Posts Tagged ‘entrepreneur’
by Steve Strauss on December 3rd, 2009
Here at the second annual World Entrepreneurship Forum a few things are clear.
Do you want the good news or bad news first?
Let’s start on the positive side: Entrepreneurship is not only alive and well, it is obviously and powerfully on the rise around the world. Whether it is women entrepreneurs in Africa, social entrepreneurs in Singapore (my favorite – Jack Sim, CEO of the World Toilet Organization – a group using entrepreneurial ideas to help the world’s poor gain access to sanitary conditions), or small business owners from the U.S., the talent, energy, ideas, and initiative that defines... Read more »
by Robert Cyr on August 21st, 2009
Dropshipping is not a viable choice for a retail startup…or is it? All too often the spotlight shines upon those who are constantly in the media; we all know success stories fill the shelves at our local Barnes and Noble of famous people, but what about a true hometown success story?
Let’s travel back a few years, 9 to be exact, and meet a couple of college buddies who were working to earn a masters degree at California State University Chico, here in northern California. Christian (Chris) Friedland and David Bocter started a small E-commerce business selling plumbing supplies, faucets... Read more »
by StartupNation.com on August 19th, 2009
We are women. Watch us Manage!
I have people ask me, usually men, how do you do it all? How do you take care of the family, and your business, and be so management oriented? Did you study business management in college, get an MBA? No sir, I did not even finish high school. I even worked at McDonalds as the French fry girl 10 years ago, now I run a multi-million dollar company.
Shhh, my Secret! I had to work really hard, re-train myself, be willing to admit failure, be willing to change what was not working, and develop... Read more »
by Steve Strauss on July 17th, 2009
Q: What are you telling people these days with regard to staying afloat and even getting ahead in this tough recession?
Steve
A: Recently, I was chatting with my friend Rieva Lesonsky about what a challenge it is to own and run a small business in this economy. The topic was especially salient because , as we are both small business owners as well as writers and speakers on the subject, the Great Recession is effecting us in numerous ways.
You may have heard of Rieva. She is one of the top small business experts out there, but even if... Read more »
by Steve Strauss on July 9th, 2009
Q: My mom is not your typical retiree – she is very active, quite healthy, travels a lot, still looks for investments, works part-time, and so on. I think there might be an opportunity to cater to this new breed of older Americans. Do you know what it might be?
Stu
A: No, I don’t know what it is specifically, but I can say that you are on to something generally – this year, about three million Americans will turn 60, and that will continue for the next 15 years as the Baby Boom generation starts to age and “retire.”... Read more »
by Steve Strauss on May 28th, 2009
Q: I am a combat veteran and am having a hard time finding work. I have thought about starting a business but am not sure. Do a lot of vets go the small business route?
Bill
A: I met Bill when I was in D.C. last week for the Small Business Administration’s Small Business Week. As I am writing this column on Memorial Day weekend, I thought it would be a good idea to answer his question here because there are a lot of vets in the same boat.
There are 25 million veterans in the United... Read more »
by Christina Lee on February 20th, 2009
Though he focused his career in sales and marketing, Charles Bowlds, of Noblesville, Ind., could not help but to notice a different aspect of the business world: “Everybody is profiting but the African American community.”
Bowlds, once territorial manager at Eaton Corp., could not ignore the economic disparities – how blacks only retail 3 percent of their gross net income, while owning less than 4 percent of U.S. small businesses. Then, after ten years of research and coaching others, he decided to create a solution.
“I felt that responsibility for changing the economic status. It’s not going to come from... Read more »
by Steve Strauss on 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 »
by Carrie Hinkel on April 25th, 2008
If you’ve been dreaming about starting your own business, but just can’t take yourself away from the security and steady paycheck of your current job, don’t fret. Many successful business owners started their company with just a few spare hours in the evenings and on weekends – and you can too! Here are some tips for getting your business idea out of your head and in front of customers.
Make an “after hours” schedule – Getting serious about your new business means making certain time commitments in order to get it off the ground. Whether it’s getting up a couple... Read more »
by Steve Strauss on March 19th, 2008
Q: Steve – I just want to give a word of warning to other would-be entrepreneurs. It’s not for everybody! I went into business with a partner last year. The business is fine, but I am not. I hate the long hours and the uncertainty. I also make less money. Don’t do it!
Dave
A: I agree that owning a business is not for everyone. Here is my handy dandy quick quiz that will help anyone decide whether or not they are an entrepreneur:
Does the thought of leaving your current job make you more scared or excited?
If the... Read more »