January - 2018

4 Things You Should Do to Prepare Your Small Business for 2018

With the end of yet another great year it’s time to prep ourselves for the next. Small business owners take this time to evaluate their accomplishments and set the course for what’s ahead. Every small business has a slightly different end of year checklist. That said there is definitely a common thread that runs throughout. Some of these items may seem obvious but you’d be surprised how many are overlooked. While small they’re still very important and they can make all the di

Business Cards Aren’t Dead, They’re Just Getting Weirder

A subset of creative networkers and entrepreneurs insist on oddball cards with unusual shapes and materials to stand out with potential clients. Getting a business card from Randall Ostrow can be a puzzling experience. To make an impression, he hands out wooden cards in jigsaw shapes. “My card is like a Rubik’s Cube sitting on someone’s desk,” says Mr. Ostrow, owner of a Boca Raton, Fla., business-development advisory firm bearing his name. Recipients tend to keep it for a w

HOW TO START A SMALL BUSINESS 101 — THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

A lot of people toy around with the idea of starting their own small business, but figuring out what steps to take is one of the biggest hurdles. The fact is, most small businesses start out with a simple idea. Whether or not that idea actually takes flight, however, all comes down to one word — ACTION! Don't get us wrong, starting and running a small business doesn’t come without its set of challenges. We know because we did it! But if you have the drive, determination and t

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO START A RETAIL STORE?

Starting a retail store – and ensuring that it succeeds – is a major undertaking. Organizing and securing premises, paying utilities, outfitting the shop, and stocking inventory are often easier said than done, creating a challenging and costly web that requires careful research and planning. So, how much does it cost to start a retail store? For many hopeful retailers, the startup cost poses a significant barrier to entry. With all of the components required to launch a reta

27 OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL SMALL TOWN BUSINESS IDEAS

If narrowing in on a single, successful business idea for your small town is stressing you out, don’t worry. We’ve got your back. Here are 27 of the most promising business ideas for small towns. So read on below and thank us later. 1. Coffee Shop and Bar When you think of your neighborhood coffee shop and bar, you might not think of the same establishment. But if your town is small enough, and clientele scarce, merging these two business ideas might be just what the mayor or

New Year’s Resolutions for Small Business Success

When people hear new year’s resolutions, they often think of “exercising more”, “spending more time with the family”, or “traveling more”. Besides these personal resolutions, you can also create impactful resolutions for your small business. A resolution, after all, is a decision to do something differently to bring about positive change. It’s a good time to reflect on your business’ progress and plan how you want to grow your business in the new year. 1. I will learn how to

Control your Personal Branding

Why is everyone all of a sudden trying to become LinkedIn-famous? Is anyone else tired (like me) of reading about all of the branding “hacks” out there? After all, there’s a lot more to achieving great personal branding than tricking algorithms. Read more ...