Tag Archives: small business

Are you ready for Entrepreneurship?

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(I originally published this article in the Galion Inquirer on Dec. 3, 2011)

In business,  just as in life, there are no guarantees.  There are many risks associated with starting a small business, but you can improve your chances of success with good planning, preparation, and insight.  These three items are crucial to your success.  Before you jump head-first into your own business, consider the following questions to see if self-employment is a good fit for you.

Are you a self-starter?  It will be entirely up to you to find clients, develop projects and services, organize your time, and follow through on details.  It’s also up to you to set up your administrative process.  What kind of stationery will you use?  How will  you track inventory or sales?  How will you manage five projects with different deadlines?

Do you get along well with many different personalities and people?  Business owners need to develop working relationships with a variety of people including customers, vendors, staff, bankers, and professionals such as lawyers, accountants, or consultants.  Can you deal with a demanding client, an unreliable vendor, or a cranky receptionist if your business requires it?  

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SBA Delivers Jobs Act Grants to SBDCs in Six States

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SBA Announces Grants to SBDCs to Support Job Creation Programs

WASHINGTON – The first six of a series of grants to Small Business Development Centers around the country to expand access to programs to help entrepreneurs start or grow their businesses and create jobs were announced today by Deputy Administrator Marie Johns of the U.S. Small Business Administration.  These first six grants are part of $50 million in funding included in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 signed by the President last September.

A key provision of the Jobs Act provides separate one-time funding to the SBDCs to support job creation and retention within the small business community through in-depth business counseling and advising entrepreneurs and small business owners.  SBDCs in Alaska, California (Northeastern SBDC program), Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, and South Carolina are the first to receive funding grants from the Jobs Act to expand training and business advisory services.  

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Transactions and Collections – How to Get Paid and Paid on Time

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It doesn’t matter what type of business you operate, making sure you get paid on time and as seamlessly as possible (for both you and your client) is critical to your success and survival.

But knowing how to get paid isn’t as easy as it sounds. The payment options that work for one business, may not work for another. Likewise, getting paid on time requires you put the right pre-emptive measures in place for collecting what you’re owed and  managing past-due payments.

To help you make the right decisions for your business, here are some pointers about setting up customer payment options, tips for getting paid on time, and what to do if you don’t!

What Payment Options are Right for Your Business?

It doesn’t matter whether you operate a brick and mortar store, an e-commerce site, or a home-based business, cash has to flow from A to B. But what payment options are right for your business? Here are some quick insights and FAQs that may help you decide.  

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Starting and Growing an Online Business: An Entreprene​ur’s Checklist

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“I’m starting an online business – where do I start?”. It’s broad question, but is one that comes up repeatedly on small business forums and discussion boards.

Of course, an online business is merely a vehicle for the product or service you are selling. So starting a Web-based business – and making it a success – will take more than just “getting online”. 

There are two fundamental steps you will need to take. The first is to treat your online business like any other business venture and pay attention to business start-up processes; second, you’ll need to generate traffic to your site.

Below are some tips and best practices that can guide you through these steps – with all your check boxes ticked. 

Starting an Online Business: Be a Responsible Business Owner

Whether you are starting an innovative new online business or setting up a hot dog stand, you must pay attention to the fundamentals of business ownership. For online business owners, this means more than just building a Web site and registering your domain name. You’ll also need to comply with the regulations that govern your type of business and the products and services you sell.  

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