Business Blogs: Trends, tips, and real-life anecdotes from industry experts.

In the late 60’s Andy Warhol proclaimed his belief that everyone was destined for at least 15 minutes of fame.  While the definition of “fame” may be up for interpretation, the prediction does hold some truth.  It also begs a question for companies.  Will your brand be ready?  If yes, your 15 minutes could easily [...]

My team visited Scottsdale, Arizona last week as exhibitor and sponsor of the Women Entrepreneurs’ Boot Camp.  We had a chance to sit down with organizer, Susan Ratliff, and discussed key marketing tips and business tactics for beating the recession in 2009 and I thought I’d share some of her insights.
Susan happens to be an [...]

Simple question: Does having a social agenda — a “cause” — attached to your business ultimately help you become more profitable (in a financial sense strictly)?

Vote and comment in this simple Poll at StartupNation.

Thought I’d share some internal information about StartupNation and its performance as derived from Google Analytics over the year gone by. I figured, you, our coveted members and new visitors, deserve complete transparency. So here goes, in the form of a 2008 vs. 2007 comparison:
2008 vs. 2007, and % change
    1) Number of Visits: 2,292,027 vs. 1,663,118, [...]

My prediction? Some of the most exciting businesses of the next few years are going to be born in 2009 and grown from 2008 toil. It’s my strong view that the economic duress we’re all under as entrepreneurs is going to make us smarter, scrappier, more effective and ultimately far more successful.
To help you along [...]

As 2009 gets under way it’s painfully obvious that the economy is still struggling.  Sales are continuing their downward trend, unemployment is rising, and many Americans are still having trouble paying their mortgage.  After struggling through 2008, the average consumer is facing the New Year at a financial rock bottom.  The best indicator of this [...]

Late last year (as if it was so long ago) I attended a keynote presentation featuring Larry Brilliant of Google.org and Malcolm Gladwell author of The Tipping Point. Larry Brilliant shared his inspirational story of leading the first organization of doctors to rid the world of smallpox and how it eventually lead him to his [...]

The National Retail Federation announced holiday sales are up 7.2% from last year.  While these numbers are encouraging, here’s the real question: “Is Anyone Making Money?”
As the dark cloud of Recession looms over the economy, retailers are showing their desperation as they drastically slash prices to compete for consumer dollars.  The end result is [...]

Well folks, next week is my favorite holiday. I love the family time, I love the non-material/inclusive nature of the holiday, and of course, I love the food.
But there’s one thing I love more: Inspiring people to start and grow successful businesses.
That’s why I passionately accepted an invitation from Franchise India, Asia’s largest small business [...]

Several years ago we had our house remodeled. Immediately after, we “flipped” another house. In both cases, numerous subcontractors, both experienced and inexperienced, did the work.�
Linda was the interior designer. I was the general contractor.�
In this world of framers, plumbers, electricians, roofers, and concrete specialists, there is an interesting commonality among inexperienced subcontractors: It is [...]