The drawn-out skyline, the profound downturns activated by the pandemic, relies on enduring scars through lower speculation, a disintegration of human capital through lost work, and interruption of worldwide exchange and flexible linkages. As for developing the business sector and creating nations, many face overwhelming vulnerabilities. It is essential to fortify general wellbeing frameworks, address the difficulties presented by familiarity, and actualize changes to bolster solid and manageable development once the wellbeing emergency lessens.

 Developing the business sector and creating economies will be slammed by monetary headwinds from different quarters: pressure on feeble medicinal services frameworks, loss of exchange and the travel industry, diminishing settlements, quelled capital streams, and tight budgetary conditions amid mounting obligation. Exporters of vitality or modern products will hit hard.

If we look at it objectively, the economic damage cost by COVID-19 is still unknown. However, the impact is unarguably disastrous, with the businesses shutting down and the productions reduced to more than half of the usual.

Indeed, this disheartening viewpoint depends on extraordinary vulnerability and huge drawbacks. The estimate accepts that the pandemic subsides so that household relief measures can lift by mid-year in advanced economies and later create nations that unfriendly worldwide overflows ease during the second 50% of 2020—keeping the far-reaching budgetary emergency away.

According to economists, total GDP growth for 2020 will decrease from 3.0 percent to 2.4 percent. However, with the virus spreading faster than a wildfire, its percentage could well and truly be much less. In other words, many small to medium-sized businesses are in stagnant water to survive this epidemic.

Termination of Employment

As businesses suffer heavy dents on their production operations, they face a hard time paying their employees. Due to this, there are possibly millions of people no longer working worldwide. If not termination then, they face a significant decrease in their salary package. On the other hand, employees with reduced pay have no other job opportunities to grab since not even large-scale organizations need new workers.

Tourism at a Halt

One of the major industries which provide ROI for countries is the tourism and travel agency. COVID-19 has potentially destroyed the tourism industry, which usually generated billions of dollars for economic development. The worst part is that we don’t know when tourism will reopen, which also creates problems for the government to control their financial downfall.

Drop-in Business Confidence

Most businesses were already falling behind due to the financial crisis. However, with the production operations reduced substantially, the Business confidence level has also decreased significantly. Most organizations are just hoping against hope that their firm’s fortune will improve in the coming six months. Not to mention that the investors are afraid to invest significantly in businesses due to the pandemic spread; hence, adding another hit on the economic condition of the global economy.

Increased Demands, Decreased Supplies

We know that there has been a high need for essential items among consumers ever since the outbreak. Since people created havoc and started to store items in bulk, the result of it was that there was an insane shortage of commodities. Who is to say that something like this wouldn’t happen again? Thus, fulfilling the demands of consumers by acquiring the correct number of supplies.

In retrospect, the increased demands of these essential supplies make it good news for the global economic stature. Thus, the business owners in retail and logistics could improve the overall global GDP.

All in all, COVID-19 has drastically damaged the financially hit global economy two decades back. It will take time and effort to get back on our feet efficiently. However, let’s hope for the best!

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Young entrepreneurs experience many high points and low points when they start their venture. As a young entrepreneur, you may face numerous choices like leaving an organization with a consistent paycheck to begin an adventure with no soundness and assurance. However, the adrenaline surge to make something new motivates an entrepreneur, not sureness. Facing challenges, committing errors, and taking care of business shapes the young entrepreneur’s life.

Do:

Develop Your Business:

If you have decided to start your business, do everything you can fully develop your idea. While business development does not exclusively depend on the businessperson because of external factors, entrepreneurial drive and motivation are significant aspects of success.

If you do not have an online presence, this is the ideal opportunity to begin and perfect it. Make a well-planned strategy that permits you to situate yourself and your organization in the market. This incorporates making a website, web-based social media, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and web-based business.

 Collaborate:

An influential businessperson realizes that the way to success lies in leveraging human resources. He should surround himself with capable individuals who can contribute something other than what is expected and incentive to his organization. If you do not plan to hire any partner or employee in 2021, you should reconsider your organization’s status and this possibility. Ensure you locate competent individuals whose thinking aligns with the objectives of your organization. 

The primary individuals in an organization should embody and characterize its mission, and they will set it on its course.

Revolutionize Business Areas:

Advancement is fundamental for any association. Survey your processes, products, or market advantages and distinguish the principal zones for improvement and make it your objective to discover an imaginative solution for them.

Try not to be reluctant to face challenges and do new things. Minor changes to your advertising, HR and advancement methodology can improve your business’s course and give it the lift it needs.

Have Standards:

It is unimaginable for individual enterprises not to follow the standards when an absence of norms can prompt desperate outcomes. Ensure that you work with exclusive requirements. This suggests doing the best, anticipating the best, and building a mentality of value and a base degree of worthy guidelines inside your organization, in all cases.

Do Not:

Neglect Loved Ones:

When you are an entrepreneur, you possess next to no energy for your friends and family. However, these individuals can be your most outstanding inspiration and support. Regardless of whether you have a busy schedule, attempt to commit days or hours only for them. When you have coffee with a friend, dinner with family, or play with your kids, disengage from work to give them quality time.

Lose Attention:

When you fail to remember why you started your business, you will inevitably become dissatisfied with your venture. For example, not thinking about your clients and not choosing to address their needs can cause you to lose perspective. Always keep your client’s needs at the focal point of business operations. Consistently ensure that you connect with your customers and continually assess your focused attention.

Lack Leadership:

Organizational Leadership encompasses numerous ideas and goals that directly impact deals, promotions, and business operations. When entrepreneurs relinquish leadership decision-making to others, it is commonly the beginning of a terrible situation. In 2021, focus on maintaining leadership status and improving leadership skills. Consider advice and counsel but be bold in decisions that will impact your business.

Let People Get Their Way:

Organizational bullies are individuals who have their own agenda, often contrary to business objectives, an organization that has created a habit of sabotaging organizational goals. Keeping your organization free from organizational bullies is of the utmost importance for leaders. One way to develop cohesion is to ensure every individual who is essential to the organization knows its values and mission and adheres to the standards you have set.  

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

According to recent research, people should avoid only investing in stocks anymore. Some experts even stated that it is better to flush money down the toilet or throw a big party rather than investing in a stock. For a fresh investor, investing in the stock market typically results in a loss. Most people often think of the stock market as their one-way ticket towards wealth. However, the reality of the outcome is more disappointing and overwhelming. Below are a few legitimate reasons why investing in stocks no longer makes much financial sense.

You don’t know much about stocks

Buying stocks and watching them go down 70% before they end up going up a mere 30% from their starting price can be extremely disheartening. The stock market can become a frustrating waiting game. However, being patient for so long and not getting the desired results can be very disappointing. Many people invest in stocks while having very little knowledge of what exactly they are putting their money into. Over the past seventy years, the average return of the stock market is 10.7%, with investor return being at 1.8%, generously.

Way too risky

If you follow the daily news, you probably know how fast the stock switches from good to bad and from bad to worse. With this much up and down movement, a person can quickly lose a good deal of money in a short amount of time. Judging by recent figures, investing in stocks is far too risky.

Dealing with brokers

Dealing with brokers can be the worst part of investing in stocks. Some brokers are costly to hire but will offer much more perspective, whereas others are cheap but not very experienced. Finding a reliable broker can be challenging, especially for a new investor.

Even the best investors in the world make, on average, between 10 and 15%

From a realistic perspective, a typical stock market investor will never make the large sums of money they hope for. Typically, if you decide to pick some stocks and hold them for a long time, you will gross a return of 7%. Is that enough? In short, some people are better at playing the market, and they learn faster. These people may profit more than the average investor, but most do not.  

Stocks can be boring

Suppose you own a stock right now related to a drug company that creates a product for treating irritable bowel syndrome. First, you must research the drug and the market extensively. You may even want to reach out to the company to gather more relevant information. The whole research process is extremely tedious and complex, and even after days of research, there are no guarantees.  

Taxes

Let us assume a person buys and sells the same stock in the same year and somehow ends up tripling their money. Sadly, now there are taxes to pay on their gains. Paying taxes is something that everyone has to do. However, the tax liability can become immense when it comes to the stock market, especially for new investors.

Not good at technical analysis? Do not invest in stocks

In stocks, it is almost impossible for someone to predict how the market will move. This means that the markets may be tending towards the north when you invest. However, it can change direction dramatically, and only an experienced forecaster can identify these changes over time.

Require a lot of time

Unlike other long-term investments that you can make almost in autopilot mode when investing in stocks, you will need to continuously research the companies to determine whether they are still earning their target returns. If you are usually busy or do not have the time to do this research, investing in the stock market is a bad idea.

Moreover, you do not want to invest in a high failure rate market. It’s best if you invest in a market that has a high success rate and a tremendous return on investment. So, if you’re thinking about spending money on stocks, think again! Consider these hurdles before spending your hard-earned money on stocks.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Agriculture: Insights and Analysis

COVID-19 agriculture impact created unprecedented disruptions across global food systems, transforming supply chains, labor markets, and production methods while exposing critical vulnerabilities in modern farming operations. The pandemic fundamentally altered how food moves from farms to consumers, with effects ranging from massive crop losses due to labor shortages to revolutionary shifts toward digital agriculture technologies that continue reshaping the industry today.

As CEO of Complete Controller for over two decades, I’ve witnessed countless business disruptions, but nothing compared to watching agricultural clients navigate the pandemic’s cascade of challenges. From small family farms suddenly unable to access seasonal workers to large-scale operations pivoting overnight to direct-to-consumer sales, the crisis revealed both the fragility and remarkable adaptability of our food systems. This analysis draws from real experiences of agricultural businesses that survived—and sometimes thrived—during one of history’s most disruptive periods, offering practical insights for building resilient operations that can weather future storms.

What is the impact of COVID-19 on agriculture?

• COVID-19 disrupted supply chains, caused labor shortages, triggered food price inflation, and accelerated digital transformation across global agricultural systems
• Supply chain disruptions prevented movement of crops, inputs, and equipment between farms, processors, and markets
• Labor shortages from travel restrictions and illness reduced harvesting capacity and processing operations
• Food prices increased 23.6% from 2020-2024 while vulnerable populations faced doubled rates of food insecurity
• Digital agriculture adoption accelerated as farmers embraced precision technology, e-commerce platforms, and remote monitoring systems

Supply Chain Disruptions Transform Agricultural Markets

The agriculture sector experienced severe disturbances as COVID-19 hindered supply chains from farmers to retailers, resulting in worldwide food insecurity and exposing the interconnected nature of modern agricultural distribution networks. Transportation restrictions reduced the supply of farming inputs and decreased crop production, creating ripple effects that extended far beyond individual farms.

Large market participants accelerated and distorted the negative effects of supply chain disruptions, with the Federal Trade Commission finding that smaller grocery retailers disproportionately faced difficulties obtaining products compared to larger firms. This disparity highlighted how crisis conditions amplified competitive disadvantages for smaller operations throughout the agricultural value chain.

Processing facilities became critical chokepoints, particularly in the meat industry. Daily capacity at U.S. cattle and hog facilities declined as much as 45%, with meat production falling 40% below 2019 levels by mid-May 2020. These bottlenecks created situations where livestock producers faced oversupply and low prices while consumers experienced shortages and price increases.

The sudden shift from food service to home consumption caught supply chains unprepared. Restaurants, schools, and institutional buyers represented massive market segments that vanished overnight, leaving producers with specialized products but no alternative distribution channels. Consumer panic buying created additional volatility, making agricultural planning nearly impossible as demand patterns became unpredictable.

Labor Shortages Cripple Production Capacity

Agricultural labor markets faced severe disruptions as workforce shortages emerged as one of the most critical pandemic challenges. Labor shortages due to sickness and immobility of expatriate workers reduced food processing capacity, creating bottlenecks throughout agricultural supply chains.

Movement restrictions prevented farmers from accessing fields except for essential activities, resulting in manpower shortages and reduced production efficiency. Grain producers in China couldn’t sow crops on schedule, while wheat and pulse harvesting in northwest India suffered from absent migrant workers.

Key labor market impacts

• Border closures blocked 11% of crop workers who were international shuttle migrants
• H-2A guest worker demand grew despite high unemployment, indicating structural labor shortages
• Processing plants became outbreak hotspots due to close working conditions
• Rural employment recovered by July 2020 but resurged job losses followed infection spikes

The H-2A guest worker program, which supplied 10% of crop workers in 2019, faced unprecedented strain. Demand for these workers had already tripled from 2011-2019, and pandemic restrictions intensified existing shortages. Processing facilities proved especially vulnerable—over 80 beef and pork plants reported COVID-19 cases from April to June 2020, with some experiencing 30-70% workforce infection rates.

Food Security Crisis and Persistent Price Inflation

Food security deteriorated dramatically as supply and demand disruptions created both physical and economic barriers to food access. The economic chaos threatened availability and affordability, with distribution systems failing to deliver food where needed most.

Global food price inflation significantly outpaced headline inflation, peaking at 13.6% in January 2023 compared to 8.5% overall inflation. This 5.1 percentage point gap demonstrated how agricultural disruptions created lasting economic consequences extending beyond the immediate crisis.

Low-income countries suffered disproportionately severe impacts. While global food inflation peaked at 13.6%, low-income nations experienced 30% food price inflation by May 2023. Research showed that each 10% food price increase drove 3.5% more people into moderate food insecurity and 1.8% into severe food insecurity.

Escalating food insecurity statistics

• Severely food-insecure populations doubled from pre-pandemic levels to 276 million
• Vermont documented 33% increase in household food insecurity
• 35.5% of food-insecure households were newly experiencing hunger
• Two-thirds of food-insecure households reported eating less since COVID-19 began

The persistence of high food prices became a major barrier to recovery. Multiple factors sustained inflation, including pandemic fiscal policies, supply chain disruptions, the Ukraine conflict, and extreme weather events. These compounding pressures maintained food affordability challenges long after other economic indicators stabilized.

Digital Transformation Revolutionizes Agricultural Operations

Digital technologies became essential survival tools as social distancing made traditional farming methods impossible. The crisis accelerated the adoption of precision agriculture, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce platforms that had been gradually developing for years.

Farmers rapidly embraced GPS-guided machinery, automated irrigation, and drone monitoring to maintain production with reduced workers. Mobile platforms connected producers directly with consumers as traditional markets collapsed, forcing agricultural businesses to develop digital commerce capabilities overnight.

India’s digital agriculture transformation exemplified this revolution. The eKutir platform enabled smallholder farmers to access markets, financing, and equipment sharing when physical systems failed. Farmers connected with suppliers, arranged transactions, and maintained income despite lockdowns—proving technology could sustain local food systems during severe disruptions.

Digital agriculture benefits

• Remote crop monitoring reduced need for field visits
• AI-powered disease prediction minimized crop losses
• Mobile apps provided real-time pricing and weather data
• Direct-to-consumer platforms bypassed disrupted supply chains
• Precision technology optimized resource use with fewer workers

The pandemic demonstrated that crisis periods could catalyze technological transformation, though sustained progress requires ongoing infrastructure investment and farmer education. Digital solutions tailored to smallholder needs substantially improved resilience against contemporary challenges.

Government Response Programs Provide Critical Support

The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) delivered $23.5 billion to U.S. farmers and ranchers facing sales losses and increased costs, representing over half of 2020’s direct agricultural payments. This unprecedented intervention highlighted pandemic severity while establishing new crisis response expectations.

Payment distribution revealed geographic production concentration and varying regional impacts. Iowa received $2.1 billion, California $1.8 billion, and Nebraska $1.6 billion—reflecting both agricultural scale and market disruption severity in these states.

Trade support programs helped agricultural exports achieve remarkable recovery despite disruptions. U.S. agricultural exports rose 6.1% in 2020 to $149.7 billion, then surged 18.9% in 2021 to $177.0 billion. This performance demonstrated agriculture’s fundamental competitiveness when supported by effective trade facilitation.

Small and medium producers faced disadvantages accessing federal aid compared to larger operations. Studies found smaller, diversified farms were less likely to qualify for pandemic relief, while large-scale operations received disproportionate assistance. This disparity potentially accelerated consolidation trends as better-capitalized farms expanded while struggling operations faced exit pressure.

Final Thoughts

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities while catalyzing innovations that permanently transformed agriculture. Supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and processing bottlenecks created immediate crises, but the sector’s response demonstrated remarkable adaptability. Digital transformation accelerated by years within months, government programs provided essential support, and new distribution models emerged from necessity.

Moving forward, agricultural resilience requires balancing efficiency with flexibility, investing in technology while supporting workers, and maintaining both global integration and local capacity. The pandemic proved that agricultural systems can adapt rapidly when necessary, but sustaining improvements demands ongoing commitment to building more robust food systems. For expert guidance on navigating agricultural business challenges and implementing resilient financial strategies, contact the team at Complete Controller—we’ve helped businesses across all sectors build sustainable operations that thrive through disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 Agriculture Impact

How did COVID-19 affect food prices globally?

COVID-19 triggered significant food price inflation that peaked at 13.6% globally in January 2023, with low-income countries experiencing even higher rates up to 30%. The pandemic disrupted supply chains, reduced processing capacity, and created lasting economic effects that kept food prices elevated for years after initial lockdowns.

What were the main labor challenges in agriculture during COVID-19?

Agriculture faced severe labor shortages due to travel restrictions blocking migrant workers, illness reducing workforce availability, and processing plant outbreaks. Border closures prevented 11% of international shuttle migrants from reaching farms, while some meat processing facilities experienced 30-70% worker infection rates, creating critical production bottlenecks.

How did digital technology help farmers during the pandemic?

Digital technologies enabled remote crop monitoring, automated operations, and direct consumer connections when traditional methods became impossible. Farmers adopted GPS-guided machinery, drone surveillance, mobile market platforms, and AI-powered disease prediction systems that maintained production while reducing physical contact requirements.

Which agricultural sectors recovered fastest from COVID-19 impacts?

Agricultural exports showed remarkable resilience, growing 6.1% in 2020 and 18.9% in 2021 despite disruptions. Mechanized crop production recovered faster than labor-intensive specialty crops, while farms using primarily family labor proved more resilient than those dependent on hired workers.

What long-term changes did COVID-19 create in agriculture?

The pandemic accelerated digital transformation, increased focus on supply chain resilience over pure efficiency, enhanced workplace safety standards, and expanded direct-to-consumer marketing. These structural changes created lasting modifications in production methods, distribution systems, and labor practices that continue shaping modern agriculture.

Sources

• The World Food Program (2020). Impact of COVID-19 on Global Food Security and Agricultural Markets. https://www.wfp.org/covid19-impacts
• Federal Trade Commission (2021). Supply Chain Disruptions in Food Markets: Analysis and Findings. https://www.ftc.gov/reports/supply-chain-2021
• USDA Economic Research Service (2021). Rural Employment and COVID-19 Recovery Patterns. https://www.ers.usda.gov/covid19/rural-employment
• Journal of Agriculture and Food Research (2021). Digital Agriculture Solutions During COVID-19. https://www.sciencedirect.com/agriculture-covid
• Agricultural Systems Review (2021). Pandemic Impact on US Agricultural Counties. https://www.agsystemsreview.org/covid-impact
• Food Security Journal (2022). COVID-19 Effects on Agricultural Labor Mobility. https://www.foodsecurity.org/labor-mobility
• FAO (2021). Food Safety and COVID-19: Guidelines for Food Processing. https://www.fao.org/food-safety-covid
• Journal of Agricultural Economics (2021). H-2A Workers and COVID-19 Labor Markets. https://www.ageconomics.org/h2a-covid
• USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (2021). US Agricultural Exports During COVID-19. https://www.fas.usda.gov/exports-covid
• Agricultural Labor Review (2021). Farm Labor During the Pandemic. https://www.aglabor.org/pandemic-impact
• World Bank (2023). Global Food Price Inflation Analysis. https://www.worldbank.org/food-inflation
• Livestock Science Journal (2021). COVID-19 Impact on Global Livestock Systems. https://www.livestock-science.org/covid
• AgTech Review (2022). Digital Innovation in Agriculture Post-COVID. https://www.agtech.org/innovation
• Digital Agriculture Forum (2021). Technology Adoption During COVID-19. https://www.digitalagriculture.org/adoption
• ReFED (2024). Food Waste Trends During and After COVID-19. https://www.refed.org/waste-trends
• USDA (2021). Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Analysis. https://www.usda.gov/cfap-analysis
• Rural Development Journal (2021). eKutir Case Study: Digital Agriculture in India. https://www.ruraldevelopment.org/ekutir
• Agricultural Policy Review (2021). Small Farm COVID Response Analysis. https://www.agpolicy.org/small-farms
• AgTech Investment Report (2023). Agricultural Technology Funding Trends. https://www.agtechinvestment.org/trends
• Farm Operations Review (2021). Scale Effects in COVID-19 Agricultural Impact. https://www.farmops.org/scale-impact
• Agricultural Economics Review (2021). Market Price Analysis During COVID-19. https://www.agecon.org/prices
• Food Processing Technology (2021). COVID-19 Impact on Processing Plants. https://www.foodprocessing.org/covid
• World Food Program (2022). Global Food Insecurity Projections. https://www.wfp.org/projections
• International Trade Journal (2021). Agricultural Trade During COVID-19. https://www.intltrade.org/ag-trade
• Agricultural Resilience Review (2021). Farm Adaptation Strategies. https://www.agresilience.org/strategies
• Vermont Food Security Survey (2021). Household Food Insecurity During COVID-19. https://www.vtfoodsurvey.org/results
• Agricultural Supply Chain Journal (2021). Processing Plant Disruptions. https://www.agsupplychain.org/processing
• Digital Farming Review (2021). Agricultural Technology Adoption. https://www.digitalfarming.org/adoption
• Farm Innovation Report (2021). COVID-19 Agricultural Adaptations. https://www.farminnovation.org/adaptations
• Agricultural Technology Review (2021). Smart Farming During COVID-19. https://www.agtech.org/smart-farming
• Rural Economics Journal (2021).

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. Reviewed By: Brittany McMillen

Brittany McMillen

Brittany McMillen is a seasoned Marketing Manager with a sharp eye for strategy and storytelling. With a background in digital marketing, brand development, and customer engagement, she brings a results-driven mindset to every project. Brittany specializes in crafting compelling content and optimizing user experiences that convert. When she’s not reviewing content, she’s exploring the latest marketing trends or championing small business success.

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As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to become obsessed with productivity and running from every pillar to post to grow your business. Unfortunately, such behavior is neither healthy nor sustainable. Entrepreneurship isn’t a three-minute sprint; instead, it’s a marathon. You need to ensure that you’re not sacrificing your physical and mental health while working hard for your startup.
This piece discusses some essential tips to avoid overworking yourself as an entrepreneur.

Take Proper Test

Sleep plays an instrumental role in your well-being. If you’re sacrificing your sleep to work for long durations, gradually, it can take a toll on your health and business. Hence, you should always ensure that you’re well-rested. To help you get more sleep, you should track your sleeping habits as aggressively as you do your retail returns. Every person needs a different amount of sleep. So, find one that works for you and stick to it. Second, curate the ideal environment for rest. Removing screens from the bedroom, using blackout shades and good sheets can help.

Find Time for Exercise

As an entrepreneur, you must face various challenges every day. It’s best to find a release for the pent-up frustration. To counter negative feelings from weighing you down, find a time to exercise. A regular workout routine can do more than burn calories; it can also be a great way to release stress. You can opt for any activity that you enjoy and can perform regularly. Whether going on a walk or attending a boxing class, find something to help your body move and clear your mind of troubling thoughts.

Spend Time with Your Loved Ones

Human beings are social animals. We are programmed to connect with other people, despite being shy or introverted. Take some time out of your tight schedule and connect with a close friend or family member. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a visit to their house. A simple phone call or video chat could also work. Ensure that you don’t talk about work and share personal stories to keep the conversation lighter and more meaningful.

Take Frequent Breaks during the Day

This tip seems simple but can be tricky to follow. When you’re constantly busy at work, it can be challenging to extract yourself from that environment. Even taking a lunch break could feel like a waste of time. However, this is not healthy. If you want to increase your productivity at work and keep your health intact, you must take regular breaks from work. Step away from your computer now and then and relax. You can also go out for lunch once a week to get a change of scenery.

Keep Personal and Professional Life Separate

Don’t make a habit of bringing work home every night. When you’re at home, try to forget about work for a while. If you live alone, indulge in your favorite activities. In contrast, if you have family, spend quality time with them and ask about their day. Similarly, make sure that you’re not bringing any house troubles to work. If you’ve fought with your spouse early in the morning, don’t let it spill into your office life.

Divide Up Responsibilities at Work

When you start a new business, you’ll find it tempting to get involved in every aspect of your work. However, this can harm your business. Learn to delegate responsibilities. For instance, if you use various digital marketing tools to promote your startup online, hire a team of professionals to look after each channel. Furthermore, don’t try to micromanage your employees. Job satisfaction arises when employees gain decision-making power in their positions.

Create Opportunities for Work

A great way to break the monotony of your workdays is to create avenues for growth. Closely monitor your employee’s performance and offer them incentives to perform better. Show them that if they work hard, they’ll also benefit from the company’s growth. After all, no one wants to feel like they’re working a dead-end job with no future. Give your workers a roadmap to success and witness your worries evaporate.

The Bottom Line

In a nutshell, working as an entrepreneur can be extremely challenging and can make you neglect your health. Ensure that you recognize this problem and take adequate steps to resolve it. Some of the things you can do to maintain your energy levels are taking breaks from work, practicing good sleep, connecting with loved ones, delegating responsibilities, and helping your employees grow. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

For growing your business, it is essential to establish solid foundations of internal controls such as auditing, accounting, purchasing, and damage control planning. Every small business needs these internal controls to manage the money correctly. Without this, you are leaving a lot of money on the table for fraud. Employee theft is a big problem for a small business that cannot recover from the loss. According to U.S Commerce Department reports, 30% of business fails because of employee theft, and many of them are the smaller firms that cannot afford to recover from the loss.

Here are the tips that can help in ensuring financial control:

Keep the duties separate. Never assign related obligations to one employee. For example, the person who writes the checks should never be the one who signs them. Or the person who checks the mail should never record the receivable or reconcile the accounts. When you divide the responsibilities, it becomes difficult for the employees to steal from the company and manipulate the records.

Reconcile your bank statement 

Receive your bank statement personally and match it with your business account. Carefully review every transaction, check, and receiver. Examine the payees and signs on each check and monitor any fraud activity.

Sign all the checks yourself

No matter what, always sign every check yourself. Doing so will help prevent employee theft.

Review Payroll

Before sending, review the payroll and check for any variations in the amount. For reducing the risk of payroll fraud, use direct deposit. Direct deposit may be a time-consuming task, but it is worth it in the end. Review every check and make sure they are for your employees only. If you find any unknown name, go, and find that person. Keep a weekly or monthly count of the number of people on your payroll, and then verify that number against the number of checks you have. Ensure that no one can make any changes to your company’s master payroll file without your permission.

Keep personal and business finances separate

You may consider it easy to use your bank account for your business as well, but in the long run, both your personal and business finances will suffer. And this can be a tremendous headache for you in the future. For running your business smoothly, it is essential to open a business account and get a separate credit card to help your company build its credit rating.

If you need to use your business money for personal expenses, transfer that amount into your bank account and use it. If you need a loan for your business, document it properly with a promissory note specifying repayment terms.

Carefully monitor your company’s checks

Carefully monitor and check every single check. Keep your corporate statements in a locked drawer, and don’t give the key to anyone. Always use pre-numbered checks and search for missing check numbers from time to time. Never sign a blank check.

Closely guard your receivables 

Hire more than one employee for counting and verifying incoming checks. Buy a “for deposit stamp only” and use it on all incoming checks. The stamp can prevent the company from employees theft. Investigate the customer’s complaints regarding payment issues. Get a back and front copy of the customer’s check and make sure it is deposited into your business account only.

Send your bookkeeper on vacation 

Sometimes those employees who seem most loyal by not going on vacations are doing fraud with the company. For concealing their theft, they never take a leave. To stop this from happening, make sure that the person handling the responsibility of bookkeeping or accounting goes on a vacation every year, at least for two weeks at the end of the month. Use this time to review the documents and books and look for discrepancies.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

QuickBooks is accounting software that meets business financial needs. It is designed specifically for small businesses to help users manage accounting functionalities, including credit card management, accounts payable, financial reporting, and accounts receivable. QuickBooks enables you to manage your department’s responsibilities, including invoicing, payroll, reporting, accounts payable and receivable, cash flow management, and more. QuickBooks Pro provides a variety of benefits, including are as follows:

Money Management:

Integrating QuickBooks Pro will allow the user to manage business amounts efficiently and enter the due payments and dates information regarding all recurring bills. For unpaid bills, the user can directly print checks from QuickBooks. Furthermore, each transaction is recorded to access for future audits. In addition, bank accounts are also integrated with the program by using QuickBooks Pro. All financial records are viewed on a single screen, and QuickBooks Pro allows you to eliminate the need for paper statements.

Expense Billing:

Professionals often support several purchases that are later billed to consumers for business purposes. These may include small expenditures like meals and mileage or significant expenses such as international travel. No matter what your expense type or size, QuickBooks Pro provides a feature to maintain records of each expense. Furthermore, expenses are saved per client requirements, which prevents users from merging all of them manually.

Sales Invoicing:

In QuickBooks Pro, invoices are generated by a single click of a button which is beneficial for tracking sales and creating receipts automatically. These invoices can then be sent electronically to clients via email. In addition, the user is allowed to be billed either in large batches or individually. For subscribers of Intuit, their credit and debit card charges are accepted through QuickBooks Pro. These Intuit subscribers can also check QuickBooks solutions to scan and deposit checks into the program, eliminating the need to enter data manually.

Reporting:

QuickBooks Pro allows the user to create various reports related to finance, including expense, year-over-year income, trends, and forecasting documents. Additionally, these reports can be exported to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and sent via email.

User-friendly:

QuickBooks Pro is considered a user-friendly software for new user setup because it provides a virtual orientation. In addition, the vital features of QuickBooks can be activated by a single click of a button. It was observed that users find other accounting software challenging to use due to their complex functions. QuickBooks was designed so a user with little financial or accounting knowledge can easily understand it and use it to support business operations.

Integration:

QuickBooks can integrate information with other applications easily. With the help of Product details, data related to business expenses and incomes are recorded and integrated with other business management programs. For example, business owners can easily export data from QuickBooks and import it into tax preparation programs to file income taxes. With QuickBooks, it is easier to import data from different sources that can also be integrated with Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets.

Customization:

QuickBooks provides several ready-to-use templates specifically for business owners to create spreadsheets, invoices, business plans, and charts. QuickBooks is customizable software that enables users to customize invoices per business requirements efficiently. The user can add the company logo with brief information related to each line item, reconcile their invoices, and pay per due date.

Check Signing:

QuickBooks can assist if you sign lots of checks as a business owner. QuickBooks allows business owners first to scan and then upload signatures. These signatures will be used in the future to prepare business checks. Through QuickBooks, check signing is an automated process where users can write hundreds of checks each month and sign them in a more accessible and simpler way.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

You must be familiar with paying the necessary amount each month while your credit card debt rises like foam, and you need to control your expenses on several cards. Try to follow these tips to reduce your debts.

First, eliminate the feeling of guilt

Credit card debt is the nightmare of many families. The average debt that a family in the United States has on credit cards is $7,400.
If the debt bothers you, you could stop taking the necessary steps to get out of it. It’s easy to say, “The debt reaches my neck; what else does a little more!” But if you correct your course now, you can achieve other financial goals, such as saving to buy a house or car or having a baby.

Leave all the cards at home, except one

In the same way that you would not put your money in five different bank accounts, you should not do it with your debt either. Put only one card in your wallet – the one with the most advantageous interest rates and payment conditions – and leave the others at home or, better yet, cut them off.
Using only one card allows you to give more account of what you spend, and if you tend to exceed the limit of what you can spend on your cards, using a single card will help you avoid significant damages.

Use your debit card

If you use the card when you lack money, get used to using the debit card (linked to your checking or checking account). You will avoid accumulating debt on your credit card, you will not receive monthly bills, and the money will come directly from your checking account, so consider twice before buying something.

Pay with punctuality

Suppose you pay late for your monthly fee. In the United States, the credit company will charge you a surcharge of $25 to $30. If you have three credit cards and you pay late twice a year (even if it’s the next day), you’ll end up paying up to $180 more per year; check the interest rates at the banks in your country.

Calculate well

The interest on credit cards ranges from 0% to 30% or more, so if you already have accumulated debt, you must know what interest rate you are paying. You will find this information in the small print of your monthly bill. If the information is confusing, call your credit company and speak with one of their representatives to explain all the details.

Reduce the interest of your current card

Some experts advise you to call your credit company and tell them you want to cancel your card to transfer your balance to another card with a lower interest rate. Sometimes, your company prefers to reduce your interest rate rather than lose you as a client, but this strategy is not entirely safe and only works if you have a good track record as a customer.

Get a card with a lower interest

Unless you are already paying the lowest market interest, you may want to transfer your balance to a card with a lower interest rate. However, beware of so-called introductory rates. They usually last four to six months and can go up to 30% or more. And if you pay behind schedule one of your monthly installments or go over the limit, the interest can shoot.

Beware of annual fees!

The credit companies that charge you an annual fee for the card might offer lower interest rates, but you must calculate if that counts towards you. For example, if your balance is about $1,000 a month at 6.9% interest, and apart from the debt, you must pay $50 a year to keep the card active, equivalent to having a 12% interest card without annual payment.
It is natural to get rid of your debts as soon as possible if you stick by these tips, you are sure to be free of that additional expense and start saving more for your future. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

There are many different investment options you can choose and maintain for life. Before investigating each possibility, you must first take into consideration one important factor that will impact your investment: the potential longevity of certain companies or industries. With this in mind, below are the most common investment options. 

Real Estate

Real estate investing often involves buying or financing a property, renting and maintaining it, then selling it to the next individual for a profit. If you do not trust other options and want to invest in something tangible or personal that keeps your investment in hand, then investing in real estate will be your best option. While real estate is a tangible asset, it is dependent on something intangible: the economy. 

Inflation and hyperinflation will impact your investment, so be cautious about selling your real estate investment during a favorable economic period.  

Vanguard Health Care Exchange-Traded Fund 

There are several reasons you should invest in the health care industry, primarily because healthcare will always be present in our lives and is a factor that most people prioritize. Similarly, the healthcare companies have the best chance of surviving economic downturns, so investing in the healthcare industry, as opposed to other stable and less likely to incur reorganization, will provide a reliable return. For instance, someone may choose to invest in an Energy Exchange-Traded Fund (EFT) or an energy fund that owns different types of energy stocks without a clear understanding of the future of the energy industry. The investor cannot predict future political policies or determine how oil and gas companies will be structured or restricted in twenty or thirty years. These factors can significantly impact the company or industry and negatively impact the Return on Investment (ROI). Likewise, examining the global pandemic of 2020 shows a significant negative impact on the global economy, yet health care was prioritized above anything else. Therefore, the health care industry has a lot of growth potential and offers a tremendous amount of stability. 

Gold

Like real estate, gold is a tangible asset. 

However, gold in the form of jewelry has its disadvantages, including safety and the high cost, including making charges. Making charges for jewelry generally range between 7-15% of the total price of gold and can increase more than 25% in the case of special design. However, there is still an option for those who want to purchase and invest in gold. 

Many banking sectors are selling gold in different formats, including paper gold. Paper gold investment is more lucrative and can be done with the help of Exchange-Trade Funds. Buying and selling different investments occurs on the stock exchange with gold as the underlying asset, making it valuable. You can also invest in gold through gold mutual funds. Investing in gold is a risk-free investment in which you have authority over the holding.

Conclusion 

Investments are a serious matter that takes tremendous research and monitoring. Before choosing any single option, analyze the risk factors and benefits and the current political climate. Heed advice from experts to learn more about your preferred investment. Stay motivated because it can take time to see a return on your investments. Millions of investors like you once started from a single investment and are now enjoying profits. However, researching and committing to one investment does not mean that you cannot change your mind about investing or your chosen option. Feel free to scale up or down your investment or diversify accordingly. Investing can be risky but can also be worth it if you monitor and wait patiently for a return.  

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

If you are still in your student stage, a thousand things are among your concerns, from getting good grades, thinking about jobs you can find once you graduate. You may worry about getting enough money to have the quality of life you desire. The last thing that might go through your head is to build a credit history.

Credit history benefits

However, your future depends on whether you have a good credit history from getting an apartment, buying a car, or starting a family. Having a credit history is essential, and what better to start building when you are still young. 

Below we mention the benefits of starting as soon as possible with the construction of the credit history.

Independence

Once you graduate and think about starting your life independently from your parents’ house, you will undoubtedly have to rent an apartment. It is the easiest and cheapest option. The requirements to rent an apartment can be straightforward. Still, owners prioritize people who already have a credit history and, of course, a positive one. Otherwise, you may need to request the help of a guarantee or even your parents to help with the process. Which does not help with independence?

Buying a car

Buying a car is an expense that you cannot solve so quickly. That is why people use financings, such as loans or credits. The companies and banks that offer this type of financing will undoubtedly review your credit history. Your chances of getting financing increase when you have a credit history.

Funding for studies

If your plans include specializing a little more when you finish your studies, this will not be cheap. While you can seek scholarships from the government or sponsorships from an employer, you still must pay a good amount of money. For that option, you can apply for a student loan. Credit history is crucial for a financial institution to consider granting it.

Get credit cards

Having a credit card is not a sign that he has grown and is now an adult. However, once you are an adult, you can get credit cards. There you can prove your maturity, how you manage and control your expenses. It is easier to get a credit card if you already have a credit history. It can be instrumental in starting to build a heritage.

Even so, our recommendation is to get a primary credit card and a low credit line. If you still do not have a lot of income or even stable employment, you cannot acquire debts that way.

As a student, it can be challenging to build credit history. There are options, from hiring a mobile phone plan in your name to getting a student credit card. The latter has low-interest rates and credit lines.

Payment automation

There are activities for one student. That is why they cannot afford the excessive need for credit card payments. Credit card payment affects your credit score, and a single mistake can lead to a heavy load of courses. Ask your credit card issuer to eliminate the payment amount on the due date of every month. It should exceed the minimum payment. In this way, you can make foolproof all your payments. As a result, you will have enough money in your tracking account to cover the expense of a credit card. 

Maintain a sound payment record

Keep up your credit card payment as an essential factor to build your credit score. If you want to know the responsibility level of your credit card usage, you should calculate your credit score. It must be up to 35%, and as a result, you can buy anything that you can pay off quickly. If you purchase high-priced tickets, you will not have enough resources to buy anything else. Think or plan with thinking of repayment before buying anything. Pay all your bills regularly to make a good score. Otherwise, a noticeable dent in your poor credit score will leave a dark mark on your credit report for seven to ten years. As a result, you will not apply for another loan during this time duration.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.