Herb Filled Pillows Make Over a Million Dollars

Lauren Rosenstadt was a single mom working at a herbcompany in Bethesda, Maryland. A herb (pronounced "erb") isa plant that has medicinal, savory, or aromic qualities. Oneday while at lunch with a friend whose daughter sufferedfrom insomnia, Lauren thought, "If I could fill a pillowwith herbs, that would be soothing... Read More

The 9 Key Distinctions of Successful Solo-Entrepreneurs!

SUCCESSFUL Solo-Entrepreneurs approach life and business from a perspective that is new, fresh, and rather unorthodox. The differences are subtle, yet significant. These distinctions are more than just fads or interesting tips; they are direct, measurable SHIFTS in how you will approach your business, your personal life, your relationships, etc.... Read More

10 Essential Tips for Starting Entrepreneurs - Ignore these at your Peril!

1. Do What You LOVE: If you've chosen your business because you read that this niche was the next hot one, or because your favorite uncle (or your best friend) thinks you'd be well-suited for this business, you may as well pack up now and save yourself some time and... Read More

Reducing the Stress of Being an Entrepreneur

Starting and running your own business can be exciting and rewarding, but it can also be very stressful. For most of our almost 40 year marriage my husband has been an entrepreneur and I have sometimes worked with him. Having built my own business as a Stress Reduction Coach I... Read More

10 Ways Entrepreneurs Shoot Themselves In The Foot

Entrepreneurs and their businesses have a tendency to ambush themselves when they aren't looking. This affects how much revenue they can generate, how fast their business rises, and even if they survive after the first few years. If you feel there is a possibility you are getting in your way... Read More

Lessons Learned from Successful Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs are a special breed of high achievers. They create things, get things started: businesses, clubs, churches, associations, even nations. Their motivations vary. Not all want to be rich. Not all want to produce a Fortune 500 company. Some are motivated by pleasure or civic pride or the desire for... Read More

7 Lean Marketing Laws For The Inspired Entrepreneur

The following laws will provide guidance on how to act,think and work in a lean way. You can apply these laws toall areas of your life, work and business to get biggerresults from the time you invest. 1. Multiple RewardsAim to be rewarded multiple times for a single effort. Moneycan... Read More

Electronic Tools for Entrepreneurial Success

"Half of any job is having the right tool" was one of the earliest lessons I learned from my father growing up on a farm in Nebraska. As an organizing and productivity consultant, it continues to serve me well.As a business owner for over 20 years, one of the principles... Read More

Traits of The Successful Entrepreneur

Want to know why certain people succeed and others don't. Well successful people have certain traits? Do you have them? Business has changed a great deal over the years. We now have computers, the internet and because of the internet - web pages, email and everything else that comes... Read More

5 TIPS for Home-Based Business Entrepreneurs

Have you ever heard that only a small part (5%) of 'all' Home-Based Business entrepreneurs achieve success?Do an online research on your favorite Search Engine and you will understand what I mean.In this article I'm going to show you the KEY to Home-Based Business entrepreneurs success; you'll find out what... Read More

The Six ?F? Words Every Entrepreneur Should Know

Start your own business, and soon enough, you find yourself in a situation where there are many things you want to say, all of them unprintable.It happens to every entrepreneur ? a moment of extreme challenge that causes you to wonder why you started the (expletive) business in the first... Read More

Compensating for Your Entrepreneurial Style-or Lack of Style

I recently took an entrepreneurial quiz which evaluated my answers and informed me I would do best as a hired hand! So why am I a successful home business owner? Because I've learned to fill the holes in my entrepreneurial style, and compensate for my deficiencies. Let's start with... Read More

What Makes An Entrepreneur Tick?

It is only natural that when you start a business, you are doing something different than most people. They not only will look at you because you stick out like a sore thumb _ but human nature will cause people to naturally ridicule what you are doing. They will tell... Read More

Raising Entrepreneurs: What to Do When Your Kid is Born to Think Differently

Adolescence brings with it many challenges ? for both parents and kids. Young people, still new to the world, are embarking on a journey to discover their passions, joys, and authentic self-images. More often than not, however, their journey more closely resembles an elongated stampede of enraged elephants than it... Read More

The 7 Traits of an Exceptional & Successful Entrepreneur

How often have you either referred to or considered the expression, "Success is a journey and not a Destination?" Probably many times, yet often being in a hurry to get there, we forget that success is not an end unto itself, but is instead an ongoing process.Though some people seem... Read More

How Entrepreneurs Make Money Selling Global Brands On and Off-line

Did you know that thousands of companies from all over the world are looking for enthusiastic individuals to represent their products overseas? That person can be you. From Chinese toys to Brazilian bikinis people are making money reselling all kinds of products for a profit.Don't fret if you're new to... Read More

Differentiation ? Smart Marketing Strategies for the Solo Entrepreneur

Are you ever frustrated or hesitant when you talk to prospective customers because you can't readily explain why they should come to you rather than go to your competitors? Sure, you might have your 30-second elevator speech, but then they ask you that dreaded question, "So what makes you different?"... Read More

Top 10 Business Plan Myths of Solo Entrepreneurs

Don't let these stop you from having a business plan for success!A recent study of 29,000 business startups noted that 26,000 of them failed. Of those failures, 67% had no written business plan. Think that's a coincidence?Here's the top 10 myths Solo Entrepreneurs often have about business plans-usually, the reasons... Read More

Solo Mojo for Solo Entrepreneurs --- Where?s Your Juice?

I recently read a magazine article about Andrew, a 42-year old businessman. He gave up a demanding law practice in the Northeast, moved South to launch a new furniture and interior-design store, and wrote his first fiction novel in the midst of that transition. He persevered with his passion for... Read More

Create Your Entrepreneur Dream Team

I hear it all the time. "What should I do about . . .?" As a business owner you're faced with the daunting task of making all the decisions that affect your business. Should I remain a sole proprietor, become an LLC or is an S Corp better? Should I... Read More

Health Insurance for Solo Entrepreneurs

One of the most important benefits employed people enjoy is health insurance coverage. It is also the single most costly expense for self-employed entrepreneurs. So what can you do to reduce ever increasing costs of health care coverage? Here are a few tips.1. If a medical bill seems excessive, try... Read More

Time Management Tips for Solo Entrepreneurs

Does it seem like everyone and everything is vying for your attention all at once? It can be hard for solo entrepreneurs to know what to do first, let alone try to find the time to get caught up. Here are some time management tips that will help you to... Read More

Hearing That Entrepreneurial Voice?

Women business owners are our only clients, so naturally we celebrate and support female entrepreneurship. Operating in this market gives us the good fortune to learn about some of the deeper themes in the lives of women business owners. It gives us insights into what really matters to women, and... Read More

How Home-Based Business Entrepreneurs Think

Too many people are trying to start their home businesses with an ordinary employee's way of thinking. This has become a common reason why not long after sitting down and giving it a fair look into even the most lucrative business opportunity they bump into, they put it away and... Read More

The Entrepreneurs Dilemma

In business, you plan to protect your inventory, your unique ideas and approach, and your money. It's easy to replenish inventory, come up with new ideas and make more money. What isn't renewable is your time. On that premise, time is your most valuable commodity. Business victory requires an appreciation... Read More

The Reluctant Entrepreneur

It seems odd to think of a person opening a shop, knowing that they're not at all interested in selling or in face-to-face interaction with customers. But that's exactly what many Internet business owners have done. And they've done it well.The Internet has opened doors to a new breed of... Read More

Entrepreneurship: What does it REALLY mean?

Introduction:In a world where ideas drive economies, it is no wonder that innovation and entrepreneurship are often seen as inseparable bedfellows. The governments around the world are starting to realize that in order to sustain progress and improve a country's economy, the people have to be encouraged and trained to... Read More

How You Can Earn $1000 A Week Part Time

About 6 years ago I started to notice that certain friends of mine had quit their jobs but continued to live very luxurious lifestyles - seemingly without doing very much. I thought they must just be using up their savings until I discovered they were all making a fantastic living... Read More

Should You Write Your Own Business Plan?

If you are just starting a company and looking for funding, or looking for additional funding for growth, you will need to develop a traditional business plan. Creating a business plan is a business hurdle that entrepreneurs seem to dread. Do you do it yourself? Do you hire someone to... Read More

Youth Entrepreneurship, A Disappointing Truth

The psychology of entrepreneurship can be very rewarding to one who dreams of starting their own business. The freedom of being your own boss has billions of people seeking financial independence and other entrepreneurial expectations. But is entrepreneurship for everyone? Are their any restrictions on who can become entrepreneurs? Sadly,... Read More

Be an Entrepreneur

The Department of Labor predicts that the #1 employer in 2010 will be "self." A recent Internet poll of 25-44 year olds revealed that 90% of them hoped to own their own business. A survey conducted by Ernst & Young found that 75% of influential Americans believe that entrepreneurship will... Read More

Entrepreneurs: Benefits vs. Features-Know the Difference!

Entrepreneurs know their business. They know their product, their service. Many of them write creative Web sites. But, one thing they are not as adept at is promotional copy.It's not the book, it's the hook! It's not the beautiful Web site, it's the one with benefit-driven headlines that lead your... Read More

The Entrepreneurs Prayer

As I awaken with the gift of yet another day and prepare for the tasks at hand, I offer up this most ardent prayer:I pray for continued clarity of purpose so that I may hold my vision steady and keep my focus on the needs and success of others, which... Read More

Are You an Entrepreneur That is Starved for Time?

Being an entrepreneur and running a successful home-based business is stressful at times, and can be hectic. Success within a home-based business though, absolutely demands time management skills, or the chores that need to get done will be left undone, and procrastination, as well as a serious "personal time deficiency"... Read More

Seven Key Qualities of Successful Entrepreneurs

A recent poll conducted by Forbes magazine shows that majority of its readers would prefer to become a billionaire rather than a Nobel peace prize winner, a great scientist or a famous athlete. There is no secret that most of the average people dream about getting rich albeit very few... Read More

Entrepreneurial Emotions or It Seemed Like a Great Idea at the Time

It's your first business or the next Great Idea in your ongoing business, online or offline, it doesn't matter. The roller coaster ride is a theme and variations on the same experiences. First the exhilaration -- THIS idea, or THIS business is THE one. It'll put you on the map... Read More

How to Become a Successful Entrepreneur on the Web

Becoming a successful entrepreneur in the online world is no different than becoming a successful entrepreneur in the brick-and-mortar world. Both tasks require vision, determination, and hard work.The online world of the web offers many exciting opportunities for entrepreneurship because it is fresh, new, and exciting. The cutting edge of... Read More

Applying The Daffodil Theory into Business Practice

At times all of us need a bit of inspiration to add to our day. When I first read this article, I had started my own home based business and was in a bit of a slump. This inspirational story was exactly what helped spring me into action and keep... Read More

Find Out If You WILL Be Successful As a Franchisee?

Will I be successful as a franchisee?One of the soundest pieces of advice to take when considering becoming a franchisee is to 'Assess Yourself'. Assess whether you can accept direction. Some people cannot. Assess whether you can work within definite systems and structures without feeling trapped. Assess if you are... Read More

The Myth of Undercapitalization - Six Ways Entrepreneurs Achieve Success in Spite of Start-Up Money

This year more than 17 million people will become entrepreneurs, according to the National Association of Self Employed (NASE). By the end of the year, 8 million of them will return to the corporate world because their entrepreneurial effort did not succeed. Many will say the businesses failed because of... Read More

Entrepreneurship as Your Passion

Entrepreneurship has been my passion for as long as I can commit to memory to learning how to type, and that started in 5th grade! Strangely enough, I wasn't raised around lots of business owners growing up in New Jersey nor surrounded by many business-minded individuals.Initially, my passion was expressed... Read More

How Much Risk is Necessary to Grow Your Business?

A business owner is thoroughly responsible for their own financial survival and possibly the financial survival of their employees. Business owners, for the most part, seem to be "risk takers", who really don't easily "go with the flow". They are inventive and somewhat confident, as just having their own business... Read More

How To Grow Your Micro-Business

If you want to grow your micro-business (defined as a business with fewer than five employees), you might consider some of the findings of a survey by Statistics Canada.1. The FindingsAccording to "Growth Determinants of Micro-Businesses in Canada" (Evangelia Papadaki and Bassima Chami, Small Business Policy Branch, Industry Canada), the... Read More

How To Find Hot Online Business Ideas

Would you like to find the key that unlocks the door to a gold-mine of online response, sales and results for your business?It seems obvious that you would be able to see what the experts do differently when locating market opportunities, finding out what people want and quickly turning that... Read More

PR That Entrepreneurs Often Overlook

If that sounds like you, here's what you may be missing once the new enterprise is launchedPublic relations that really does something about the behaviors of those key outside audiences that most affect your new enterprise.PR that uses a fundamental blueprint to deliver external stakeholder behavior change ? the kind... Read More

Protect Your ASSets in Business

Many people are starting an online business without a thought about the danger this may pose to their personal assets. The type of protection you need depends upon the nature of your business and the amount of your personal assets.If you have no personal assets, you probably don't need much... Read More

Build Your Own Board Of Experts

The most successful entrepreneurs rely on their advisory boards to help spot new opportunities and potential pitfalls.Now you can have your own advisory board: a shadow board of directors.A shadow board of directors is a low-tech technique for accessing the expertise of others and increasing your confidence and options. A... Read More

Something From Nothing, With Something To Share

Betrayal, it can hit you like a load of bricks falling from the sky, leaving you with a pit in your stomach that no pill can cure.Starting your own business is hard enough, however when your inside people are working against you as well, it can make the toughest of... Read More

Developing A Contract

As a service provider, the most important type of "boundary" you can set as a business owner involves those policies and procedures that govern how you interact with your clients. The more precise you can be about the services you provide, your fee structure, and what you expect from your... Read More

Needs Versus Wants For Entrepreneurs

How often do the words "I need" come out of your mouth, as it relates to your business? When you run your own company, it's easy to think that the only way to succeed is to be moving forward with your expenses -- the newest technology, a broader circle of... Read More

From Bank Clerk to Entreprenuer

What seems like a century ago, I left school and joined a well-known High Street Bank. In those days working as a bank clerk was a well-established route for many school leavers and perceived to be a proper job with prospects. It wasn't long before I became disillusioned with the... Read More

What Part of Handwriting on the Wall Dont You Understand - They Dont Hire People Over 50

In a recent talk to the Detroit Economic Club, President Bush told of a powerful statement made to John Bailey by his wife, "Just what part of the writing on the wall don't your understand - companies don't want people over 50!" The White House staff had become aware of... Read More

Franchises - Emotional Fulfillment - Control Your Destiny

Does A Franchise Meet Your Needs?When you think of becoming a businessperson by making the transition from employee to Franchisee, you don't generally think in terms of emotional fulfillment. However, in reality, the evaluation of emotional factors should play a significant role in making that final decision to join the... Read More

Focus is the Key to a Successful Startup

The definition of a startup means you have very few resources to employ and little time to get them to do something valuable. The clock is always ticking, and the money (if you even have any) is running out by the day. With so little to leverage, you need to... Read More

Business Is No Guarantee of Riches

Q: I'm thinking about starting a business since that seems to be how most rich people get rich. I don't have any business experience or much money, but I'm a fast learner and have lots of energy. Any free advice? Peter J.A: I'm full of free advice, Pete, and here's... Read More

Is Now the Right Time to Become An Entrepreneur?

A number of economic changes are magnifying the role of small business and creating the impetus for entrepreneurship.In the past, many people perceived small business owners as shopkeepers ? the mom 'n pop shops. Today, with a status boost, they're entrepreneurs, and perceived to be on the leading edge.But is... Read More

Great Tips Of Choosing An Office

You have decided to strike it out on your own and set up a business consultancy. Chances are you want to look at getting your own office premises. Besides ensuring that your rental payment does not create serious cash-flow problems in the medium term, you have to look out for... Read More

Franchises - A Proven Business System

Franchises offer the first time business owner a proven and successful business opportunity. If you are looking to start your own business for the first time, franchises provide you with the greatest opportunity for success. When you purchase a franchise from the "Franchisor", and become a "Franchisee", you are not... Read More

Before Getting A Franchise

Buying into a franchise is a great way to be part of a recognized brand with the benefit of lower advertising outlay. With many franchises to choose, here are some tips before you get involved with franchise:Get The Support of Your Family:The success of your franchise is also the acceptance... Read More

10 Secrets of Successful Entrepreneurs

Running a one-person business is a creative, flexible and challenging way to become your own boss and chart your own future. It is about creating a life, as it is about making a living. It takes courage, determination and foresight to decide to become an entrepreneur. From the relatively safe... Read More

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Isn't enthusiasm a good thing? Aren't we urged to be enthusiastic about what we do? To be committed?We are...but enthusiasm has a dark side too.When the word first came into the English language (from Ancient Greek, via French) it had a far more extreme meaning. It meant to be possessed... Read More

Bring That Difference To Your Business!

Romans had a phrase for this- First among Equals.Online marketing has too coined a similar one ? when everything is equal the difference is me.This is the key to build a successful business.One who makes the difference succeeds.That is what differentiates between the bestsellers and thousands of books that just... Read More

Franchises - Emotional Fulfillment - The Challenge

Does A Franchise Meet Your Needs?Do you look forward to Friday afternoon or Monday morning? Perhaps that's the true litmus test of happiness. If you're thinking about the fact that there's only one day to go before the weekend, when you just got back from lunch on Wednesday, it may... Read More

Why Every Student Should Start a Business

With the economic downturn, students in all the major business schools have been dropping out of their entrepreneurship classes and transferring back to classes where they think they have a secure future. Students and professionals who were once planning to start businesses now have decided to go back to their... Read More

Use Your Youth To Your Advantage

You should wait until you're older and have more business and real-world experience before starting a business. You should just focus on school for now. Nobody will take you seriously at this age. You'll hear all these reasons--and more--about why you shouldn't start a business from your friends, your parents,... Read More

Starting a Company on a Shoe-String Budget

A lot of people never start businesses because they believe they don't have enough money to do so. Unfortunately, these same people don't realize that many of the world's most successful companies were started on a shoe-string budget by an entrepreneur with limited resources. Below is a list of tips... Read More

Surviving the Three Pitfalls of Business Ownership

The morning sun sheds its brilliance and warmth on your sleeping face. 10:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Finally, after half an hour of lying in bed, you decide to get up and start your morning routines. Your work day officially starts fifteen minutes later as you stumble... Read More

Executive Suites - A Way To Save Cash

Cash is one of the most important resources to a new business. One of the best ways to conserve cash for a startup business that is in need of office space is to rent an executive suite rather than to rent traditional office space. Most people don't even know this... Read More

Part-Time/In-Home Business - Low Expense and Low Risk

As a first time entrepreneur, there are a variety of franchises, dealerships, distributorships, and licensing opportunities available for purchase. Many of these you can start by working part-time from your home. In doing so, you save thousands of dollars in start up and operating costs, while at the same time... Read More

Walt Disneys Failures Could Inspire Entrepreneurs

You are a struggling entrepreneur and sometimes it feels like you are pushing a 3 ton boulder up a steep hill. Costs keep mounting and you are considering giving up. Well before you do, check out these 10 setbacks that Walt Disney had, some were financial nightmares that put him... Read More

The Desire For Money, Do You Have Business Sense?

For those of us who grew up with parents who worked for businesses rather than owned them, the world of business can be quite a mystery. Even more so if we've dared to try to start one of our own. There is the factor of what type of business to... Read More

Lessons Learned from One Entrepreneur on Vioxx

For the past ten-months, I tried every drug from the popular Vioxx, Celebrex and Aleve, to the long-standing Percocet, Ibruprofen 800, with some other fabulous ones like Fexeril, Ulltram, Naproxyn, and Antevert. (And, this is my short list).I hate drugs and I try very hard to keep them out of... Read More

Online Women Entrepreneurs Need To Pace Themselves

Saving time means pacing yourself, being organized, and always prioritizing your duties, responsibilities and efforts.Pacing yourself means allowing time for unexpected situations, such as having enough time to check the ever-growing inbox, setting-up special autoresponders for automatic responses (a miraculous tool?really), and other technical issues of running an interactive website... Read More

The Cockroach Test

Let me ask you a question? Imagine I would offer you $10 for eating 10 living cockroaches. Would you do it? Now listen, I raise the ante and offer you $100. How does that feel? If you hear me saying "you get $1000 bucks" does that change something? Here is... Read More

Entrepreneurial Traits that Drive Sales

Frequently overlooked and hidden deep within our marketing tool box is the ultimate marketing vehicle for your business ? you! Many small business owners are so busy figuring out how to increase sales and revenue they forget to grow themselves as business owners. If you aren't evolving yourself, aren't you... Read More

A Secret To Extraordinary Accomplishments

I sat watching a documentary on U.S. Navy SEAL Team Training on the local exercise channel. It showed young men, mostly in their early 20's, enduring grueling ocean swims in near-freezing water. It showed these same young men forced to swim underwater (holding their breaths) until a major percentage of... Read More

Are You Sure You Want To Start Your Own Business? Part Two of a Series

Why, exactly, do you want to go into business for yourself? Is it because you cannot stand the thought of working for an uptight, demanding, and perfectly dreadful boss?Is it because you cannot bear the thought of going through another downsizing or restructuring, knowing that your job could be... Read More

Ancient Warrior Secrets For The Modern Entrepreneur

The words you see onscreen trigger subconscious responses. Dark images penetrate your mind. Your heartbeat increases slightly. Your muscles tighten. Like a warrior advancing to combat, you prepare to engage with your market. Ready, aim, fire. You send an email! Everyday, military metaphors are projected across our computer screens. Guerrilla... Read More

Franchises - Success and You

Many people believe owning a franchise will make them rich, financially secure, and provide the life of their dreams. True, franchises have an extremely high success rate, and a very high satisfaction rate among their owners. But is that success guaranteed when you purchase a franchise? NO!There are no guarantees... Read More

Could a Book About Your Company be Worth $1.7 Billion? Building Value Through Publishing

"Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) to purchase Clayton Homes for $12.50 in cash per share. Deal worth $1.7 Billion."From an article in the Knoxville News Sentinel -- a University of Tennessee professor sent Warren Buffett the self-published autobiography of James Clayton as a gift. Less than 14 days after receiving the... Read More

Ten Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs

Successful entrepreneurs have many traits in common. Here are ten of those traits that I consider to be very important.A successful entrepreneur...1. Places the needs of customers or clients first, and takes the time to find out what those needs are.2. Enjoys the freedom of fulfilling a chosen mission through... Read More

The Magic of Thinking Small

Hey!Many of you might disagree and I'm prepared for that.Many 'guru's' might say "Mike, you're wrong." and I'm prepared for that.But what I'm about to share with you has been one of my biggest secrets to my success.This secret has been so powerful to me that before I captured it,... Read More

5 Tips to Step Boldly into the World & Set Yourself Apart from Others

"Real champions believe in themselves even when no one else will!" Author UnknownTo take your life and business to a level that makes you ecstatic there is a good chance you will need to step boldly into the world and stand distinctively apart from others. Here are 5 tips to... Read More

Angel Investors: 7 Online Business Plan Scams and 1 Real Deal

We've all seen the hype: "We'll put your plan in front of thousands of investors!" "We'll write you an award-winning online business plan!" "Only $3,000 for thousands of investors to learn about your company!"I cringe every time I see one of these ads. Vultures are preying on honest business people... Read More

Can a Microbusiness Help You Enjoy a Better Retirement?

Not having enough money for a comfortable retirement tops the list of financial concerns among aging Americans, according to a recent Gallup Poll. It even outweighs peoples' worries about having a serious illness or accident.With statistics showing that Americans can expect to live 20 or more years after reaching retirement... Read More

Taking Charge and Getting Results: The Choice is Yours

As one of the most successful direct sales entrepreneurs in the industry, I have found there are two kinds of people in the world, those who would like success and those who are serious about success. There really is no in between. Think about it. Everyone wants success in their... Read More

Business Planning for College Students and First-Time Entrepreneurs

More and more students, both in undergraduate and graduate institutions, are deciding to launch their own ventures upon graduation rather than taking the traditional route of working for another firm. Likewise, more and more individuals are leaving their jobs to fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams.While these ventures may ultimately be very... Read More

Innovation incubator: Build it and keep it running

If your company is like the one I work for, your people are talking about the need for innovation. Mine has just announced a new program "that will bring a standardized approach to gathering and evaluating your ideas for generating new revenue and improving our business." An Innovation Team has... Read More

The New Paradigm for Entrepreneurial Success

Entrepreneurship is a great magnet to deliver new ideas, unique approaches and innovative technologies. When conducted in a proper way, turning people into entrepreneurs improves a country's economic situation and aids sustainable progress. However, transition to become an entrepreneur is not that aspiring to all. Risks and uncertainties involved in... Read More

Dream It, Create It, Become It! Design a Dream Board

Have you ever heard of "Dream Boards" or "Treasure Maps"? A Dream Board is a visual picture of the dreams you have for your life. Some of my clients also use this concept to visualize their businesses! It's their first business plan. One thing that is important to remember, though,... Read More

Think - Dont React

How you think, your relationship with yourself is what decides how well you communicate with your customers and relate to your team.The most important relationship you'll ever have is the one you have with yourself so you've got to get that right.Henry Ford said, (he was the guy who started... Read More

Outcomes - Thats What You Need to Focus On

Successful business owners and managers need to be very clear about what outcomes they want. Whether you call them goals, objectives or targets, these are the factors that you're ultimately judged on. Outcomes determine whether your business is a success or a failure.If you're an employed manager, you'll find them... Read More

Business Name - How to Choose One

It's very important to get your business name right. You may already have a business name but it's not too late to change it. Let's face it; big organisations change their business and product names all the time.I named my business Fairweather Associates when I started in 1993. However, when... Read More

Customers - Why Should They Buy From You?

There are a whole range of reasons why customers buy a product or service. They usually buy to solve either real or perceived problems. They want to move away from pain and towards pleasure. They want to feel better after having made the decision to buy a product or service... Read More

Beware the Opposition!

Any time you make changes in your life you are going to be met with opposition from people who would prefer you to stay exactly as you are. Sadly, these people are often the ones that love you the most; your family, friends, partners and even work colleagues. However, in... Read More

Will Your Business Survive Without You?

I had a health scare in December.As it turns out, everything's perfectly okay. But the possibility of things not being okay really knocked me for a loop.For the first time ... ever ... I thought about what would happen to my business if I suddenly weren't around to take care... Read More

Are You Ready To Be Your Own Boss?

You have this burning desire you want to be on your own. The temptation is so great that you want to quit your job. Enough is enough. You're sick of working for other people for a ridiculous pay.To be your own boss means controlling your own destiny, having your own... Read More

Can You Make Money Without Money?

When I ask why you don't start your own business, I always hear, "I don't have money to start a business."This is a common excuse people give for not starting their own business.There is truth in the statement. You actually need money to make money or to start a business.... Read More

What Makes an Entrepreneur?

Rupert Steiner in his book 'My First Break' attempted to define the secret of becoming an entrepreneur and following interviews with over one hundred entrepreneurs, Steiner concluded that there was not one defined path. He has, however, drawn out observations of an entrepreneur's personality traits. They have a tendency to... Read More

Good Questions, good Answers; Bad Questions, Bad Replies

I'm convinced that asking the right questions is one of the most important skills you need to become a successful business person. Questions have the power to direct you or to distort you. The right kind of questions will direct you to success the wrong kind of questions will direct... Read More

The Heroic Entrepreneur: Profiting from Your Brilliance

If you look up the definition of hero in Webster's, you'll find a definition something like, 'A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life: soldiers and nurses who were heroes in an unpopular war'. Some heroes... Read More

How Entrepreneurs Succeed - The 5 Qualities Needed For Business Success

What is it that sets a successful businessperson apart from an average businessperson? Is it down to pure and simple luck, or is it all about having an amazing idea and a successful and strategic business plan in place?Well, these factors do indeed go a long way to turning a... Read More

Questions For The Entrepreneur To Be

Entrepreneurial e-gnorancePart 1: Questions for the entrepreneur to beIf you are an entrepreneur starting out, or have been around the block for some time but are yet to hit on the jackpot, you might be missing out some of the cornerstones of doing busingg through the new age media, the... Read More

Entrepreneurs, Are You Hauling Buckets?

Once upon a time, there was a village on the banks of a fine, clear river. The villagers all drew their water from the river, and used it to cook, and bathe and water their gardens. Life was good.During one particular rainy season, the river flooded. When the water went... Read More

Franchises-Exit Strategy

At an International Franchising Symposium in London, Peter Holt made the bold statement to his audience of Franchisors that they needed to understand that their business would fail, and in fact all businesses are bound for failure. Needless to say, there were a few shocked faces in the crowd. He... Read More

100% of Nothing

What would it be worth to you to receive a steady stream of new customers with little or no effort on your part? Would you be willing to pay 10% of the revenue they generate? 20%? 50%? Or do you believe that you can't afford to pay anything?During a recent... Read More

Meet Success: Business Profile of Sylvia Acevedo, Communicard Owner

Sylvia Acevedo needed a break from her technology job so she bought an old Victorian house to remodel into a bed and breakfast. "Being an engineer working in technology, I really felt I didn't do a lot of tangible work. But with the bed and breakfast, at the end of... Read More

Traits and Skills of Successful Internet Entrepreneurs

There are certain traits and skills that many successful online entrepreneurs have in common. Some mentioned in this article may seem simple, but don't overlook their importance.You may not personally be strong in all areas, but you can get by as long as you can delegate tasks that call for... Read More

Entrepreneurship: Insight and Closer Look At The Entrepreneur

Life as an entrepreneur is the American Dream. To be able to be your own boss, own your own business, never report to anyone else, work from home, make unlimited earnings and income potential, etc. Owning your own business most definitely has its perks. But on the other hand, there... Read More

Rx for Falling Corporate Profits

Once again the squeeze is on as renewed inflation worries slow the economy's growth and many companies resort to believing that cost cutting is the best means to scramble back to profitability in an uncertain economy. The problem with this classic approach is that it sends the clear message to... Read More

Top Ten Ways to Increase Your Profitability

1) Go back to basics. Take a couple of steps back and address the fundamental facts or principles of your business. Going back to basics can mean cleaning the slate and focusing on basic elements that create success.2) Come from a place of Integrity. As the saying goes " Honesty... Read More

Does It Really Take Money To Make Money (Online or Offline)? A Reality-Check of 2 Case Studies

The short and simple answer to this question is NO!Now, before you start screaming that I am crazy, out of my mind, have lost my marbles and all the other things that generally get tossed around when someone has the nerve to state something like that, let me clear a... Read More

... in Pursuing the American Dream

This morning I woke up at 4:30 in the morning, as usual, poured myself a cup of coffee, as usual, and thought about what my son said to me yesterday evening. You see, he's 2 1/2 years old and talking quite well, for his age. When I came home from... Read More

Your Company Needs A Mission Statement; Make It Count

Does anyone remember that book "Built to Last" done y the Stanford class and professor? Well change that to "Built to Merge." My grandfather was personal friends with Bill Hewlett and David Packard and I bet they would not have wanted this merger with Compaq either. It is interesting that... Read More

Envisioneering

It never ceases to amaze me. Almost everyone peers into the future through a rear-view mirror. The future is imagined as a continuation of the past. I suppose there is a certain security in that; much like a padded cell. Hardly anyone practices creative envisioneering.To be an envisioneer, you must:... Read More

Fear of Failure

Of all the real or perceived impediments to success, the biggest is the fear of failure. Certainly, there are often many other obstacles to overcome, but it is this one phantom that prevents most people from even attempting to create the success they imagine that they want.And, in most cases,... Read More

10 Tips for Would-be Entrepreneurs

Every evening as the sun sets beyond the mangroves that line the shore along the western bank of Lake Myakka, Florida, herds of wild deer and wild black pigs come down to the water's edge to drink and slake their thirst.I have seen them up close and it is a... Read More

Raising Capital for Your Business ? How Long Does it Take?

Most companies vastly underestimate the time commitment necessary to successfully complete a financing. In actuality, a company seeking financing needs to budget between 500 to 1000 work-hours to the capital-raising process, spread out over a 6-9 month time period.The key processes in the capital-raising process include 1) perfecting the business... Read More

Cross Polination of Innovations in the Cleaning Industry

According to the latest edition of Pool and Spa news; the costs of maintaining a pool, maintenance service averages about $30.00 to $150 per month depending on competition, size of pool and area you live in. This seems similar to maintenance costs associated with cleaning of the family cars if... Read More

Creativity & Entrepreneurship: The Creative Evolution of an Intellectual Property©

In each of us, there is a creative spark - a unique purpose and destiny for which we are born. Most of us have forgotten what that special gift is, or we are afraid to live it. My successful secret formula as outlined in my seminars, e-book and CD's will... Read More

Creativity & Entrepreneurship: The Secret to Discovering Your Purpose in Life!©

Hello Creative Entrepreneurs!In the second course on Creativity & Entrepreneurship we begin with a guided meditation that I created entitled: Dream Keeper-Gift Giver©. You ask: what in the world does this mean? Well, it's a very profound secret I discovered about myself fifteen years ago. After doing a lot of... Read More

Success Secrets - What I, Mike Litman Learned From This Old Book

Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day in New York and yes, I spent it alone :}.My wife left for lunch with some old friends at 11:30 and a bunch of my friends were busy.It was the first real nice day in New York in months, so I grabbed a few... Read More

Strategies for Overcoming Obstacles to Discovering Your Gifts

What are the unique gifts that differentiate you from other solo entrepreneurs? The path to discovering your gifts may take a lifetime, but you can use the exploration process to begin to use your gifts NOW! Unfortunately, for many different reasons people get sidetracked or never even get started... Read More

Boundary Setting 101 for Solo Entrepreneurs

Select the best response to the statement below:As a solo entrepreneur, setting boundaries is all about?.a. Having a conversation with the neighbor after she takes your parking space.b. Telling the kids what time to go to bed on a school night.c. Reminding friends and family to not drop by when... Read More

Increase Profits with No Pain, No Change Approach

Implementing changes, even when they're good for your business, can be tough. As the old adage goes, old habits die hard and it's just as true in business as it is in our personal lives. It's simply easier to take the path of no resistance and revert back to doing... Read More

About Ending Competition

1. Why should I not compete with others?The very concept of "competition" is fear based. Somehow you are telling yourself that you have to "beat" the competition, or "take" a certain share of the marketplace, or "win over" a certain person. In reality, there is no other exactly like you,... Read More

Delivery Companies Make the Grade

In the United States we have the most efficient delivery service companies in the world. This is because the free market competitive system has pushed entrepreneurs to become more efficient to make more profit and to keep costs down. More and more products are now delivered right to your door.... Read More

Success Secret - How To Find Million Dollar Opportunities

They're really are powerful million dollar opportunites everywhere.Ok, let me explain.I jumped on a flight to Miami late yesterday for some business stuff and I do what I always do:Grab as many new business magazines as I can possibly find for the trip.I have to admit, a few hours to... Read More

PTO; Justification of the Means and the Ends

Some would say about certain issues that the means do not justify the ends. Well more often the ends do not justify the means. For instance if you are trying to accomplish something and know that if you do use the most approved PC methods then you cannot get to... Read More

Abstract Business Marketing Strategy for the Entrepreneur

If you look at those Corporations in franchising today you see the great companies that use these systems to move markets and deliver products and services to America. Franchising is obviously a power play in the marketing strategy game book. General Motors uses the franchise system or special teams, dealerships,... Read More

Salon Marketing Using Wireless Broadband Internet Access

Our client in Chicago did, located right outside downtown too...a right competitive area. Everbody's looking for some kind of edge and we found it for them. Want to hear...the rest of the story.Just in case your wondering it doesn't have to be a major city or suburb, because it worked... Read More

The Secrets to Becoming a Successful Creative Entrepreneur: JJK Secrets #19-21

Hello Creative Entrepreneurs!Welcome to the e-class on Creativity & Entrepreneurship: The Creative Evolution of an Intellectual Property©Let's start with the thought for the day:When you find the destiny for which you were born, all you need to bring is your courage, your honor and your commitment! From the movie North... Read More

The Dirty Dozen

1) No Umbrella Business Plan or Strategy -- Without a plan, there's no serious way to gauge the growth and progress of your business. You need a realistic map for where the customers will come from and where your business is going. You also need a plan to bail you... Read More

Bonsai Marketing

Site location analysis of regional service areas and planning for mobile businesses is just as important as choosing a fixed site for any business. The region must be scouted out whether you are simply adding another service unit or deciding to open an entire new marketing area. Now, assuming that... Read More

Making the Financial Transition

Making the financial transition from paid employment to earning a living on your own is probably the single biggest challenge facing many would be entrepreneurs. For most, the mere thought of financial insecurity holds them back from even trying. But if you have the vision, persistence and the ability to... Read More

7 Small Business and Self Employed Law of Attraction Principles For Success

It is widely held that one of the most important ingredients in small business success is perseverance. Deciding on a strategy and sticking with it. I would agree but you need to be clear that the strategy is in alignment with your passion in business and your natural action and... Read More

How To Get More Clients and Customers; Dont Sell Be of Service

Whether you are just starting your business or focusing on growing it, I'm sure you are like most small business owners you are looking for ways to get more clients and customers. There is a lot of information out there on selling, persuasion tactics, and gimmicks to get people to... Read More

Answering Why You, Why Now Critical in a Winning Business Plan

Business plans continue to be an essential element of the capital-raising process. They must convince investors to take notice ? investors that are shrewder today due to the ups-and-downs they have experienced over the past few years.Adding to the financing challenge is the plethora of high-quality companies, both public and... Read More

From Employee to Entrepreneur: Taking the Plunge

Before you decide whether or not running your own business is right for you, start by pinpointing your area of expertise and assessing your aptitude for business.Starter Questions Ask yourself the following questions:- In what areas do people approach me for advice and assistance? From what parts of my job... Read More

What Online Millionaires Tell Me They Are Worried About

I just arrived back from the best seminar I have ever attended in the last 10-years.There were more "Underground" millionaires at Yanik Silver's "Underground" seminar than I've ever had access to at one time ever!Upon arrival, we had to sign Non Disclosure Agreements, and for very good reason. These high... Read More

Top 10 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make Before They Even Start

So you want to start a business. You have an idea. Lets say you want to be a carpenter. You print some brochures, some business cards, and take out an ad in the Yellow Pages. You pay $600 for a website and a domain name that tells everyone about your... Read More

5 Habits Of Successful Entrepreneurs

Habits get a bum rap. When you think about your habits, I bet you think of the "bad" ones - the ones that you aren't particularly proud of, like eating too much sugar, or smoking, or dwelling on your negative thoughts. According to Webster's dictionary a habit simply is: A... Read More

The 5 Senses of an Entrepreneur

If you have seen me speak you will know that I believe the word 'entrepreneur' is used way too much these days. People seem to wear it as a badge instead of just getting out there and doing entrepreneurial things. Just because you run or own a successful business doesn't... Read More

Business Start Up Tips From Some Hearty Entrepreneurs

When's the last time someone asked you: "What's new?" If you're starting or growing a business, an e-business, or a web site, the answer is: "Everything!" ? especially on the inside.Face it, launching a new enterprise ? or taking it to the next level ? can sometimes feel scary and... Read More

Creativity & Entrepreneurship - Key Questions From My Students

Hello Creative Entrepreneurs!Thought for the day:"It is not easy being an entrepreneur, but it is always rewarding. It takes great discipline, self-motivation, hard work and perseverance to achieve your dream. Never, ever give up! Live, love and fight for YOUR passion!" JJKIn my seminars and teleseminars I aways encourage my... Read More

Vendor Relations

Communication is the key to vendor relations. In your small business, you will be in need of many products and services. Unfortunately, not every company that provides these products and services will have their act together as much as you do. You, as a small businessperson, were able to carefully... Read More

Is Running a Business for You?

Not everyone is cut out to run a business. Not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur. It takes a special talent. Some owners of small businesses have it and some don't.Before you invest time, energy and money, it's important to do some serious self-analysis. In business, there are... Read More

Leadership Attributes for Business Success

Business success is essentially the result of successful leadership. Contrary to the popular myth, leaders are not just born. Leadership skills can be learnt and developed. A business is a distinct reflection of the leader, who may be the owner or manager. A business is never successful despite the leader,... Read More

Empathy - Not Business Plans - Key to Your Home Based Business Success - Do You Have Empathy?

EMPATHY is a Natural Talent, you were born with it and you will never loose it. It can be a blessing or a curse in a home based business. If you develop it, it can make you a Millionaire. Mary Kay, of Mary Kay cosmetics, did just that. If you... Read More

Competing With The Big Dogs

You run a small consultancy. You're well qualified, experienced and dedicated. Yet you can't get a meeting with the corporate decision-maker.Your proposal was a work of art. You provided exactly what the client needed, plus a ton of added value. Yet the business went to a well-known firm offering a... Read More

Drive Website Traffic Unconventionally, Force Your Children To Do It

If you believe that every little bit helps then keep reading...For the past two summers my son has dabbled in entrepreneurialism.He started by mowing lawns, what kid hasn't done that? It's time tested and money in the bank. (The grass always keeps growing...unless you live in the arctic.)Last summer we... Read More

Independent Auto Detail Shop VS Biz Op or Franchise

Owning a detail shop can be an exciting and rewarding business indeed. Many times an owner of an independent Detailing Shop will wish to add those items he/she believes their customers want. Since an independent detail shop is not a franchise or affiliate they can try new things and do... Read More

Entrepreneurial Excerpt from a Speech to Small Business

Having built a business from a bucket of water and sponge, which started over 25 years ago in a National Franchise chain in 23 states, I feel comfortable discussing entrepreneurship.While building my company in the beginning we learned the value of grass roots marketing, being involved in the community and... Read More

Staying Ahead of the Perils, Excerpt of Entrepreneurial Motivation Speech

Running a business is not an easy endeavor, it takes courage, hard work and a strategic mindset. I feel now that I am retired looking back on it all, that it is my duty to provide to new entrepreneurs a few of the secrets of how to get things done.... Read More

Entrepreneurial Ongoing Education Advice

I would like to give some advice to all the up and coming entrepreneurs; if you really want to be a superstar not only do you have to work harder and smarter than the competition, but you must always keep learning. I built a company from a bucket of water... Read More

Entrepreneurship Story; Over Regulation in Franchising Part I

Jim and Sally run a successful auto business, which they have built up over two decades and have expanded to three stores and many of their friends keep saying, "You should Franchise." They think about this for about five years read a few books, like "Franchising for Dummies," The "E-Myth",... Read More

Entrepreneurship Story; Over Regulation in Franchising Final Chapter

Sally and Jim have launched their automotive franchise business and are now selling franchises; problems arise as lawyers and over regulation threaten to ruin their life's work, see how it ends; tragedy or success. A realistic story of modern day franchising. . .Sally says "well we do not need to... Read More

Business Startup Checklist

Use this comprehensive checklist to plan each step of your new business and transform your dream of entrepreneurship into reality. These steps may not necessarily be completed in the order listed, however, you can use them as a guideline for completing all of the necessary business startup tasks.___ Determine what... Read More

How to Be an Entrepreneur and Keep Your Sanity

Define for yourself what an Entrepreneur is:What makes you think you can start and grow a business?Do you make something that people just have to have?Are you talented in a way that make you stand out from the crowd?What makes you different from Joe Schmoe?Conduct a quick skills assessment and... Read More

Chairman Greenspan and the FED, learn more you will be glad you did

So many people work their whole life to make money, but they know so little about out monetary system. They know so little about the Federal Reserve Bank and so very little about the brilliant minds, which make it all work. To get a better insight to the behind the... Read More

History of Enterprise Car Rentals

So few really understand the drives and motivations of entrepreneurs. Many write about them, some lecture and teach about what they are, how they operate and what they have achieved; yet so few really understand them. So many fail to realize the dedication and sacrifice it takes to win at... Read More

Prescription for the Future and Technological Revolutions

The world sure has changed in the last two-decades hasn't it? When I started out in business, there were no cell phones, fax machines, computers, etc. And I am not that old, having just retired at age 40. Indeed, in the better part of two-decades everything changed. And it is... Read More

Be An Entrepreneurial Artist: Paint A Picture, then Commit It to Canvas

James had an original concept and he needed an investor. He had a compelling business idea that was a sure winner with the right financial backing. James painted a great picture of the vision he had for his business, but there was just one problem: James wanted to be a... Read More

The Visionary Entrepreneur

Any success you have in life must begin with a vision. A vision is the ability to see what others cannot see. It is being able to have a picture in your mind of exactly the result you intend to produce. The visionary entrepreneur is able to see exactly what... Read More

Oil Change Guys History; Part I

How do franchise companies come to be? How do they start. What type of a person or entrepreneur becomes a franchisor? Below is the story of how one small company became a franchisor in the mobile oil change business. The story is written from our point of view and opinion.... Read More

Oil Change Guys History; Part II

Franchise companies are not born they are made and when studying the history of franchise companies, it is amazing how similar they really are. To continue this story we are in the height of the Dot Com Bubble with money flowing in Silicon Valley and personal services and labor is... Read More

Oil Change Guys History; Part III

Studying the history of franchise companies is interesting is watching all the ways they grew and all the partnerships, vendors and mergers along the way. It is a myriad of deals and team building, which makes it all possible. Continuing Part III of the saga:Mr. Winslow offered to buy an... Read More

Oil Change Guys History; Part IV

One trait of franchisors and something you will find in all their biographies both; official and unofficial is their competitiveness and refusal to give up. Now onto Part IV of our saga:Mr. Winslow met with so many different companies and made so many contacts he was sure he had all... Read More

Double Down on Marketing

If you want to compete in the world of high growth startups, you better know how to play the marketing game. Marketing has become a big stakes game where companies are betting fortunes on the success of their products. Nowadays if you can't play the big marketing game you may... Read More

Identify the Growth Factors

In "The Incredible Hulk", mild-mannered scientist Bruce Banner discovered that when he was exposed to "gamma rays" he was transformed into a massive beast that could ferociously muscle his way to victory in any situation. Other than being disfigured, green, and in nothing but his boxer shorts, the Hulk discovered... Read More

A Startup Never Closes

When it comes to a startup, the luxuries shared with established companies are few and far between. Chief among them is the luxury to close at the end of the day. Big companies have the benefits of capital, customers and receivables. Startups, on the other hand, have jack squat. They... Read More

Be Where the Pucks Going To Be

The "Great One" said it bestHockey legend Wayne Gretzky, when asked how he was always on the puck before anyone else, pointed out that he was by no means the fastest skater on the ice. Instead he explained that he always just focused on skating toward where the puck was... Read More

Learn how to Compress Time

In the popular 1980's movie "Dune," man learned that by "folding space" the distance between two points shortened and he could cover those distances faster. Around 1995, we found a substance that could bend time in the business community -- it was called Venture Capital. With enough of it, we... Read More

The Magic of Float

If you've ever received a service today and paid for it in 30 days you've experienced the concept of "float" ? the time difference between when you receive a service and when you paid for it. In most cases this time period is a convenience to you as a customer,... Read More

The Power Of Personal Environments

I've got to admit, I'm a big fan of comfort. I like it when things in my world are stable and reliable. For example, my home is my sanctuary. I live here, and I work here. I like it to reflect peace, order and beauty, so when a messy remodeling... Read More

Entrepreneurial Hate, its out there

Today, I got an email from a lady who hates all business people and entrepreneurs, because they are Greedy, Arrogant and a Host of other atrocities. She was replying to an article I wrote about entrepreneurs and how they bring to the civilization; everything you see, everywhere you go and... Read More

Starting Your Business By The Book

I've gotten several questions recently about the legalities of starting a business. So, this week I thought I would address a few of the more common legal issues most new businesses face. But first, let's get the mandatory legal disclaimer out of the way: the advice dispensed by this columnist... Read More

Near-death Experience is the Mother of Invention for Two Dallas Electricians

To morning commuters, the hulking truck encircled with barricades and traffic cones may be nothing more than a road-clogging nuisance.For Kerem Tepecik and Dale Vith, two men who've made a good living by changing light bulbs forty feet above the pavement, the so-called "bucket truck" is more ominous."Every time I... Read More

Coating Service Business Case Study

There are many coating businesses in the market today, but have you ever asked yourself how one gets into this line of work? How they are formed or what prompts someone or some entrepreneur to go out and start a business to fill this niche? Well this is an interesting... Read More

The Entrepreneurial Difference

Who would ever have imagined that going door-to-door in my neighborhood selling figs from a bright orange shopping cart would have been my entrepreneurial beginnings? I surely did not. But, now that I look back and also look around me at other business owners, I see clearly that so many... Read More

Find Me the Expert on This!

Many people who set up as consultants never make more than a minimal living. They get some clients who like them, but are so dependent on these few businesses that the resignation of a key contact can destroy their business for months ahead.The problem? They're nice folks who do a... Read More

Getting Rich Isnt a Bad Idea

You've seen plenty of articles claiming to offer you the secret to getting rich. Some ideas, however, are thin veneers covering some scheme that often involves multi-level marketing or a service with questionable intents.Recently I discovered a site and an individual who, well, tells it like it is. When you... Read More

An Entrepreneur and a Life To Be Remembered

I was reminded of my own mortality today. I guess you can say I had a near death experience, though the death I experienced was not my own.No, I was never in any danger, nor was my life ever threatened. In fact, I was sitting in the air conditioned comfort... Read More

Which Niche To Conquer?

I'm sure that you've heard about how many start up companies fail when they first begin, and the reason that most (if not all) of their failures is because they don't create a good fountain to build on.If we start right, it is easy to go right all the time.... Read More

Corporate Espionage in Franchising

Franchising Trade Journals do not do well, because today with all the industry regulations only about 1800 active franchise actually exist in the US. Down sharply over the past five years. Why? Over-regulation. Now you have a Bank Cooperative, which owns a company that collect data, FranData of Uniform Franchise... Read More

Cut to the Quick - What is an Entrepreneur? The Inside Story

Enjoying the title of entrepreneur is a hollow feeling.If you have ever been out of work and joined a multi level marketing outfit, or joined the ranks of "commission only" sales reps you are considered to be an entrepreneur.I call it hollow, because the word resonates within us on some... Read More

Expand Your Resourcefullness!

The success and failure for the entrepreneur is largely dictated by the ability to gain access to resources, both personal as well as those of others.So the big question is then 'how does one become more resourceful?' Like many of the skills of the entrepreneur, resourcefulness requires constant cultivation. However,... Read More

What Qualities Do Franchisors Need?

When I got into business I wanted to build a company, which helped people and provide a product and service that people loved and were willing to pay for; one I would not have to sell or convince anyone of. Something that people truly wanted to extend and enhance their... Read More

Achievements Outweigh Education and Experience

Q: When it comes to succeeding in business, which do you think is more important: education or experience? -- Regina M.A: Regina, have you seen the television show, Fear Factor? If you haven't seen it you've probably heard about it. Fear Factor is the show where they put contestants through... Read More

Do You Have What It Takes To Be An Entrepreneur?

Q: I am interested in starting my own business. I have a business degree and lots of experience in my chosen field, but I don't know if I have the necessary skills to really make it on my own. Any advice? Marie C.A: You've hit the nail on the head,... Read More

Securing Second and Third-round Venture Capital Financing

Widget sales are booming ? the competition is scrambling, demand is up, and the books are finally treading water. Your core management team has big ideas for the future of Widget Inc. Opportunity is abundant; but how will you fund that next big leap?As your start-up matures, obtaining second- or... Read More

Self-Esteem and the Entrepreneur

Isn't it funny how people think that being self-employed is so cool? They think that you get to take lots of vacation time and spend all of the profits. What they don't realize is that you put in outrageous amounts of blood, sweat, and tears to get there. They don't... Read More

If It Was Easy Everybody Would Do It

Q: I started my business about a year ago and everything is going fine. We're growing and making a profit, but the stress of running the business is really starting to get to me. I spend more time worrying than working. Sometimes the pressure is almost more than I can... Read More

Entrepreneurs Just Get Better With Age

Q: I'm thinking about starting a business after I retire next month. I'll be 65. Am I too old to start a business? -- Milton A.A: Milton, congratulations on your pending retirement. I find it admirable that after many years of hard work you are thinking about starting a business.... Read More

Opportunity Does Not Knock

Q: I'm graduating this year with a degree in business and would like to start my own business rather than get a corporate job. I have a few business ideas, but none of them really gets me excited. Should I just put my business plans on hold and get a... Read More

Veteran Entrepreneurs Are Growing In Ranks

When I'm not running my own business, writing articles about business, speaking to groups and organizations about business, or consulting with companies who want my advice about the running of their business, I teach a weekly class on the subject of (care to guess?) starting and running a business.To quote... Read More

How Good Is Your Big Idea

Q: I want to start my own business. I have tons of business ideas that all sound great to me, but my husband is not so sure. He says that we need to figure out a way to test my ideas to pick the one that has the best chance... Read More

Before the Business Plan

Purveyors of conventional wisdom would have you believe that the very first thing you ought to do when setting up a new business is to create a business plan.It doesn't matter whether you are selling odds and ends on eBay from your living room or something larger and more complex,Business... Read More

Do You Have What It Takes?

I think it's fair to say that not everyone is cut out to be a successful business owner, now some of you maybe disputing this statement but hear me out.I'm not saying that if you put a person in the perfect business environment that they won't succeed but how often... Read More

The Danger Of Hate

As you have shown an interest in starting a business of your own it would be safe to assume that you want to change your life. You want more money - more control over your life - more respect. But just as we each have a dream, we also have... Read More

Entrepreneurs Ask: As a Novice Entrepreneur, How Can I Feel Less Overwhelmed?

Great question! Overwhelm is very common even among the most veteran entrepreneurs, so take solace in the fact that you are not alone. With the ever-increasing numbers of new entrepreneurial endeavors, and therefore new entrepreneurs, there are many who are experiencing the very same feelings as you.So, Tool 1 is... Read More

Ex-Yankee Pitcher Pitches Barter As Powerful Business Tool

Mission Viejo, CA - June 14, 2005 - Bob Meyer, a former major league pitcher in the 1960s who signed four-consecutive major league contracts with the New York Yankees, is now the most visible spokesman for the worldwide commercial barter industry.Meyer is the publisher of BarterNews, which he founded 25... Read More

CHINESE TAKE-OUT: Oriental Business Principles Demystified For Online Enterprises

"The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools." - ConfuciusChinese people are well-renowned for their industriousness and extraordinary minds for business. Cases of our Chinese brothers failing in their ventures are very rare. They have effective principles that have... Read More

Could a Non-Profit Structure Be Right for Your Business?

If you have a business idea, or an idea for a service for your community, there's one decision you must make early on: are you going to structure your project as a for-profit business, or as a non-profit corporation?Now, it may be that you already have a clear idea about... Read More

Determine Your Niche & Be Successful

What's a niche?Dictionary.com provides a great, twofold definition:"A situation or activity specially suited to a person's interests, abilities, or nature." "A special area of demand for a product or service."It's safe to say you will be most successful and fulfilled in business if you provide a product or service that... Read More

Financing Your Business

Anyone who is serious about making some money is already very well aware of the fact that it takes some type of investment to make this happen. I've read a lot of copy that suggests one can build a business for free, if they are willing to spend an extra... Read More

Profile of Women Leaders

Leadership is based on two words, "pressure and support"and that the leadership is the power to influence people to move in a direction that you believe in your heart is a good direction for most people" (Fennell, 1999, p. 267). Adams and Yoder noted that "evidence from contemporary studies on... Read More

The Ideal Length of Your Business Plan

How long should a business plan be? A business plan needs to be whatever length is required to excite the investor, prove that management truly understands the market, and detail the execution strategy. From surveys of investor needs, Growthink has found that 15 to 25 pages of text is the... Read More

How To Start a New Business

While it is tempting to just leap into a new business because of it's exciting possibilities, a few key planning points will vastly increase your chances of success. These steps aren't difficult, but they're easy to skip. Many businesses ultimately depend on a slim profit margin, so planning can really... Read More

Two Types of Business Plan Executive Summaries

Companies seeking capital often ask how long the Executive Summary of their business plan should be. The answer depends upon the use of the summary, mainly determining if 1) it precedes the full business plan, or 2) it will be used as a stand-alone document.When the Executive Summary precedes the... Read More

When Your Business Feels Like an Arranged Marriage

Q. I was laid off six months ago. Jobs in my field are scarce so I moved to a new town to start a home business. People have paid me for everything from website maintenance to pet sitting.But the money seems to be small and slow. And frankly, I really... Read More

My Nemisis

Living in the twilight zone has its advantages. In the early days of starting my business, I found the limitations of living in a rural area to be restrictive. However, later I realized that those limitations were not an obstacle that could stop me; they were only a challenge that... Read More

Pre-Money vs. Post-Money Valuation

When a company decides that it must raise capital, a key question that must be answered is how much the company is worth. For example, if the business needs $500,000 to get started and/or grow, how much of the equity in that company should $500,000 command? Once this question is... Read More

The Term Sheet?s Role in Raising Venture Capital

Entrepreneurs and companies who are seeking venture capital often negotiate with one or more venture capital firms on a number of important issues. These issues include the amount of capital to be raised, the investment terms, etc. The document which summarizes these terms is known as a "term sheet."The term... Read More

How A Woman Became A Successful Bill Collector In A Mans Industry And How You Can Too!

I have worked in the credit industry for over 17 years now. When I first started out, I only knew a very few women in the industry. That number has grown over the years, but not by much. Being a bill collector has always been categorized as a "man's industry".When... Read More

Entrepreneurial Business Plan The Down And Dirty Way

Does the idea of running your own business sound exciting? Do you have a business up and running and want to take it to the next level?After coaching hundreds of entrepreneurs at various stages of their evolution, I've found that the answers to these 5 questions can make or break... Read More

Documenting Partnerships in Your Business Plan

Forging partnerships to improve market penetration has become commonplace, particularly for "new economy" businesses. And, most companies proudly mention their many partnerships in their business plans.The fact is that, regardless of whom the partnership is with, partnerships by themselves are meaningless. What are meaningful are the terms of the partnership.... Read More

The 7 Major Reasons Businesses Fail and How to Overcome Them

This year, over 800,000 of the approximately 2,000,000 start up businesses will fail!Nearly 1,000,000 of those remaining will fail within 3 years. Why do so many businesses fail? Many studies show that approximately 98% of all failures occur because of the owners. The other 2% are a result of acts... Read More

5?4?3? 2...1?

A streak dating back more than three decades came to an end at midnight on New Year's Eve. For the first time since 1972, as America rang in 2005, "America's Oldest Living Teenager" was not in Times Square to count down the dropping of the giant ball. The 75-year-old host... Read More

Do You Want to Just Survive or Thrive? (Part 1)

You've probably heard this, or maybe you will relate to this personally. Have you ever arrived somewhere and wondered, "How did I get here?" or "Why am I here?"Have you ever wondered if you've missed the boat (with your family on it)?Life is a battle that must be fought if... Read More

Territory Limitations Policies for Franchised Companies

All franchised companies must have Territory Limitations to maintain the peace within their systems. Often the unspoken ethics of territory limitations are blurred with mobile, home based or online franchise companies. Territory limitations in fixed site franchises are fairly cut and dry. There is your store, no other stores will... Read More

The Use of Common Stock in Venture Capital Transactions

When raising capital for a business venture, a company can either raise debt capital, equity capital or a combination of the two. Debt capital is money loaned to the company at an agreed interest rate for a fixed time period. Conversely, equity capital is money invested by owners (shareholders) for... Read More

Six Steps to Guarantee Your Business Success

Many of us slave away for years for one uninspiring company after another and dream of the day when we can sack the boss and go it alone.If you're contemplating starting your own business then I'm here cheering you on from the sidelines because the best decision I ever made... Read More

Go Slow to Go Fast - Why Over 80% Of High Tech Startups Fail And What To Do About It

With billions of dollars of venture capital residing down the street on Sand Hill Road, two Stanford professors are attempting to answer a fundamental question "why does it always take longer and cost more to build a hi-tech company than anyone ever expects?" For all the intellect, experience and graduate... Read More

Why Most CEOs & Entrepreneurs Fail?

Times are tough. The economy is in a constant state of upheaval. Is your company doing better than most? Are you placing greater emphasis on pure performance?If you haven't maybe it's time for a serious round of intense corporate soul searching. But do you know how?Business consultant Chet Holmes says... Read More

The Perfect Little Coffee Shop: Are You Afraid of Failure? Are You Letting that Failure Cripple You

Ah, coffee, the drink of choice when I want to share a special moment with friends, when I want to sit and ponder life or when I want a moment alone. I am an avid coffee drinker. I love coffee and I love the atmosphere of a good coffee house,... Read More

Are You An Entrepreneur?

With all the buzz about everybody being an entrepreneur these days wouldn't it be nice if you could really find out if you have what it takes?Sure it would.The following profile was adopted over a period of several years of research from successful entrepreneurs worldwide to assist would-be entrepreneurs determine... Read More

How to Start a Franchise

Franchising InformationFranchise oppotunities are all around us today. You may pop into Starbucks for coffee and then head for lunch at MacDonalds before returning home and ordering your dinner from another local franchise, Pizza Hut. Many of the most popular outlets you visit may be franchises as they offer the... Read More

New Rules

Last week I was working with one of my small business clients, a bright and dynamic woman who's passionate about positioning her artisan business for growth. We were talking about her financial picture and forecasting robust sales over the next three years.As I coached her, she expressed excitement and eagerness... Read More

Face The Fear, Ladies

Okay, I'll begin by telling you that I've been divorced for about 5 years, have an amazing family and by anyone's standards, I have a wonderful life.I worked in the film industry for almost 9 years for my ex-husband's company. But when we split, I had the dire task of... Read More

Enterprising Route is to Go Your Own Way

DON'T talk to me about education for entrepreneurs. They're pouring far too much public money into it already - not counting the millions some well-known Scottish entrepreneurs are prepared to waste on it.And all because far too few of our youngsters these days are prepared to attend the University of... Read More

Designing a Comprehensive Franchise Company Computer System

One of the most important management tools a franchised company needs is a great computer system. The system must integrate with all the franchised outlets and also be able to interface with the Corporate HQ computer system. There are many companies which have already set up specialty IT systems for... Read More

Mobile Car Washing Long Term Opportunities in the Market

The long-term outlook for the Mobile Car Washing industry is positive. It is ripe for savvy company to develop regionally or nationally to dominate the market. Currently in the mobile car wash industry there is no well-known companies as is the case with other service businesses such as Domino's Pizza,... Read More

Franchisor Sample Grand Opening Launch for New Franchised Outlets

It is paramount that all franchising companies work hard in the critical launching of all franchises in their new territories. In this present period most franchisees come into the franchise systems with much personal debt and barely squeak by on their initial capital needed. One major error or mistake and... Read More

Message to Prospective Franchisees for Franchisors

Many franchise companies fail to send the proper message to their prospective franchisees. This is partly due to the over regulation and intensity of litigation in the industry. Smaller franchisors are generally hurt the most from these factors and consumer or buyers of their American Dream seem to feel slighted... Read More

Franchising Companies Need New Franchisee Checklists

When franchise companies are moving fast in the market place they must pay attention to the details. If a franchisor fails to give the required items as outlined in the franchise agreement to the franchisees on the prescribed timeline they risk legal issues and regulatory issues. In addition even if... Read More

Differentiation Strategies for Franchise Companies

With the growing number of franchise offerings recently it is difficult for the smallest franchise companies to compete. They generally do not have the advertising budgets to pick and choose which markets the franchise prospects will be calling from. Many rely solely on Internet Marketing; unfortunately 80% of such leads... Read More

What is Entrepreneurship?

In discussing entrepreneurship and writing articles on the subject, I have found that it aids understanding when we begin by agreeing on exactly what the word means to us.Entrepreneurship is the process of creating or seizing an opportunity, and pursuing it regardless of the resources currently controlled. The American Heritage... Read More

What Makes a Person an Entrepreneur?

Entrepreneurship is generally characterized by some type of innovation, a significant investment, and a strategy that values expansion. The entrepreneur is often quite different in mindset from a manager, who is generally charged with using existing resources to make an existing business run well. The roles of entrepreneur and manager... Read More

The Risks of Entrepreneurship

The "spark" for many entrepreneurs is seeing an opportunity that doesn't yet exist. Ted Turner, for example, launched CNN because he perceived that people wanted more television news than they were being offered. It took a lot of patience on Turner's part to realize the vision, but he had read... Read More

Business Ideas

Richard Branson, billionaire founder of Virgin Records and Virgin Atlantic Airlines, may be better known for his efforts to circle the globe in a hot-air balloon than for his business successes. He suggests that "Being an adventurer and an entrepreneur are similar? You're willing to go where most people won't... Read More

The Business Leader as Ultramarathoner

Have you ever heard of an ultramarathon? A standard marathon is just over 26 miles. An ultramarathon is usually on the order of 50 or 100 miles, though there are some that span one thousand! Imagine the endurance required to run such a race.Running a business requires the kind of... Read More

Lets Not Forget About The Little Guy

Every business has to start somewhere. What truly makes this country great is the freedom of enterprenuership that every one of its citizens have. Capitalism at its best signifies the power of a single person to reach monumental goals and turning a simple idea into a huge corporation. But in... Read More

Evaluating an Opportunity

Business opportunities are often based on broad trends, such as:? demographic, such as the "graying" of America (creating opportunities in health services, for example);? sociological developments, like the "green" movement, with its emphasis on recycling and environmental sensitivity, and;? cultural changes caused by changing economic conditions and technological developments.Opportunities can... Read More

Motivation and Commitment

Why do people start small businesses? The most frequently cited motivation for business start-ups is to allow the entrepreneur to achieve independence; money is secondary. Is this surprising? The other reasons named most often are that an opportunity presented itself, a person took over the family business, or the person... Read More

Selecting a Venture

The basic rule is simple: "Find a market need and fill it!" The process of finding the need, and the method chosen to fill it are where the difficulties arise.Based on our opportunity scan, does the market need a product or service that is not currently being provided? Is there... Read More

The Role of Statistics in Prospect Modeling

Identifying prospects has come a long way since the days of simple list buying. With the hype flying fast and furious, sometimes it's difficult to sort out truth from fiction and to put things in the proper perspective. Without worshipping buzzwords, however, two of the most important developments in recent... Read More

Venture Capital Negotiating Issues

When companies enter into negotiations with venture capital firms, there are several issues which need to be defined and agreed upon. This article describes the key issues.Valuation. Valuation is the most prominent negotiating issues. Valuation is the price of the company in which the venture capitalist invests. Valuation determines what... Read More

The Business and Life You Want to Build

In the early days of my first consulting business, I knew I needed some sort of plan to give me the greatest chance at success. I took many a wrong step, yet in the end I managed to put a solid business together.I had learned through bitter experience that forming... Read More

An Entrepreneurs Challenge

Living in the twilight zone has its advantages. In the early days of starting my business, I found the limitations of living in a rural area to be restrictive. However, later I realized that those limitations were not an obstacle that could stop me; they were only a challenge that... Read More

Competitive Edge

In his book, The Road Ahead, Bill Gates of Microsoft writes of "friction-free capitalism" made possible by developments in communications, chief among them the Internet and its World Wide Web. In this context, "friction" is everything that keeps markets from functioning as the "perfect competition" of economics textbooks. This friction... Read More

Business Planning Overview

The successful entrepreneur is generally more inclined, once a business idea is selected, to sharpen the concept by a detailed planning process. The result of this step is a comprehensive business plan, with its major components being the marketing "mix," the strategic plan, operational and logistical structures, and the financial... Read More

Confidence = Preparation + Courage

It always amazes me when I see someone on television holding a press conference ? a lawyer outside a courtroom, a businessperson at the launch of a new product. Reporters ask hardball questions. The answers are given with conviction, without hesitation. The person being questioned exhibits supreme confidence. Where does... Read More

The History of the Franchise Business - Learning about Business Opportunities by Looking at the Past

Hair care has been around as long as humans have been on the planet. The earliest record of personal hair care dates back 2.5 million years ago, when brushes used to create cave paintings in Spain and France were adapted for use in hair grooming. Interestingly, many of the innovations... Read More

Three Cs - What Startups Need to Get a Business Loan, Part 1

You want to get a good, solid overview of what it takes to acquire that business loan you need, especially if you are a startup. The essential element of what the lenders out there require of you can be wrapped up in the acronym, C. C. C. These are...Cash -... Read More

Realism vs. Optimism in the Business Plan

The most important function of a business plan is to create interest among investors so that they write a check. In achieving this goal, business plan writers are often challenged by determining the proper level of optimism in their plan. That is, they must create a compelling story to investors... Read More

How To Find Focus And Turn Your Talent Into A Thriving Professional Business

There are tons of books and articles available to help professionals start up their business, but few that give practical insights on how to nurture your business once it's out of its infancy. At some point, every self-employed professional reaches the same dilemma: how to build a strong brand and... Read More

Why eBay Is A Smart Choice For Entrepreneurs

Attention entrepreneurs: If you think the search for the ultimate moneymaking business opportunity is like searching for a very small needle in a very big internet haystack, then think again!Perhaps you've been searching the worldwide marketplace and are both overwhelmed and frustrated by an endless stream of internet ads promising... Read More

Financial Issues in Business Startup

A primary inhibitor of business start-up is that few people have the financial cushion to give up a job for the uncertain income of a start-up venture. In a recent survey, about 30% of new business founders identified inadequate funding as their biggest hurdle, and a similar amount said lenders... Read More

Used-Book Case Study

Dwight Payne and Gary Heap reside in Santa Barbara, CA, where they attend college and pursue their mutual hobby of science-fiction book collecting. They pooled their book collection of over 4,000 volumes, and sci-fi magazines going back over twenty-five years. All neatly catalogued and indexed, they estimate it would cost... Read More

Start a Business Selling Government Surplus

Did you ever wonder what happens to all that government equipment that is purchased each year by federal, state, and local governments? They don't just throw it away! By law, all unused and out-dated equipment must be sold back to the public at a public auction! That's right. Everything is... Read More

Secrets of My Favorite Government Auction

I love bargains. And there's no better place to find bargains than an auction. And there are no better auctions than government surplus auctions. My favorite government surplus auction takes place the 3rd week of September every year in the County Park. I won't tell you which county park as... Read More

Starting Up and Keeping Going

So you had that fantastic business idea, the one that's going to be wildly successful and make you a fortune - and even better, you actually did something about it and started your own business. Good for you! Not everyone gets even that far. Most people sit and day dream... Read More

Why I Should Go In To Business

Rohit Kochgaway was very upset with his boss for his rebuking him today in office. He was very upset with his job. When he reached home in evening his wife got the penalty for asking to go out in form of bad mood. After one hour at home, he exploded... Read More

Methods of Generating New Ideas for Entrepreneurs

Summary: Even with a wide variety of sources available, coming up with an idea as the basis for a new venture can still be a difficult problem. The entrepreneur can use several methods to help generate and test new ideas including focus groups, brainstorming and problem inventory analysis.The following are... Read More

Rambling Confessions of a Recovering Entrepreneur

I told my family that I finally accepted that my passion had become an ob- session, and you could even call it an addiction. They all laughed. What had taken me 25 years to accept, they had known for years. My wife detected my addiction as early as our honeymoon... Read More

The Deal is in the Details

What Startups Need to Get a Business Loan, Part 2In part 1 of this article, entitled "Three C's", we looked at the overview of startup business loan requirements from the lender's perspective. We read how cash, good credit and sufficient collateral form a joint partnership to enable a loan request... Read More

A Dorm Room With A View

As a senior in high school, he paid cash for a BMW with money made by selling newspapers. In 1983, as a college freshman, he sold custom-made PCs and parts out of his dorm room?hiding them behind his roommate's shower curtain whenever Mom and Dad visited. A year later, with... Read More

Isnt it Time You Started to Fly?

I am going to begin this article by sharing a shocking fact...Did you know that if you opened the door on every single budgie cage around the world (and we are talking a lot of cages here...) fewer than 5% of our imprisoned feathered friends would actually embrace the window... Read More

Playing Hookey Can Help! A Surprising Secret To Small Business Success!

Would you like to increase your chances of business success by 350%? The good news is that you can! Before you start working harder or learning the latest business theories so you can work smarter, try something different. You can increase your chances of success by as much as 350%... Read More

Financial Strategies for Transitioning from Salaried to Solo

7 Financial Strategies for Transitioning from Salaried to SoloA 40's something woman was talking to me the other day about her growing sense of frustration with "working for someone else" and her longing to "do my own thing, drive my own wagon". But, she said with consternation, "I have family... Read More

Judging Entrepreneurial Ideas

Most entrepreneurs constantly come up with new ideas. Whether they are working on another project, driving, or lying in bed, their minds are constantly churning out new products, services and ways of doing things. For these entrepreneurs, the startup challenge shifts from coming up with ideas to choosing which idea... Read More

An Entrepreneurs Biggest Cost

When launching a new product or company, an entrepreneur must consider their biggest cost - the opportunity cost. Opportunity cost is an economic term that is defined as the cost of passing up the next best alternative when making a decision. For instance, if an asset such as capital is... Read More

Work vs Play: Which is the Better Way to Make Big Money?

If you want to make big money, you have to play not to work."What do you mean by that?" You ask.I attended a workshop last weekend and the speaker said if you are serious in making big money, you've got to play, not work.He further explained that if you work,... Read More

For Business SUCCESS... Listen To The Voices of Experience

Discover the pitfalls of owning your own business BEFORE... [you make a BAD choice!]It's really BIG dollars rather than dimes... at least that's my experience over many years. Thousands can be GONE quickly if you fail to plan and work your plan toward success. That said, the first step -... Read More

Identifying the Right Venture Capital Firm Partner

Venture capital firms are comprised of individual partners. These partners make investment decisions and typically take a seat on each portfolio company's Board. Partners tend to invest in what they know, so finding a partner that has past work experience in your industry is very helpful. This relevant experience allows... Read More

Preparing to Outsource

It's important to understand when to add individuals to your business model. Adding a new team member should be an easy transition - that's where organization comes in. Clearly defined processes such as workflow, workspace, filing system, and other key functions in the business should be identified. Structure is one... Read More

The Fear Factor

I recently conducted a lil' survey asking my colleagues what were their biggest fears when thinking about starting a business or running their business. The following are the top three fears that resulted from my survey and some ways to combat them.1. Fear of Failure: But of course? the most... Read More

The Boss is DEAD!

Some of us are born into families with "it", some of us are just driven over the edge to "it", and some of us crave "it", but just haven't figured out how to attain "it." That "it" is an Entrepreneurial Spirit that is a powerful force that can be the... Read More

Business Development: The Basic Ingredients

Cooking isn't much different than building a business. You have the basic ingredients all laid out on the counter and if you put them together in the right way - you have a nice meal to nourish your heart, body, and soul - and the pocket too. With a little... Read More

Street Smarts Vs Book Smarts, What Does It Takes To Be An Entrepreneur

The latest series in "The Apprentice" features 2 distinct group of candidates. One group, who are only high school graduates are termed as "Street Smarts" by Donald Trump whereas, the other group are all college educated with some having MBAs and advanced degrees. They were termed as the "Book Smarts".What... Read More

What Kind of Business Should I Start?

It's not uncommon to reach your 30s, 40s or even 50s and still wonder, "What do I want to be when I grow up?" Few people are fortunate enough to be certain of their destinies early on and the rest of us are forced to do some soul searching.The desire... Read More

Starting Your Business: It All Boils Down To Making Money and Saving Money

Bootstrapping in the context of business start-ups refers to the use of creative financing approaches such as leveraging personal savings, credit-card debt, loans from friends and family, bartering, and other means to launch a business. Some business founders use bootstrapping because they have no other choice. Just about anyone who... Read More

Defining a R&D Framework for Entrepreneurship and Innovation on Information Product Generation

IntroductionKnowledge is the key resource that forms the institutional basis of the post-industrial economy and society. It should be empasized that it is institutions of higher education that give tangible expression to this argument by acting as catalysts for knowledge and research-driven economic growth as well as well-being enhancement. All... Read More

From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur: Make Money Selling Info Products

The term "Infopreneur" is a relatively new industry buzz word that is making waves because it opens doors for entrepreneurs to generate new streams of income. Simply put, an infopreneur sells information.Information products are offered in a variety of formats including books, e-books, special reports, audio formats, videos, workbooks, tips... Read More

Do You Have What it Takes to be a Successful Entrepreneur?

Print off this page, take the quiz and find out if you've got what it takes! See the scale at the bottom to mark yourself.Answer the following questions on a Scale of 1 - 51 - definately not 2 - not likely 3 - sometimes 4 - probably 5 -... Read More

Starting Your Business: 3 Tips for Bootstrapping Your Way to the Top

Bootstrapping a business startup does not necessarily mean that you are unable to find traditional sources of capital. It may mean that you are clever, or that you know a bargain when you see it, or that you are the type of person who derives a certain satisfaction from crafting... Read More

Goals and New Venture Creation

More and more corporate workers are leaving their jobs to start new ventures. When taking this leap, it is important that the goals of these entrepreneurs are solid, as these goals may ultimately determine the success of the new venture.Unfortunately, many new entrepreneurs have goals that don't naturally lead to... Read More

Definition of Entrepreneur

EntrepreneurAn entrepreneur is a man who organizes and manages the business. The following are the responsibilities of an entrepreneur that what he has to do?1. PlanningFirst of all an entrepreneur should be a good planner. His first duty is to do good planning. The main purpose of planning is to... Read More

What It Takes To be An Entrepreneur Series: Action

Many people have the professed desire to be their own boss, start their own business ecetera, ecetera...Trouble is, how many people actually take the steps necessary to fulfill their professed desire?A recent incident that actually happened brough this principle clearly into focus.I was recently told by someone who is quite... Read More

Become a Recognized Authority in Your Field - in 60 Days or Less!

You don't have to be rock-star famous before you are recognized as an authority in your field. You just have to begin to get the word out. Your goal is to be the person that people think of when your field is mentioned. At first, that may happen only locally,... Read More

Adding a Service After You Buy a Business

When you buy a business, you should have a plan. Why have you chosen that particular business? Why that particular time to buy a business? What can you bring to the business? Some of the most successful business stories are of people who buy a business with the intention of... Read More

Everything You Wanted to Know About Public Domain Info, but Were Too Afraid to Ask!

What to Look Out For:Copyright - you absolutely must check on this - violating someone's copyright is not clever and can be a really expensive mistake not to mention seriously damaging your reputation. Is it really public domain? All those lawyers fees can really mount up when checking into all... Read More

Book Yourself Solid: The Simple Selling Process

As a service provider you may not want to think of yourself as a salesperson. You are in the business of helping others and you may not feel comfortable with the sales process. However, you need to let clients know that your service is available. Here are some ways to... Read More

Solving the Million Dollar Mystery: 4 Steps To Create A Turn-Key Business

You're a smart, hardworking entrepreneur, and you're moving fast. You are highly educated in your field and your business is growing and getting busier each day. But somehow, you find yourself stuck. You're doing more tasks that take you away from your core business, you are working more and earning... Read More

Entrepreneurs - 9 Top Mistakes to Avoid

1. Isolating Yourself When setting up a business, you can get so overwhelmed with the administration that you don't focus on building up your network. Networks can provide a way to catapult your business forward through referrals, joint ventures, or providing industry knowledge. Networking does not need to be through... Read More

Interview with Best-selling Entrepreneurial Authors Barbara Winters and Nick Williams

Ray Bradbury's quote, "You've got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down" may sound extreme but, as anyone building a business knows, it has a lot of truth in it.As a newly self-employed journalist / writer and life coach, I found Barbara... Read More

Secret Revealed In The Business Code

? Beginners often rush into business without any planning.? Unless you do your homework, there could be many avoidable pitfalls.? You will minimise these pitfalls with careful preparation and planning.? Some people have very little in the way of formal education, and yet they still succeed in business.? Opportunity can... Read More

Increasing Business BIGTIME with a Successful Referral System

What I've discovered from most of my small business clients is that most would prefer to build their business through referrals rather than through direct mail, advertising in newspapers, radio, TV. However, most leave the referrals to a somewhat chaotic, unplanned approach. When they have a repeatable system of going... Read More

Youve Found Your Guru, Now What?

In my last article, "Follow That Guru", I told you about the one (1) simple technique I used when starting my home business, "A Name".Now everyone wants to know what to do next. OK, here it goes.You've found your Guru, and you know what kind of home business you want... Read More

Franchise Business and Franchise Businesses

Franchise business is being part of a successfully proven business that has a name or trademark that is well known and profitable. Franchise businesses are strategically tried and marketable with options to expand by offering products and services that appeal to the consumer. Having to make the decision on which... Read More

Entrepreneurs - Your Well Being Should Come Before Profits

I believe the spiritual aspect of life, especially to entrepreneurs, is very important. While business may be the focal point for an entrepreneur's life, it's your outlook on life that shapes what kind of person you are.Having a strong sense of self can benefit your business in many ways. The... Read More

Have You Been Thinking About Owning Your Own Business? Or Becoming An Entrepreneur? Part 1

Almost every day, I talk with people who want to start their own home-based businesses. I receive an interesting reaction when I ask people, "What are you looking for in a home-based business?" The most common response I get is, "Umm, well . . . I don't know." Keep in... Read More

Its Good to Know Your Banker

Recently my bank opened a new branch that is a few miles away from my house. I used to visit the local branch that was located in the grocery store and enjoyed seeing the ladies on a weekly basis who were the tellers.Since the store branch closed, I'm forced to... Read More

Work On, Not In Your Business

Are you busy? Everyone's busy! Ask anyone they'll tell you how busy they are. But how many people are accomplishing real results?In your small business, it's easy to get buried in the myriad activities that demand your attention each day. Consequently, a valuable rule of thumb to follow: Work only... Read More

Hurricane Katrina, Death, and a Different Type of Entrepreneurship

I've seen terrible images today on the television and internet-bodies of the elderly and infants floating in attics, buildings collapsing, seals washing up in the middle of highways. All I can say is that our thoughts go out to those in New Orleans, Gulfport and surrounding areas in this sad... Read More

Four Steps to Entrepreneurship

As more and more people start or consider starting their own business, it is important that they understand the core steps that are required to launch successful ventures. These steps include spotting, assessing, selecting and executing upon opportunities.Spotting OpportunitiesThe first step to entrepreneurship is identifying opportunities. The entrepreneur must be... Read More

Key to Starting Your Own Clothing Company

Starting your own private label clothing company is not as difficult as you may think. I assure you that the founding members of Volcom, Paul Frank, Hurley and Von Dutch, are not mad geniuses of fashion. You can duplicate their rise to brand stardom provided that you have the following:1.... Read More

Six Degrees of Separation

Through just five or six intermediaries, you could be linked to millions of others. It is the notion behind what has been dubbed the small world effect.It has happed to most of us, and it's virtually guaranteed to happen at again ? especially if you attend a social gathering. Whenever... Read More

3 Essential Elements of Operating a Successful Business

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to live your dream? A good place to start would be to recognize that there are three elements, and only three elements, that separate success from failure. If you exercise one of the elements, you might just be successful. Two and... Read More

Double Your Income Automatically

It is a common known fact that it is far cheaper to keep an existing customer then it is to acquire a new customer. With this fact in mind you need to do everything possible to keep your existing customers happy and find complimentary products to offer your existing customers.If... Read More

16 Vital Traits Shared by All Successful Entrepreneurs

The first step in deciding whether to start a business is to ask yourself this important question: "Do I have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?" A variety of experts have documented research that indicates that successful small business entrepreneurs, whether male or female, have some common characteristics. How... Read More

The Lonely Hat: A Marketing Parable

Jones was a typical entrepreneur who worked long hours and wore many hats.The problem was that all the hats screamed for attention. Jones solved the problem by wearing the hat that screamed the loudest.Unfortunately, this was only a temporary solution since all the hats kept screaming until they were worn.There... Read More

An Entrepreneur Is

An entrepreneur is an innovator. She sees a need in the marketplace and creates something new to fulfill that need or improves upon an existing mechanism that already fulfills that need.An entrepreneur is a risk taker. She dives head-first into uncharted waters to create a marketplace where none previously existed.... Read More

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Entrepreneurial Emotions or It Seemed Like a Great Idea at the Time

It's your first business or the next Great Idea in your ongoing business, online or offline, it doesn't matter. The roller coaster ride is a theme and variations on the... Read More

Top 10 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make Before They Even Start

So you want to start a business. You have an idea. Lets say you want to be a carpenter. You print some brochures, some business cards, and take out an... Read More

Learn how to Compress Time

In the popular 1980's movie "Dune," man learned that by "folding space" the distance between two points shortened and he could cover those distances faster. Around 1995, we found a... Read More

Franchises - Emotional Fulfillment - The Challenge

Does A Franchise Meet Your Needs?Do you look forward to Friday afternoon or Monday morning? Perhaps that's the true litmus test of happiness. If you're thinking about the fact that... Read More

Everything You Wanted to Know About Public Domain Info, but Were Too Afraid to Ask!

What to Look Out For:Copyright - you absolutely must check on this - violating someone's copyright is not clever and can be a really expensive mistake not to mention seriously... Read More

How To Find Focus And Turn Your Talent Into A Thriving Professional Business

There are tons of books and articles available to help professionals start up their business, but few that give practical insights on how to nurture your business once it's out... Read More

5 Tips to Step Boldly into the World & Set Yourself Apart from Others

"Real champions believe in themselves even when no one else will!" Author UnknownTo take your life and business to a level that makes you ecstatic there is a good chance... Read More

Find Me the Expert on This!

Many people who set up as consultants never make more than a minimal living. They get some clients who like them, but are so dependent on these few businesses that... Read More

What Makes a Person an Entrepreneur?

Entrepreneurship is generally characterized by some type of innovation, a significant investment, and a strategy that values expansion. The entrepreneur is often quite different in mindset from a manager, who... Read More

Salon Marketing Using Wireless Broadband Internet Access

Our client in Chicago did, located right outside downtown too...a right competitive area. Everbody's looking for some kind of edge and we found it for them. Want to hear...the rest... Read More

... in Pursuing the American Dream

This morning I woke up at 4:30 in the morning, as usual, poured myself a cup of coffee, as usual, and thought about what my son said to me yesterday... Read More

Leadership Attributes for Business Success

Business success is essentially the result of successful leadership. Contrary to the popular myth, leaders are not just born. Leadership skills can be learnt and developed. A business is a... Read More

Seven Key Qualities of Successful Entrepreneurs

A recent poll conducted by Forbes magazine shows that majority of its readers would prefer to become a billionaire rather than a Nobel peace prize winner, a great scientist or... Read More

Customers - Why Should They Buy From You?

There are a whole range of reasons why customers buy a product or service. They usually buy to solve either real or perceived problems. They want to move away from... Read More

Franchise Business and Franchise Businesses

Franchise business is being part of a successfully proven business that has a name or trademark that is well known and profitable. Franchise businesses are strategically tried and marketable with... Read More

Are You Ready To Be Your Own Boss?

You have this burning desire you want to be on your own. The temptation is so great that you want to quit your job. Enough is enough. You're sick of... Read More

The Fear Factor

I recently conducted a lil' survey asking my colleagues what were their biggest fears when thinking about starting a business or running their business. The following are the top three... Read More

The History of the Franchise Business - Learning about Business Opportunities by Looking at the Past

Hair care has been around as long as humans have been on the planet. The earliest record of personal hair care dates back 2.5 million years ago, when brushes used... Read More

Franchises - A Proven Business System

Franchises offer the first time business owner a proven and successful business opportunity. If you are looking to start your own business for the first time, franchises provide you with... Read More

5?4?3? 2...1?

A streak dating back more than three decades came to an end at midnight on New Year's Eve. For the first time since 1972, as America rang in 2005, "America's... Read More