Upon leaving the Presidency at age 65, George Washington started what would become in the following 2 years, the largest distillery in America.

Benjamin Franklin’s key to business success was a strategy that can look familiar to a 21st century business owner.

Benjamin Franklin never sought a patent or copyright. “As we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously,” he wrote in his autobiography.

A SmallBusiness.com flashback for April 13, Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday

Until the end of the 19th century, there were few big businesses so the history of the term “small business” is less than 150 years. Today, no other phrase comes close to describing companies up to 500 employees.

150 years later, we remember two men who failed at business, but who guided the Union Army to victory in the Civil War–and what we can learn from them.

A new book describes how the black-owned barbershop became one of the first ways African-American men become entrepreneurs.

The hand-lettering stone work of Nick Benson and his staff at the John Stevens Shop will be around for centuries. It seems only appropriate that the company creating that work has been around for centuries, as well.

There are only a few presidents who started businesses, and not all of those were successful. Here are some who tried and succeeded, others who tried and failed.

Founded in 1847, America’s oldest and largest flag company is still family owned and operated.

Carrying on a tradition started in 1850, Grucci Fireworks is now in its sixth generation as a family business.