growth.

Are you an "Accidental Executive"? Discover how to transition from the maker phase to a leadership role as your small business grows. Learn how to manage the shift in client relationships, develop executive-level skills, and lead an organization where your team can thrive.

Beat "founder's fatigue" and clear the brain fog with these 4 neural optimization tips for small business owners. Learn how time-batching, hydration, and "external brain" systems can increase your productivity by 40% and improve decision-making clarity.

Ever wished you had a brainstorming partner who didn't need coffee breaks? For small business owners, creativity often feels like a luxury we don't have time for. But AI is more than just a writing tool, it’s a creative accelerator. From generating "out of the box" promotion ideas to reframing your brand voice, learn how to use AI to break out of repetitive patterns and free up the mental space you need to innovate.

Todd Krass, chief executive officer of Belton Regional Medical Center, announced his retirement late February following more than 20 years of leadership at the hospital and more than four decades of service in healthcare.

It’s a question that feels complicated. If you’re in business long enough, you’re going to have to raise your prices at some point. And yet when you do, it’s possible loyal customers may have big feelings about it. So how do you raise your prices without alienating the people who got you to where you are?

Think employee wellness requires a massive budget and a yoga studio in the breakroom? Think again. For small businesses, wellness isn't a perk, it’s a survival strategy. When burnout can cost up to 200% of an employee's salary to replace, you can't afford not to prioritize your team's mental health. Discover how simple, zero-cost "micro-actions" can protect your culture and your bottom line.

Stop letting good business ideas die on the vine. Learn the 48-Hour Rule: a simple system for small business owners to turn creativity into action. Discover how to define "next actions," overcome decision paralysis, and use your local Chamber of Commerce to gain the traction you need to grow.

Is your business a machine, or are you just the engine? If you stepped away from your business tomorrow for two weeks—no email, no Slack, no "just checking in"—what would fall apart? For most owners, the answer is "everything." This isn't a sign of failure; it’s a sign of proximity. Discover how to stop being the "fixer of last resort" and start building a business that thrives even when you’re off the grid.

Unless you’ve been on the show Survivor’s island for the last six months, you probably have gotten wind of the notion that AI can help you save time, but did you know it can also help you make money? I’m not talking about becoming an AI expert and training the masses. That would take time you probably don’t have.

In this case, I’m referring to creating a digital product for your business that you can sell and make money even when your business isn’t open. And best of all you can likely create it in a few minutes with the help of AI. Here’s how:

For years, Instagram Stories have been like the “cool kids table” of your account: mostly seen by people who already follow you. Great for connection, not great for discovery.

That’s changing and businesses should be pretty excited about this.

Instagram now lets people reshare public Stories to their own Stories, even if they weren’t tagged. There’s typically an “Add to Story” option when viewing a public Story, and you can control this in your settings.

If you’re a small business trying to reach beyond your current followers, this is not a tiny tweak. It’s a built-in word-of-mouth engine.