Small Business: Latest Financial Topics from CNBC

Here is the latest in Small Business News from CNBC.

Ohio battle: Manufacturing may sway this swing state
A win by Gov. John Kasich in Ohio would stall Donald Trump getting a majority of delegates. What the state’s economy tell us.

Start-up prices may be falling even faster
Venture investors are paying up to 40 percent less for software start-ups than they were a year ago, says this VC.

Self-made millionaires unveil traits of a perfect partner
These self-made millionaires are looking to invest with a very specific type of entrepreneur.

Don’t give up! A simple fix to save a failing business
One burger joint was losing cash until the owners reinvented the restaurant with a more gourmet concept.

Zuckerberg’s not the only dorm room success story
A whiz kid trying to build a blog turned frustration into Super Bowl ads, millions in revenue and big VC funding.

10 ways to earn good money in less time
Don’t want to log long hours? At these jobs, you can work part time and still earn good money.

Success is in the blood: One family’s story
For one New York City family, entrepreneurship is genetic. Or at least, that’s how it seems.

From geisha beauty rituals to millions in sales
A look at how one San Francisco-based beauty start-up, Tatcha, cracked the multibillion-dollar prestige beauty market.

You’re not old, you’re just ready for your next act!
It’s not just millennials. More older workers are finding entrepreneurship success later in life.

The #1 city for starting a small business
Deciding where to start or build your business? Take a look at these biz-friendly ones.

This start-up sells cheap food as ‘hunger relief’
Daily Table is on a mission to sell healthy food so cheap it can compete with fast food.

Start-up tries biggest change in shipping since 1973
Find out how this new, on-demand service is taking the headache out of packing up and sending back your returns.

Businesses push back against regulations
In one state, you can end up in jail for up to six months for selling baked goods. Inside the world of small business regulations.

Home bakers fight ‘cookie ban’
CNBC’s Kate Rogers reports small business owners in Wisconsin are fighting the state’s baking lobby. One baker Lisa Kivirist, owner of Inn Serendipity B&B, could land in jail for up to six months if she charges for her muffins and cookies not made in a licensed commercial kitchen.

Executive Edge: Freedom to tour
The “Squawk Box” news team and CNBC’s Kate Rogers discuss South Carolina’s daunting test for tour guides.

Cookie bans? Small biz fights back against regs
Small businesses are taking on regulations, as government red tape has intensified. From “cookie bans” to hours of work training, the list of rules is long.

Why Main Street isn’t partying just yet
Small businesses report stronger performance, though tough lending conditions persist, according to new Fed data.

Weaker small business confidence bucks firming data
U.S. small business confidence declined further in February as concerns about sales growth and profits hurt capital spending and hiring plans.

An ancient craft is brewing up new jobs
Small brewers, like Half Full in Connecticut, are seeing big growth, and that means thousands of new jobs for the industry.

TaskRabbit pushes consumer expectation
If you need someone to stand in line for you at the passport office, online chore market place “TaskRabbit” can help you. The app has a new feature – it will confirm within five minutes, reports CNBC’s Kate Rogers.

This could be a game changer for Detroit housing
In a unique Detroit housing program, select lenders are offering guaranteed second mortgages as a way to make up for appraisal gaps.

TaskRabbit rolls out on-demand service
TaskRabbit CEO Leah Busque also talks about balancing growth with background checks on workers.

Main St.: This is our pick for president
Some 60% of small-business owners plan to vote in this election. A survey reveals their top pick.

Elf on the Shelf’s success secret: Ignore haters
The twin sisters behind the company that makes The Elf on the Shelf advise new entrepreneurs to never give up.

Early finance training could save your family biz
Given that a small percent of family businesses survive two generations, it’s imperative owners train their heirs in financial literacy early on.

How to fight cyberthreats—on the cheap
Cloud technology can be an effective and affordable way to fight cyberterrorism.

Veterans are really good as cybersleuths
The skills gained in the military are helping veterans succeed in cybersecurity.

How sunglasses for dogs topped $3M in annual sales
Roni Di Lullo created Doggles when she realized her border collie, Midknight, needed eye protection.

IRS to return $150K seized from small-biz owner
A convenience store owner who had his bank account seized under an IRS policy meant to target drug dealers will be repaid.

One mom turns food into cash for farmers
A Wisconsin mom tells CNBC how a P.T.A. fundraiser became a business that helps local farmers.

Small businesses seek IRS-seized cash
A dairy farmer and a convenience store owner are fighting to get back money they say was wrongfully seized by the IRS.

Mom-and-pops fighting for IRS-seized cash
A dairy farmer and a convenience store owner are working to get back their cash they say was wrongfully seized by the IRS.

During a dry spell, some ask, ‘What El Nino?’
A record rise in flood insurance policies was reported, according to FEMA. But amid a dry spell, some are asking, “What El Nino?”

Where investors down on Wall St. are headed
Real prosperity can be found in the many investment options that sit within local communities.

Valentine’s Day panicking? Try a florist start-up
Start-ups in the florist industry are using on-demand delivery and farm-direct flowers to appeal to consumers.

Oculus VR founder Palmer Luckey wants to help veterans
More veteran groups are harnessing video games and VR to help members of the military.

Inside one of NYC’s first medical pot shops
One of New York City’s first medical marijuana dispensaries is getting ready to open its doors. A look inside Columbia Care.

US franchise jobs soar in December ADP
U.S. franchisees added nearly twice as many jobs as the previous month, ADP says.

President Obama vetoes health-care repeal bill
Obama vetoed a bill that sought to repeal his hallmark health-care law, and Main Street is still worried.

A revolutionary blood test that can detect cancer
Liquid biopsies that show genetic mutations of DNA in a person’s blood will dramatically improve early detection of cancers.

Uber cuts prices in more than 100 US cities
Hoping to fend off a post-holiday slump, Uber is cutting prices in 100 cities around the country and in Canada.

States deal with real cost of minimum-wage hikes
In the continued absence of a minimum-wage hike from Congress, more than a dozen states raised their own minimums as of January.

New York’s pot program rolls out
Companies awarded licenses say a rush of initial patients was not expected.

Some good news: The group that plans to hire
More employers on Main Street are feeling optimistic about near-term business prospects and plan to add new positions.

How important is paid sick leave? Listen to Obama
In his State of the Union address, President Obama vowed to keep fighting for workers’rights. Here’s how.

What Main Street had to say about Obama’s speech
Entrepreneurship was mentioned frequently, but not all advocates on Main Street were in agreement with what Obama said.

California farmers shore up for El Nino
California farmers worry El Nino will bring fast and furious precipitation and damage crops and land.

Uber notches win over New York CIty
A study from Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office found Uber and competitors have not significantly added to NYC congestion.

China’s slump gives Main Street a reason to pause
Amid growing worry the U.S. economy is on the brink of a slowdown, small businesses are trying to stay the course.

This may be 2016’s best business opportunity
Despite worries of an economic downturn, the franchise industry is poised for another year of growth in 2016.

Landlords generated $500M a year on Airbnb: Study
Landlords operating illegal hotels are raking in big bucks on Airbnb, according to a new study funded by the hotel-lodging industry.

I couldn’t use THIS but you should: CEO
ACT-1 Group founder and CEO Janice Bryant Howroyd reveals her advice for young entrepreneurs in today’s society.

Low gasoline prices lift Main Street
Oil’s slide may be adding to market jitters on Wall Street, but some small businesses on Main Street are seeing boosted bottom lines.

Uber Code Blue—MD placed on leave over viral video
A doctor is under internal investigation by a Miami health system due to an online video of a young woman trashing an Uber car.

‘Feast or famine’: Prepping for El Nino post drought
From small California solar power companies to regional hospitals, there’s cautious preparation ahead of El Nino.

Almond growers wish list: Rain and bees
Prices of mighty almonds are down amid El Nino-related cold and rain that could dampen pollinating activity and crop yields.

Uber, Lyft put more pressure on taxi companies
San Francisco’s largest taxi operator, Yellow Cab Cooperative, is scheduled for its first bankruptcy hearing.

Franchisees fight back against $15 minimum wage
The International Franchise Association wants the Supreme Court to hear its challenge of Seattle’s tiered minimum wage.

Your food might be stuck on a barge
Some food transportation on barges is slowing as El Nino-related rain has swelled some waterways.

Some Uber, Lyft drivers push for protections
Despite Lyft’s decision to settle a suit this week, the issue of reclassifying drivers and workplace protections is far from over.

Legal US pot sales soar to $5.4B in 2015
Legal U.S. cannabis sales soared to $5.4 billion for 2015, up 17.4 percent from $4.6 billion in 2014, according to the ArcView Group.

Can Uber jobs help reboot welfare?
What if welfare recipients were matched with small task jobs at places like Uber and TaskRabbit?

US manufacturers carving out staying power
New data shows mid-size manufacturers — long considered past their prime to overseas pressures — are still going strong.

Wing Zone franchise preps for the big game
One small business is trying to break its own record for chicken wing sales on Super Bowl weekend.

US to eat 1.3B chicken wings for Super Bowl
For food franchises like Wing Zone in Long Island, the Super Bowl is a big weekend for chicken wing sales.

Stride Health: The health insurance broker Uber is using
Benefits start-up Stride Health is winning by partnering with Uber and Etsy.