Articles on Entrepreneurship

101 Small Business Mistakes (and What You Can Learn From Them)

Let's be honest: running a small business is not an easy task. And even the most successful business owners have had their fair share of blunders. Here are some of the biggest mist

Small Business Profile: Stefanie Michaels (Adventure Girl)

Former swimwear model Stefanie Michaels, known to her fans as “Adventure Girl”, is the ultimate travel expert. Millions of fans visit AdventureGirl.com to follow Stefanie as she

How and Why a Business Plan Can Make a Difference

We have all heard that the business plan is the foundation for every business, and we may try to do one by going through the motions. But until we truly embrace the business pla

10 Small Businesses That Are Free or Cost Little to Start Up

Rather than face an untimely layoff, why not join millions of savvy entrepreneurs and start a business of your own? Here’s how someone with no capital can create their own schedule

10 Myths About Employee Incentive Programs

Employee incentive programs are popular, if only because they are prolific. Though conventional wisdom tells us otherwise, many will argue that these programs are not just ineffect

One Talent, Multiple Streams of Income

Wondering how to use creative talents to pay the bills now and build for retirement later? Last week, I spoke with Texas wildflower artist Linda Calvert Jacobson about what works f

When to Outsource for Your Small Business

The big bucks are made not on one person’s efforts alone, but the efforts of many. Today we will look at the inherent characteristics of outsourcing.

10 Myths Non-Business People Believe About Business

Many people have great excuses for not starting a business: I need a great idea. I don't have a business plan. Learn the truth about these myths and why they shouldn't hold you ba

Ramp Up Your Business by Specializing

As an entrepreneur, you would think that precluding certain types of customers in favor of a smaller – but specialized – market would be akin to shooting yourself in the foot. But

Summer Camp as a Side Business

My tween son went to a Lego camp this summer so that he could learn robotics, something I wasn’t sure I could teach him since his technical skills typically surpass mine. My initia

How to Use Vendor-Managed Inventory Programs

A well-run vendor-managed inventory (VMI) program could allow your business to speed up its cash flow by more closely matching your cash outlay for inventory with your cash infl

101 Tips From Top 50 Small Business Bloggers

We asked around 50 of the top small business bloggers to give a couple of their best quick tips for small business owners, and the response was incredible. Some are short nuggets o

9 Tips for Working With a Virtual Assistant

Working with a remote employee is a unique situation and requires special handling. Here are 9 tips for working with your virtual assistant.

How to Find and Hire a Virtual Assistant for Your Small Business

A virtual assistant is an administrative employee who lives and works remotely. By hiring a remote worker, you can hire from a global talent pool, and find help with more education

Saving for Retirement (and Other Long-Term Goals) on a Variable Income

A variable income coupled with fixed expenses is tricky to manage. In this article you will find a five-step strategy that allows you to save effectively for retirement, take advan

The Three F Rule Can Lead You to Happiness

In advertising, my chosen career, there is an unwritten rule for working with clients that makes everyone’s lives just a little better. It’s the three F rule. But when I explained

Accounts Receivable Nightmares: Collecting on Delinquent Accounts

How do you collect on delinquent accounts without damaging the customer relationship? How do you manage the balance between keeping a steady stream of new clients coming through

How to Turn Average Talent into Fame and Fortune

Some people have great talent. Some don’t. And then, there are those people who are OK at something and yet, through smart thinking and ingenuity, create a niche for themselves tha

Where is the Business Going? Succession Planning Points for Consideration

When I was a practicing financial planner, I was shocked at the number of small business clients who did nothing but blink their eyes in response to my line of questions about t

When and How to Offer Discounts for Early Payment

Offering discounts for cash, upfront and early payment can be an integral part of a comprehensive business management strategy, not just the domain of the accounts receivable de