Category: Small Business

Starting a Business in 1776 vs Today

by Bill Anderson | May 17, 2026 | 250th Anniversary, 250th Birthday of America, Business Formation, Small Business, Starting a new business, USA250 | 0

Starting a business in 1776 was dramatically different from launching a company today. Colonial entrepreneurs operated without LLCs, payroll systems, federal licensing, or modern banking — but they faced enormous risks involving transportation, supply shortages, war, fire, and financial uncertainty. This article explores how printers, manufacturers, merchants, builders, and craftsmen created businesses during the Revolutionary era and compares their challenges to those faced by modern entrepreneurs.

RetireCoast Expands the Business Membership with a Complete Worker Compliance System

by Bill Anderson | May 11, 2026 | Business Formation, Business Membership, Compliance, Financial, Small Business, Taxes | 0

RetireCoast has expanded the Business Membership with a complete Worker Compliance System designed for small businesses, LLC owners, contractors, and independent operators. The dashboard includes tools for worker classification, contractor agreements, W-9 tracking, payroll analysis, audit preparation, and workforce documentation designed to help improve organization, compliance processes, and operational efficiency.

Depreciation for Business and Rental Property: How It Works and Why It Matters

by Bill Anderson | Apr 30, 2026 | Business Formation, Business Membership, depreciation, entrepreneur, Financial, Rental Property Investments, Short-term rental, Small Business, Taxes | 0

Depreciation is one of the most powerful tax tools for both real estate investors and business owners. This guide explains how depreciation works, how it impacts cash flow, and what happens when you sell assets.

The Business Membership System: Start, Analyze, Operate, Optimize, Protect, and Scale

by Bill Anderson | Apr 26, 2026 | Business after Retirement, Business Formation, Business Membership, entrepreneur, Small Business, Starting a new business | 0

Most business owners struggle because they skip critical steps. This guide introduces a complete Business Membership system—Start, Analyze, Operate, Optimize, Protect, and Scale.

3 Critical Short-Term Rental Tax Mistakes That Trigger an IRS Audit

by Bill Anderson | Apr 23, 2026 | Financial, Rental Property Investments, Short-term rental, Small Business, Taxes | 0

Short-term rentals offer massive tax benefits, but they also paint a giant target on your back. Discover the 3 critical tax traps—from miscalculating depreciation to accidental personal use—that cost vacation rental owners thousands in IRS audits, and learn how to secure your deductions legally.

How to Account for Short Term Rental Income and Expenses: A Complete Guide for Property Owners

by Bill Anderson | Apr 23, 2026 | Business after Retirement, Business Formation, entrepreneur, Property management, Real Estate, Rental Property Investments, Small Business, Starting a new business, Taxes | 0

Learn how to track short-term rental income and expenses, understand STR accounting basics, and improve your property’s performance with a simple, practical system.

Business Legal Structures Explained: LLC vs S Corporation vs C Corporation

by Bill Anderson | Mar 9, 2026 | Business Formation, LLC creation, Small Business, Starting a new business | 0

Choosing the right business legal structure is one of the most important decisions an entrepreneur makes. This guide explains LLCs, S Corporations, C Corporations, and sole proprietorships, helping you understand the advantages, tax differences, and when each structure makes sense for a new business.

Millennials Starting a Business

by Bill Anderson | Mar 2, 2026 | Millennial Finance, Millennial Financial Lab, Millennials, Small Business, Starting a new business | 0

Millennials are starting businesses to create flexible income, reduce financial stress, and build long-term stability. This practical guide walks through planning, validation, cash flow, and growth—without hype or unnecessary risk.

Essential Entrepreneur Traits for Fearless Business Growth Now!

by Bill Anderson | Jan 27, 2026 | Business after Retirement, entrepreneur, Financial, Investment, Small Business, Starting a new business | 0

Do you have what it takes to be a successful business owner? In this article, I share my own experiences and examples from well-known entrepreneurs to reveal the essential traits that fuel fearless business growth. Start with our self-assessment quiz, learn how these traits work in real life, and finish with a reflection quiz to see how your mindset has shifted.

Unretire in Gulfport, MS: Reinvent Your Retirement with Coastal Charm and Opportunity

by Bill Anderson | Jan 6, 2026 | Lifestyle Change, Retirement, Small Business, Unretirement | 0

Gulfport, MS is the ideal place to unretire. With affordable housing, coastal charm, and business-friendly opportunities, you can reinvent your retirement while enjoying a vibrant lifestyle on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Would you like me to also create a shorter, one-sentence version (under 40 words) for use in places like category pages or featured post previews?

Gen X Real Estate Investing: How to Build a Rental Property Business That Lasts

by Bill Anderson | Dec 15, 2025 | Gen X, Real Estate, Rental Property Investments, Small Business, Starting a new business | 0

Want to build rental income before retirement? This Gen X-focused real estate investing guide shows how to structure your business, select the right strategy, understand financing, assemble your team, and run conservative deal analysis so you avoid costly mistakes.

I’m Retired — What Kind of Business Should I Start?

by Bill Anderson | Dec 9, 2025 | Baby Boomers, Business after Retirement, entrepreneur, Small Business, Starting a new business | 0

Retirement is the perfect time to explore new opportunities. Discover 11 smart business ideas after retirement — from consulting and rentals to handyman work, tutoring, and blogging — that fit your lifestyle and goals.

RETIRE COAST PODCAST

Get New RetireCoast Articles

New to RetireCoast? Start Here

How to Start a Business After Retirement

Mississippi vs. Florida vs. California: Where Should You Retire?

Gen X Time to Plan for Retirement

Buying Your Retirement Home Before You Retire

Ultimate Guide to Mississippi Gulf Coast Living and Retirement

About the Author

William Anderson

Air Force veteran, real estate broker, investor, and founder of RetireCoast. I write about retirement planning, relocation, real estate, and launching second-act businesses.

Read my story

Popular on RetireCoast

Why People Are Leaving California

Who We Were in 1776 (part of 250th Anniversary Series)

The 50-Year Mortgage Proposal

Mardi Gras 2026 Guide

RetireCoast Podcast Reach

The RetireCoast Podcast is listened to in 77 countries and more than 1,394 cities — and growing.

Featured Tool

Try our most popular retirement & real estate calculators

Visit Calculator Hub

Thinking About Buying on the Mississippi Gulf Coast?

Local experts helping retirees, investors, and relocating families.
We provide cost-of-living breakdowns, local insights, and access to new listings.

Contact Gulf Coastal Realtors →

🎧 Listen to Our Podcast

🌴 Mississippi Gulf Coast Vacation Rentals

Stay Near the Beach

Planning a trip to the Mississippi Gulf Coast? Enjoy clean, comfortable homes just steps from the sand with Christie’s Gulf Beach Rentals. Ideal for families, couples, and long-term visitors.

View Available Rentals

RetireCoast on Social Media

📚 View All Articles

Browse the complete archive of RetireCoast articles, guides, and resources.

➡ All Articles Index

RetireCoast is independently operated for readers who love retirement, coastal living, and real estate.

American flag and 13-star colonial flag celebrating America's 250th Anniversary

Explore our growing collection of articles about life in 1776, the people of the Revolution, weapons, camp followers, women of the war, and how America changed over 250 years. Many of our 250th Anniversary articles are among the most-read and highly rated history features on RetireCoast.

Visit the 250th Anniversary Hub →

🗺️ Free Trip Planner

Not sure how to spend 2–5 days on the Mississippi Gulf Coast? Our AI itinerary builder plans each day for you.

Plan My Visit