According to the Huffington Post, the National Federation of Independent Businesses reports overall business optimism rose in August. The surveyed owners believe business conditions will continue to improve over the next six months.

Only 13% of all small business owners who applied for credit received the amount they requested, reports Businessweek. To increase their odds of receiving funding when they need its, small businesses need to build relationships with multiple lenders.

Small businesses, reports Entrepreneur, can gather valuable lessons from a reality program like the Great Food Truck Race. The show highlights how mistakes in market research, budgeting and execution can spell disaster for a small business.