Etsy sellers explain why they’re going on strike | Mashable

April 8, 2022April 7, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Etsy’s reputation as the feel-good home of whimsical goods and small businesses is being put on blast — by Etsy sellers themselves.

On April 11, thousands of Etsy sellers, many of whom work full-time selling their merchandise on the site, plan to go on strike by putting their shops in “vacation mode” and not selling their goods for a week.

The shop owners are protesting a number of business changes Etsy has made over the past few years that sellers say have degraded the platform and made it harder for them to run their businesses and earn a profit. Most directly, the strike is in response to a bump in the fee Etsy charges sellers: On April 11, it goes from 5 percent to 6.5 percent — a 30 percent increase — as announced in February.

US consumer debt jumped by $40 billion in February | CNN

April 8, 2022April 7, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Americans got into a lot more debt in February as rampant inflation kept up the pressure, the Federal Reserve’s consumer credit report showed Thursday.

Debt levels jumped by nearly $42 billion to a total of almost $4.5 trillion. That’s an annual increase of 11.3%, seasonally adjusted, far outperforming economists’ expectations and setting a new high. In January, total credit had grown only 2.4%.

The Fed’s historical consumer credit data goes back to the early 1940s.

Revolving credit, which includes credit cards, jumped by 20.7% to about $1.1 trillion. The category increased by only 4% in the prior month.

9 Best Blankets to Help You Sleep Better Than a Baby | Life Hack

April 7, 2022April 6, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Having the best blankets in your bed is a luxury. After all, there’s nothing more satisfying than crawling to your bed after a long and tiring day and snuggling up to your favorite blanket.

If you are on the lookout for the best blankets, you’re on the right page.

Criteria for the Best Blankets

Shopping for a blanket is not an easy task. You have to put some effort into looking for the best one for you. But what do you look for in the best blanket?

New fashion, beauty, and food collaborations for spring 2022 | Fast Company

April 6, 2022April 5, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

This spring, if your face smells like donuts and your outfit comes from a farmers market stand? Congratulations, you’re bang on-trend. As fashion and beauty brands seek to engage new customers in a social media-driven, post-pandemic economy, partnerships and collaborations teams are increasingly turning to food—including iconic restaurant brands and flavorful experiences—to lure shoppers back to brick-and-mortar retail.

Last month, when British bakery chain Greggs debuted a collaboration with fast fashion retailer Primark in the UK, fans of pasties queued up for hours to score the logo-emblazoned loungewear. Not long after Coach announced its Zabar’s capsule collection—comprising bagel-printed luxury tees, sweaters, and totes—nearly every single item sold out online. And this week, two megabrands in the beauty and fashion space enter the fray with retail concepts and in-store activations themed around food.

Selling Your Product in Online Marketplaces | AllBusiness.com

April 6, 2022April 5, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Online marketplaces have taken off in recent years. Shoppers are flocking to sites like Amazon and Walmart.com for more selection, better pricing, and the ease and comfort of shopping from home. If you’re an entrepreneur, selling your products on online marketplaces can lead to incremental sales growth and will get your brand in front of millions of shoppers.

Who are the biggest online marketplaces?

First, let’s define some of the big players where you can sell your products. Here are the top online marketplaces in the United States based on monthly visitors:

Should You Get a Women-Owned Business Certification? | Small Business Trends

April 5, 2022April 3, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Female business owners have traditionally faced unique challenges when seeking funding and government contracts. To balance those disadvantages, there are now certain programs and contracting dollars that are reserved just for women-owned businesses. However, owning a business as a woman isn’t enough; there are specific certification requirements companies must meet to be eligible.

What is a Women-Owned Business Certification?

A women-owned small businesses certification is an official designation through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Companies that achieve this certification process are eligible for programs and contracts set aside for women-owned small businesses.

What Are Accounting Ratios? | business.com

April 5, 2022April 3, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Accounting ratios give you a better understanding of your business’s financial position.

A critical component of running a successful business is understanding where it stands financially. This helps you see where you are today and predict how you’ll fare in the future. While there are many pieces of financial data to keep on top of, some critical ones are accounting ratios. These metrics can give you a quick idea of where your business stands and how well it is positioned to handle any obstacles that pop up.

What are accounting ratios?

Accounting ratios measure your company’s current and projected financial health. They are based on data in your business’s financial reports. On the surface, accounting ratios may seem complicated, but each measures two line items that you should be able to access quickly and easily from your balance sheet. Here are the most common accounting ratios that small businesses can use.

Why I sold my awesome gaming PC and bought a MacBook Pro | Digital Trends

April 4, 2022April 3, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

I did it. I have committed the cardinal sin among PC gaming enthusiasts.

I have ditched my relatively powerful gaming PC in exchange for the breezy console life — and also threw in a new MacBook Pro while I was at it.

I know how it sounds, but give me a chance to explain. My reasons won’t work for everyone, but I’m already loving my life away from my gaming PC, even if it won’t last forever.

5 Ways to Support Freelancers and Improve Collaboration | The Startup Magazine

April 4, 2022April 3, 2022 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Freelancing is a booming industry right now, with great talent pools available. The percentage of full-time freelancers in the U.S. workforce soared from 17 to 28 percent between 2014 and 2019 and has been continually growing since the pandemic.

Moreover, the demand for freelancers is also set to increase as the gig economy proves that they are equally productive as full-time employees, but arguably, a more cost-effective option for employers. To maximize the benefits of hiring freelance workers, it is important to learn how to support them and work with them properly.

Knowing how to work with a freelancer efficiently will ensure the relationship is successful and the collaboration is fruitful. Here are things you should do when you consider working with freelancers:

1. Be Ready for Them

Hiring talented and skilled freelancers can help cut costs for many businesses. But that is only if you employ the appropriate strategy to find, hire, and onboard them. Depending on your business or the tasks at hand, try to find the right platform where you can find the best ones in their field.