15 Aug 2017

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When entrepreneurs turn to crowdfunding to help them jumpstart their next venture, it’s usually because the need the capital to get their product, service or business off the ground. But by asking for people to support the development of your business, you’re also inadvertently asking them for feedback on your product or project. It’s a bit like market testing before actually hitting the...

17 Jul 2017

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Small business owners are the backbone of the American economy and, according to a report from the Institute of Women’s Policy Research, about 29 percent of those businesses are owned by women. That’s up from 26 percent in 1997, the report says. However, the increase in the number of businesses doesn’t inherently solve all the problems. A report from the Economic Policy Institute found t...

01 Jun 2017

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When you’re building a business, happy customers are more than good business, they’re also great marketing. People in this ever increasingly social world are happy to spread the word about your business when they have a great experience, but you have to ask for their help. So, when was the last time you asked someone for a referral, review or recommendation? Does your business have a pro...

18 May 2017

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If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times – a great business starts with having great people. You can have an amazing business concept, a full-octane marketing plan and a fool-proof manual, but if you don’t have a solid staff, you won’t have happy customers and you won’t grow your business in the long-run.Some of the most important people in your business are your manager...

01 May 2017

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Everyone looks at reviews. Whether we’re trying to find a new restaurant or we’re looking for a contractor for a major project, most of us don’t go out on a limb without doing some due diligence. So what is your business doing to (1) make sure your happy customers are leaving good reviews and (2) manage sub-par reviews online? When was the last time you googled your own business to see w...

11 Apr 2017

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Whether you call them millennials or young professionals, the younger members of today’s workforce want different things from their careers than their parents or grandparents did. For many, work isn’t just about clocking in, clocking out and taking home a paycheck anymore. Sure, they need to make money, but they want jobs they enjoy at companies that are invested in helping them learn, g...

10 Mar 2017

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Successful and wealthy people come from all walks of life and their individual experiences have shaped who they are, what they do and how they do it. But most of them have something in common – they read. A lot.In Steve Siebold’s book How Rich People Think, he points out that a packed library is something many wealthy people have in common. And they’re not usually picking up mystery nove...

27 Feb 2017

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Taking a chance is uncomfortable. Even if you think you’ve done all the research and you are confident about the destination, it takes guts to venture into the unknown. Just like with sailing… you know your boat, you have the skills to sail successfully and you’re prepared for a day out, but there’s always a chance of rain. But if you want the experience, you can’t stand on the shore. Yo...

09 Feb 2017

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January is tough. December is so busy with holiday festivities that, by the time you get to making those New Year’s Resolutions, what you really need is a BREAK. Maybe that’s why so many resolutions end up on the cutting room floor…So now that we’re into February, it’s time to take a step back and really think about the goals and commitments you’ve set for yourself – and your business – ...

27 Jan 2017

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Is your business driving you crazy? It’s easy to get frustrated with your business – especially if being at work kept you from enjoying the holidays… But you don’t have to be a slave to your business! You can break free and learn to love your business again! It won’t be easy, but it all starts with learning to let go and take a step back. You have to create systems, learn to delegate, bu...