Take your place among the industry's best car wash professionals and display the ultimate badge of pride with membership in the International Carwash Association.

It’s not uncommon to be asked by a business owner, "why should I bother with a business valuation?" Sometimes the question is because of concern over the cost of an appraisal, sometimes because of the time involved and sometimes simply because the business owner sees no purpose in the exercise. Here's a checklist of reasons why you may want to have your company independently valued.

U.S. small businesses boosted borrowing in October to its highest level in over six years, an index showed on Tuesday, fresh evidence that the budget battle that shut the federal government for 16 days did little to derail underlying economic growth.

Small businesses are always looking for ways to get customers into their stores and onto their websites, but especially since the recession, many have started offering classes or holding events to lure in the curious, convert them to customers and build relationships.

Research and experts agree that mobile payments overall are sharply increasing. New technology is making it easier and faster to accept payments from customers. Today’s swipeless cards and payment-enabled smartphones that make payments using NFC technology are the way to go if you want a cutting-edge checkout process.

A cloudless, blue sky reflects on the exterior of a burgundy Lincoln Towncar as Danny Terrell, an employee of Heavenly Grace Ministries Homeless Carwash, scrubs one last spot on the hood and mumbles to himself, "I’m a perfectionist."

Despite recent rains, Central Texas remains in a drought. So, how do car washes deal with the drought restrictions, with all the water they use? Jeffrey Blansit said getting a car wash at the new Water Works Auto Spa location in Kyle, Texas, doesn’t use that much water – because of the recycling they do.

Five Corners Car Wash, in New Hyde Park will be hosting a fundraiser called Bubbly Smiles to benefit the children and families of North Shore LIJ Cohen Children’s Medical Center.