This week in small enterprise information, we discovered about a whole lot of issues, some troubling (a Santa scarcity) and others encouraging (monetary alternatives for enterprise homeowners).As the calendar turns to December, many people naturally begin desirous about Christmas. But might you think about a Christmas with out Santa Claus? Wait, there’s a film about that, proper?Small Business Trends spoke with the head of one in all the high Santa recruiters and bookers who informed us this 12 months is not like others in the previous as a result of there merely aren’t sufficient Santa Clauses.Find out how that is affecting small companies – and it’s – on this report we filed earlier this week: Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa ScarcityAnd whereas that’s distressing, we continue learning about extra alternatives for small enterprise homeowners attempting to recuperate from the pandemic or adapt to the modifications it’s delivered to how individuals do enterprise and work together with companies.Check out all the newest grant alternatives for small companies nationwide on this report: Last Minute Small Business Grants Available in 2021Small Business News – December 3, 2021Here’s what else is occurring in the small enterprise world this week:Google My Business Becomes Google Business ProfileGoogle My Business has develop into Google Business Profile. This will enable small companies to raised handle their profile and have interaction with their clients by bringing Google Search, Google Maps, and their respective apps straight from Google My Business apps.Treasury Launches 2021 State Small Business Credit Initiative Application PortalThe U.S. Department of the Treasury has launched the 2021 State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) portal. The portal will present entry to $10 billion, which is made doable by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This is a substantial improve from the first SSBCI and the $1.5 billion it provided in 2010.Shoppers Not Starting Early on Holiday Shopping Despite Supply Chain WarningsA current report has found that an anticipated spike in buying exercise has not occurred, regardless of encouragement to take action attributable to potential provide chain points. Businesses have been urging shoppers to start out their vacation buying earlier this 12 months due to potential low inventories brought on by the provide chain points.Shutterstock and Staples Partner to Help Small BusinessIt was not too long ago introduced that inventory images supplier Shutterstock has fashioned a partnership with Staples to launch a brand new interactive design expertise for small enterprise homeowners. The two corporations will be part of collectively to increase Staples’ turnkey design experiences to incorporate an unlimited content material library and easy picture enhancing instruments.Influencer Marketing Continues to Grow in USInfluencer advertising continues to develop in the United States, with 2021 witnessing a 26.7% improve in sponsored Instagram posts. Meanwhile, sponsored tales elevated by 33.5%, with influencers creating a median 16 sponsored tales per week. The rising demand for this kind of endorsement promoting was unveiled by the ‘2022 The State of Influencer Marketing’ report.Wow! This Many Americans Made Money as a Creator in 2021The first ever sizing research has revealed 2021 to be the 12 months of the content material creator, with 11.5 million Americans contributing to the Creator Economy by producing earnings from social media platforms like TikTok, Youtube and Instagram. The research was carried out by MBO Partners and additionally revealed that 7.Texas Man Gets More Than 9 Years in PPP Loan Fraud SchemeAccording to court docket paperwork, Lee Price III, 30, of Houston, Texas is the newest man to get sentenced in a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud case. And with tons of of criminals underneath indictment by the Department of Justice (DOJ), he received’t be the final.2021 Holiday Shipping Deadlines for USPSThe USPS simply introduced the vacation delivery deadlines for 2021. And for small companies which can be relying extra on delivery as a part of their operations, these are some crucial dates. 2021 USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines With eCommerce, small enterprise homeowners are actually delivery merchandise throughout their metropolis, state, nation, and even round the world.The Biggest Challenges Facing Small Business in 2022The new 12 months will current further challenges and alternatives for small companies as the nation continues to be concerned in the COVID-19 pandemic. On The Small Business Radio Show this week, Ross Buhrdorf, the founder and CEO of ZenBusiness PBC discusses these challenges and suggestions for first time micro enterprise homeowners.You’ll Probably Be Surprised to Know How Many Companies are Using AI Writing ToolsWhen it involves writing content material, a big variety of companies are counting on synthetic intelligence (AI). This content material writing pattern was unveiled by a brand new large-scale research carried out by Semrush, suppliers of content material, web optimization, PPC and social media options.Image: Depositphotos