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, …
Your Biggest Small Business Challenge Could Lead to a Day with Shark Tank’s Barbara Corcoran
It’s exhilarating to start a business. But it can also be tough. If you’ve launched your small business within the last few years—or are just starting out—you face all kinds of challenges: finding customers, employees, financing; pricing your goods or services; determining your business model; managing operations; and then there’s choosing and using technology. And …
9 Secrets of Trade Show Success
It may be summer, but if you’re a small business owner wanting to grow your business, it’s time to start thinking about fall. When the leaves turn gold, there’s a golden opportunity to grow your business: autumn is the busiest season for industry trade shows and conferences, and those are great for finding and securing …
5 Things Entrepreneurs Do Before 9 a.m. Each Morning
Small business owners and entrepreneurs must be productive. We need to squeeze value out of every minute. For most of us, our most energetic and constructive time is first thing in the morning. Do we use those precious morning hours well? I recently asked readers of my free monthly small business tips newsletter, PlanningShop Report, …
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Time to Celebrate Immigrants
It’s the Fourth of July, and as you head to a holiday beach or barbecue, look around your town. Take a moment to notice and appreciate all the many small businesses—and large ones too—started by immigrants. As we celebrate America, we also celebrate what America has meant—and continues to mean—for immigrants from throughout the world. …
7 Tips To Succeed In The Gig Economy
Today’s new self-employed, ‘small business’ owner: You rent your spare room on Airbnb while you dog-sit two puppies through Rover, and cook dinner for strangers who found you on EatWith. You drive someone to the airport through Uber, and on the way back, you stop and put an IKEA desk together for someone who found you …
