By Susan Smigielski Acker
Correspondent
It all began with an idea to help those with technology ideas grow a business.
The Peninsula Technology Incubator in Hampton recently celebrated its first year of providing guidance to entrepreneurs trying to launch the next latest and greatest technology product or service.
The program is the brainchild of Robert Lindberg, former director of the National Institute of Aerospace in Hampton, and Thomas Flake, who serves as the incubator's director.
Kevin Wilson is the CEO of Mosquito Joe, a pest control franchise founded in Norfolk in 2009. He talks about the birth of the business, the bugs and what it takes to be a franchisee.
How did Mosquito Joe get started?
By Teresa Talerico
SBN editor
Should you peek at a job applicant's Facebook page as part of his background check? Can you discipline a disgruntled employee who trash-talks your business on Twitter? Is it OK for employees to check personal email at work?
Business owners are increasingly grappling with problems related to their staff's use of social media. It's also relatively uncharted territory for the lawyers and labor organizations that advise employers on such matters.
Website shares ideas on wellness programs
A Virginia wellness initiative for small businesses has expanded its new website to include employer profiles and other resources for companies that want to promote healthy lifestyles among employees.
SmallBusinessBeWell.com, developed by the Virginia Healthy Small Business Center in Richmond, debuted as a beta site in mid-December.
By Susan Smigielski Acker
Correspondent
When a good employee has a personal problem, it can affect a small business. But there are ways to help such workers, and doing so not only benefits them but the company's overall operations as well.
And while business is business, employers should understand that work is just one small part of a person's life.
By Esther Keane
Correspondent
When the economic downturn forced Regina Bundy to search for new job opportunities, the middle school teacher came up with an idea to show students how they can help the environment.
In 2009, the Williamsburg resident invented the WormWatcher, a lockable habitat system in a bin that contains about 500 worms. The worms feed on organic kitchen waste that otherwise would end up as trash. The worms' castings - or poop - can be used as fertilizer or compost.
Yes, there are still financing opportunities for small businesses - especially for those involved in technology or exporting - even in this climate of national belt-tightening. Here's a roundup of lending news and events:
Small Business Lending Fund expands generosity
By Teresa Talerico
SBN Editor
For small business owners, sequestration is this year's buzzword - and a potential buzzkill for their operations, particularly if they sell products or services to the federal government.
By Teresa Talerico
Microbreweries are one of 2013’s hottest startups for small businesses, Inc. magazine reported in its April issue. The industry grew by 15 percent last year, according to the Brewers Association.
Local microbrewers will reveal their secrets to “suds-cess” during a tasting and speakers’ panel at 5:15 p.m. April 4 at Total Wine, 1744 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach.
By Lakeshia Artis
lakeshia.artis@insidebiz.com
Vanessa Siedlecki of Chesapeake has turned a cause near and dear to her heart into her livelihood.
In January 2012, Siedlecki founded BrickHeadZ LLC, an educational program that uses Legos "bricks," as they're called, to promote social development and creative thinking.
Years ago, while working as a director at a La Petite Academy in California, Siedlecki noticed her 3-year-old son was different from the other children.
