It had just one employee. If that person had to go to lunch, the shop was closed. It wasn't serving the purpose of what we feel a hospital gift shop should be.

The Illinois CPA Society represents more than 22,000 CPAs and financial professionals. We recognize the dedication and sacrifice of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, and we're committed to finding the most effective way to express our appreciation. With the Military Service Tax Assistance Project, CPAs are able to support the troops in the best way they can -- by putting their tax expertise to use. By helping identify the special tax benefits available to military personnel, our members can help ease the financial strain of active duty.

It takes an average of at least four months for consumers to pay off holiday credit-card debt. Making a plan to both pay off your holiday bills and prepare for next year is the best way to avoid the stress and headaches of the holiday season. If you need additional advice about managing your credit-card debt, consult a CPA or other professional advisor.

Coping with the stresses and demands of a job loss, natural disaster or financial crisis is never easy, and recovering can seem almost impossible. However, there are numerous resources out there that are available to get you back on your feet. It's important to avoid making snap decisions that you may regret later. If you have questions, consulting a CPA or other professional advisor is a good way to get overall financial advice and create a recovery plan.

One of the rookie mistakes first-time entrepreneurs often make is to be too guarded about their idea - in fact, many will actually spend their first $25,000 on patent lawyers without ever fully vetting their product.

As a first-time CEO, I wasn't sure if I would scale to run IronPort long-term. But I wanted a legitimate shot at it.