Starting Small

A newsletter from NerdWallet Small Business about getting your business off the ground, from taking your first payment to turning a profit.

From the archives

starting a business

When can you qualify for a business loan? Maybe sooner than you think

Apr 14, 2026

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9 min read

When can you qualify for a business loan? Maybe sooner than you think

Once you hit the six-month mark, you have some options. Plus, a $3,500 grant opportunity.

Randa Kriss

starting a business

Does getting paid have to be so expensive?

Jan 15, 2026

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3 min read

Does getting paid have to be so expensive?

Payment processing is a cost of doing business, but you might be able to lower it. Plus, a $5,000 grant opportunity.

Rosalie Murphy

starting a business

How entrepreneurs really finance their first few months

Sep 30, 2025

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3 min read

How entrepreneurs really finance their first few months

Most rely on their personal savings or assets to get started. Plus, will the Fed rate cut help entrepreneurs?

Rosalie Murphy

Our most recent editions

starting a business

When should you stop investing in your business?

Aug 27, 2026

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6 min read

When should you stop investing in your business?

Plus: A $1,000 grant and details on the new Intuit credit card.

Rosalie Murphy

starting a business

'Friendly fraud' is coming for small businesses

Aug 13, 2026

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6 min read

'Friendly fraud' is coming for small businesses

Plus, a $2,500 grant and a nice improvement from the IRS.

Rosalie Murphy

starting a business

Five real ways to use AI in your business

Jul 30, 2026

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6 min read

Five real ways to use AI in your business

Plus, a $1,000 grant opportunity and cheap AI workshop.

Rosalie Murphy

starting a business

The surprising case for raising your prices

Jul 16, 2026

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5 min read

The surprising case for raising your prices

Sometimes, charging more helps things run more smoothly. Plus, a $50,000 grant opportunity.

Ryan Brady

entrepreneurship

The pros (and cons) of business credit cards

Jun 30, 2026

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6 min read

The pros (and cons) of business credit cards

You can build business credit and bridge cash flow gaps. Plus, a $20,000 grant opportunity.

Rosalie Murphy

starting a business

11 things this entrepreneur wishes he'd known before launching

Jun 15, 2026

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6 min read

11 things this entrepreneur wishes he'd known before launching

Save some cash, review your lease agreement and protect your work-life balance. Plus, a $1,000 microgrant.

Hillary Crawford

Who writes Starting Small?

Rosalie Murphy

Rosalie Murphy has covered small-business banking, credit cards, insurance and lending at NerdWallet since 2021. She writes and edits the Starting Small newsletter, and her reporting has appeared in publications like the Associated Press, MarketWatch and Nasdaq. Rosalie is an MBA candidate and has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California.

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