The city of Phoenix Equal Opportunity Department hosts workshops for small business owners to help them learn more about the city's business certification programs. The workshops help business owners complete the application process for certification and offer information about the requirements, process and benefits of becoming certified.

SCORE Counselors to America's Small Business will be noon Wednesday at the Sunset Library, 4930 W. Ray Road. A business counselor will be available to answer questions regarding startup or expansion and provide problem-solving assistance. Free. For information or to make an appointment, call (480) 782-2842.

More than 95 percent of Arizona employers are small business owners, according to the Arizona Department of Commerce.

It's no secret that times are tough for most small-business owners, but there are a variety of strategies to turn businesses around and cut costs.

Small businesses play a key role in our economic recovery, creating jobs to help get our community back on track. The W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University is offering a program to help small business owners and executives learn how to improve efficiency, streamline operations and raise profits. The fifth annual Small Business Leadership Academy is available to the leaders of small and diverse local businesses.

The Arizona Small Business Association is hosting its first annual National Small Business Week Mixer on May 22. The event is free and open to the public, but a reservation is required. The mixer is at Gateway Community College, 275 N. Gateway Drive. in Phoenix. For information, go to www.asba.com.

Small and minority-owned businesses can learn more about doing business in Chandler during the Chandler Small Business Development Workshop 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at Chandler City Hall, 88 E. Chicago St. Christine Mackay, the city’s economic development director, will give an economic update. Participants will also hear about ASU projects in Chandler, social media and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

With the prices of electronics so low these days, many of us will find shiny new computers under the tree this year.

Saturday marks the second Small Business Saturday, an annual event to promote local shopping and fuel the economy.

Many small-business owners are so busy running their businesses that they don't take time to consider who would take over if they became disabled or died.

Phoenix will be offering a free business workshop April 7 at Pecos Community Center to learn more about the city's certification programs.

I saw a Seinfeld episode recently where Jerry was talking about guys using their best lines trying to pick up women. Some are moderately successful and inventive, but then you have guys who drive by and honk the horn. "Clearly this man is out of ideas." It got me thinking of how many small business people are great at what they do, but are out of ideas when it comes to growing their business.

The path to starting a business in Gilbert may still seem more like a complex of mazes and dead ends to some small businesses and entrepreneurs, but they at least have a personal guide to help them find their way.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is set to unveil plans to refocus spending of the government's $700 billion financial bailout away from big financial institutions and toward small businesses.

The Mesa Association of Hispanic Citizens and the East Valley Hispanic Business Alliance will present the fifth annual East Valley Minority and Small Business Symposium from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 18 at Southwest Ambulance, 708 W. Baseline Road, Mesa.

Heather Frazier: As a small business owner, I know all too well how broken our health care system is. Each year, I pay exorbitant out-of-pocket premiums for health insurance. Last year alone, my premiums exceeded $5,000 for one person.

It’s been a hard year for owners of small businesses across the country.

Time is money — and the gas problem is costing Chuck Bond both.

Valley small-business owners will get to ask questions and learn from one of the nation’s leading experts on small-business issues on Tuesday at a free breakfast and presentation.