It's practical to learn how to establish credit for your business. However, before you start applying for loans, weigh the costs as well as the impact on your business. Once you are approved for a...
On today’s Business Beat, Jeff shares details this year's entrepreneur contest from Hatch Detroit, which recently joined TechTown Detroit. Tune in to today’s Business Beat to learn how to apply for a $100,000 prize: ...
There are many ways to grow a successful business, and bootstrapping, while not necessarily en vogue, is what most entrepreneurs are faced with—funding a business straight from your own wallet or customer revenue, not from...
On today's Business Beat, Jeff Sloan explains why equity crowdfunding could level the playing field for diverse startup founders. Tune in below to learn more: Tune in to News/Talk 760 AM WJR weekday...
If you’ve never bootstrapped a business, you’re going to need to be prepared for the unexpected. I learned this myself when I transitioned out of the U.S. Army and became a federal decision officer for...
In today's Business Beat, Jeff talks about the $10,000 Stahls shop makeover scholarship program for Detroit area small business owners. Tune in to the Business Beat, below, to learn more about the Stahl family and...
We’ve all seen the statistics on how many businesses fail within the first few years of operation, and the current pandemic may accelerate that struggle for some startups. After fielding literally thousands of questions from...
Fewer than 50 percent of businesses make it to their fifth year. That means that half of all companies have a short lifespan, despite their efforts to build something successful long-term. The interior design space...
On today's Business Beat, Jeff Sloan shares NerdWallet's list of grants specifically for women entrepreneurs. If you're a woman or if you know a woman who wants to start or grow their business, but is...
Venture capital funding, while essential to the startup growth ecosystem, is a funding source that makes its way into only a small percentage of companies seeking critical startup and growth funding. The companies that get...
The growth of social media, the internet and the freelance economy has created a wave of excitement around entrepreneurship. More people are becoming entrepreneurs due to the unpredictable job market and the fact that technology...
The world is changing. The status quo is being challenged. Business models are evolving, and the future of finance has never been more promising. There are fantastic rewards to be had for those who know...
How quickly can a word’s meaning change? Well, when it comes to the business definition of “unicorn,” it appears the shelf life is something like eight years. When venture capitalist Aileen Lee coined the term...
It's fair to say that starting a business is bittersweet, especially in 2021. On one hand, it's exciting to realize your entrepreneurial dream, but on the other hand, common challenges like raising business capital can...
Ann Arbor continues to be one of the top growing tech ecosystems around the country with some of the best startups to watch. A combination of university talent pipelines, top-rated quality of life, growing startup...
The biggest challenge for a startup founder is knowing where to focus. You’ve got to pitch investors, target the right customer, hone your business model and raise critical funding just in time. Your team is...
As the old saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was Silicon Valley, nor the Silicon Prairie. What’s happening in the Midwest has been years in the making, but there’s no doubt...
As a first-time founder, starting a startup is incredibly difficult. Raising capital, finding product-market fit and acquiring customers isn’t easy. As a second-time founder, it is a bit easier. After our first company was acquired,...
Recently, the term "business pitch" has become as popular as the term "startup." A pitch is essentially a business plan that one presents verbally to potential investors of a business. A shorter summary of the...
For an updated list of grant programs for women and minorities available in 2021, please click here. Funding a small business can be quite the undertaking, whether you’re starting a new venture for the first...