Articles
Sometimes It’s the Little Things that Ruin Your Credit
You might be surprised to learn how some seemingly harmless things can make a mess of your personal credit—making it harder to get a small business loan. Not long ago, I came across a list of five seemingly harmless things Gerri Detweiler, Director of Consumer Education for Credit.com, suggests wreak havoc on your credit score—you…
5 Key Rules for Handling Customer Complaints on the Internet
This past October, a restaurant in Kansas City found itself involved in a “Yelp battle” of sorts after a disgruntled customer questioned their takeout policy. Now while this back and forth may be entertaining to read, was it good for business? Here are 5 tips to live by when addressing an angry customer online: 1.…
The 9 Songs that Speak to Every Small Business Owner
It’s the holiday season, and as a small business owner, the chances are you’re going nonstop to stay on top of the holiday season and finish up the year strong. If you need to decompress, here are some classic songs that any small business owner can relate to. 1. “Takin’ Care of Business” Bachman-Turner Overdrive,…
3 Ways to Win Government Contracts
On a typical day, there are between 25,000 and 30,000 active government contracts available on the Federal Business Opportunities website. For entrepreneurs and small business owners, this amounts to thousands of chances to grow your company with the help of the federal government. While you may know about government contracts, you might be wondering how…
My Banker Turned Down My Loan Application, Now What?
You’re not alone. Depending upon the study you read, as many as 40% to 90% of small business owners get turned away by the bank—many of them are strong and healthy businesses, but get rejected for a number of reasons. If you’ve been turned down by the bank, here’s what you should do next: 1.…
5 Things Small Business Owners Need to Know About the New Facebook Updates
The relationship between Facebook and small businesses has been rocky at best. Initially, the site offered a huge opportunity for small businesses to reach massive audiences. Unfortunately, that opportunity dwindled once Facebook updated its newsfeed algorithm and started requiring businesses — both large and small — to pay in order to have their posts seen.…
Small Business Owners, Are Your Employees Excited About Your Holiday Party?
Are your employees looking forward to your office holiday party? For many small businesses, the company party is a great way to end the year and something their employees look forward to. What makes a successful party? Some food, a nice venue, and the opportunity to socialize with friends and coworkers usually make for a…
The 3 Most Effective Ways to Get Vendor Discounts
Creating successful relationships with vendors is every bit as important as the relationships you build with your customers. It doesn’t really matter if you sell a product or provide a service, most small business owners’ work with suppliers who either provide the goods you sell or products that help you deliver the service you offer.…
What Your Small Business Must Do Before the End of December
The holiday season is finally upon us, and while your small business may be focused on creating more happy customers this holiday season, there is another important consideration to keep in mind: the end of the year. Yes, the New Year is right around the corner. For your business, that means now is the perfect…
Is a Personal Mentor Too “Old School” in Today’s Technological World?
With tools like my smartphone, tablet, or laptop, I basically have the collected wisdom of the world at my fingertips; do I really need a personal mentor to help me build a successful small business? This isn’t an unreasonable question, and one David R. Bobbit, president of the SCORE Foundation helps answer. SCORE is a…
The 5 Coolest Small Businesses in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is known as a hotspot of movie stars, musicians and other celebrities, but did you also know that it is home to some of the coolest small businesses in the country? Today, Los Angeles is a go-to destination for budding entrepreneurs and skilled small business owners looking to make waves in their respective…
November Roundup: Headlines From Around the Web
Our blog isn’t the only place you can read what we’re saying about the world of small business. Here’s what we don’t want you to miss from November: USA Today: Where the Rubber Hits the Road: What it Really Takes to Succeed on Main Street—Noah Breslow There’s no shortcut to driving business success, but Noah…
Why Does My Lender Want to Know My Personal Credit Score?
Why is your lender asking about your personal credit score? It’s a reasonable question if you’re looking for a small business loan. For most small business owners, particularly if you’ve been in business less than five years, your personal credit score is every bit as important as your business credit score. For startups and early-stage…
It’s Not Too Late to Create the Perfect Holiday Display
The holidays are officially upon us. If you haven’t already, it’s time to get serious about the perfect holiday display for your small business. Holiday shoppers are probably already at your door, and the right display – either in your window or on the floor – will help attract even more buyers and show off…
7 U.S. Presidents Who You Never Knew Ran Small Businesses
You may be surprised to know that among the lawyers and captains of industry, many of the Chief Executives of the United States gained valuable leadership experience as small business owners. Here’s a roundup of 7 presidents who ran their own businesses. 1. George Washington (1st President) Washington ran two successful whiskey stills in early…