Running a small business means wearing a lot of hats. Payroll is one of the most important, and one of the easiest to get wrong. The IRS estimates that about one in three employers makes payroll errors every year, and the average mistake costs $291 to correct. That might not sound alarming on its own, but those errors compound fast, and the penalties for noncompliance can far exceed the original mistake. Here are five payroll mistakes we see small business owners make, and wh

If you run a small business in Oakland County, you've probably gotten the pitch from the big national payroll companies. The slick software demo. The promise of automation. The low introductory rate that quietly climbs after the first year. And then, when you actually have a question, you end up on hold for 45 minutes navigating a phone tree before reaching someone who has never heard of your business. There's a better way. And for Oakland County small businesses, it's closer

Writer: Ed Bristow Originally published: Feb 17, 2025 | Updated: May 2026 ⚡ This post has been updated to reflect the final amended rules now in effect for all Michigan employers. Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) is now fully in effect — and if you're a small business owner in Michigan, this law applies to you regardless of how many employees you have. Whether you have 2 employees or 200, understanding your obligations under ESTA is one of the most important compliance

Starting a small business can be extremely tough! Listen, don't ever give up on your dream. Keep fighting for the desires of your heart....