Most Recent Articles for Entrepreneurs

The FedEx Small Business Grant 2024 Deadline Approaches

January 14, 2024|0 Comments

Get your applications ready, because the Fedex Small Business Grant 2024 deadline is fast approaching. Every year since 2012, FedEx has offered the grant to small businesses voted by the People's Choice. Now is your [...]

5 Key Steps to Launching Your Small Business Startup

May 1, 2023|0 Comments

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and digital, I believe the opportunity to launch a small business startup has never been better. The thing is, starting a business from scratch can be a challenging. It [...]

Mother’s Day Marketing Ideas for 2023

April 28, 2023|0 Comments

Mother's Day is on the horizon. It's a special occasion for many. It's also a great opportunity to connect with customers and boost sales. If you haven't put plans into motion to promote it, it's [...]

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1401, 2024

The FedEx Small Business Grant 2024 Deadline Approaches

January 14, 2024|0 Comments

Get your applications ready, because the Fedex Small Business Grant 2024 deadline is fast approaching. Every year since 2012, FedEx has offered the grant to small businesses voted by the People's Choice. Now is your opportunity to win over America and infuse your business these grant funds. About the FedEx Small Business Grant The FedEx [...]

105, 2023

5 Key Steps to Launching Your Small Business Startup

May 1, 2023|0 Comments

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and digital, I believe the opportunity to launch a small business startup has never been better. The thing is, starting a business from scratch can be a challenging. It has many pitfalls (avoidable, of course) and important steps you don't want to overlook. In this article, I'll outline five [...]

2804, 2023

Mother’s Day Marketing Ideas for 2023

April 28, 2023|0 Comments

Mother's Day is on the horizon. It's a special occasion for many. It's also a great opportunity to connect with customers and boost sales. If you haven't put plans into motion to promote it, it's time to get started. I've put together some I have a few Mother's Day marketing ideas to help get you [...]

2604, 2023

Understanding How Small Business Loans Work

April 26, 2023|0 Comments

Starting or expanding a small business often requires financial support, and small business loans can be a helpful solution. But how do these loans work? And what do you need to know before applying? This guide will walk you through the process of how small business loans work, from the different types of loans available [...]

2404, 2023

How to Write a Winning Small Business Grant Proposal

April 24, 2023|0 Comments

Small business grants can be a game-changer for entrepreneurs looking to start or expand their business ventures. Most grants have intense competition and strict guidelines to follow. It can make the process of applying for these grants daunting. However, a compelling grant proposal can be the key to standing out from the crowd and securing [...]

2104, 2023

How to Move Up the Business Spectrum: Tips and Strategies

April 21, 2023|0 Comments

Starting and growing a business requires effort, commitment, and a solid strategy. As an entrepreneur, you need to be willing to put in the work to achieve your goals and move up the business spectrum. This guide offers tips and strategies that can help you define your goals, build a strong team, prioritize customer satisfaction, [...]

1904, 2023

The Importance of Small Business Workers’ Comp Insurance

April 19, 2023|0 Comments

As a small business owner, it's important to protect your employees and your business from unexpected accidents or injuries. One way to do this is by investing in workers' compensation insurance. This type of insurance can provide financial support for medical expenses and lost wages if an employee is injured on the job. In this [...]

1704, 2023

What is the Small Business 8(a) Program and How to Qualify?

April 17, 2023|0 Comments

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. This is why our government recognizes their importance by offering various programs and initiatives to support them. One such program is the Small Business 8(a) Program. The Small Business 8(a) Program provides assistance to small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. In this article, [...]

1404, 2023

The Shocking Truth: How Many Small Businesses Fail Each Year

April 14, 2023|0 Comments

Starting a small business can be a risky venture, and unfortunately, many entrepreneurs face the harsh reality of failure. In fact, statistics show that a significant percentage of small businesses fail within their first few years of operation. Today I'd like the answer the question: How many small businesses fail each year? Beyond that, I [...]

1204, 2023

What Is Operating Cash Flow and How Does It Affect Your Business?

April 12, 2023|0 Comments

I learned the hard way the importance of cash flow in a business. Years ago, when I finally decided to start Backbone America, I followed all sorts of trends. I spent money on organizations, fell prey to marketing schemes, and just hemorrhaged money. As a business advisor, I should have known better. The thing is, [...]

1004, 2023

5 Effective Small Businesses Marketing Strategies

April 10, 2023|0 Comments

We all know that starting and running a successful small business isn't easy. Small businesses often face unique challenges when it comes to marketing their products or services. With limited resources and a tight budget, it can be difficult to attract new customers and retain existing ones. In the last article, I shared a few [...]

704, 2023

5 Creative Small Business Marketing Ideas to Boost Your Sales

April 7, 2023|0 Comments

I have to admit, marketing isn't my strong point. So, I'm always looking for new and innovative ways to market my business. The thing is, with so many marketing channels and tactics available today, it can be overwhelming to figure out which strategies will work best for my business (or your business). After all, we [...]

504, 2023

How to Start a Business with No Money: 6 Creative Strategies

April 5, 2023|0 Comments

If you're a serial entrepreneur, you know that starting a business can be an exciting and rewarding venture. However, it can also be a financial challenge. Whether you're light on funds to invest upfront or prefer to go for a lean startup, starting a business doesn't have to break the bank. Fortunately, there are several [...]

304, 2023

Business Startup Checklist: A Step-by-Step Guide

April 3, 2023|0 Comments

Starting a business may seem challenging. There are so many things to consider, from legal requirements to marketing strategies, that it's easy to get overwhelmed. As a business advisor, I loved helping many entrepreneurs start their own business. Whether I help them individually or in a workshop, the nitty gritty is kind of fun. I've [...]

3103, 2023

Small Business Interruption Loan – Finances to Keep your Business Afloat

March 31, 2023|0 Comments

Small business owners faced unprecedented economic uncertainty in the wake of the global pandemic. Many businesses closed. Even I was bummed to see my favorite gluten-free bakery close. Many others reduced services. For them, fewer offerings can lead to financial hardship and difficult decisions when trying to stay afloat. Then there are natural disasters. Every other [...]

2903, 2023

Protecting Your Business: A Guide to Understanding Insurance for a Business

March 29, 2023|0 Comments

Running a business comes with inherent risks and liabilities. Whether you're a small business owner or the CEO of a large corporation, it's essential to protect your company from potential losses and damages. One of the best ways to do this is by investing in insurance for a business. It's odd when I think about [...]

2703, 2023

Exploring Nevada Small Business Grants, Incentives and Loans

March 27, 2023|0 Comments

One of the highlights of being a small business advisor was finding funds for my clients. As I've mentioned before, I told my clients if they came up with 10%, I'd do my best to find the rest. Most of it came in the form of loans. However, it always excited me to find grants. [...]

2403, 2023

Is SEO Worth It for Small Businesses?

March 24, 2023|0 Comments

If you're a small business owner, you may be wondering is SEO is worth it for small businesses, especially considering the effort and expense. I know I have. After all, it can be difficult to measure the return on investment (ROI) from an SEO campaign. However, investing in SEO can provide a number of benefits [...]

2203, 2023

Photography Business Plan Example

March 22, 2023|0 Comments

In the last article, we addressed how to start a photography business with no experience. Today, I want to follow up on that idea with a photography business plan. If you're a regular of this blog, you know that I highly value going into a business with a plan. I'm going to try to lighten [...]

2003, 2023

How to Start a Photography Business with No Experience

March 20, 2023|0 Comments

I love having professional photos done. I've been lucky to find some great photographers just starting their business. If photography is your thing, you might wonder how to start a photography business with no experience. First off, starting a photography business can be intimidating if you have no experience, but it doesn't have to be. [...]

1703, 2023

5 Digital Tools to Start a Business with $10k

March 17, 2023|0 Comments

I was thinking how difficult it was for me to get started with my business. I didn't have a lot of money. In fact, I'd just been laid off from my job. We were trying to figure out how we'd make it on just my husband's income. We'd done it before. However, our lifestyle had [...]

1503, 2023

National SBDC Day Celebrations Is March 15

March 15, 2023|0 Comments

I worked for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for a few years and loved it. Even though I'm not with the SBDC any more, I can't help but share in the celebration of National SBDC Day. America's Small Business Development Centers (PRNewsFoto/America's SBDC) SBDC Purpose Small Business Development Centers are an invaluable [...]

1303, 2023

SBDC Grants Don’t Exist

March 13, 2023|0 Comments

The truth of the matter is SBDC grants aren't a thing. They simply don't exist. Why bother with them then? Well, they don't give grants, but they can help you get grants. My interest in the small business startup arena began when I took on a job with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as [...]

1003, 2023

Small Business Grants for Felons: How to Find Funding Opportunities

March 10, 2023|0 Comments

I've talked about small business grants in the past. Today, I want to talk about Small Business Grants for Felons. Years ago, I had the opportunity to provide training at the prison when I worked for the ND Small Business Development Center. It was wonderful to see soon-to-be-released prisons who were eager to return to [...]

803, 2023

5 Recession Proof Business Ideas

March 8, 2023|0 Comments

With the federal interest rates climbing, I've heard increased talk about recessions. Then I consider how many businesses closed when cities shut down for the Covid pandemic. In fact, my favorite Gluten-Free bakery is no longer here. Other businesses have cropped up. For example, a Mochinut franchise opened even closer to my home. Not gluten [...]

603, 2023

Reasons to Start a Business in California

March 6, 2023|0 Comments

Are you looking for the perfect place to start a business? If so, California is an excellent choice. The diverse economy and vibrant culture of this state make it ideal for entrepreneurs. With its large population, talented workforce, access to capital, and abundance of resources, there are many advantages to start a business in California. [...]

303, 2023

Top Workshare Compare Alternatives

March 3, 2023|0 Comments

Looking for a document collaboration platform? Workshare Compare is a popular choice, but there are other options available with similar features. Check out these top Workshare Compare alternatives like Dropbox Paper, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, and Quip that might be more suitable depending on your business needs. Workshare Compare Overview Workshare Compare is an online platform [...]

2707, 2018

Convenience Store Business Plan: Centaur Max Store

July 27, 2018|0 Comments

When it comes to opening a convenience store, location is key. After all, the keyword is convenience. How easy is it for customers to get to you? As such, it's important to keep location in mind when developing your convenience store business plan. Below you'll find a sample convenience store business plan. Feel free to [...]

2507, 2018

Convenience Store Business: How to Start Yours in 9 Steps

July 25, 2018|0 Comments

Opening a convenience store business requires a sizeable amount of capital and lots of planning. In spite of the rise of e-commerce and improved delivery services, convenience stores are still very much in high demand in most communities in the United States. They make for a good business venture with potential for huge profit margins. [...]

2307, 2018

Credit Score Info for Business Loans

July 23, 2018|0 Comments

If you’re seeking a business loan, it’s guaranteed that lenders will look at your credit score info. When you go to the bank, they’ll scrutinize your credit pretty hard. Banks have gotten pretty stingy when it comes to loaning money to businesses these days. Don’t be surprised if they’re expecting you to have a credit [...]

2007, 2018

Local Online Marketing Business Plan: Jones Digital Marketing

July 20, 2018|0 Comments

One thing to keep in mind is the startup process can last a few years. It's not just the pre-opening period. Below you'll find a local online marketing business plan for a company that's been in business for a few months. It's far from being established. However, it does have a little traction. If you [...]

1807, 2018

How to Start an Advertising Business

July 18, 2018|0 Comments

When it comes to an advertising business, the industry is gaining more and more prominence in our society today. This is due to the increasing need to promote and brand your business. In 2017, companies in the United States spent a staggering 197.5 billion dollars on advertisement alone, and predictions were that this figure would grow [...]

1607, 2018

Cash Flow Forecast: What Investors Want to See

July 16, 2018|0 Comments

In a previous post, capital requirements for lending were covered. The next area investors look at is capacity, also known as your cash flow forecast. That is, do you have the money to keep all that you're doing in motion. This is where a lot of entrepreneurs run into trouble for a variety of reasons. [...]

1307, 2018

Event Planning Business Plan Example: Icon Events

July 13, 2018|0 Comments

In the last article, you learned how to start a business as an event planner. You'll find that more goes into the business than just seeking clients. Starting an event planning business may require a minimal financial investment compared to many other businesses. However, there's quite a bit of planning into making your business successful. [...]

1107, 2018

Event Planning Companies: How to Start Your Own

July 11, 2018|0 Comments

Perhaps you have successfully organized events or meeting for friends and family in the past. Now you are considering if this is the right business for you and how people start event planning companies. You've come to the right place. I have put together a detailed list of 8 steps to help entrepreneurs get their own [...]

907, 2018

New Business Loans: 5 Important Considerations

July 9, 2018|0 Comments

Financial stability is a major concern for new business owners. Not only do new companies require financial support for startup expenses, but also for daily operations. Without proper planning, covering day-to-day expenses can get difficult, and even unmanageable for entrepreneurs. This is why considering new business loans early can be helpful to the success of [...]

607, 2018

Hair Salon Business Plan Example: Flipz Hair Salon

July 6, 2018|0 Comments

The last post talked about how to start a hair salon business. One of the key steps mentioned was the hair salon business plan. According to a study, companies with business plans are twice as likely to succeed, which is why it's so important for you to start your business on the right foot by [...]

407, 2018

8 Key Pieces to Starting the Best Hair Salons

July 4, 2018|2 Comments

Do you intend to open a hair salon but do not know how to go about it? If styling hair is something you enjoy, then owning and managing a hair salon may be a lucrative and fulfilling business choice for you. It is important to note that the best hair salons are highly profitable businesses. As [...]

207, 2018

Capital Requirements for Small Business Lending

July 2, 2018|0 Comments

Capital requirements vary by the type of business loan you want to obtain. It refers to the equity percentage you're required to invest in your venture. It's also one of the 5 key elements investors consider when approving or denying your small business loan. The bottom line is that you need to have some "skin [...]

3006, 2018

FREE 31-Day Business Startup Challenge

June 30, 2018|Comments Off on FREE 31-Day Business Startup Challenge

FREE 31-Day Business Startup Challenge It's time you became your own boss! If you've ever said, "I'd do so much better working for myself." This challenge is for you. You've worked hard for others. It's your turn to work for you. Trust me, no one deserves this chance more than you do. [...]

2906, 2018

Bakery Business Plan Example: God’s Love Bakery

June 29, 2018|0 Comments

If you're planning on starting a bakery business, you should know that companies with business plans are twice as likely to succeed than those that don't. To get you started, I've put together a sample bakery business plan. Though you'll need to do your own research, you can use this as a template to guide [...]

2706, 2018

7 Key Steps to Starting a Successful Bakery Business

June 27, 2018|2 Comments

Do you have a knack for baking? Do your doughnuts and pastries always turn out nice? Are you willing to take a step forward to monetize your baking skills? Then this article is prepared to guide you through the process of setting up a successful bakery business. Step 1: Decide on the type of bakery [...]

2506, 2018

Retain Employees: 5 Retention Strategies

June 25, 2018|0 Comments

It's far more economical to retain employees than to hire new ones. Why? The employee hiring process can be expensive. According to statistics, the cost of replacing a salaried employee is 6-9 month's salary on average. If you've set a precedent for high employee turnover, you may also be losing productivity, which can cost your [...]

2206, 2018

Manage Employee Performance in Your Business

June 22, 2018|0 Comments

Employees are your greatest resource. Without them, business becomes stagnant. However, just as employees are an asset, they can also be detrimental to your company. This is why it's so important to understand how to work well with your employees and utilize them in the best way possible. To assist you, we've put together 5 [...]

2006, 2018

Online Business Opportunities to Start Today

June 20, 2018|0 Comments

Traveling from our homes to our places of work can get hectic some days. Obnoxious drivers, traffic, long distances, accidents, and a host of other stresses can start your day on a low note. Add that to the loss of productivity while on the road, and the entire trip can seem unproductive. Well, plenty of [...]

1806, 2018

Businesses Sale Faster with Strategies in Place

June 18, 2018|0 Comments

Businesses Sale Faster with Strategies in Place Selling a business is a process which requires time and consideration in order to obtain optimal results. But the truth of the matter is that businesses sale faster with a strategy in place. Like running a business, proper planning is imperative to maximizing profits.  It begins with an [...]

1506, 2018

Money-Making Opportunities: 10 Careers to Consider

June 15, 2018|0 Comments

The 21st century has seen a rapid increase in the number of money-making opportunities. The rise of technologies like Slack, Upwork, and other freelance platforms, have made a lot of opportunities available to people. Usually, people who want to bolster their finances choose to cut down on their expenses. However, trimming your expenses can only [...]

1306, 2018

Money-Making Blog: 5 Ways You Can Make Bank

June 13, 2018|0 Comments

Back in 2010, I entered the world of blogging. I really didn't know what I was doing at the time. I simply blogged because I thought that was what I was supposed to do as an aspiring writer. It didn't take me long to realize that I could create a money-making blog. Referral Links My [...]

1106, 2018

How to Start a Home-Based Business

June 11, 2018|0 Comments

Working from home is an attractive option for a lot of people looking to earn extra income or even starting a new career. Statistics show that 3.9 million Americans, including freelancers, work remotely for at least half the week as at December 2017. This is a whopping 115% increase from 2005. Starting a business from [...]

806, 2018

Customer Service Tips for Managing Expectations

June 8, 2018|0 Comments

The other day, I found a video online and it made me think of the customer expectations. Despite the fact that most are well aware that "you get what you pay for," some customers truly expect the world for pennies on the dollar. What's a business owner to do with that? Today, I'm going to [...]

606, 2018

Business Startup Loans: Best Practices and Tips

June 6, 2018|4 Comments

A lot of start-ups and new businesses fold as a result of insufficient capital. Much of this comes down to their inability or lack of knowledge in securing business startup loans. Getting a small-business loan is easier than a lot of entrepreneurs think. Small business loans help you grow and develop your business, hire new [...]

406, 2018

Credit Card Services for Small Businesses

June 4, 2018|0 Comments

It's generally not a good idea to run up your credit cards to start a business, as loans tailored for businesses are better. However, having credit card services available to your customers is a boon! Some of the most popular online credit card services for businesses are Square, PayPal, and Stripe. Though there are fees [...]

106, 2018

Leveraging Employee Connection in the Workplace

June 1, 2018|0 Comments

Leveraging Employee Connection in the Workplace It is important to ensure that employees are always excited about the prospect of a new project or challenge. Give them the opportunity to express their thoughts, ideas, and also contributing to the growth of your business. Employee connection is one of the most important ways of improving job [...]

2005, 2018

9 Work-From-Home Careers You Can Start Today

May 20, 2018|0 Comments

If you look online, you'll probably find quite a few work-from-home careers. Not all of them are worth the time and effort. For example, I see doing surveys as the top answer for most lists. The time it takes to complete a survey might earn you pennies an hour or worse, sap 30 minutes of [...]

2312, 2017

End of the Year Blowout!

December 23, 2017|Comments Off on End of the Year Blowout!

2017 END OF THE YEAR BLOWOUT ENDS IN: Introducing my first End of the Year Sale! Tap into amazing programs to help you develop a firm foundation for your business, financially and organizationally. See the details below to find savings like you've never seen before and may not come again. [...]

1812, 2017

Guaranteed Business Loans: Government Programs

December 18, 2017|6 Comments

Guaranteed Business Loans: Government Programs I'm a big fan of guaranteed business loans. Sometimes it requires entrepreneurs to jump through a few hoops. However, it can be the deciding factor in receiving a "Yes!" from a lender or a denial letter. For my clients who could use the extra boost, I certainly look into it [...]

1712, 2017

Is a Bad Credit Business Loan Worth Pursuing?

December 17, 2017|10 Comments

Is a Bad Credit Business Loan Worth Pursuing? Ruining your credit is quite easy these days. Too many credit cards, high balances, missed payments, lack of credit diversity... you name it. There are plenty of ways to throw your credit in the crapper. When that happens, it can leave very few realistic options for obtaining [...]

1512, 2017

Small Business Loans Women Should Consider

December 15, 2017|6 Comments

Small Business Loans Women Should Consider Before we talk about small business loans women should consider, let's address the elephant in the room. Men tend to have an advantage when it comes to business financing. Their approval rate is higher, they walk away with more funds, and are more likely to receive venture capital investments. [...]

812, 2017

Small Business Startup Loans – When banks say “no”

December 8, 2017|2 Comments

Small Business Startup Loans - When banks say "no" Let's face it. Getting denied for small business startup loans is easy. Simply go unprepared and you're well on your way to the dreaded denial letter. Often times, the bank officer will even give you an answer before you head out, and the official letter [...]

112, 2017

US Business Funding Workshop – Special

December 1, 2017|0 Comments

Click Here for Early Bird Enrollment - Only $99 US Business Funding Workshop Over the past couple of years, I've talked with quite a few entrepreneurs about their need for US Business Funding. Like you, they have fantastic business ideas. Yet sometimes those business ideas are costly. Working with me personally to obtain US [...]

2411, 2017

Small Business Capital Loans – Banks aren’t your only options

November 24, 2017|2 Comments

Small Business Capital Loans - Banks aren't your only options I often work with individuals that have difficulties obtaining small business capital loans. If you're business is new (less than 2 years, sometimes 3), your credit isn't perfect (over 650), or you don't have the 25% equity requirement (sometimes more) that a bank expects, you [...]

1711, 2017

New Startup Business Loan Benefits

November 17, 2017|0 Comments

According to a study, 79% of businesses fail due to starting out with too little money. Despite many entrepreneurs not wanting to go into debt, a new startup business loan can be beneficial. Some of the saddest experiences I have is when I meet with an entrepreneur who has a beautiful business idea. The customers [...]

1011, 2017

Small Business Consulting Firms Save You Money

November 10, 2017|0 Comments

Ever wonder why entrepreneurs hire small business consulting firms when there's often a hefty price tag on the services? I'm a numbers person. A lot of my business decisions come to the bottom line. I'm constantly asking myself how this action will either save me money or make me more money. With that in [...]

2710, 2017

4 Places to Find Grants for Small Business Owners

October 27, 2017|0 Comments

When inquiring about where to find Grants for Small Business, the first online tool I find individuals and agencies directing entrepreneurs to is grants.gov. It's a government site, you can tell by the .gov extension, which is only given to government sites. Therefore, you know it's legit. However, if you've ever been on the [...]

2010, 2017

Small Business Coaching Traits to Consider in a Hire

October 20, 2017|0 Comments

Small Business Coaching Traits to Consider in a Hire Whether you are thinking of taking on a new employee, growing your business, or overcoming some other business obstacle, small business coaching can make a positive impact on your company. A small business coach's job is to help their clients get on the right track and [...]

1310, 2017

How To Improve Your Leadership Skills

October 13, 2017|0 Comments

How To Improve Your Leadership Skills It does not matter where you are in your profession at the moment, you should always be looking for ways on how to improve leadership skills. Why? Because there will be a time that you'll be given an influential position in a group where you will be required [...]

910, 2017

How to Get the Lowest Small Business Loan Rates

October 9, 2017|1 Comment

When it comes to small business loan rates, getting the best rate often comes down to preparation and opportunity. As Oprah Winfrey said, “I believe luck is preparation meeting opportunity. If you hadn’t been prepared when the opportunity came along, you wouldn’t have been lucky.” Looking for investment procurement assistance? Get a free 15 [...]

2808, 2017

Invest in Yourself… Buy Time

August 28, 2017|0 Comments

Invest in Yourself... Buy Time I was just about to get out of my car when the radio mentioned a study about buying free time being linked to happiness. When I think of my life, I find it so true. My experiences is also one of the reasons I encourage you to invest in yourself. [...]

1707, 2017

5 Steps to Writing Your Personal Vision Statement

July 17, 2017|0 Comments

5 Steps to Writing Your Personal Vision Statement I was working with a client recently and thinking how easy it is to stray off topic. I think of them as squirrel moments. We think about a small detail of an issue and get wrapped up into it. We can get so engrossed about [...]

2806, 2017

Give Yourself the Best Small Business Start

June 28, 2017|0 Comments

Give Yourself the Best Small Business Start With the failure rate so high, you'll want to give yourself the best small business start that's possible. Today, I'm providing you with two areas to narrow your focus, so you can put your business in a position of success. Profitable Idea Prior to even starting a business, [...]

2606, 2017

4 Ways Start-up Business Loans Save You Money

June 26, 2017|0 Comments

4 Ways Start-up Business Loans Save You Money Getting a loan for a business isn't right for every entrepreneur. However, when done correctly, you can save money with start-up business loans. How? you may ask... I'll share with you how startup business loans can help you save money. Money for Working Capital Your company will [...]

2306, 2017

How to Avoid Costly Business Loan Interest Rates

June 23, 2017|0 Comments

This week, I received an article in my Google alerts, which talked about ways to get business loans. At the top of the article was a loan calculator. One of the things I noticed was the payments were really high for the requesting amount. The payments were $416 a week for an 18-month loan of [...]

1905, 2017

Where to Find Small Business Financial Help

May 19, 2017|0 Comments

Where to Find Small Business Financial Help My first reaction to the question of "where to find small business financial help" is to check out the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). It's a free service. As a previous advisor for an SBDC in North Dakota, I excelled in helping entrepreneurs find money for their business [...]

1205, 2017

Marketing Lessons from the San Francisco Homeless

May 12, 2017|0 Comments

Last week, I was talking to a buddy of mine about marketing and know-like-trust. I'm not sure how the conversation came about, but it made its way around to homeless and the innovative methods the homeless employ to get the money of people walking by. It reminded of some valuable marketing lessons from the San Francisco Homeless [...]

305, 2017

Woman Crush Wednesday #WCW: Renae – Angel Advocates

May 3, 2017|0 Comments

Woman Crush Wednesday #WCW Since I first started Backbone America as a business, I've met some amazing women. Some of these women have reached the status I'd like my business to be one day. Others have started their business with a fearless passion that's completely foreign to the well-planned, highly structured boxes I tend to live in. [...]

2804, 2017

Developing a No Show Appointment Policy

April 28, 2017|0 Comments

Developing a No Show Appointment Policy I've talked to a few individuals about their frustrations with dealing with "No Shows." That is, individuals who make appointments then fail to show up at their appointed times without notice. I recently had a couple of back-to-back no shows myself. It's a reminder of the reasons I started [...]

1404, 2017

I want to start a business but…

April 14, 2017|0 Comments

I want to start a business but... This month will be a year since I opened the virtual doors of Backbone America. One thing I've realized during these past 12 months is not everyone has what it takes to start a business. As a coach, I hate to put limitations on people. I'm of the [...]

1204, 2017

Woman Crush Wednesday #WCW: Kimi – Kimi’s Food Services @kimisfoodservices

April 12, 2017|0 Comments

Woman Crush Wednesday #WCW Since I first started Backbone America as a business, I've met some amazing women. Some of these women have reached the status I'd like my business to be one day. Others have started their business with a fearless passion that's completely foreign to the well-planned, highly structured boxes I tend to live in. [...]

304, 2017

African American Quotes: Madame C.J. Walker

April 3, 2017|0 Comments

African American Quotes: Madame C.J. Walker I hear a lot of excuses from people for why they don't start the business of their dreams. I don't have time because I'm working so many hours at my job. OR I don't have enough money to start a business. OR I don't know enough to get started. I imagine some of you [...]

3103, 2017

How to Find Your Passion for Owning a Business

March 31, 2017|0 Comments

How to Find Your Passion for Owning a Business I know owning a business isn't for everyone. We have to have worker bees somewhere, right? However, I can't help but wanting to put the spirit of entrepreneurship into every Black Woman that I meet. Well, not every Black Woman... but most. Why? I find business [...]

2903, 2017

Woman Crush Wednesday #WCW: Qui – Owner of The Imperfect Beauty @Qui_Monroe

March 29, 2017|0 Comments

Woman Crush Wednesday #WCW Since I first started Backbone America as a business, I've met some amazing women. Some of these women have reached the status I'd like my business to be one day. Others have started their business with a fearless passion that's completely foreign to the well-planned, highly structured boxes I tend to live in. [...]

2703, 2017

African American Quotes: Mariam Wright Edelman

March 27, 2017|0 Comments

African American Quotes: Mariam Wright Edelman Sometimes we give a lot of power to other people. We allow them to influence our thoughts in a way that makes us stop being in ourselves. It brings to mind a quote by Mariam Wright Edelman. No person has the right to rain on your dreams. ~Mariam Wright [...]

2403, 2017

What Business Should I Start?

March 24, 2017|0 Comments

What Business Should I Start? I've been spending a bit of time on Quora lately. A lot of people have been asking questions related to: what business should I start? My answer is any business you want. In fact, the question so random, I doubt any answer provided by a bunch of strangers would be overly [...]

2203, 2017

Woman Crush Wednesday #WCW: Veronica – Creative Director & Founder @ In Veronica’s Corner @vscorner

March 22, 2017|0 Comments

Woman Crush Wednesday #WCW Since I first started Backbone America as a business, I've met some amazing women. Some of these women have reached the status I'd like my business to be one day. Others have started their business with a fearless passion that's completely foreign to the well-planned, highly structured boxes I tend to live in. [...]

2003, 2017

African American Quotes: Angelique Kidjo

March 20, 2017|0 Comments

I like to do African American Quotes, especially those by women. However, this quote is so simply and lovely, I can't help but share it. I don't believe Angelique Kidjo is actually American, even though she lives in New York. She's actually from a country in Africa, called Benin. We, as business owners, know running [...]

1703, 2017

What’s the Best Home Based Business?

March 17, 2017|0 Comments

What's the Best Home Based Business? I have a home-based business. Is it the best home based business? Well, I suppose it depends on the person. For me, it's lovely. I get a lot of alone time, which fits well with the introverted me. I have flexibility, which means I can run errands for [...]

1003, 2017

#buyblack Presents Unique Business Opportunities

March 10, 2017|0 Comments

#buyblack Presents Unique Business Opportunities I came across an article yesterday about problems with buying black. In all the times I've thought of buying black, I never considered it an all or nothing type of movement. Still, the article presented some unique opportunities in the Black Community. My Thoughts on #BuyBlack I don't see #buyblack as [...]

303, 2017

The Best Small Businesses Start with a Vision

March 3, 2017|0 Comments

The Best Small Businesses Start with a Vision Not everyone is born with a drive for entrepreneurship. I certainly wasn't. Being a business owner was low on my list of priorities for the longest time. I was content to simply be an employee. I went to work, did what I was told, then came home, [...]

2802, 2017

REVEAL Academy Launch + Sweepstakes

February 28, 2017|0 Comments

I'm really excited to announce the launch of REVEAL Academy. Back in January 2016, I started Backbone America as a simple website. About a month into Backbone America, the idea of turning into more than just a website that shared tidbits of information here and there began to play in my head. Around July, those [...]

302, 2017

Celebrate Black History Month: Clara Brown

February 3, 2017|0 Comments

Celebrate Black History Month: Clara Brown When I was younger, thinking about coming from a line of slaves was hard for me. When I get right down to the truth of it, it was like a badge of shame. As I've gotten older, my perspective has changed. I wouldn't go as far to say I [...]

3001, 2017

African American Quotes: Alice Walker

January 30, 2017|0 Comments

African America Quotes: Alice Walker I love this Alice Walker quote for two reasons. For me, it has a double meaning. First, it talks to me specifically as an African American Woman, thinking back on the trials my ancestors faced. Though we still have a long way to go as an African American community, I [...]

2001, 2017

QuickBooks Online Review: Great Invoice Software for Small Business

January 20, 2017|Comments Off on QuickBooks Online Review: Great Invoice Software for Small Business

QuickBooks Online Review: Great Invoice Software for Small Business QuickBooks Online has led the way for a number of years with its accounting solutions, including invoice software for small businesses.  In the last few years, they've hopped on the cloud bandwagon and tweaked their software to meet the requirements of the modern business environment. The [...]

2001, 2017

Which Is the Best Small Business Accounting Software?

January 20, 2017|0 Comments

Which Is the Best Small Business Accounting Software? As businesswomen, we're all looking for affordable solutions that fit our needs. That includes when it comes to our small business account software. Not only do we want to save money, we want to save time. As the saying goes, time is money. If we can find [...]

1601, 2017

African American Quotes: Martin Luther King Jr.

January 16, 2017|0 Comments

African American Quotes: Martin Luther King Jr. It's Martin Luther King Jr. Day. MLK had so many great quotes. Choosing just one was tough, but I have one for you. You may think you don't matter or can't make a difference. If that's your line of thought, you're wrong. You are important and you can make a [...]

901, 2017

African American Quotes: Nikki Giovanni

January 9, 2017|0 Comments

African American Quotes: Nikki Giovanni The other day I was listening to a podcast and Christianity was mentioned. It talked about how many Christians rely on prayer to get things done. I guess the term would be called lip service. Please, don't misunderstand me. I'm not against prayer. However, imagine a world where everyone prayed, [...]

201, 2017

African American Quotes: Toni Morrison

January 2, 2017|0 Comments

African American Quotes: Toni Morrison I struggle with the term African-American and even Black American. I use it in my business as a way to identify my target market. It's a way of saying, I'm over here. I'm here to help you specifically. As long as there's inequality in the United States toward Black Women, [...]

101, 2017

The 7 Principles of Kwanzaa, Celebrating Faith

January 1, 2017|0 Comments

The 7 Principles of Kwanzaa, Celebrating Faith Happy New Years! We freakin' made it. It had me thinking... 2020 is only 3 years away. I know. I know... we just started this year, and I've already set my eyes 3 years out. I guess it's because I never really entertained 2020 as a possible future. I've [...]

3112, 2016

The 7 Principles of Kwanzaa, Celebrating Collective Work and Responsibility

December 31, 2016|0 Comments

The 7 Principles of Kwanzaa, Celebrating Collective Work and Responsibility Ah! New Years Eve. My son returns from his grandparents tonight. Two long weeks. It'll be good to have him in the house again. It's odd. I'm always excited to see him off and have more me time. However, a few days in, I'm missing [...]

3012, 2016

The 7 Principles of Kwanzaa, Celebrating Purpose

December 30, 2016|0 Comments

The 7 Principles of Kwanzaa, Celebrating Purpose Welcome to Day 5 of Kwanzaa. I'm quite curious how the celebration is going for the rest of you. In my eyes, I envision Kwanzaa as one-long week of partying. Being the introvert that I am, I can see myself getting tired of the party 2 hours in. [...]

2912, 2016

The 7 Principles of Kwanzaa, Celebrating Creativity

December 29, 2016|0 Comments

The 7 Principles of Kwanzaa, Celebrating Creativity We've officially passed the halfway mark of celebrating Kwanzaa. It makes me think how odd holidays are in general. Why is it that we take one time a year to focus on celebrating and recognizing principles. After all, isn't a principle something that's long-term... something that becomes ingrained in [...]

2812, 2016

The 7 Principles of Kwanzaa, Celebrating Cooperative Economics

December 28, 2016|0 Comments

The 7 Principles of Kwanzaa, Celebrating Cooperative Economics Sometimes it amazes me how quickly time passes. I tend to be in a time warp, unsure of what goes on from week to week. However, writing and publishing posts daily has really kept me grounded. I've definitely felt every day this week, so far. Now that [...]

2712, 2016

The 7 Principles of Kwanzaa, Celebrating Self-Determination

December 27, 2016|0 Comments

7 Principles Kwanzaa Celebrates Self-Determination Yesterday was the first day of Kwanzaa, where we learned about the initial setup and the first principle: Unity. I imagine I would have enjoyed Kwanzaa growing up. My mother always made New Years a nice event. If we didn't have a group of people over, we'd go over to someone's [...]

2612, 2016

The 7 Principles of Kwanzaa, Celebrating Unity

December 26, 2016|0 Comments

The 7 Principles Kwanzaa Celebrates Unity In the last article, I talked about the 7  Kwanzaa celebrates. Now it's time to dig in. Before I talk about Unity and it's meaning, not just for Kwanzaa but for me, I'm going to start with setting up for Kwanzaa. The Setup One of the things I found [...]

2512, 2016

The 7 Principles Kwanzaa Celebrates…

December 25, 2016|0 Comments

The 7 Principles Kwanzaa Celebrates... It's Christmas day. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to those who have celebrations this time of year. With Christmas being here, it got my husband and I talking about the traditions this time a year. We talked about things like Hanukah, Krampus, that Santa vs Jesus game, and then Kwanzaa. And [...]

2312, 2016

5 Steps for Strategic Business Planning

December 23, 2016|0 Comments

5 Steps for Strategic Business Planning For the past few days (okay, off and on for a weeks), I've been gearing up for the New Year. It's a good idea to review your plans on a regular basis. If not monthly, at least quarterly. For me, it was a time to assess the year as [...]

1912, 2016

African American Quotes: Oprah Winfrey

December 19, 2016|0 Comments

African American Quotes: Oprah Winfrey One of the things my husband is fond of saying is, "You can't afford my free time."  My husband used to say this when people asked him how much it'd cost them for him to fix their stuff during his off time. It reminds me of a quote by Oprah [...]

1612, 2016

SMART Goal Setting Example

December 16, 2016|0 Comments

SMART Goal Setting Example If you read the article last Friday, you know today we're going to look at a SMART Goal Setting example.  As a reminder, SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Based. Often times, I find it easier to start with an overall arching goal and slowly build in [...]

1212, 2016

African American Quotes: Arthur Ashe

December 12, 2016|0 Comments

African American Quotes: Arthur Ashe Discrimination is live and well. It's been around well before we were born. It'll likely be around decades from now. The bottom line is it's nothing new. Then again, neither is success. Arthur Ashe said it well: Racism is not an excuse to not do the best you can. ~Arthur [...]

912, 2016

What is SMART Goal Setting?

December 9, 2016|0 Comments

What is SMART Goal Setting? With the New Year just around the corner, I imagine many of you are already thinking about your Resolutions. For most, the New Year's Resolution is a chance to make a long-lasting change. Unfortunately, a lot of people start strong on those resolutions, but pitter out after a few weeks [...]

512, 2016

African American Quotes: Life’s Too Short

December 5, 2016|0 Comments

African American Quotes: Life's Too Short I'm actually not sure who said this, but it's still a wonderful quote. Life's too short and tomorrow is not a guarantee. Do what makes you happy, be with those that make you smile, and love life to the fullest... ~Unknown If you know the author, let me know, [...]

212, 2016

The Importance of Pricing Strategies in Marketing

December 2, 2016|0 Comments

The Importance of Pricing Strategies in Marketing Small businesses are vital to the US Economy. That's why small businesses are called the Backbone of the America. Even so, most small businesses with no employees average just $45,000 annually in revenue, more than half of these businesses generating $25,000 or less (Intuit, 2015). Keep in mind, this [...]

2811, 2016

African American Quotes: Octavia E. Butler

November 28, 2016|0 Comments

African American Quotes: Octavia E. Butler I've yet to meet a person who's had a perfect life. Each and everyone of us has challenges, and they start from the moment of birth, when we're expelled from the warm womb into a cold room and we breath in that first startling breath. We're here today because [...]

2511, 2016

How Can I Work from Home?

November 25, 2016|0 Comments

How Can I Work from Home? There's no doubt in my family and friend's eyes that I'm a homebody. Don't get me wrong. I do like to travel and get out of the house from time to time. Even so, I love being home. So, I started to ask myself "how can I work from [...]

2111, 2016

African American Quotes: Faye Wattleton

November 21, 2016|0 Comments

African American Quotes: Faye Wattleton I'm not sure if sharing African American Quotes is going to be a regular thing for me. However, I'm finding them so uplifting, I'm going with it for now. One particular quote that struck me was one from Faye Wattleton, who is the first African American and the youngest president elected [...]

1811, 2016

Women and Work-Life Balance: Can We Have It All?

November 18, 2016|0 Comments

Women and Work-Life Balance: Can We Have It All? With all the responsibilities we face, the question that comes to mind with women and work-life balance is, can we have it all? I'm a mother, wife, and business owner, to name a few roles I play. When I was a stay-at-home mom, that was plenty. Chasing [...]

1411, 2016

African American Quotes: President Barack Obama

November 14, 2016|0 Comments

African American Quotes: Barack Obama Lately, I've found myself in need of a bit of inspiration. It's led me to turn to African American Quotes for life lessons. I'll begin by saying, I'm not a Trump supporter. I've never eeally cared much about elections. I didn't vote for President Barack Obama. In fact, I'd [...]

1111, 2016

Tapping into Small Business Coaching Services

November 11, 2016|0 Comments

Tapping into Small Business Coaching Services Tapping into small business coaching services may be a matter of survival for many owners. As we saw from The Great Recession, we never know what the economy is going to do. Quite a few small businesses went under back then, many are still struggling to recover today. It's odd... [...]

411, 2016

What is group coaching? Plus survey!

November 4, 2016|0 Comments

What is group coaching? Many have heard of coaching... the concept of working with a professional that helps you achieve your full potential. It's often conducted in a one-on-one setting. If that's the case, what is group coaching? What are the benefits up group coaching compared to individual coaching? The list of questions can go [...]

2810, 2016

Developing a Small Business Branding Strategy

October 28, 2016|0 Comments

Developing a Small Business Branding Strategy I've been really reflecting on my website lately. Not only the content, but the look and feel. In fact, you may have noticed I changed the front page. A lot of the changes and the behind the scenes work I've been doing reflects my through process as I've [...]

1409, 2016

Creating Customer Satisfaction Survey Questions

September 14, 2016|0 Comments

Creating Customer Satisfaction Survey Questions This post about creating customer satisfaction survey questions was prompted from a recent phone call I accepted. The guy on the line asked me if I was willing to take the survey. I always ask a couple of questions before I get started. The first is, what is the survey [...]

2908, 2016

Make America Great Again Nonsense

August 29, 2016|0 Comments

Make America Great Again Nonsense The other day I was sitting in a restaurant with my family, and my nephew asked a question, which had me thinking about the idea of making America great again. He asked, if you could go back in time and choose when to be born, when would you pick? [...]

908, 2016

Ways to Increase the Success of Black Women Owned Businesses

August 9, 2016|0 Comments

Ways to Increase the Success of Black Women Owned Businesses In the last post, I talked about African American Women Business Owners on the Rise. In spite of the increase in ownership, many amongst this demographics struggle to be financially successful. So today, I'm going to share tips and resources to increase the success of Black Women [...]

407, 2016

African American Women Business Owners on the Rise

July 4, 2016|0 Comments

African American Women Business Owners on the Rise Over the past year or so, there's been quite a bit of talk about the number of African American women business owners being on the rise. On one account, I'm ecstatic. As an African American AND woman business owner, I'm excited to see individuals in my [...]

2806, 2016

Goal to Offer Small Business Coaching Services

June 28, 2016|0 Comments

Goal to Offer Small Business Coaching Services Transcript Below Hi. I’m Renee Townsend, owner of Backbone America. Today, I thought it would be nice to do a video. I got a new microphone. So I thought I’d put it to use. There’s no of having the microphone if it’s not being used. So, this [...]

2606, 2016

36 Questions to Ask before You Buy a Business – Part 3

June 26, 2016|0 Comments

Questions to Ask before You Buy a Business If you've made it through the part 1 and part 2, congratulations! This article concludes the Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Business series. Today, we'll address management, legal, and questions pertaining to the seller specifically. Management & Transition 22) What are and have been [...]

2406, 2016

36 Questions to Ask before You Buy a Business – Part 2

June 24, 2016|0 Comments

Questions to Ask before You Buy a Business In the last post, we covered questions to ask before you buy a business related to products, services, and financials. Today, we're going to get into Customers and Employees... two very important pieces of your business. Without customers, your business will have no income. As such, [...]

2206, 2016

36 Questions to Ask before You Buy a Business – Part 1

June 22, 2016|0 Comments

Questions to Ask before You Buy a Business In the last article, we talked about things you should consider prior to buying a business. This time around, we're going to look at some questions to ask before you buy a business. Products & Services 1) May I have a list of products & services? [...]

2006, 2016

Considerations Before You Buy a Business

June 20, 2016|0 Comments

Considerations Before You Buy a Business Starting a business from scratch can be risky and full of uncertainty. If you don't have enough funds or outside income to tide you through the initial growth, your business could be doomed before you even start. Purchasing a business can come with huge advantages over starting a [...]

1806, 2016

How to Do What You Like & Make Money

June 18, 2016|0 Comments

How to Do What You Like & Make Money Lately, I've been doing a bit of self-reflecting... mostly about how I spend my time and my personality. It led me back to why I started Backbone America (the website) -- I truly enjoy seeing small businesses succeed. When my department was part of a reduction [...]

706, 2016

IndustriusCFO Software Review: Financial Analysis Software

June 7, 2016|Comments Off on IndustriusCFO Software Review: Financial Analysis Software

IndustriusCFO Software Review: Financial Analysis Software IndustriusCFO happened upon my radar when I was at an American Small Business Development Center (ASBDC) conference. I never took the opportunity to explore this financial analysis software until I decided to venture on my own with Backbone America. I have to admit, I'm rather impressed with what [...]

2105, 2016

Cultivating Good Customer Service Skills – Part 2

May 21, 2016|0 Comments

Cultivating Good Customer Service Skills In the last article, we talked about cultivating good customer service skills. Today, we'll continue where we left off. As a reminder, customer service starts with you, the business owner, but it's up to you to train you employees to represent the company properly. So without much fanfare, let's [...]

1905, 2016

Cultivating Good Customer Service Skills – Part 1

May 19, 2016|0 Comments

Cultivating Good Customer Service Skills Recently, I came across an article entitled "75 Customer Service Facts, Quotes & Statistics." Some of the statistics were mind-blowing, and really emphasized the need to cultivate good customer service skills in your employees. Poor customer service cost. What's sad about it is that many businesses aren't even aware of the [...]

1705, 2016

Supplementing Wages with Employee Benefit Plans

May 17, 2016|0 Comments

Supplementing Wages with Employee Benefit Plans From time to time, I see in the news articles about government employees being underpaid. One might wonder why people are so eager to grab a government job which comes with less pay for the same skill set in a non-government job. Well, the government is great at [...]

1505, 2016

Employee retention strategies that work again and again…

May 15, 2016|0 Comments

Employee retention strategies that work again and again... Last week, we talked about why employees quit. Today, we're going to dig into employee retention strategies. After all, once you have that awesome employee, you're going to want to keep them. Fairly compensate employees Man Receiving Dollars From Another Man As Payment For A Sale [...]

1305, 2016

Top Reasons Employees Quit Their Jobs

May 13, 2016|0 Comments

I talk a lot about finding great employees. A lot of good an awesome employee will do you if they up and quit. So, today, we're going to talk about some of the top reasons employees quit their jobs. Hopefully, awareness will help you get ahead of the game and maybe avoid some of the [...]

1105, 2016

Promote Employees with Good Leadership Qualities

May 11, 2016|0 Comments

Promote Employees with Good Leadership Qualities I'm a firm believer of internal promotions, whenever possible. However, when it comes to leadership, you'll want to promote employees with good leadership qualities, rather than simply choosing the most senior ranking individual. Why? Because you want the right people in the right seats on the bus. A [...]

1304, 2016

Steps for Starting a Small Business: 8 – Write a Marketing Plan

April 13, 2016|0 Comments

Write a Marketing Plan So, you've gone through the first 7 steps for starting a small business and are ready to operate your business. Well done! Now it's time to work on attracting those customers. Before you go wild on the marketing, I recommend you write a marketing plan first. Market Research I've talked [...]

1104, 2016

Steps for Starting a Small Business: 7 – Obtaining Start Up Business Funding

April 11, 2016|0 Comments

Obtaining Start Up Business Funding For many entrepreneurs, funding their business is one of the most important steps for starting a small business. One of my favorite tasks of being a business advisor is helping entrepreneurs find startup business funding. There's something about crunching the numbers that really injects me with energy. Once I get [...]

1004, 2016

Xero Review: Best Accounting Software for a Report

April 10, 2016|Comments Off on Xero Review: Best Accounting Software for a Report

Xero Review: Best Accounting Software for a Report Being American, I was raised with the mentality that the US is #1 in everything. One of the nice things about reviewing software for small businesses is being exposed to non-USA products. Xero is one of those. So far, I've found it to be the best accounting [...]

904, 2016

Steps for Starting a Small Business: 6 – Choosing to Work in Home or Out

April 9, 2016|0 Comments

Choosing to Work in Home or Out Deciding where to operate is a big decision when considering the steps for starting a small business. Depending on your type of business you decide to start, you may have the opportunity to choose to work in home or out. Regardless of the location you settle on, each option [...]

704, 2016

Steps for Starting a Small Business: 5 – Get Business License or Permit

April 7, 2016|0 Comments

Get Business License or Permit We're moving along quickly through the steps of starting a small business. We're already to step 5: Get Business License or Permit. Like the Sales & Use Tax Permit, not every business will need licenses or special permits. Many depend on the business industry or even the particular state or locality. [...]

504, 2016

Steps for Starting a Small Business: 4 – Apply for a Sales and Use Tax Permit

April 5, 2016|0 Comments

Apply for a Sales and Use Tax Permit Applying for a Sale and Use Tax Permit doesn't apply to every business. In fact, some states don't require businesses to collect state taxes at all. Your particular state may also call it something different. Still it's one of the steps for starting a small business you shouldn't [...]

304, 2016

Steps for Starting a Small Business: 3 – How to Write a Business Plan

April 3, 2016|0 Comments

How to Write a Business Plan One of the most important steps for starting a small business (in my opinion) is the business plan. If you haven't already done so, it's time to start your business plan. It may seem odd that I'm just getting to the business plan now. However, I know that most [...]

104, 2016

Steps for Starting a Small Business: 2 – How to Get an EIN Number

April 1, 2016|0 Comments

How to Get an EIN Number First of all, I'm going to tell you the question "How to get an EIN number" is rather redundant. Why? Because EIN stands for employee identification number. So asking for an EIN Number is asking for an employee identification number number. I mention that, because I often hear that question. [...]

3003, 2016

Steps for Starting a Small Business: 1 – Register Your Business Name

March 30, 2016|2 Comments

Register Your Business Name When I first started this website, I really had no intentions of doing anything more than sharing information. Unforeseen events have pushed me to consider staring a small business of my own. As I work through the steps of starting a small business, I'll take you all along on the journey, [...]

2803, 2016

5 Pricing Strategies for Selling Products & Services

March 28, 2016|4 Comments

5 Pricing Strategies for Selling Products & Services Pricing strategies can vary greatly amongst the different industries. Whereas one pricing strategy can work well for one business, it can fail dismally in another. As such, having a plan which maximizes your potential review can make a world of difference. As such, today we're going to look at [...]

2603, 2016

Effective Ways To Improve Work Performance

March 26, 2016|6 Comments

Effective Ways To Improve Work Performance Just about every business owner would like his/her employees to focus on the work they do while producing quality results. However, every company is bound to encounter an employee that fails to meet expectations. Often times it puts business owners in a tough position of choosing between letting an employee go or [...]

2403, 2016

How to Increase Customer Loyalty

March 24, 2016|6 Comments

How to Increase Customer Loyalty If you're a business owner and not thinking about how to increase customer loyalty, you may be missing out on quite a few opportunities. Depending on the statistics you pull, it costs 5-10 times more to gain a new customer than retain a customer. When I think customer loyalty, cable [...]

2203, 2016

Tips on Avoiding a Conflict of Interest When Starting a Business

March 22, 2016|4 Comments

Tips on Avoiding a Conflict of Interest When Starting a Business Creating a conflict of interest when starting a business can be a major setback. Several years ago, I worked for a financial advising company. One thing to know about the financial industry, is they have strict policies when it comes to conflicts of interest. The [...]

2003, 2016

How to Grow a Business with a Solid Plan

March 20, 2016|4 Comments

How to Grow a Business with a Solid Plan In the last post, I addressed strategies for growing your small business. Today, I want to talk about items to consider during your growth phase. Implications of Business Growth One of the first thoughts when many business owners think of when it comes to growth is more [...]

1803, 2016

Strategies for Growing Your Small Business

March 18, 2016|8 Comments

Strategies for Growing Your Small Business Choosing an appropriate strategies for growing your small business can vary depending upon the type of company you run, the available resources, and many other factories. Today, I want to provide you will a few best business ideas. Increase the Customer Base This strategy might include not only finding new customers, but [...]

1603, 2016

5 More Areas of Improvement for Employees

March 16, 2016|4 Comments

5 More Areas of Improvement for Employees In the last post we talked about areas your employees could work on. Today, we're going to talk about a few more. Again, you might consider including these areas of improvement for employees as part of your quarterly or annual evaluations. Adjusting to Change I'll be the first [...]

1403, 2016

5 Areas of Improvement for Employees

March 14, 2016|4 Comments

As a company owner, you most likely give your employees quarterly or yearly evaluations or at least it's a good practice. These evaluations typically address an employees overall performance. It also tackles areas such as strengths and weaknesses, goal setting for the up coming months or year, and often gives an employee an opportunity to [...]

1203, 2016

Freshbooks Review: #1 Accounting Software for Small Business

March 12, 2016|12 Comments

Freshbooks Review: #1 Accounting Software for Small Business Sometimes I read through my past reviews and think, how is anyone going to get through this? So, I've decided to change things up a bit with my Freshbooks review. I've simplified it a bit so it's an easier read. So, let's look at this accounting [...]

1203, 2016

Computer Ethics in the Workplace

March 12, 2016|10 Comments

Computer Ethics in the Workplace Trust is an important part of a successful business environment. It's also a two-way street; an area that must be maintained between the management and employees. Computer ethics in the workplace is just one of many areas trust comes into play. When it comes to computer ethics, setting rules must be [...]

1003, 2016

Team Building in the Workplace

March 10, 2016|4 Comments

Team Building in the Workplace Team building in the workplace has become increasingly important in recent years, as businesses becomes more competitive, aggressive, and technology driven. Employees are required to work smarter and harder in an attempt to meet the challenges of the workplace and to effectively deliver the desired results. But no single individual can make [...]

803, 2016

Giving Your Company a Sustainable Competitive Advantage

March 8, 2016|6 Comments

Giving Your Company a Sustainable Competitive Advantage Starting a business can take an tremendous amount of hard work and motivation. It can take even more effort to successfully grow your small business. Unlike large corporations, which seem to have an abundance of resources to advance their companies, small businesses often lack the financial luxury and manpower [...]

603, 2016

A Few Important Qualities of a Good Employee

March 6, 2016|0 Comments

A Few Important Qualities Of A Good Employee Building the right workforce is crucial to expansion and sustainability. No matter what technical expertise the candidates hold, it's important they have the qualities of a good employee prior to hiring, as they will have a large influence on the future of your company. Just as small businesses are the [...]

403, 2016

How to Calculate Accounts Receivable Turnover Ratio

March 4, 2016|0 Comments

How to Calculate Accounts Receivable Turnover Ratio Windfall profits but no cash in the bank? Your accounts receivable may be the culprit. Today, I'm going to show you how to the calculate accounts receivable turnover ratio and also talk about solutions if yours is too high. Accounts Receivable (A/R) Before going into calculations and [...]

203, 2016

Break into Entrepreneurship and Start a Business from Home

March 2, 2016|0 Comments

Break into Entrepreneurship and Start a Business from Home For those individuals who are ready to step into entrepreneurship but not ready for a brick and mortar store, I suggest you try to start a business from home. A home-based business can provide a cost effective and convenient method of providing services and products to [...]

2902, 2016

Help Employees Beat Inflation with an Average Yearly Raise

February 29, 2016|4 Comments

Help Employees Beat Inflation with an Average Yearly Raise As a business owner, you see your cost of goods increase on a regular basis. Your employees face inflation just as you do. In consideration of your employees, help them beat inflation with an average yearly raise. Many Small Businesses Miss the Mark My husband has [...]

2702, 2016

Business Liability Insurance Cost: Is it worth the peace of mind?

February 27, 2016|4 Comments

Regardless of the type of business structure an entrepreneur chooses for his or her company, I always recommend obtaining general business liability insurance. Why? because comparably speaking, the low business liability insurance cost is worth the peace of mind. What is liability insurance? Most of have heard of car insurance. Typically, your auto insurance will have a [...]

2502, 2016

5 Situational Interview Questions to Ask Candidates

February 25, 2016|4 Comments

5 Situational Interview Questions to Ask Candidates I'm quite fond of the idea of asking situational interview questions for potential employees. I've had the opportunity to sit in on a few interviews, and of course, I've been on the interviewee end also. As an interviewee, I've noticed quite a few employers choose to ask skill [...]

2302, 2016

3 Online Leadership Courses for Professional Development

February 23, 2016|0 Comments

3 Online Leadership Courses for Professional Development I've been attending a 5-part rural leadership course, and it had me thinking what a missed opportunity it is for those who aren't able to attend. Then I thought, there must be more ways to get leadership training to others, which led me to online leadership courses. Online [...]

2102, 2016

Shortening Payment Time with Accounts Receivable Factoring

February 21, 2016|0 Comments

Shortening Payment Time with Accounts Receivable Factoring In my last post, I talked about the nightmares managing accounts receivables can bring you. Today, I want to talk solutions, specifically accounts receivable factoring and how it can shorten the time between services rendered and payments received. I used the trucking industry as an example last time I [...]

1902, 2016

Your Accounts Receivable Turnover Can Destroy Your Business

February 19, 2016|0 Comments

Your Accounts Receivable Turnover Can Destroy Your Business From time to time, I'll get a client who is experiencing windfall profits but can't figure out why they have no cash to pay the bills. They're desperate for money to keep their business from sinking. Upon further investigation, I might find their accounts receivable turnover rate is [...]

1702, 2016

Performance Reviews with Employee Evaluation Examples

February 17, 2016|0 Comments

Performance Reviews with Employee Evaluation Examples For as long as I've known my husband, he's worked in companies that are classified as small businesses. With one exception, all of the companies which employed him have neglected employee performance reviews. I'm always shocked at the lack of employee performance reviews in small businesses. So today, we're going [...]

1502, 2016

What Do You Need to Open a Business Checking Account

February 15, 2016|0 Comments

What Do You Need to Open a Business Checking Account Regardless of the type of structure you choose for your business, I strongly suggest keeping your business affairs separate from your personal. Part of having the division is having a checking account for your business. However, opening one is not always so straight forward. So, [...]

1302, 2016

B2B: How to Find the Owner of a Business

February 13, 2016|4 Comments

B2B: How to Find the Owner of a Business Business to Business (B2B) is big these days. In fact, forming personal connections with the local businesses in your area can lead to some advantageous opportunities. So, today I'm going to teach you how to find the owner of a business. First, let's talk cover a [...]

1102, 2016

Finding Small Business Opportunities from Home That You Love

February 11, 2016|0 Comments

Finding Small Business Opportunities from Home That You Love First of all, starting a small business typically isn't a walk in the park. For most, it takes hard work and dedication to be successful. So as you're considering a small business opportunity from home, keep that in mind. I try not to push my clients [...]

902, 2016

Keystone Pricing Formula – Is it Flawed?

February 9, 2016|0 Comments

From time to time, I work with clients who struggle with coming up with an appropriate pricing formula. A common method I see them using sometimes is simply setting their retail price to be double their cost of goods, also known as the Keystone Pricing Formula. The Basic Keystone Pricing Formula Keystone pricing is quite easy to [...]

702, 2016

Shoeboxed Review: An Alternative to Neat Scanner Software

February 7, 2016|0 Comments

Shoeboxed Review: An Alternative to Neat Scanner Software I work with a bookkeeper who talks about folks bringing in their receipts for manual entry. When I envision a shoebox full of loose receipts, I can't help but be horrified at the idea of sorting through them all. Luckily there are a few receipt managing tools, [...]

702, 2016

3 Ways to Improve Job Performance Amongst Your Employees

February 7, 2016|0 Comments

3 Ways to Improve Job Performance Amongst Your Employees Employees can span a broad spectrum when it comes to productivity. You might get a few gems who join your company full of motivation, ready to stamp their positive mark. Others may simply accept a position for the paycheck, while putting out a minimum effort. Regardless [...]

602, 2016

Workshare Review: Collaborative Software to Compare Files Online

February 6, 2016|10 Comments

Workshare Review: Collaborative Software to Compare Files Online I don't write business plans for my customers. However, I always offer a review. Typically, I receive the business plan in a Word document and make my changes there. One of the struggles I face is my clients' familiarity (or lack of familiarity) with the track changes/comment [...]

502, 2016

5 Tips on How to Recruit Employees and Reduce Employee Turnover Rates

February 5, 2016|0 Comments

5 Tips on How to Recruit Employees and Reduce Employee Turnover Rates I moved to the Bakkan oilfield area a bit over two years ago. What I noticed right away was the high turnover. Business owners all over the city struggled with how to recruit employees and reduce employee turnover rates. I'd go into one [...]

302, 2016

Start Up Business Loans for Small Businesses

February 3, 2016|0 Comments

Finding Start Up Business Loans One of the favorite parts of my job as a business advisor is helping entrepreneurs find start up business loans. Big loans, small loans... it doesn't matter. To me, helping start ups find funds is like putting together pieces of a financial puzzle. To top it off... it's so rewarding [...]

102, 2016

Playing the Cash Flow Game – Template Included

February 1, 2016|4 Comments

Playing the Cash Flow Game - Template Included One of the last things I address when building a set of financials is the cash flow. For me, it's like a cash flow game in that the money has to be there to make it attractive to lenders. It might include reducing the owner's draw, helping [...]

3001, 2016

Personal Guarantee Clause – Giving Your Business a Leg Up

January 30, 2016|6 Comments

Personal Guarantee Clause - Giving Your Business a Leg Up A big piece of my job is finding funding for my clients. The funding I find for them can come in a variety of forms, but typically they include some type of loan. Regardless of the loan I recommend, the loans all include a personal [...]

2801, 2016

Why Do Entrepreneurs Fail in Thriving Economies? Three Reasons…

January 28, 2016|4 Comments

Why Do Entrepreneurs Fail in Thriving Economies? Three Reasons... I work with entrepreneurs on a daily basis. Many go off to do wonderful things with their businesses, while others crash and burn miserably. Though a strong economy does influence a business in many ways, some entrepreneurs can push through despite the worst, while others fail [...]

2601, 2016

Financial Health in the Startup Funding Stages

January 26, 2016|6 Comments

Financial Health in the Startup Funding Stages Business financials... where to start? First, I'll say the financial health in the startup funding stages of your company starts well before going into business. Why do I say this? Well, businesses don't typically start with credit. Like your personal credit, it's something a business has to earn. As [...]

2401, 2016

The Business Plan Has Two Main Purposes

January 24, 2016|6 Comments

The Business Plan Has Two Main Purposes Throughout this site, you'll see me mention the importance of having a business plan time and time again. Why? Because the business plan has two main purposes: to provide a roadmap for your company, and if necessary help you obtain the funding you need to get started or [...]

2301, 2016

LivePlan Software Review: How to get started on a business plan

January 23, 2016|4 Comments

LivePlan Software Review: How to get started on a business plan According to a study conducted by Palo Alto Software, entrepreneurs who write business plans are 50% more likely to succeed. With the failure rate of small businesses being 9 out of 10, this is a big deal for entrepreneurs. However, many don't know how to [...]

2201, 2016

Who Uses Financial Statements? and why…

January 22, 2016|6 Comments

Who Uses Financial Statements? and why... The idea having financial statements for a business may be a new concept for some. I've have plenty of clients who've started their businesses without them. They simply draw down funds from the accounts and start their business. If they can do it, why not everyone? It then becomes the [...]

2001, 2016

Pro Forma Income Statement Template – Dumbing It Down

January 20, 2016|4 Comments

Pro Forma Income Statement Template - Dumbing It Down I always find the name income statement to be odd. To me, the name sounds like it's just tracking revenue, when in actuality, it tracks income and expenses over a specified time period. This time around, I'm going to cover the income statement, like the [...]

1801, 2016

Are Women a Minority? And does it matter?

January 18, 2016|8 Comments

Are Women a Minority? And does it matter? Receiving the designation as a minority owned business can come with advantages, particularly when it comes to government contracting. I'll go into more details of government contracting at a future date, but today we're going to pick on women. So, let's address the question: Are women a minority? [...]

1701, 2016

Screenshot Monitor Review: Timesheets are easy but ineffective

January 17, 2016|14 Comments

Screenshot Monitor Review: Timesheets are easy but ineffective Timesheets are easy but ineffective when it comes to employee monitoring. Today, I'm going to explore an online monitoring program, called Screenshot Monitor, that can help keep track of the progress employees make on work and also be a tool for employees who are responsible for their [...]

1601, 2016

Types of Company Ownership: What you should know…

January 16, 2016|8 Comments

When it comes to types of company ownership, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. There are 3 main types of company ownership or business structures, along with a couple of sub-type. Each type has specific legal and tax implications. Therefore, it’s important to choose a structure that best meets your individual situation. I often encourage clients to [...]

1401, 2016

Break Even Analysis Formula – Online Calculator

January 14, 2016|20 Comments

Break Even Analysis Formula - Online Calculator When it comes to the break even analysis formula, goal setting comes to my mind. So exactly what is break even? Well, it's the point where your company has made enough revenue that you didn't make any money and you didn't lose any money. You're dead even [...]

1201, 2016

Pro Forma Balance Sheet Template – Dumbing It Down

January 12, 2016|14 Comments

Pro Forma Balance Sheet Template - Dumbing It Down If you read the Business Startup Page, you'll know playing with financials is one of my favorite aspects of being a business advisor. So today, my first post, we're going to talk a little about financials, the balance sheet specifically. Along with that, I'll provide [...]