Welcome to Small Biz Watch

Hi. Thanks for taking a look at my blog. I've been a journalist for about 20 years, covering a wide range of issues. I particularly like to write about small businesses, technology, new media and how all of those things tie together.

I'm currently a freelancer writing for a large media firms like CNNMoney.com, The New York Times, washingtonpost.com and TheStreet.com, but I also enjoy writing for smaller, more specialized publications covering issues like intellectual property and broadband.

I hope to use this blog as a more informal place to highlight the many small business owners and entrepreneurs I meet on a daily basis, along with the scads of reports and studies I read that often reveal the pulse of the community and focus on important issues. I also read many business and technology magazines and books and I like to try out new gadgets and services. I hope to let you know how they work for me and how they might work for others.

Prior to my work as a freelancer I was the small business blogger for washingtonpost.com where I wrote company profiles and "how do I..." pieces, covered the House and Senate small business committees, the Small Business Administration, conferences and more. I also worked for eight years as an editor for National Journal covering politics and policy issues of interest to the high-tech community.

As a freelancer, I run my own small business so I truly enjoy understanding and learning from other entrepreneurs. I love the optimistic attitude - often in the face of adversity - and the dedication.

If you're interested in seeing some of my writing samples, small business profiles and other work, please see my web site at www.sharonmcloone.com. I also am on Twitter @smallbizwatch.