SucceedAsYourOwnBoss.com » How to Start

How to search for lease space for your small business

Melinda Emerson — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:30:16 +0000

In talking with countless prospective tenants working in the commercial office leasing industry since the 2000’s, I realized that there is a huge misconception of what the ultimate goal of a business is when it comes to leasing. Most people think the goal is to find a great affordable space in a desirable building located [...]

How to be a Successful Freelancer

Melinda Emerson — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:30:02 +0000

Most small businesses start today as a side hustle first. In fact, 1 in 3 Americans is a freelancer or temporary worker in the post-recession era, according to research by the Human Capital Institute (HCI). The majority of contract workers are part-timers, and their ranks are growing at more than twice the rate of full-time employees, [...]

How to Be Successful in Business #SmallBizChat QA

Melinda Emerson, #SmallBizChat — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:00:19 +0000

Every week as SmallBizLady, I conduct interviews with experts on my Twitter talk show #SmallBizChat. The show takes place every Wednesday on Twitter from 8-9pm ET. This is excerpted from my recent interview with retail and fashion pioneer Liz Lange @lizlange. In 1997, out of a one-room office, she created Liz Lange Maternity, changing forever the [...]

In Just 365 Days You Can Become Your Own Boss

Melinda Emerson — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:30:06 +0000

If you have always wanted to become your own boss, now is a great time. I realize that you are probably saying to yourself a year, Really? But trust me, 12 months is a reasonable and realistic timeframe to make your transition from employee to entrepreneur. You will want to take the time to plan [...]

How to find a manufacturer for your small business product?

Melinda Emerson — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:30:34 +0000

I have been talking to quite a few small business inventors lastly, and the most common question that keeps coming up is how to find a manufacturer for your small business product. Most of the business owners in my network use foreign manufacturers, so that is where my advice is centered. Here are some tips [...]

What Can Twitter Do For Your Small Business?

Melinda Emerson — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:22:53 +0000

I signed up for a Twitter account three years ago, and it truly changed my life. My Twitter anniversary was on December 2nd, and I thought it might be helpful for me to explain what my goals were for the social network. Now is a perfect time to step up your game on Twitter or [...]

How to Build a One-Person Franchise Business

Melinda Emerson — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:30:08 +0000

The topic of equity isn’t exactly what I’d call, “top of mind,” with most of the prospective franchise owners that I work with as an advisor. Most of their energy is focused on things like potential locations for the franchises that they’re considering, or other minor details; like how much they’re going to make as [...]

Do you have an idea for the next great tech start-up?

Melinda Emerson — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:44:06 +0000

Last night, CNN debuted Black in America 4 with Soledad O’Brien, which featured 8 African-American tech entrepreneurs who went out to Silicon Valley this summer to participate in a business incubator with the hopes of landing seed capital to catapult their entrepreneurial dreams. It was an amazing mix between MTV’s the Real World and Donald [...]

Are You Ready To Finish the Year With a Bang?

Melinda Emerson — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:30:07 +0000

This past weekend I conducted my last BYOB2011 Workshop in my national tour. I held the last one in Philadelphia, my hometown. The focus of the tour was on three things; How to Become Your Own Boss, How to Develop a Killer Marketing Plan and How to build a Social Media Brand. For the last [...]

7 Golden Rules for Home-Based Businesses

Melinda Emerson — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:30:51 +0000

Starting a new home-based business can seem like a daunting task. The transition from working in corporate America to working inside your home can often lead to the downfall of your business before it has even begun. The first thing you need to do is get organized. It’s important because you need to put yourself [...]