Few things in life beat the excitement of starting a new business or launching a new product. Creating a startup is thrilling. Sure, there’s risk—but risk can be exciting. There’s also challenge and creativity—figuring out how to build something from nothing, finding money, solving problems. But what happens when the startup is started? You built …
29 Businesses to Start Over Age 29 and One to Avoid
Are you a millennial stuck in a job you hate? Got kids but not earning enough to make ends meet? Still haven’t paid off that student loan? Maybe it’s time to start your own small business. I’ve got 29 great business ideas for those of you over 29—and one business to avoid. Whether it’s a …
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Women Biz Owners: Give Yourself a Raise
Just about everyone knows women employees earn less than men—about 80 cents for every dollar. That’s one reason many women start a small business or become self-employed. When you set your own fees, you’ll make the same as men, right? Not so fast. Self-employed women still make a lot less than self-employed men. Ladies: it’s …
Run your Small Business from your Phone
Once upon a time, if you wanted to start a small business, you needed a whole bunch of stuff. You needed an office or store, office equipment, staff, a website. Even when I started my own one-person business from my home, I needed an expensive computer and software, not to mention a printer, copier, and …
Divorce-Proof Your Small Business
Do you love your small business more than your spouse? Wait, don’t answer that. When you’re an entrepreneur, it’s easy for your spouse or partner to feel like you care more about your business than you do about them. Running a business can be all-consuming, taking a lot of time, a lot of money, and …
11 Secrets of Small Business Success
Over the years, my small business has had its share of ups and downs. The economy tanked. My distributor went bankrupt. I lost valuable employees and lost a lease. In fact, the entire book publishing industry changed in the time I’ve been in it (I’m a publisher…). But 25 years later, I’m still here. What’s …
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. A few …
Tell Your Small Biz Employees to Get Lost
Would it kill your small business if you took a vacation? What would happen if you gave your small business employees a vacation too? One of the most challenging aspects of owning a small business is figuring out how and when to take a vacation. And, as hard as it is for you to go …
8 Myths About Small Business
With USA Today’s launch of their new section for small business, USA and Main, I thought it would be good to get some of the most persistent myths about small business out of the way. Having worked with thousands of small business owners over my more than 25 years in business, and owning a small …
