The Most Important Cost You Never Consider
John is a web designer. He owns a small web design company and carefully considers the cost of labor, especially outsourced jobs, when he bids on a new website project. Sometimes, to save money, he’ll do most (if not all) of the work himself, especially on smaller jobs. He makes a profit most of the […]
Enhancing Your Brand
Your brand is what your company stands for in the mind of the customer. Many people believe branding is nothing more than a fancy logo. While this helps people notice you, your brand is so much more than that. Your brand is how your company is perceived overall in the marketplace. That’s why it is […]
Can You Raise Money through Crowdfunding?
Although there have been many successes, there is a lot of misunderstanding out there about how crowdfunding may help small businesses. If you are considering crowdfunding, here are some ways to improve your chance of success. See a CPA and attorney Crowdfunding is not free money. The crowd typically gets a “perk” for their contributions. […]
Know Your Numbers
I recently met with a client in the specialty food business. The company, in short time, gained product placement throughout the southeast in one of the largest grocers in the United States. However, her company is operating at a loss, and to make matters worse, her cash balance is dropping faster than her operating losses. […]
It’s Not The What, But The Why
The age of the infomercial seems to be at a close. Current trends are showing consumers are looking for authenticity and vulnerability from the business with which they shop. This need or desire for authenticity or “realism” is evident with the vast amount of reality television shows such as The Bachelor, Real Housewives of Beverly […]
The Financials – Friend or Foe?
Daily at the SBDC (Small Business Development Center) we have the privilege of working with entrepreneurs from a broad range of industries. Although the industries may vary, many of the challenges entrepreneurs face are common, no matter what the industry. One such challenge we often see relates to numbers and financial statements. When it comes […]
Successful Entrepreneurship 101: Being less Busy and More Productive
Entrepreneurs often profess to be stressed out and “so busy” that they never have time for anything, even their own families and friends. When I ask many of my former clients about leaving their business to their children, many respond that their children don’t want the business. They just don’t want to work the long […]
The Entrepreneurial DNA and the Keys to Success
In the eighteenth century, the typical entrepreneur was defined simply as one who started a business. This definition has over time expanded to include other attributes such as one who is a risk taker as well as one who possess the ability and skills to manage scarce resources. In today’s global environment, the DNA of […]