Just a couple of years ago, I advised small businesses that their future was mobile. Customers would reach them on mobile devices, and they’d run their companies on mobile devices too. Well, the future has arrived. This week – Small Business Week – I’m helping you “Make this Your Year to Grow.” If you want …
My Mommy’s an Entrepreneur
Can you have kids and build a business? Small kids? Even a big business? This Mother’s Day, I’m saluting entrepreneurs and small business owners who combine motherhood and entrepreneurship, from micro-businesses to multi-million dollar enterprises. As I interviewed owners of three businesses founded and run by mothers, I realized that all were started when the …
Build Your Team
Where do you see your small business in a year? Five years? You almost certainly want to grow. But if you want to grow, you can’t do it alone. The theme of my special Small Business Week series is “Make this Your Year to Grow.” Today we’re going to focus on a fundamental growth strategy: …
How to Reach Your Small Business Customers
You’ve got a killer idea for your small business. You’ve created a great new product or service, set up operations, raised sufficient money to get out of the gate. But where are the customers? It’s time to pay attention to marketing. During Small Business Week, I’m devoted to helping you “Make this Your Year to …
Plan for Growth
“You can’t reach a goal you haven’t set.” During Small Business Week, I’m helping you “Make this Your Year to Grow.” If you want to grow, one of the most important steps is to develop a plan for growth – and then make planning an ongoing process of your company. Now, don’t get worried that …
Find Your Niche
All over America, this week people observe “Small Business Week.” They’ll toast the huge contributions small businesses and entrepreneurs make to the American economy. Small companies will rightly be in the spotlight. But when USAToday turned to me to create a special, five-day, series for Small Business Week – kicking off today – I wanted …
Four People To Meet To Help Your Business
You’re excited to get your new small business launched. You’ve come up with an idea for a great new product or service, and you’re eager to get going. But early on in the life of your new small company, carve out just a bit of time to meet with the following four types of people. …
7 Things an Entrepreneur Should Never Say
“Whoops – did he really just say that?” When you’re just starting a small business or launching a startup, it’s easy to put your foot in your mouth. You’ll be meeting many people and telling them about your new entrepreneurial venture. You’ll pitch to investors or try to impress a banker. You’ll almost certainly be …
Small Business Lessons from Silicon Valley
When someone says “Silicon Valley” business, you probably envision companies like Google, Facebook, Apple or startups like the one lampooned on the hit HBO TV series. But I live here in Silicon Valley, and I know there are thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of small businesses that succeed the “Silicon Valley” way. What lessons have …
