Q: In the United States, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal agency that exists to help small businesses. The SBA website is full of resource materials about starting and managing businesses. The SBA can assist with legal and financial matters and can help in obtaining financing as well.  Access the SBA website at www.sba.gov. You can call the general SBA Answer Desk at 800-827-5722. Every state has one or more local district offices. You can find a listing of these district offices at https://www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/districtoffices. A big part of managing a business is handling the finances and taxes. The IRS publishes a wide range of useful materials and has staff people available to answer questions.  Find IRS publications at www.irs.gov/forms-pubs. Find links to local IRS offices at https://www.irs.gov/help-resources/contact-your-local-irs-office. The Chamber of Commerce is an organization of business owners and managers. It is designed to help businesses succeed and support their communities. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce advocates on a national level for legislation that supports business activities. On a more local level, your Chamber of Commerce provides a networking resource. You can meet other business leaders in your community, learn about sponsorship opportunities, and even get discounts on material and supplies for your company.  You can find out about joining the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at www.uschamber.com. You can locate your local Chamber of Commerce by searching online for the name of your community and the phrase “Chamber of Commerce.” The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a name for many independently run local agencies. Collectively across North America they form the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB). Their objective is to build strong relationships between businesses and consumers. You can find your local BBB by searching at www.bbb.org. Becoming an accredited member of the BBB increases consumer trust in your business and often leads to increased income. Get out of your office and get to know other business leaders in your community. Speaking with other business managers can help you generate ideas for your own business. You can also build up goodwill with both consumers and suppliers. By meeting community leaders you can spread the name of your business and generate informal publicity. Such meetings often can lead to an increase of referrals for your business. You may find a group of like-minded managers and create a weekly or monthly networking group.
A: Use resources from the SBA. Use the IRS online resources. Join your local or national Chamber of Commerce. Work with the Better Business Bureau. Network with other business leaders.

Q: If you're just making a sample swatch, chain (ch) up 17 stitches. For a larger swatch or blanket, chain 34 or 51 stitches which are multiples of 17. Wrap the yarn around your hook and insert it into the fourth chain from your hook. Continue to yarn over and pull through the loops on your hook to make a double crochet stitch. Make 1 double crochet stitch in each of the 5 chain stitches across the foundation row. Then make 1 dc stitch, chain 2 stitches, and make 1 more dc into the next stitch. Keep working across the row by making 1 double crochet stitch into the chain stitches. Skip the next 2 chain stitches and double crochet 1 into each of the next 7 chain stitches. Then dc 1, chain 2, and dc 1 into the next chain stitch. Dc 1 into each of the next 7 chain stitches. Keep repeating this pattern until you reach the end of the row. Flip the work over so you can begin crocheting your first real row in the zig zag pattern. Make 3 chain stitches and skip the stitch closest to your hook. and dc 1 into the next 5 stitches. Decrease the number of stitches in this row by double crocheting 2 of them together. Then you'll need to double crochet 1 stitch into each of the following 5 stitches. Insert your hook into the next 2 chain space and make 1 double crochet stitch. Chain 2 into the same stitch and double crochet another 1 stitch into the same stitch. This will form the point of the zig zag. Make 1 dc stitch into each of the next 7 dc stitches. This will bring you across the other diagonal side of the zig zag. Then skip 2 double crochet stitches and dc 1 into the next 7 dc.  Remember to double crochet into each of the 7 stitches across the row. Insert your hook into the next dc stitch and make 1 double crochet stitch. Chain 2 into the same stitch and double crochet 1 more stitch into the same stitch. To work the zig zag pattern, keep repeating: Dc 1 into each of the next 7 dc stitches, skip the next 2 dc stitches, dc 1 into each of the next 7 dc stitches, and then dc 1, chain 2, and dc 1 into the next stitch. To finish the row, make 1 double crochet stitch into each of the next 5 dc stitches. Join together the next 2 stitches and dc 1. Turn the work to make another row, if desired.
A: Make a foundation chain that's a multiple of 17. Insert your hook into the fourth chain and make 1 double crochet stitch (dc). Dc the next 5 ch stitches and dc 1, ch 2, and dc 1 into the next stitch. Dc into each of the next 7 chain stitches. Finish the foundation row by double crocheting and skipping stitches. Turn the work, chain 3, and skip the first stitch. Dc the next 2 stitches together (dc2tog) Insert your hook and dc 1, chain 2, and dc1. Dc into 7 stitches, skip 2 dc, and dc in the next 7 stitches. Dc 1, chain 2, and dc 1 to make another zig zag point. Continue to crochet in zig zag pattern until you reach the last 8 stitches. Dc 1 into the next 5 dc stitches and dc2tog the next 2 stitches.

Q: Coping with changes in the workplace can be stressful. It can be helpful to take a day off, or a few days, to spend time at home and relax. Find out whether you have any paid time off days and take advantage of them. Big changes in the workplace can cause a lot of stress, and taking some time off can help you recover from the stress and feel like yourself again. If you can't take an actual vacation, you should take short breaks during your workday to reduce the possibility that you'll become burned out. Take a five minute break from your desk to make yourself a cup of coffee, to walk around the office, or to go outside for a breath of fresh air. Friendships both in and outside of work are very helpful in reducing stress. Since you spend a considerable amount of time each day with your coworkers, it is helpful to build strong and healthy relationships with the people there. These relationships should have boundaries though; you shouldn't talk about things that are inappropriate in the workplace and your friendships should never distract from your actual work. Your work is a very important part of your life, but it shouldn't be your entire life. It is unreasonable to expect that you can be on call for 24 hours every day. Setting boundaries between your work and home life, like not checking your email after 6pm or not taking work phone calls on the weekend, can help you compartmentalize your work and keep the two separate. These boundaries can help to limit the amount of stress that this change can have on your life. Your adaption to changes in the workplace shouldn't affect your home life. Adapting to change can be difficult and it can wear on you, especially when the change is large and impacts a lot of different parts of your work. This can feel overwhelming at times, and you may feel like you aren't equipped to handle it. Even though it can be difficult to admit that you need help, support from other people can be very helpful. Talk to your supervisor if you are struggling with making the transition, and see if they have any recommendations about adapting that could help you. You can also talk to someone who is close to you in your personal life to see if they have an outside perspective on your situation.
A:
Take a vacation. Build healthy relationships with your coworkers. Establish boundaries. Ask for support when you need it.