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 …
Spring Clean Your Fixed Expenses
Costs can creep up through the years, so it’s worthwhile to canvass, compare, call. It’s nearly spring, time for the annual ritual of spring cleaning your small business fixed expenses. Give me half a day, and I’ll put more money in your bank account. While you’re running a business, you have fixed expenses that you …
18 Tips and Tricks for Daily Business Life
Running a small business means taking care of lots of little things. Sure, success depends on the big things, such as your strategy, marketing, and technology. But sometimes, we could all use some small business tips and tricks to better handle the little things to make our business lives easier. So I thought I’d share …
Is a Franchise a Ripoff or a Road to Success?
You’ve always wanted to run your own small business—be your own boss. But you don’t want to start from scratch. Maybe you don’t have that “big” idea, don’t know where to start, or aren’t sure you have all the skills you need. Then, someone suggests you get a franchise. “It’s all done for you—it’s a …
Are You Ready for the Chinese New Year?
Hold your horses, small business owners—it’s time for the Chinese New Year. So, “Gung hay fat choy,” which is the traditional new year’s greeting. Loosely translated, it means, “Congratulations, and may you have a prosperous new year.” Get ready to welcome the Year of the Sheep. Throughout the Asian world, the Chinese—or lunar—new year is …