startups
Published October 14th, 2008
The short answer is yes. You see, there is this thing called the "China Price". This started with manufacturers in China selling their goods so much below the normal price that it sent shivers down the backs of manufacturers world wide. In the past, factories wanted to ship very large minimum quantities and have exclusive agents. With increasing competition and manufacturers from other countries having to offer the China Price the minimum order quantities demanded by factories have come down and exclusive agencies are getting less prevalent.
In theory, you can now order a product of a small enough quantity,... Read more
Tags: ArticleCity.com, home business, jag kaurah, MarketClub, Starting a Business, startups, wholesaler
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Move over Facebook. Watch out MySpace. There’s a new kid in town.
Aside from the less than convenient domain name, Sta.rtUp.Biz appears to be a social network above the rest (as far as small businesses should be concerned). With a slick and stylized presentation this social network seems to have it all. From creating your own profile and connecting with other business owners to an impressive resource offering, this site is bound to give it’s members everything they could possibly want all in one place. Their articles section traverses the top business magazines online including Fortune, BusinessWeek, and Entreprenuer. They’ve... Read more
Tags: E-Commerce and E-Business, networking, Rebecca Button, small business, social network, social networking, Starting a Business, startups
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You may think you know what you’re getting into…but you have no idea. There are probably a few preconcieved notions you have about starting a business whether you think you’ve done your homework or not. So without further adieu here are the top 5 startup myths you should be aware of:
5. The government gives grants to small business startups - While some states may have special funding programs in place for people with disabilities, minorities or veterans, the federal government does not have any programs that give money directly to any business. Your best bet is to get involved... Read more
Tags: advice, myths, Rebecca Button, small business, Starting a Business, startups, tips
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No no…I’m not referring to Paris and Nicole. Sorry for the bait and switch.
As savvy as those two are at marketing (themselves) I’m referring instead to good old fashioned business students.
We all know how the internship program works. Companies offer students an opportunity to gain "valuable experience" and some times even compensation in exchange for a semester of what can be boiled down to as free labor. The students will file, fax, answer phones and fetch coffee in the hopes that their time has been spent earning them a good recommendation and bonus points on their resume.
But... Read more
Tags: contractors, cost cutting, hiring, Hiring and Human Resources, HR, internships, Rebecca Button, small business, startups, students
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Q: I am starting a green business but lack sufficient startup capital. Are there federal grants for such a business, and if so are they realistic or even plausible?
Rachael
A: I would have to say, I get more variations on this question than any other: "Where the heck can I get some of this free government startup money?"
I’m not exactly sure where this urban myth comes from, this idea that there are government agencies out there just waiting to give out free money to start a business.
I suspect that the main culprit is Matthew Lesko. You know,... Read more
Tags: Accounting, capital, expert advice, Finance, Finance and Accounting, going green, green business, MrAllBiz.com, small business expert, startups, Steve Strauss
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Starting a small business can be confusing, in terms of deciding what "type" of business yours will legally be defined as. There are five main types of business organizational structures: sole proprietorship, general partnership, limited partnership, corporation and limited liability company (or LLC). Each is set up and operated differently, and each is looked at differently in terms of taxes and legal protection. Knowing which one is right for you and your business is crucial, and can save you from future legal and tax headaches.
The five main types of business structures
Sole Proprietorship - This type of business is... Read more
Tags: business plan, business structure, Carrie Hinkel, planning, Starting a Business, startups
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Published April 30th, 2008
When you think of opening a new business location, where do you start looking for your storefront? For many, the answer is to start at the hottest real estate spot in town and keep moving outward until they find something in their budget.
Have you ever thought about starting at the other end of the spectrum?
Whether it’s for trying to make a difference or trying to get an ‘in’ spot before it’s hot, many people are looking to rundown and overlooked areas to open up shop.
This could be a crime-ridden area of town that has been abandoned by... Read more
Tags: advice, business location, Leeia Ladpoh, Starting a Business, startups, tips
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Published April 15th, 2008
There is a recession coming according to many economic forecasts. This has many people who were thinking of starting a business changing their minds and running for the hills until the low economic tide washes over. But is this the best solution?
Some would say that hoarding your money during a recession, and waiting until the economic upturn to make any business moves would be a sound financial decision. However, those are very shortsighted views of the world.
A recession is as good a time as any to start a new business. For some, this may even be a better... Read more
Tags: advice, Leeia Ladipoh, recession, slow economy, Starting a Business, startups, tips
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Published April 8th, 2008
Setting up shop in the inner city can have a lot of benefits including an accessible location, not to mention lower turnover of a workforce which is more diverse and underutilized than the national average. The real estate may be lower cost as well. However, before you set up shop, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, ensure to tell the local city officials of your plans for moving into the neighborhood. One of the best places to start is the city or state department in charge of economic development. They can assist with applications and to... Read more
Tags: advice, brick and mortar stores, business location, larry Slusser, Starting a Business, startups, tips
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Published March 14th, 2008
You’ve made it past that all-important first year, and you’ve owned your own business for a while. Your company has grown quite a bit, and it’s time to shed that “startup” label. But how do you make that transition? It is important to have an infrastructure where the business can run itself. You still have control over the business, but you are not having to be in the trenches day in and day out.
The shift starts when you start thinking of running a larger organization. Your thought process needs to be working on your business rather than in your... Read more
Tags: advice, Growing Your Business, larry Slusser, startups, tips
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