The answer is a resounding YES! If you are starting a business, your business venture should be something in which you have experience or professional training. The only exception to this rule is if you buy into a franchise, but it is especially true if you take over an existing business. Sometimes there are people […]
Are You Ready for 2010?
The economy is on the rebound, but the nature of business has changed. Is your small business repositioned for 2010? October and November is the perfect time to start planning for how you will kickoff the New Year. It’s not about making it through the recession; it’s about coming out of this recession with a […]
Best Small Business Start-Up Books
I am a serious book reader. I pride myself on reading at least 25 new books a year to learn the latest information about running a successful small business. When you are first launching your small business I believe it’s best to plan for 12 months before you start. During that time there are many […]
10 Things To Do Before 2010
The best way to start out the New Year is to close out the previous year with a plan to get your house in order. Don’t start January 1st in a panic. Use the down time of the last two weeks of the year to close out important administrative and marketing tasks. Here’s a list […]
When a Book Can Change Your Outlook About Your Business
Those of you who follow this blog know that I am a serious book lover. Last year, an email from Amazon.com informed that I purchased 118 books over the last 10 years. I was surprised they didn’t send me a coupon or discount card, but this post is not about customer service. My love affair […]
When Growth Stalls in Your Business
Every week as SmallBizLady, I conduct interviews with experts on my Twitter talk show #SmallBizChat. The show takes place every Wed on Twitter from 8-9pm ET. This is an excerpt from my recent interview with Steve McKee @whengrowthstall on Twitter. Steve Mckee is the author of When Growth Stalls and a columnist for BusinessWeek.com. A marketing strategist for more than two […]
The Entrepreneur’s Job Description PART II
Just as you would write a job description when hiring an employee, you need to understand what is fully involved in your new job as an entrepreneur and business owner. Everyone at some time or another has dreamed of becoming their own boss, but I’m here to tell you there’s a lot of work involved […]
How is Your Entrepreneurial Literacy?
This is National Entrepreneurship Week Feb 20-27, 2010. This year‘s theme is Entrepreneurial Literacy Empowers Everyone. This is a theme that I truly embrace. Whether you are still working in corporate America, running a nonprofit, or leading the charge in your own small business – being able to evaluate things from a business perspective will always […]
Can You Afford to Become An Entrepreneur?
Everyone has good ideas. Some of them may even be million dollar ideas, but if you live from paycheck to paycheck or way beyond your means, you may never be able to quit your job and start a business. As the Smallbizlady, often I get emails, facebook messages and DM’s on Twitter from people asking me […]
7 Questions Hobbyists Should Consider When Starting a Small Business
This is the last of a two part series on how to turn a hobby into a small business. Sometimes people with great hobby do not have the right amount of business acumen to run a business. Everyone has good ideas — it is the business of running a business that gets some people in […]