This Year in Small Business: Highlights From 2013 In July, I wrote a half-time report that compiled links to some of the best stories for small-business owners that I had read so far this year. Here's an update through the end of December. Inspiration A Brazilian woman rises from maid to entrepreneur, and her story illustrates the recent social change that has transformed the lives of millions in Brazil. A Japanese banker has helped more than 1,000 women start their own businesses in what has long been considered a male-dominated country. Here are six castles that cost less than an apartment in Manhattan. Cash Flow Aaron Gordon explains how cheating got him a first-class flight to London. David Rosenberg explains why cash is your least safe bet. An experienced shipper suggests five ways to reduce shipping costs. Fred Wilson explains why some companies that lose money every year can still be valuable. If you missed the 9-year-old in a blue princess dress who rang the opening bell at Twitter's stock market debut, you missed seeing someone who may change the way nonprofits, and perhaps even companies, are run. Here are 41 highly unusual economic indicators. A National Football League coach offers three start-up lessons. Entrepreneurs A Canadian business owner describes his journey from Dickie Dee to Pop Rocks to being a successful restaurateur. An Alabama entrepreneur has turned around a town by creating 11 small businesses, 50 new jobs and generating about $15 million in profit since 2006. An author and venture capitalist explains how he sold 65,000 books. Mark Perry says the "petropreneurs" should be thanked for the country's energy abundance. Sales and Marketing These are the best video ads of the year, according to Google. A data company turns an unusual branding issue into a case study: Does its logo looks like a pair of men's underpants? Daniel Pink discusses three keys to motivating your sales team (and none of them are money). ReachLocal, an online marketing firm, offers advice us on how to write email subject lines. Here is the biggest mistake tech start-ups make, according to Facebook's global director of engineering. And here are 10 traditional industries that have been transformed by tablets.