27 Mar 2023

Mom and Pop Shops are the backbone of our communities, but the last 20 years have been tough. With the rise of online shopping and big box stores, many of those small stores have shut their doors. When you add in the pandemic and the economy, small business owners are struggling now more than ever. This Wednesday, March 29, is National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day. In honor of thei...

15 Feb 2023

As business and sales coaches, we are lucky to work with some absolutely amazing entrepreneurs. Whether they’re early in their careers and working with a coach to help them navigate rough waters or they’re experienced entrepreneurs who want a professional coach in their corner, entrepreneurs of all kinds make America tick. In honor of National Entrepreneurship Week, which falls on the...

19 Oct 2022

Nothing sucks the joy out of your life quite like a terrible workplace. We spend so much time at work that enjoying our workplace – even if we don’t absolutely love our job – is absolutely essential. It’s common knowledge that crummy workplace culture can kill employee morale and lead to lower productivity, quiet quitting, higher turnover rates, low employee satisfaction and poor client ...

26 Jan 2022

We talk about resolutions every year around this time. Sometimes it’s about making and keeping those resolutions, but often it’s a joke about how long we can go before we admit defeat. That’s the problem with resolutions: without SMART Goals, we aren’t able to make the kind of progress we’re hoping to see in ourselves. What does it really mean to eat healthier? And how do you just find m...

22 Feb 2021

Strong finances are a foundational keystone for any business, but getting the numbers in order after a crazy 2020 while preparing for an uncertain 2021 can seem overwhelming. But do you know what’s even more overwhelming? Having no plan at all. Financial planning basically comes down to three basic steps: Crunch, Budget and Plan. First of all, even if 2020 wasn’t your best year, yo...

23 Jul 2015

5
In today’s busy, work-based world, it can be extremely easy to get so wrapped up in your work life that you forget everything else. If you’re a business owner, this can be especially challenging. But it’s important to remember that you opened your business so you could have a better life – not so you could work 80 hours per week. Take 10 minutes today to consider your work and personal l...

09 Jul 2015

5
We’ve all heard the phrase “following in my father’s footsteps” – but does that phrase indicated that you have to find a way to step exactly into each step? Or does it come down to just sticking to a similar trail? When it comes to following in the footsteps of the previous generation in a family business, finding your own footholds is vital part of helping the company thrive AND still w...

11 Jun 2015

5
It’s that time of year! The kids are out of school, the days are longer and the temperatures are warm and inviting. While it’s important to dedicate time to your family and friends throughout the year, summer is that special time of year for family vacations, trips to the beach, making memories at a local theme park, going to the county fair and more. Unwinding is important because gives...

28 May 2015

5
There’s a phrase out there you’ve probably heard, “The first step is always the hardest.” Whether you’re a new runner, a business owner, or both, this phrase holds serious weight and it all comes down to will power. If you want to make a change in your life – or your business – you have to have the will power to actually take the first step toward making things better. Earlier this mont...

10 Jul 2014

5
When business owners think about their business, what do they say is their most important aspect? For many, the answer is easy: the people. But as important as great employees are to every business, many owners also say their people are their biggest headache. But why? And how can that be fixed? Our guest blog come from Gary Furr, The Growth Coach of Portland, who recently shared some g...