In an industry dominated by men, a woman in Cornelius is the go-to girl when the aches and pains of their NASCAR world threaten to overtake them.

Mooresville-based Lowe’s Companies Inc. (traded on the Nasdaq under LOW) is the world’s second largest home improvement retailer, with more than $50 billion in revenues generated in fiscal year 2011 (ended Feb. 3, 2012). It focuses on retail do-it-yourself (DIY) customers, do-it-for-me (DIFM) customers who utilize Lowe’s installation services and commercial business customers.

Cyber criminals have been using stolen identities to file tax returns and obtain fraudulent refunds. Tax preparers have reported an increase in e-file rejections because the taxpayers’ or their children’s SSNs have already been used in a previously e-filed return, which results in the e-filed return being rejected. 

I’m usually a pretty savvy traveler, but a recent car rental mishap reminded me that even when you take every precaution, things could still go awry.

By Sue Clement

This is a question that Realtors have been fielding with care and trepidation for the past several years. As marketing professionals, we didn’t want to instill more angst in the public about the real estate market, but at the same time, we needed to keep it real and let folks know the truth, no matter how grim.

Just a few miles away from Camp Wagging Tails, entrepreneur couple William and Kelly Waugh plan to open Lucky Dog — a combination doggie day care for Fido and a bar and lounge for his owner — in two shakes of a tale.

On Mother’s Day, children of all ages thank their moms for the many sacrifices made during their childhoods — and well beyond, considering how many adult children still hit up their moms for a loan or free babysitting.