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Mike Thrift

Marketing Manager

AI-Generated Content and Copyright in 2026: What Small Businesses Can Actually Own, Use, and Risk

After a $1.5 billion settlement and a Supreme Court decision reaffirming human authorship, 2026 rulings split AI training from AI output: training can be fair use, but storing pirated copies is not, and publishing outputs that reproduce protected work still risks infringement. This guide shows what small businesses can own, what they risk, and how to keep AI-assisted work defensible and auditable.

American Express Graphite and the New $895 Platinum Fee: A Business Owner's Guide to Budgeting Corporate Cards Without Losing the Math

Amex launched the Graphite Business Cash Unlimited at $295 with 2% unlimited cash back and raised Business Platinum to $895 in 2026. Learn how no preset spending limit affects forecasts, how to book annual fees and 2%–5% rewards correctly, and a framework to compare effective fees, credits, and cash flow before you renew.

California's Freelance Worker Protection Act: Written Contracts, Payment Timelines, and What Every Hiring Business Must Track in 2026

California's Freelance Worker Protection Act (SB 988) has been enforceable since January 1, 2025. Learn who is covered at the $250 aggregated threshold, the six required contract terms, the 30-day payment backstop, four-year retention, double-damages risk, and a bookkeeping playbook to keep your AP calendar and vendor files compliant in 2026.

Custom Sign Shop Pricing That Actually Pays: Separating Materials, Labor Burden, and Installation

A flat $55 shop rate quietly underprices illuminated and digital sign work while vinyl subsidizes the loss. Learn how to split every quote into materials with 7% indeterminates and 1.5x markup, fully burdened labor including payroll taxes and workers comp, and installation as a separate crew and equipment profit center — with a sample channel letter worksheet and a bookkeeping setup that makes estimates match actuals.