Small Business Success Masters

When Businesses Expand Past their Owners

2011-07-25T19:30:00.000-05:00

Many small businesses begin by employing one person – the president of the fledgling corporation. Like it or not, that person who loves his product or service must market, sell, and administrate the office until he can afford to hire help. Depending on the type of business, that next employee may be office help, a technician, or a sales person. All are important additions. If the next in line to

A Big YES for the Value of Entrepreneurs!

2011-04-21T10:15:00.000-05:00

This article lines out everything I believe regarding the importance of entrepreneurs in our country. The growth of our economy does not depend on government programs but in the ability for entrepreneurs to flourish, And that takes the true backup by that same government, at every level. Read on: http://www.moneyweb.co.za/mw/view/mw/en/page292690?oid=535869&sn=2009+Detail+no+image&pid=287226

How to rebuild our country's economic backbone

2011-04-13T13:24:00.000-05:00

University of Buffalo conducts a 20-week Entrepreneurship Training Program (ETP) through their School of Management and the Meszaros International Center of Entrepreneurship (MICE). The school is hailed by many business and financial institutions for its tremendous of return of investment to students. The program was funded by The Meszaros International Center of Entrepreneurship, a

Any fave sandwich at your local haunt?

2011-04-13T04:03:00.000-05:00

The Top 10 Sandwich Franchises list was published this week at Entrepreneur.com These ten were selected from their Franchise 500 Ranking. I’m not sure exactly why they were selected but the common denominator is healthier meals at affordable costs. Do the outside-in cinnamon bites offered by Arby’s count? Of them all, I’ve only eaten at two, Subway and Arby’s. Personally I do not like either

SEOs, oh how they boggle my brain

2011-03-10T17:14:00.000-06:00

I am relatively new at understanding the SEO game. Recently I developed a plan for my numerous sites that felt both wise and workable. And today I read what the SEO gurus have known about all week: Google has made massive changes in their algorithm, changing much of the site optimization results intended previously. Something else for me to learn. But, thanks to the internet, I know about it

More Entrepreneurs than ever? Really?

2011-03-09T04:23:00.002-06:00

I just read an article called The Year of the Solo Entrepreneur. It had some very interesting stats about how many more people in the US started new businesses this year compared to 2007, and how many of those new businesses have zero employees which keeps unemployment up. It also discussed that more immigrants than natives started businesses. I found the article intriguing and wondered how to

Micro Loans for entrepreneurs in the United States

2011-03-08T16:35:00.000-06:00

Quote: The Green Bay Area Chamber's new micro loan program may be just what Michiels and other entrepreneurs need to succeed. Wow! How smart is this? Micro loans for entrepreneurs in our country, not only in third world countries. I hope this program catches on around the entire US of A. Someone needs to help entrepreneurs get started! Read the entire article about Advance, the chamber's

QR Codes Revisited

2011-03-07T20:16:00.001-06:00

Back to QR Codes. A more recent article to quote is on People Like to Share Blog by emaadguy.It's full of details on reasons and uses. This is a definite reading recommendation for any business owner who wants to succeed in the 21st Century.

QR Codes??

2011-03-07T20:10:00.000-06:00

On Search Engine Land's website, an article by Mark Lyne explains what these new QR Codes are for and why it would be wise for small business owners to jump in and begin using them. Since they are relatively new, it's a good time to learn as you go with their growth and use. That's so much easier than having to learn everything they can do and why when all they've been developed. My first thought

Tub mats? Really?

2011-03-04T15:30:00.000-06:00

Our hotel along the famed Rio San Antonio de Padua in San Antonio was beautiful beyond words. Exquisite from the outside entrance through the lobby to the elevators and, of course, to our elegant room, it invited us to relax in luxury. The service was exemplary. Morning One. Everything about our stay on The River Walk to now had been perfect. The bathroom in our room was

Networking or Relationship Building or Both?

2011-02-17T14:48:00.003-06:00

Another networking event. This one with an educational platform. Actual networking is mainly done before or after. I sat by a man I haven’t seen at this meeting before. Partway through the program, he hands me his card. “Oh! Thank you,” I whisper, audibly surprised. And then began his ‘we do this, we do that’ monologue. He put out his hand for my card, which I handed him saying, “Give me a call

Not Your Everyday Networking Event

2011-02-09T13:23:00.000-06:00

Today I attended a networking event sponsored by our Chamber of Commerce. It wasn’t a typical (translate: boring and over worked) networking event. It’s a program called Morning Connections. It works like this:A Chamber member opens their business establishment at 8 am, then serves food and drink to the invited Chamber members. We mingle, eat, drink, catch up with friends and business

We Like Close-Up Marketing

2011-02-02T17:59:00.003-06:00

When my daughter and I opened a coffee shop five years ago, it was a test not only of the economic viability of the venture but also of our relationship as mother and 22 year old daughter in business partnership. Not only were we partners, being the only employees for more than the first year, we worked together 45 of the 70 we each worked weekly. Oh, right. She is the primary owner and manager

Effective Social Media Takes Strategy

2011-01-31T17:01:00.002-06:00

A quick read of Mike Brown Brainzooming today makes me more conscious of the need for a real plan when marketing via social media. Social media will never work for a company or organization if it is haphazard. It will never return the investment of any time to get information out there if the information does not offer real value. It will not build loyalty if it is not

Money for Small Businesses!

2011-01-31T16:24:00.000-06:00

If you've had a business plan in the wings for awhile, according to Bloomberg Business Week, now is the time to start moving into the financing phase of your new business. According to the President in his State of the Union Address, a $30 Billion fund is in place to encourage small business lending. Supposedly banks will lend $10 for every $1 they receive. I remember when the most recent TARP

Goal Setting: we can't say too much about it

2011-01-22T06:46:00.001-06:00

I just read a great blog (www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog) about college costs. Or maybe it was really about goal setting. I've got a few thoughts on this, too. One point of the article: we spend a lot of money, like $50,000 to $200,000 in four years, on a college education. USA Today reports stats that show that only 64% of college graduates learn anything. In fact, another stat says there are

Micropreneur Community

2011-01-18T21:35:00.000-06:00

What a great program from the Irvine Chamber of Commerce. Personally, I think this is a great program. More Chambers should consider this. Afterall, if the Chamber of Commerce doesn't help us, who will? Certainly not the government these days. What do you think? Irvine, California (PRESS RELEASE – January 18, 2011) – The Irvine Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a new online community for

Social Media is here to stay: learn & apply

2011-01-17T03:23:00.002-06:00

Social media marketing. A fad? Doubtful. It’s been growing at a rapid pace for sometime now. I think it’s here to stay. According to some experts, any companies who haven’t jumped on board and learned the ropes within the next three to five years will find themselves outside their industry loop. That’s not where I want my companies to land! I read an article in the December 2010 issue of

Delivering the best for a better economy

2011-01-13T18:15:00.001-06:00

I am so done with the doom and gloom predictors of our economy. The reality is, we the people can determine by our voice, our actions, our vote and our belief systems just where this economy is headed. One way we as small business owners can help steer the direction of this country is by understanding that the businesses still standing today are ready and willing to do what it takes to be more

Who stands in the gap for Grandview?

2011-01-08T15:38:00.001-06:00

In 1991 Linda Wilson had a vision to serve the needs of Grandview residents who were not eligible for help from government sources. With Rev. Carol Clark, Sarah Plunkett, Kevin Watson and other dedicated pastors, business leaders and residents, she formed the nonprofit organization Grandview Assistance Program, known as G.A.P. They function as food pantry and provider of hygiene products.

Cross Contamination - a real danger

2011-01-06T19:48:00.001-06:00

We are in the peak season for colds and flu. Did you know that 80% of all infection is due to cross-contamination? Cross contamination. Viruses being passed from one person to the next vis-à-vis countertops, doorknobs, elevator buttons. You name the surface, the germs are there and ready to jump on the next person who touches them. But you disinfect those areas regularly so you must not be a

It’s a new year: time to clean up

2011-01-03T14:03:00.001-06:00

I have been cleaning out closets and drawers and tossing, tossing, tossing. It’s that time when I want to use the new year calendar event as a mid-year re-group, re-focus, re-evaluate, re-start. Cleaning up the stacked junk all around helps me. Chris Brogan in the December 2010 issue of Entrepreneur called “The New Attention Deficit” makes a point that we have allowed technology to crowd our

Does your business stand out?

2010-12-28T17:00:00.003-06:00

A question was posed to David Croslin, a market trends consultant, about the ability of a small business to make heads turn in their industry. His answer can be found in the January 2011 issue of Entrepreneur magazine, entitled “Going Forward”.Croslin gives a big yes to that question. His method is for the small business owner to question themselves first with, “What are the pain points in my

Great Companies Do Not Fear Economic Low Tides

2010-12-15T19:48:00.001-06:00

“In a climate as unforgiving as this, stasis is death.” So begins the first tip in an article entitled “10 STEPS YOUR BUSINESS SHOULD TAKE NOW TO THRIVE IN 2011” in the December 2010 issue of one of my favorite small business magazines, Entrepreneur. That statement certainly grabbed my attention because I fully agree. I am a small business owner. With my daughter I own a coffee and sandwich shop

Standing in the G.A.P. for Grandview

2010-08-24T07:52:00.000-05:00

In 1991 Linda Wilson had a vision to serve the needs of Grandview residents who were not eligible for help from government sources. With Rev. Carol Clark, Sarah Plunkett, Kevin Watson and other dedicated pastors, business leaders and residents, she formed the nonprofit organization Grandview Assistance Program, known as G.A.P. Their main function is as a food pantry and provider of hygiene

Judi McKarnin: not your everyday hair stylist

2010-08-14T13:24:00.002-05:00

"I had a knack for hair styling. In fact, for the senior prom I did my hair and the hair of five friends." Judi McKarnin, owner of Styles Unlimited at Grandview Plaza, reminisces. When her plan for college didn't work out as she had hoped, after graduation from Ruskin High School she entered beauty school. "I graduated on my 18th birthday." Immediately Judi landed a job at a little salon called

Rebecca Wills: The Equestrian Barista

2010-08-03T14:09:00.001-05:00

When Rebecca Wills’ family moved to Grandview from New Jersey 14 years ago, she was 12 years old. Now, she has been primary owner of The Hard Bean Café for over four years. As a teen, she had dreams of conquering the world, becoming an Olympic equestrian athlete and winning countless Gold Medals. She saw herself eventually owning “a massive stable filled with beautiful horses and imparting

Father & Son: May Milling

2010-07-05T10:24:00.000-05:00

By Cheryl Ann Wills Nostalgia. It’s what Rod May, Sr. likes his family business reflects. With its worn oak floors and high tin walls, horse tack on hooks, and bird seed, horse feed and dog food bags piled high, stepping inside May Milling Feed Store at 606 Main Street, Grandview is like being wrapped in memories of long ago. Yes, nostalgia. Yet May Milling, part of a business started by Rod

Faulkner Ranch at Pumpkin Time

2010-06-29T10:19:00.002-05:00

Faulkner’s Ranch By Cheryl Ann Wills In October Bob and Marilyn Faulkner, son Matt, and daughter Christine Loneman magically transform their ranch into a Fall pumpkin depot galloping with movement to keep up with drifting leaves from trees on their 20 acres. This new property has only been open a year, but evidence of a lifetime of making people happy is in every detail of convenience and fun.

Chris Smedley: The Bicycle Shack

2010-05-25T14:02:00.004-05:00

“My dad went to southern California to study BMX racing. He came back and started one of the first BMX race tracks in the Kansas City area. It was in a field about 500 yards from where the Bicycle Shack is today. About 1976 he moved the track to Kernoodles Park where it operated for years.” Chris Smedley, owner of The Bicycle Shack, recalled the days when his father owned Gary’s Bike Mart. I was

Crofut & Sager: Grandview Top

2010-05-23T13:17:00.003-05:00

Grandview Top. Honestly, when I arrived to interview the owners, I had no real idea of what they did. Entering into a magnificent show room of counter tops and cabinets in every style, type an color, I was ecstatic. Now, this is good, I thought. I want to find out about these people who would devote their lives to making kitchens (and more) something that could be in House Beautiful. Eric

Keep the Fire Going

2010-04-11T13:58:00.000-05:00

I love articles like this. Why? Because sometimes the passion wanes, even when it’s real. This article has some great tips to fan the fire. Set Yourself on Fire Motivate yourself by starting every workday with focus, passion and commitment. Here's an unusual piece of business advice: Set yourself on fire every day. The life of an entrpreneur is full of ups and downs. One day things are

6 Trends Supporting 'Hobbypreneurs'

2010-03-12T18:51:00.001-06:00

Here are six trends that make now a better time than ever to start a hobby-based business. 1. It is easier and cheaper to make things. The cost of advanced, computer-controlled tools, such as laser cutters, milling machines, 3-D printers and computer-aided design tools, have dropped to the point where small businesses can easily afford them. 2. It is easier and cheaper to start and run a niche

Give 'Em Something to Crave Strategies for capitalizing on the new 'experience economy'

2010-03-10T20:08:00.000-06:00

A tour through the New Belgium Brewing Company's sunny, Fort Collins, Colo., headquarters starts with an invitation to taste what the company's all about--literally. "We're going to drink five beers this size over the course of the tour," says tour guide Marie Kirkpatrick as she passes around 4-ounce glasses of spiced ale to the dozen or so visitors. "Is everyone OK with that?" Over the next

Hiring by Smallest Employers May Signal Job Recovery

2010-03-01T19:41:00.001-06:00

While forecasters expect the Labor Dept. report due out Mar. 5 to show that the U.S. economy is still shedding jobs, data from payroll companies suggest that losses at the smallest businesses have stopped and those businesses are beginning to hire. Companies with less than 20 employees have been tentatively adding new jobs since June 2009, according to a new index by Intuit (INTU) released Mar.

Wayne Dyer tells us: You Are What You Wish For!

2009-10-01T13:30:00.001-05:00

I tend to agree. How about you?

Internet Goes Global? Well....Yes

2009-10-01T11:19:00.002-05:00

(I am not up to speed w/ this blog yet. Mea culpa. But I did see this article and thought it would be a good resource to reprint. Soon? Yes, and very soon, I will be adding value to our business lives through this blog! You'll see.....And be pleased. I hope.)A deal with Internet Corp. for Assigned Names and Numbers allowing the U.S. to review the group expired Wednesday. ICANN now will be

Managing an Online Reputation

2009-08-29T19:59:00.003-05:00

Your customers are talking about you — and the whole world is listening. Local review sites are reshaping the world of small business by becoming the new Yellow Pages, one-stop platforms where customers can find a business — and also see independent critiques of its performance. How do you manage your reputation when everybody is a critic? For some business owners, this is a terrifying prospect

Marketing Small Businesses With Twitter

2009-08-11T19:54:00.001-05:00

SAN FRANCISCO — Three weeks after Curtis Kimball opened his crème brûlée cart in San Francisco, he noticed a stranger among the friends in line for his desserts. How had the man discovered the cart? He had read about it on Twitter. For Mr. Kimball, who conceded that he “hadn’t really understood the purpose of Twitter,” the beauty of digital word-of-mouth marketing was immediately clear. He signed

Good Stuff Coming Soon!

2009-07-18T09:32:00.000-05:00