Gene MarksWhat I DoGene Marks is the founder and president of the Marks Group, a small-business consulting firm based in Bala Cynwyd.Employers are grappling with their cannabis policies | Expert opinionAs cannabis becomes more widely used and legally allowed in more places, employers are adjusting their drug policies, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks Aug. 4, 2026Link copied to clipboardSelling your business? Consider these two strategies to defer or reduce your taxes | Expert OpinionAn annuity can spread your income over time, and a donor-advised fund allows for a tax deduction, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks July 15, 2026Link copied to clipboardNeed a lawyer for your small business? These Penn clinics offer legal help for free | Expert opinionTwo programs offered by Penn Carey Law aim to help small businesses that create positive social and economic impact in Philadelphia communities.Gene Marks June 23, 2026Link copied to clipboardHow your small business can profit from this summer’s events | Expert OpinionSmall businesses can make themselves more visible during big events like the World Cup, and they don't have to be officially affiliated with the event to do so, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks June 3, 2026Link copied to clipboardIs your website ADA compliant? If not, you could face a lawsuit | Expert OpinionAccessibility lawsuits are increasing in number, and pitfalls can come from using AI to create a website without help from an expert, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks May 12, 2026Link copied to clipboardCybercrime is rising. Here’s how to protect your business | Expert OpinionCompanies can experience significant losses from a breach, so keeping strong cybersecurity measures in place is important, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks April 21, 2026Link copied to clipboardWhere local small-business owners are actually finding talent | Expert OpinionFrom online job platforms and social media to recruiters and referrals, small-business owners have a number of ways to find quality talent, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks March 31, 2026Link copied to clipboardThe Small Business Administration is offering new grants and up to $10 million in financingThe SBA is providing more financial resources, particularly grants, guarantees, and loans for a variety of business uses.Gene Marks July 28, 2026Link copied to clipboardMain Street is doing better than the headlines suggest | Expert OpinionDespite tariffs, inflation, labor shortages, and other challenges, small businesses are doing pretty well this year, and many are expanding, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks July 7, 2026Link copied to clipboardHiring foreign workers has become more difficult. These options still exist. | Expert OpinionHiring an immigrant worker can be a long process, but it's not impossible, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks June 17, 2026Link copied to clipboardHow businesses can help employees save for their kids with a Trump IRA | Expert OpinionEmployers can contribute to these IRAs for children of their employees. Tax professionals say the program has pros and cons for savers.Gene Marks May 27, 2026Link copied to clipboardAre Trump’s new federal IRAs good for small businesses? | Expert OpinionSmall-business consultant Gene Marks compares the new government IRA program with traditional IRA options and 401(k) plans.Gene Marks May 6, 2026Link copied to clipboardWhich PTO policy is right for your business? Local companies offer clues | Expert OpinionUnlimited PTO is an increasingly popular benefit. Small companies in the Philadelphia area use a variety of policies, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks April 14, 2026Link copied to clipboardA huge new tax break for start-ups just got even bigger | Expert OpinionFor owners of shares of C corporations, having qualified small business stock can result in big tax savings once those shares are sold.Gene Marks March 24, 2026Link copied to clipboardPhiladelphia offers forgivable $50,000 loans to help small businesses expand | Expert OpinionPhiladelphia's Boost Your Business program provides funding and other resources for selected companies each year.Gene Marks July 21, 2026Link copied to clipboardGoogle Workspace can save small-biz owners time and money. Here’s how. | Expert opinionMost users are only scratching the surface of the powerful tool's capabilities, writes small-business expert Gene Marks. Gene Marks June 30, 2026Link copied to clipboardCheck fraud is rising. Here’s how businesses can protect themselves. | Expert OpinionA 2025 study from the Association for Financial Professionals found that 79% of organizations experienced attempted or actual payments fraud.Gene Marks June 9, 2026Link copied to clipboardGoogle just changed its guidance for small businesses. Here’s what to know. | Expert OpinionAccording to Google, there are now AEO, or Answer Engine Optimization, and GEO, which is Generative Engine Optimization. But in the end, it’s all still SEO — Search Engine Optimization.Gene Marks May 19, 2026Link copied to clipboardHow these local entrepreneurs beat the odds when starting a business | Expert OpinionFrom forming an idea to managing stress after the business is launched, some tips from Philly-area start-up founders.Gene Marks April 28, 2026Link copied to clipboardEnergy prices are up. These smart moves can help your business save money. | Expert OpinionReducing travel and increasing the energy efficiency of your business can be helpful as costs increase, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks April 7, 2026Link copied to clipboardSee more stories
Employers are grappling with their cannabis policies | Expert opinionAs cannabis becomes more widely used and legally allowed in more places, employers are adjusting their drug policies, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks Aug. 4, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Employers are grappling with their cannabis policies | Expert opinionAs cannabis becomes more widely used and legally allowed in more places, employers are adjusting their drug policies, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks Aug. 4, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Selling your business? Consider these two strategies to defer or reduce your taxes | Expert OpinionAn annuity can spread your income over time, and a donor-advised fund allows for a tax deduction, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks July 15, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Selling your business? Consider these two strategies to defer or reduce your taxes | Expert OpinionAn annuity can spread your income over time, and a donor-advised fund allows for a tax deduction, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks July 15, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Need a lawyer for your small business? These Penn clinics offer legal help for free | Expert opinionTwo programs offered by Penn Carey Law aim to help small businesses that create positive social and economic impact in Philadelphia communities.Gene Marks June 23, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Need a lawyer for your small business? These Penn clinics offer legal help for free | Expert opinionTwo programs offered by Penn Carey Law aim to help small businesses that create positive social and economic impact in Philadelphia communities.Gene Marks June 23, 2026Link copied to clipboard
How your small business can profit from this summer’s events | Expert OpinionSmall businesses can make themselves more visible during big events like the World Cup, and they don't have to be officially affiliated with the event to do so, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks June 3, 2026Link copied to clipboard
How your small business can profit from this summer’s events | Expert OpinionSmall businesses can make themselves more visible during big events like the World Cup, and they don't have to be officially affiliated with the event to do so, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks June 3, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Is your website ADA compliant? If not, you could face a lawsuit | Expert OpinionAccessibility lawsuits are increasing in number, and pitfalls can come from using AI to create a website without help from an expert, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks May 12, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Is your website ADA compliant? If not, you could face a lawsuit | Expert OpinionAccessibility lawsuits are increasing in number, and pitfalls can come from using AI to create a website without help from an expert, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks May 12, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Cybercrime is rising. Here’s how to protect your business | Expert OpinionCompanies can experience significant losses from a breach, so keeping strong cybersecurity measures in place is important, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks April 21, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Cybercrime is rising. Here’s how to protect your business | Expert OpinionCompanies can experience significant losses from a breach, so keeping strong cybersecurity measures in place is important, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks April 21, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Where local small-business owners are actually finding talent | Expert OpinionFrom online job platforms and social media to recruiters and referrals, small-business owners have a number of ways to find quality talent, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks March 31, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Where local small-business owners are actually finding talent | Expert OpinionFrom online job platforms and social media to recruiters and referrals, small-business owners have a number of ways to find quality talent, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks March 31, 2026Link copied to clipboard
The Small Business Administration is offering new grants and up to $10 million in financingThe SBA is providing more financial resources, particularly grants, guarantees, and loans for a variety of business uses.Gene Marks July 28, 2026Link copied to clipboard
The Small Business Administration is offering new grants and up to $10 million in financingThe SBA is providing more financial resources, particularly grants, guarantees, and loans for a variety of business uses.Gene Marks July 28, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Main Street is doing better than the headlines suggest | Expert OpinionDespite tariffs, inflation, labor shortages, and other challenges, small businesses are doing pretty well this year, and many are expanding, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks July 7, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Main Street is doing better than the headlines suggest | Expert OpinionDespite tariffs, inflation, labor shortages, and other challenges, small businesses are doing pretty well this year, and many are expanding, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks July 7, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Hiring foreign workers has become more difficult. These options still exist. | Expert OpinionHiring an immigrant worker can be a long process, but it's not impossible, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks June 17, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Hiring foreign workers has become more difficult. These options still exist. | Expert OpinionHiring an immigrant worker can be a long process, but it's not impossible, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks June 17, 2026Link copied to clipboard
How businesses can help employees save for their kids with a Trump IRA | Expert OpinionEmployers can contribute to these IRAs for children of their employees. Tax professionals say the program has pros and cons for savers.Gene Marks May 27, 2026Link copied to clipboard
How businesses can help employees save for their kids with a Trump IRA | Expert OpinionEmployers can contribute to these IRAs for children of their employees. Tax professionals say the program has pros and cons for savers.Gene Marks May 27, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Are Trump’s new federal IRAs good for small businesses? | Expert OpinionSmall-business consultant Gene Marks compares the new government IRA program with traditional IRA options and 401(k) plans.Gene Marks May 6, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Are Trump’s new federal IRAs good for small businesses? | Expert OpinionSmall-business consultant Gene Marks compares the new government IRA program with traditional IRA options and 401(k) plans.Gene Marks May 6, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Which PTO policy is right for your business? Local companies offer clues | Expert OpinionUnlimited PTO is an increasingly popular benefit. Small companies in the Philadelphia area use a variety of policies, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks April 14, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Which PTO policy is right for your business? Local companies offer clues | Expert OpinionUnlimited PTO is an increasingly popular benefit. Small companies in the Philadelphia area use a variety of policies, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks April 14, 2026Link copied to clipboard
A huge new tax break for start-ups just got even bigger | Expert OpinionFor owners of shares of C corporations, having qualified small business stock can result in big tax savings once those shares are sold.Gene Marks March 24, 2026Link copied to clipboard
A huge new tax break for start-ups just got even bigger | Expert OpinionFor owners of shares of C corporations, having qualified small business stock can result in big tax savings once those shares are sold.Gene Marks March 24, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Philadelphia offers forgivable $50,000 loans to help small businesses expand | Expert OpinionPhiladelphia's Boost Your Business program provides funding and other resources for selected companies each year.Gene Marks July 21, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Philadelphia offers forgivable $50,000 loans to help small businesses expand | Expert OpinionPhiladelphia's Boost Your Business program provides funding and other resources for selected companies each year.Gene Marks July 21, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Google Workspace can save small-biz owners time and money. Here’s how. | Expert opinionMost users are only scratching the surface of the powerful tool's capabilities, writes small-business expert Gene Marks. Gene Marks June 30, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Google Workspace can save small-biz owners time and money. Here’s how. | Expert opinionMost users are only scratching the surface of the powerful tool's capabilities, writes small-business expert Gene Marks. Gene Marks June 30, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Check fraud is rising. Here’s how businesses can protect themselves. | Expert OpinionA 2025 study from the Association for Financial Professionals found that 79% of organizations experienced attempted or actual payments fraud.Gene Marks June 9, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Check fraud is rising. Here’s how businesses can protect themselves. | Expert OpinionA 2025 study from the Association for Financial Professionals found that 79% of organizations experienced attempted or actual payments fraud.Gene Marks June 9, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Google just changed its guidance for small businesses. Here’s what to know. | Expert OpinionAccording to Google, there are now AEO, or Answer Engine Optimization, and GEO, which is Generative Engine Optimization. But in the end, it’s all still SEO — Search Engine Optimization.Gene Marks May 19, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Google just changed its guidance for small businesses. Here’s what to know. | Expert OpinionAccording to Google, there are now AEO, or Answer Engine Optimization, and GEO, which is Generative Engine Optimization. But in the end, it’s all still SEO — Search Engine Optimization.Gene Marks May 19, 2026Link copied to clipboard
How these local entrepreneurs beat the odds when starting a business | Expert OpinionFrom forming an idea to managing stress after the business is launched, some tips from Philly-area start-up founders.Gene Marks April 28, 2026Link copied to clipboard
How these local entrepreneurs beat the odds when starting a business | Expert OpinionFrom forming an idea to managing stress after the business is launched, some tips from Philly-area start-up founders.Gene Marks April 28, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Energy prices are up. These smart moves can help your business save money. | Expert OpinionReducing travel and increasing the energy efficiency of your business can be helpful as costs increase, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks April 7, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Energy prices are up. These smart moves can help your business save money. | Expert OpinionReducing travel and increasing the energy efficiency of your business can be helpful as costs increase, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks April 7, 2026Link copied to clipboard