When you are trying to come up with small business ideas, it can be tough. Maybe there is an idea burning inside you, or maybe you have so many ideas that you are unsure about which one to pursue. But if you have nothing but a strong desire to leave corporate America, there are lots […]
The Truth About Hiring Your Friends In Your Small Business
You probably talked with your friends first when you had early thoughts of starting your own business. In fact, you may have considered hiring friends to help you launch your startup. Then again, perhaps you are wary of mixing business with friendship. That is valid as many business ventures have ruined friendships. If you would rather not risk […]
Best of Melinda Emerson™’s #SmallBizChat Interviews in 2009
My interview with Sherri Garrity on how to quit a job to start a business: Sherri is the founder of Corporate Fugitive. Her company provides business coaching to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners who want to go from overwhelmed to extraordinary. In 2007, she walked away from a successful marketing career to start her own […]
Effective Social Media Selling
This week’s Small Biz Chat interview is excerpted from my recent interview with Malika Duke, @BizSavvyMom, who is an expert in lead attraction and conversion on the Internet. She coaches her clients on how to master the web as a marketing tool.
Do you need a Small Business Makeover?
Pitney Bowes wants to give your business a communications makeover worth up to $10,000. If you could use some help with your email, direct mail and social media communications, you can win a free year of using Pitney Bowes’ full suite of business tools. The grand prize winners will also receive in person one-on-one coaching […]
What Business Should I Start?
As a small business coach, not a week goes by that someone doesn’t say, “I need your help, I know I am meant to start a business, but I don’t know what kind of business I should start”. Now, I specialize in helping people map out a plan once they decide to start a business, […]
Could Franchising Be For You?
Franchising is a great opportunity to take a proven business model that has produced financial success and run it as your own business. While there are many wildly inaccurate statistics about success rates for franchises all over the internet, in general “a franchise is a lower risk proposition than investing in a pure start-up,” according […]
Do You Need to Know Your Business?
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 […]
Is Cold Calling DEAD?
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 excerpted from my recent interview with @BradfordShimp. Bradford is a small business expert and the blogger behind All Business Answers. The goal of allbizanswers.com is to answer common […]
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 […]