Many small businesses involve food. The baker, the butcher, the coffeecake maker, and the farmer-in-the-dell are all likely to be small businesses. But as small businesses, most of these food-related companies have the same problem: how does their owner get the cash they need to buy supplies before they actually make sales? Now, there’s a …
Get Them Eating Out of Your Hand
Americans eat about a billion meals a day. A huge percent of those meals are eaten somewhere other than homes. That’s one of the reasons running a restaurant has been a time-honored, tried-and-true way to own a small business. But is the local, independent restaurant an endangered species? What can they—or you, if you’re a …
Big Problems for Small Business on Health Care
“When it comes to the debate over health insurance, one thing is for certain: the current system is terrible for small business. As it is now, small businesses usually have the hardest time getting insurance, the smallest choice among providers, and pay the most for the least coverage. Many people who would like to start …
How Silicon Valley Can Level the Playing Field for Women
Silicon Valley has a woman problem. Sexual harassment. Sex discrimination. Lack of funding for women. Men in Silicon Valley just can’t seem to figure out how to work with women, especially with female entrepreneurs. What can Silicon Valley, especially venture capitalists, do to level the playing field for women starting businesses? I’ve lived in Silicon …
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One Easy Way to Grow Your Small Business
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” That old saying is as true today as it ever was. When you want to get ahead, it helps to know people. So a key business skill every small business owner needs to master is “networking”–how to get out in the world and make lots of …
June 23 Take Your Dog to Your Small Biz
Woof! Allow me to introduce myself. I’m ZuZu, Rhonda Abrams’ dog. I know you’re looking for Rhonda’s small business advice, but for “Take Your Dog to Work Day,” happening on June 23, I’m taking over her column. Of course, in Rhonda’s company, every day is “Take Your Dog to Work Day,” as dogs are welcome …
Small Business Customers: Good, Bad, Ugly
Any customer is a good customer for your small business, right? After all, if someone wants to buy from you, what more can you want? Actually, lots. It turns out some customers are not worth having. And you have to learn how to get rid of them. Anyone whose been in business very long can …
8 Cheap Ways to Reward Small Biz Employees
Employees are at the heart of your small business. They serve the customers, make your product or provide your services, fill and process orders, get the shipping out the door. Without good employees, it’s tough to build a successful, profitable company. But in small businesses, money can often be tight. How can you reward good …
Millennials Aren’t as Lazy as You Thought
Millennials–Americans born between 1980 and 2000–may be the most entrepreneurial generation ever. A new study shows Millennials have more experience with small business and greater desire to start businesses than previous generations. But the study also demonstrates a continuing need for help for entrepreneurs if they’ll create the jobs America needs. The study, released May …
