Month: June 2025

For small businesses, especially those owned by minorities, women, and other historically underrepresented groups, certifications like DBE, MBE, WBE, and VBE can open doors to lucrative government contracts, private sector opportunities, and business development support. But with so many acronyms, it can be hard to understand what each certification means…

Starting a business is often glamorized. From social media entrepreneurs showcasing success stories to motivational content encouraging you to “be your boss,” it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of entrepreneurship. But behind the glossy highlight reels are the unspoken truths that can make or break a business—and…

At the Birmingham Business Resource Center (BBRC), we work with some of the hardest-working entrepreneurs you’ll ever meet. Many of them don’t just run businesses—they juggle full-time jobs, raise families, and manage everything else life throws at them. During a recent session, one client told me about her daily routine…

In today’s economy, uncertainty has become part of the landscape. From supply chain disruptions to the ever-shifting tariff environment, many small business owners are facing challenges they’ve never encountered before. If that sounds like you—you’re not alone. And the good news is: support is available. Understand How Tariffs Affect Your…

For many small business owners in Birmingham, the term “artificial intelligence” used to sound like something out of a sci-fi movie. Today, it’s becoming a powerful, affordable tool to solve real-world challenges—right here in our local economy. AI isn’t replacing small business owners—it’s empowering them. From saving time on repetitive…

As the summer sun rises over Birmingham, Alabama, nature enters a season of bold color, long days, and new life. For small business owners, June isn’t just another month on the calendar—it’s a chance to embrace that same spirit of growth and renewal. Summer Is a Metaphor for Momentum Just…

Growth is the goal of every business, but expansion without a solid financial plan can quickly turn opportunity into chaos. Whether opening a second location, adding new services, hiring staff, or investing in equipment, expanding your business requires more than ambition—it requires strategy. For entrepreneurs in Birmingham and beyond, there’s…