Barbara Weltman -Small Business Advocate of the Year

Barbara Weltman is well known as an incomparable resource for entrepreneurs. A tax and business attorney since 1977, Weltman has extensive experience in setting up a company, buy-sell agreements, estate planning, tax issues, and the myriad of other issues that confront the small business owner. “My father was a small business owner, so I grew up hearing about the business and the day-to-day problems,” Weltman says. “I am really inspired by small businesses— what they create, the adversities they overcome, and the spirit they have.”

As the author of several books including, J.K. Lasser’s Small Business Taxes and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Starting a Home-Based Business, Weltman shows business owners how to sift through the complexities of the tax, legal, and financial issues they face constantly. The books led to opportunities to speak, publish a newsletter, and become a go-to media source on small business. Her website, barbaraweltman.com, is a must-read for news and education about legal, tax, and financial information for small businesses.

Weltman believes small businesses will thrive in the coming decade. “I think small business now is at a crossroads, but I am very optimistic,” she says. “On the one hand, I am hearing so much from small businesses about the burden of regulation from all levels of government. On the other hand, you’ve never heard small business talked about as often as you do now, by the media, and by politicians. Politicians are starting to ‘get’ small business.

“Going forward, we’re going to see increasing innovation coming from small businesses. Technology is helping to level the playing field; people can now run their businesses through mobile devices. Ten years from now, we’re going to be globally connected in ways we can’t even imagine. Small business owners can expect to see great things!”