Steve Strauss
Published November 28th, 2008
Q: How does a small business get big? We have been at the same level for years now and can’t seem to breakthrough.
Jess
A: Your question reminds me of a quote I recently saw by J. Paul Getty, once the world’s richest man: “My formula for success is rise early, work late, and strike oil. ”
No, you are not going to strike literal oil; those days are over. But figurative oil, why not? Think about Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin? Do you think they feel as if they struck oil? You bet. Richard Branson took The... Read more
Tags: big business, business plan, Growing Your Business, small business, Steve Strauss, what works
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Published November 27th, 2008
Q: Steve, it is no secret that credit and money are still tight, but what is a secret is where small business should go now. My line of credit has dried up last month and I am at a loss. What are our options?
Michael
A: The good news is that there still are options out there, it’s just that if you want to find the money to start or expand your business, you may need to look in new places and be more creative.
The era of ‘easy credit’ is over, that’s for sure.
In fact, according to Senator... Read more
Tags: advice, banking, credit, credit options, loans, Steve Strauss, tips
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Published October 8th, 2008
Q: Are small businesses really having a hard time right now? Everything seems OK to me. Sure, gas prices are higher, but all in all, things are fine.
Phil
A: I’m sorry, but I simply disagree. I think things are pretty tough right now for most small businesses. That said, nevertheless, I will admit that there is a surprising amount of debate on this issue.
Case in point: I hosted a roundtable event of small business bloggers in New York last week. The event was sponsored by Brother and the topic was, "Who says a slow economy has to slow... Read more
Tags: advice, column, economic crisis, economy, small business, small business expert, Steve Strauss
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Published September 4th, 2008
Q: I am looking at buying a franchise and the franchisor has painted a very rosy picture. What is the other side of the story?
Tom
A: First let me say that as a general rule, I like franchising as a business concept (and write for the Franchise Handbook.) The pros of buying a franchise are self-evident:
There should be less risk - ideally, the business model has been vetted and there is a successful system in place that you can follow.
There is support - a great franchisor will help you all along the way. As Ray Kroc, the... Read more
Tags: buying a franchise, expert advice, franchise, MrAllBiz.com, small business expert, Steve Strauss
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Published September 2nd, 2008
Q: Steve, what is your take on the state of small business right now? And if small businesses are having as much of a hard time as it seems, what are they doing to break out of the doldrums?
Rick
A: If I had to choose one word to describe small business right now, it would be unease . If I had more words, they would be nervous, retrenched, and cautiously hopeful (alas, we are usually hopeful, even when there is little reason to be.)
Although my pessimistic perspective is inherently subjective, even objective measures point to the same conclusion.... Read more
Tags: economic downturn, expert advice, MrAllBiz.com, small business, small business expert, Steve Strauss
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Published August 25th, 2008
Q: I own an upper-end shop in New York and we too are being hit by the economic slowdown. With people looking for bargains, how to we compete without hurting our brand?
Jenna
A : There is no doubt everyone is feeling the pinch of the economic downturn these days and woe to the business that doesn’t react in accordance with the times.
Back at the turn of the 20th century, the automobile was a newfangled contraption. But even so, it was apparent almost immediately that it was also a revolutionary item that was here to stay. That is one... Read more
Tags: competing with other businesses, economic downturn, economy, expert advice, MrAllBiz.com, small business expert, Steve Strauss, tips
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Published July 16th, 2008
Summer is halfway over and if you haven’t taken a vacation yet, you better get going! As one of our expert contributers, Steve Strauss, highlights below, it’s a must for any entrepreneur.
Q: Steve – I would like to get away with my family this summer, but I just don’t see how I can do it. I own a one-man business and when I don’t work, I don’t get paid. What can I do if I can’t afford to get away?
Tony
A: Amigo, I hate to sound like a cliché, but you can’t afford not to get away.
If... Read more
Tags: entrepreneur, small business, Starting a Business, Steve Strauss, summer, time off, vacation
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Q: Steve - We all think that "it couldn’t happen to me" but I am here to tell you that it can. We lost our business in Hurricane Katrina and I would just like everyone to know that it’s smart business to hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Thanks for the platform.
Stan
A: Stan and I met earlier this year when I was giving a speech. When he learned that I write for USA TODAY, he really wanted to share his story and in the process help other small business owners avoid his unenviable fate.... Read more
Tags: advice, disasters, expert advice, MrAllBiz.com, small business expert, Starting a Business, Steve Strauss
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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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Published April 22nd, 2008
Q: Hey Steve - Have you ever heard of Seatguru.com ? I do a lot of travel for business and have found this to be an indispensable resource. Just passing along a tip.
Jamie
A: No, I had never heard of that site before but appreciate the tip. Like you, I travel plenty - giving speeches and what not - and have had my share of bad airline seats, so I liked this site a lot. Once you know what sort of plane you will be flying on (easily obtained through the site of your airline), Seatguru.com allows you analyze... Read more
Tags: business travel, MrAllBiz.com, seatguru.com, Small Business Resources, Steve Strauss, travel for business
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