Simone Ito
Editorial byline
Simone Ito is an editorial byline for The Business Nearby, with a focus on Market Trends, Business Resources, Data-driven Investigations. Biographical credentials and external profiles are published only after verification.
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Coverage Areas
Latest Articles
The Small Business Guide to ADA Website Compliance: A Self-Audit Checklist You Can Run Today
Small businesses can audit their websites for ADA compliance using a self-checklist to identify common accessibility gaps like missing alt text or poor color contrast, helping them avoid lawsuits and improve user experience.
Oct 27, 2026 · 4 min read
Choosing a Small Business Payment Processor: Start With Architecture, Then Pricing, Then Integration
Choosing a small business payment processor starts with selecting the right architecture: a Payment Service Provider (PSP) or a traditional merchant account. This foundational decision impacts pricing models, setup complexity, and integration options.
Oct 24, 2026 · 5 min read
Five Things to Check Before You Buy Small Business Insurance Beyond General Liability
Small businesses need insurance tailored to their specific risks, going beyond general liability. Understanding a Business Owner's Policy (BOP) and identifying essential coverages beyond it is crucial for adequate protection.
Oct 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Three Policies Beyond General Liability: What They Cover and What They Cost
General liability insurance is a starting point, but it leaves key operational risks exposed. This article details Commercial Property, Workers' Compensation, and Professional Liability (E&O) insurance as essential policies to cover these distinct gaps.
Oct 20, 2026 · 5 min read
Points, Tiers, Punch Cards, or Hybrid: Which Loyalty Program Fits Your Small Business?
Choosing the right loyalty program for your small business means selecting a model that effectively changes customer behavior without eroding margins. This guide compares points, tiered, digital punch card, and hybrid programs to help you align your choice with specific business goals, operational capacity, and budget.
Oct 15, 2026 · 6 min read
Planning Your Local Pop-Up Shop: A Step-by-Step Guide
Pop-up shops offer a strategic way to test business concepts and revitalize spaces, requiring careful planning from goal setting and budgeting to location selection, logistics, marketing, and post-event evaluation for success.
Sep 30, 2026 · 4 min read
Navigating Home-Based Food Businesses: Cottage Food Laws vs. Commercial Kitchens
Home-based food entrepreneurs must understand the regulatory differences between cottage food laws and commercial kitchens. This guide helps identify your business's operational path, including product eligibility, sales limits, and necessary permits.
Sep 29, 2026 · 6 min read
SBA Offers Disaster Loans for Nevada Fires
On September 11, the Small Business Administration officially declared a disaster for Nevada's Bug and Hawk fire zones, unlocking a lifeline of low-interest loans for residents and businesses with no
Sep 13, 2026 · 2 min read
How to Get Local Business Permits and Licenses
Restaurateurs in New York City typically need some 30 permits, registrations, licenses, and certificates, along with up to 23 separate inspections to start their business, according to the Manhattan I
Sep 7, 2026 · 4 min read
Oregon's jobless rate climbs despite national stability
Oregon's unemployment rate has climbed from the middle of the pack to near the top, even as the national rate dropped to 4.
Aug 22, 2026 · 9 min read
USPS mailing rates increase July 12, 2026
Starting July 12, 2026, the cost of a single First-Class Mail Forever stamp will jump from $0.
Aug 9, 2026 · 3 min read
How SBA Capital Opportunities Help Manufacturers and Rural Businesses
While standard SBA 7(a) loans cap at $5 million, a qualifying small manufacturing company can secure up to $5.
Aug 5, 2026 · 4 min read
Veteran and Minority Businesses Face Persistent Funding Gaps
In 2023, a Black woman veteran seeking a $50,000 business loan was 40% less likely to be approved by a traditional bank than a non-minority male applicant with identical credit scores and business pla
Aug 1, 2026 · 4 min read
World Cup's True Winners: Adidas Gains, Nike Declines
Nike sold merchandise quickly, but faces a projected decline in earnings, while Adidas anticipates significant growth.
Jun 27, 2026 · 2 min read
Anthropic AI offers top tech staff over $1 million salaries
Two 'Member of Technical Staff' roles at Anthropic AI were recently listed with base salaries of $1.
Jun 27, 2026 · 2 min read
Roblox to Launch New Age-Gated Accounts Worldwide
In Greystones, Ireland, 95% of 800 educators reported heightened anxiety in their classrooms, a stark indicator of the digital generation's struggle, even as new controls emerge.
Jun 21, 2026 · 3 min read
Businesses Explore New 2026 World Cup Marketing Opportunities
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, iconic venues like SoFi Stadium will be temporarily renamed 'Los Angeles Stadium,' stripping away years of brand association.
Jun 20, 2026 · 3 min read
AT&T Connects Small Businesses with $50,000 Contest
Small business owners have until September 30, 2025, to apply for the AT&T 'She's Connected' contest.
Jun 19, 2026 · 3 min read
SBA's Two-Step Reshaping: 2025 Reorganization Meets the 2026 Size Standards Overhaul
The SBA is implementing a dual policy shift: a March 2025 agency reorganization and a proposed August 2026 overhaul of size standards. These changes aim to refocus the SBA's mission and redefine small business eligibility, significantly impacting federal contractors and competition.
Jun 18, 2026 · 4 min read
How to Make People Like You and Remember You
A single awkward greeting or a moment of inattention can indelibly brand an individual, setting the tone for every future interaction.
Jun 14, 2026 · 2 min read