Northeast Indiana SBDC

11/10/2026

Pre-tax Season Tip:

💸 5 deductions small business owners forget: home office, mileage, professional development, software subscriptions, and phone/internet.

Keep good records and ask your tax pro what applies to you.

11/05/2026

📋 W-2 or 1099? Here’s how to tell the difference.

Misclassifying a worker is one of the most common (and costly) mistakes small business owners make. Here’s what actually determines which one applies:

It comes down to control, not preference. The IRS looks at three areas:

🔹 Behavioral control — Do you decide how, when, and where the work gets done? If yes, that points to employee (W-2). If they set their own hours and methods, that points to contractor (1099).

🔹 Financial control — Do you provide the tools, equipment, and reimburse expenses? Employees usually get this. Contractors typically use their own equipment and can work for other clients too.

🔹 Relationship type — Is this ongoing and central to your business (employee), or project-based with a defined end (contractor)? Benefits like health insurance or PTO are also a strong signal of employee status.

Why it matters:

W-2 employees → you withhold income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, and you pay employer payroll taxes
1099 contractors → they handle their own taxes; you don’t withhold anything

Get it wrong, and you could face trouble— even if the misclassification was accidental.

💡 Not sure which bucket your worker falls into? The IRS “right to control” test isn’t always black-and-white. We can help walk through it with you. 👇

The first step is to become a client: https://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/signup

11/02/2026

Your website might be losing customers for one big reason.

Do a quick test for your business website: Open it on your phone as if you were a potential customer.

Can you quickly find:
- What the business offers?
- Where it serves customers?
- How to contact you or request a quote?

If someone has to hunt for that information, you may be making it harder for them to take the next step. You don't always need a website redesign. Sometimes a few clear updates make the biggest difference.

Our center helps small businesses evaluate marketing and online presence as they grow. Interested in becoming a client? https://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/signup

10/31/2026

Wishing you a fun, safe, and spooky Halloween! 🎃👻

Enjoy the treats, the costumes, and a little community spirit along the way. Have a fang-tastic night!

10/29/2026

Have you registered yet?

There’s still time to join us for Demystifying Entrepreneurship on November 5!

Hear from local entrepreneurs, discover resources to help start or grow a business, and connect with organizations ready to help. No business plan or experience required—just bring your questions!

📅 Thursday, November 5, 2026
📍 Allen County Public Library – Pontiac Branch
2215 South Hanna Street, Fort Wayne, IN

Register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/demystifying-entrepreneurship-tickets-2002802362781?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/27/2026

There's still time to register!

Nov 3-4, 2026 (Tues-Wed)

10/27/2026

A small business brought in $10,000 this month. So it made $10,000, right? Not quite!

One of the most important things a business owner can understand is the difference between revenue and profit. Here's an example:

💰 Revenue: $10,000 in sales

🏢 Expenses: $7,500 for supplies, rent, payroll, utilities, and other operating costs

📊 Profit: $2,500 before any additional expenses or taxes not included above

Sales tell you how much money the business brings in. Profit tells you how much is left after expenses.

Understanding your numbers helps you make better decisions about pricing, expenses, hiring, and growth.

Not sure what your business numbers are telling you? The Indiana SBDC offers free, confidential business advising to help you better understand your finances.

👉Become a client: https://isbdc.ecenterdirect.com/signup

10/23/2026

Great conversations, reconnecting, and valuable learning!

Our team enjoyed attending a recent ISBDC network meeting in Indianapolis. Opportunities like these allow us to share ideas, learn from one another, and strengthen the connections that help us better serve entrepreneurs across Indiana.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to sharpen our skills!

10/22/2026

POV: You’re starting a business… and suddenly realize you need to know EVERYTHING.

Taxes? ✔️
Insurance? ✔️
Bookkeeping? ✔️
Marketing? ✔️
Hiring employees? ✔️
Financing? ✔️
Choosing a legal structure? ✔️
Writing a business plan? ✔️

Good news: You don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Our Center helps entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of starting, growing, and strengthening a business.

From business planning and financial projections to marketing strategies and market research, we offer FREE, confidential business advising to help you make informed decisions and move forward with confidence.

You bring the business idea. We'll help you figure out the next steps.

Learn more about the SBDC and the resources available to you at https://isbdc.org/isbdc/locations/northeast-indiana-sbdc

10/21/2026

Another great way to support small businesses in Noble County!

🛍️🎉 SHOP SMALL SATURDAY IS BACK! 🎉🛍️

Last year was a SUCCESS, and this year we want to make it even BIGGER and BETTER! 💙💛

📅 Saturday, November 28, 2026

Are you a local storefront interested in participating in Shop Small Saturday? We want YOU to be part of the fun! 🛒✨

Let’s come together to shop local, support our small businesses, and show our community just how special Kendallville is! ❤️

📩 Interested in participating? Send us a message and let us know!

Let’s make this year our BEST Shop Small Saturday yet! 🛍️🙌