American Express Launches AcceptPay

The first lesson every small business owner learns once they open their doors is that you need to get used to getting paid a little irregularly.

Back when I held a "regular job", I took it for granted that my paycheck would get direct deposited into my bank account every Friday. Since starting my own business, I have had to become accustomed to the feast-and-famine scenario of running a small business.

American Express has launched a new online service that is designed to help small businesses expedite their payment cycle and put all of their billing information in one central location. Many small businesses run their invoicing and payment operations through a combination of applications -- Excel, Quickbooks, PayPal, Merchant Processor, and more. The new AcceptPay application released by Open for American Express seeks to streamline the entire process by processing the accounts receivable cycle from invoicing through payment.

AcceptPay lets you electronically invoice customers and accept online payments all in one place. Customers have the choice to remit payment through all major credit cards, eCheck or ACH. The funds are automatically deposited into your bank account helping you maximize your cash flow. You can even sync up the information with your Quickbooks application to make bookkeeping a little easier!

Learn more here.

Kimberly-Clark Launches Grant Program for Momtrepreneurs

Do you consider yourself a Momtrepreneur? If you do Kimberly-Grant has introduced a new grant program created just for you!

The Huggies MomInspired Grant Program is awarding up to $15,000 for the development of products and services inspired by motherhood.

Visit their site to submit your unique product idea that addresses an unmet parenting need for the chance to receive a grant of up to $15,000 for startup money.

Time is of the essense with the grant submission period already open. You have until June 9, 2010 to submit your proposal.

If you need some help with your proposal, I'm offering a discounted rate for assisting with the proposal process. Email me at terri@thebusinessgirl.com with the subject MomInspired for details.

White House Fashion Favorite Closes Its Doors

The one thing that is certain - both the fashion industry and politics are unpredictable.

It seemed like the fashion dream-come-true for Chicago based designer Maria Pinto. Her fashions were being seen everywhere -- in the newspapers, on TV, even at the Democratic National Convention. The future first lady Michelle Obama had selected the designer as her go-to wardrobe choices during her husband's run for the presidency. Whether it was the teal dress worn at the convention or the red dress she sported to meet the Bushes on their way out of the White House, Mario Pinto style had arrived in Washington.

So it was incredibly surprising when a "closeout sale" sign was posted in the window of her Chicago store in February. The strain of the recession and the inability to expand beyond her loyal Chicago following had ended the business. Of course, Ms. Pinto admits that she made some rookie startup errors in financial management and general operations that hurt the budding brand.

The nail in the coffin came after the introduction of the spring 2010 line in New York last fall. The rave reviews came in, but there were no orders to follow. Buyers had shied away from her higher price point items -- between hundreds and thousands of dollars per ensemble. The brand just couldn't outlast the current trend to budget friendly fashion.

Lesson to be learned -- even the best of press won't help you if you can't adapt quickly to the changing market.