What’s Silicon Valley cooking up now to help small businesses? I had a chance to find out when I arranged an “Insider’s Tour of Silicon Valley” to celebrate the 35th anniversary of America’s Small Business Development Center network (ASBDC). On Sept 9, I took approximately 70 small business consultants on a tour of three companies dramatically affecting …
5 Benefits of a Great Company Culture
Recently, I had lunch with a friend, I’ll call him Ryan, who’s launched a high-tech start-up. Most of us would envy Ryan’s success. He easily raised nearly two million dollars in funding. He’s attracted a small team of outstanding employees. He’s landed a couple of major customers. But he confided to me that his biggest …
Entrepreneurs Preventing the Next Katrina
When people envision entrepreneurs working to save the world, it’s not likely they picture someone like Sarah Mack, Ph.D. A fast-talking farm-raised gal who fishes and hunts (including alligators), Mack’s a whip-smart scientist determined to help save the Gulf Coast from the devastation of another hurricane like Katrina. Mack is one of the new breed of New Orleans-based …
Entrepreneurs Rebuild New Orleans
Ten years ago, the world watched as New Orleans nearly drowned. On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina smashed into the Gulf Coast, levees failed, and 80% of this unique city was left underwater, devastated. It’s been a tough decade for the Big Easy, but helping lead its rebirth has been a vibrant, growing, and enthusiastic …
Get More Hours In Your Small Business Day
“I need more hours in the day!” That’s the lament of every small business owner. We all have so much to do, there never seems to be enough time to complete it all. Small business owners value their time. Like Jeff & Joy Schranghamer, owners of Schranghamer Design Group (SDG) in Boston, Massachusetts. I have …
7 Sure-fire Ways To Mess Up Your Startup
Now is a great time to follow your dream and launch your startup or small business. Startup “incubators” and “accelerators”—physical or virtual support organizations for budding entrepreneurs—are popping up in cities large and small, not just across the US but globally, to help you realize your dream. There’s more money available for financing, with crowdfunding, …
8 Free Killer Small Business Apps
Free! Everyone loves getting something free, and if you run a small business, you certainly appreciate saving money. Fortunately, a whole lot of companies want to give you something free to help you run and grow your small business. A few years ago, “free-mium” was all the rage as the latest business model. During the …
Independent Contractor? Not so Fast!
Your small business is booming. You need to hire help. But should your new hire be an employee or an independent contractor? Or… you’re self-employed, providing services to ride-hailing companies like Uber or Lyft. Are you an employee, covered by labor laws and your costs reimbursed—or should you be considered an independent contractor? As more …
3 Tips to Fall in Love with Your Business
It’s the middle of summer, and you’re stuck behind your small business desk—working and sweating—while your friends’ Facebook feeds are filled with pictures of them happily enjoying a drink at some beach. It’s no wonder you’ve ‘Lost that loving feeling’ for your own business. Falling out of love with your small business can happen any time, …
