At Corp Brothers Inc. in Providence, innovation doesn’t happen until management first reviews volumes of government regulations and trains employees to understand them. No one at the company would have it any other way. more

When Lisa Ranglin helped announce the creation of the Rhode Island Black Business Association in October 2011, she said there was a serious need for a central advocacy program for small businesses owned by minorities and females in Rhode Island. more

Small businesses across Rhode Island are getting a boost from the push to shop local this holiday season. Owners of small shops can’t predict whether unique products and personal attention will peel a substantial number of shoppers away from big-box discounts. But looking at the first leap into holiday shopping, many small-business owners and chamber of commerce executives point to early enthusiasm as a promising sign. more

The Small Business Association of New England continues its breakfast series on Dec. 5, with featured speakers Peter Marino, director of the R.I. Office of Management and Budget, and Leslie Taito, director of regulatory and quality management for the R.I. Economic Development Corporation. more

The South Eastern Economic Development Corporation is soliciting member feedback leading into its annual meeting, to be held Thursday, Nov. 29, at White’s of Westport. more

If you run a business and still think of Google only for search and AdWords, you may be missing something that could help your business work smarter and cheaper. The search giant is really a softy when it comes to small business, and has been working to woo biz owners and startups into its Google Apps for Business bundle. more

When work is this much fun, can it really be called work at all? The trio leading Nail, a Providence communications agency, have spent, collectively, the last 14 years making sure the laughs keep coming while the work keeps them busy. more

Falling between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Saturday, Nov. 24 will be the third annual “Small Business Saturday.” more

It is indisputable that the Internet, with its ever-expanding base and social media platform, is an important aspect of any marketing scheme. But a new study indicates that good old-fashioned networking in person is still valuable and vital to the success of both small- and new-business owners. more

(Editor’s note: This is the fourth in an occasional series of stories that will feature the companies and industries creating jobs in the region.) more