Articles
Why You Should Be Optimistic About Small Business–Even If Wall Street Isn’t
For anyone in the financial world, 2016 has been something of a roller coaster so far. Markets falling, then rising, then falling again, without much warning and often without an obvious reason. When Wall Street gets anxious, consumers tend to follow suit, which translates into nervousness about small business. The latest survey from the National…
What’s the Biggest Small Business Credit Misconception?
I recently spoke with Levi King, the CEO and co-founder of Nav (a free site offering business owners access to their personal credit scores and business credit profiles). When I asked him what the biggest misconception business owners have about business credit, he didn’t miss a beat. He said, “They don’t realize they have a…
Barbara Corcoran Seal of Approval Winners’ Dreams Becoming Reality
Our Barbara Corcoran Seal of Approval contest winners achieved a lot since meeting with Barbara and receiving $10,000 each from OnDeck to grow their businesses. The December 2015 consultation with Barbara sparked a steady amount of opportunities for our three winners. Read on to see what they accomplished since our last check in. The Gents…
How the Military Prepared these Veterans for the Business World
Militaries equip soldiers with the skills to fulfill their missions and be great leaders in the process. But what happens when the military service ends and its back to civilian life? Business ownership is one avenue open to these veterans, and two OnDeck customers were kind enough to share their stories of how they came…
5 Keys to Control Marginal Business Spending
You most likely have a very specific budget for your personal bank account. Every dollar has a place, and every purchase has a point. But do hold your business spending to the same standard? It’s easy for small business expenses to add up quickly. If you notice revenues leeching out of your business, and you’re…
6 Tips for Productively Running an At-Home Business
With the flexibility wrought by the Internet, business owners in many industries can make the valid and cost-saving decision to run a company right out of their homes. But, as you’ll soon find if you’re new to working at home, the convenience of avoiding a commute can be threatened by the myriad distractions and productivity…
Don’t Think Office Safety Is Your Issue? You May Be Wrong
If you run a manufacturing or construction business, you’re well aware that on-the-job safety is a top priority, and you’ve taken steps to ensure safety and comply with federal regulations. For many other types of small business owners, though, office safety is one of those matters that gets attention once a year, or even less,…
Think Seasonal Business Owners Have It Easy? Think Again
It might seem like seasonal business owners have it easy. After all, they work hard for the few months that make up their peak season, then they can shut down and take a rest. Right? Not so. For those who know what it really takes to keep a seasonal business operating, let alone thriving, it’s…
No Incubator? No Problem. Use These 3 Steps to ‘Self-Incubate’
Incubators have been a secret weapon for hundreds of businesses. They offer a huge promise: take an entrepreneur’s idea, nurture it, support and educate the founders through the early stages, and at the end produce an ideal result: a viable company. Still, receiving the benefits of incubators has a few major hurdles, such as being…
Starting a Small Business? Make Decisions Like a Warrior
Life in the military is strikingly different than that of a startup entrepreneur, but there are many decision-making techniques they use in the military that could benefit entrepreneurs compelled to make decisions with sometimes less-than-perfect information. As we honor those who serve our country this month, let’s take a lesson from how the Marine Corps…
Advice From a Vet that Will Help Your Small Business
For those who have spent time in the military, they know that life in the service is decidedly different than life as an entrepreneur. Nevertheless, many of the skills servicemen and women learn in the armed forces translate very well to running a successful small business. Tom Bernard, owner of ProCraft Interiors, an Army veteran…
10 Tools for Professional-Looking Designs in Your Digital Marketing
No matter the size of your business, the design of your digital marketing materials is a big part of their success in bringing in customers and raising your company’s stature. In today’s competitive environment, if your website, events page, or newsletter doesn’t look polished and professional, it doesn’t put your best foot forward. The good…
Should I Use a Personal Loan for My Business?
There are times when many business owners might be tempted to use a personal loan to pay for business expenses. For example, when a business is still in the idea stage, or otherwise very young (under a year old), it can be difficult to access financing via a traditional small business loan, which is why…
5 Keys to Delegating as a Small Business Owner
Few people know what it’s like to own a small business unless they’ve actually done it. You need vision, passion and optimism to create something from scratch. You must maintain the high level of dedication and tireless work ethic it takes to keep a brand, product, and team continually working and evolving. Because of this,…
How to Run Your Business For the Long Haul…In a Short Term World
You may have heard the phrase, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” For some businesses today however, the intent from Day One really IS a sprint—new companies are launched with the goals of first achieving lightning-fast growth, and then being acquired by the highest bidder. For those who see their business as an extension of…