Understanding the Basics for Sustainable Growth Whether you're launching a startup or leading a...
Strategy & Operations
Business Financials 101
Understanding the Basics for Sustainable Growth Whether you're launching a startup or leading a...
Finance Tracking & Forecasting Toolkit
Take control of your numbers—so you can take control of your business. If you’ve ever felt...
How Local Businesses Are Using AI in Real, Everyday Ways
We spoke to three Richmond-based business leaders about how they’re currently using AI in their...
Marketing & Growth
4 Things to Do During Small Business Month to Grow Your Company
From the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. May is Small Business Month, a time to support and celebrate...
When Plans Change: A Journey Through Uncertainty to Growth
In this article, we’ll hear from Tamisha Williams, founder of Tamisha Williams Consulting, who...
Online Sales: Simple, Proven Ways to Convert More Customers
In our December Holiday Sales survey, we found that only 48% of retailers are currently selling...
Real Stories
Solopreneur Who Has Community
"Being a solopreneur can sometimes feel isolating, but joining InUnison has connected me to a...
Growth and Innovation
Background Gelati Celesti, a beloved local ice cream business with ten locations throughout...
Phoning an Expert
Background Erma Jean, a local retail clothing boutique faced a significant challenge when the...
Research & Data
How Local Businesses Can Leverage Third-Party Research to Drive Growth
Research conducted by independent organizations, industry groups, or government agencies can...
Survey Report: Business-Government Relations in the Richmond Region
Our recent survey provides a snapshot of the challenges and opportunities businesses encounter...
State of Local 2024: Event Recording
Welcome to the recorded inaugural State of Local event....
The Latest
Why Curiosity is Your Most Underrated Innovation Tool (and How to Cultivate It)
Innovation doesn’t happen by accident. It begins with a mindset—one rooted in curiosity. For local independent businesses, curiosity can be the secret ingredient that fuels fresh ideas, creative solutions, and new ways to engage customers. Yet it’s often overlooked or...
Announcing this Year’s Local Business Case Studies
Innovation doesn’t have to mean launching a new app or overhauling your business. Sometimes, it’s about finding a better way to do what you already do. Whether you’re running a solo service business, managing a boutique shop, or leading a small team at a restaurant or studio—innovation starts with asking: What could work better for me and my customers?
Rethinking Your Business Model for Growth and Agility
In today’s fast-changing market, sticking rigidly to an old business model can leave you behind. Local independent businesses that rethink and adapt their business models gain the agility to meet customer needs, find new revenue streams, and compete more effectively.
The 3 Biggest Innovation Challenges Facing Local Independent Businesses (and What to Do About Them)
Let’s Be Honest About Innovation We all want to innovate. We want to evolve, grow, and get ahead of the curve. But running a local business means juggling a lot—and “innovation” often feels out of reach. Here are the 3 most common roadblocks we hear from local...
Innovation Doesn’t Mean Reinventing the Wheel: 3 Quick Ways to Spot Ideas Already Working Around You
Too often, innovation feels like a big, intimidating word reserved for startups or tech companies. But for local independent businesses, innovation doesn’t have to mean launching a new product or building an app — it can simply mean finding new ways to solve problems,...
4 Things to Do During Small Business Month to Grow Your Company
From the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. May is Small Business Month, a time to support and celebrate the contributions of America’s 33.2 million small businesses and startups. It’s also the perfect time for entrepreneurs to explore new ways to grow their companies. Whether...
Profit vs. Cash Flow
If your business is showing a healthy profit, but your bank account doesn’t reflect it, you’re not alone. Many small business owners feel like they’re doing everything right—generating revenue, keeping expenses in check, and even showing strong net income on their...
How Are Tariffs Affecting Richmond’s Local Businesses?
As trade policy headlines once again make national news, we checked in with local businesses to understand how tariffs are impacting operations, pricing, and financial outlooks across Greater Richmond. The results? A mixed bag—but one with clear signs of strain for...
Why Do I Need a CFO?
Part of the series: Understanding Financial Success with Andrew Farrell, Farrell Financial.