Starting a business is easy. You can do it in a day. Starting a business that lasts is a lot harder, even if you put all your time and money into it. And the all-in approach is a lot riskier, since the more time and money you invest, the more you put at risk. So if you haven t yet taken the entrepreneurial plunge, how can you live your entrepreneurial dream while…
Although small businesses still turn to credit unions, community banks, and traditional banks for their capital needs, outside equity such as angel investment and venture capital, are valid options. In fact, the venture and angel capital industries are experiencing a sharp increase in demand thanks to a greater certainty in the domestic economy. If you’re looking…
Mass.gov s Business Portal Covers Business licenses, permits & regulations; Starting or relocating a business; Employer & workplace information; Selling to state & local government; Economic development & financial support; Economic data & statistics; Buying from state government; and International trade & exports…
Offering outdoor classes is one way to set your small gym apart from the competition. yoga training image by Daria Miroshnikova from Fotolia.com While the fitness industry might seem saturated, there are dozens of reasons to start a small gym. Many people interested in fitness struggle to find the time to make it a priority. Others simply feel uncomfortable in…
If you’re looking to start a small business this year, you might want to know where in the U.S. you’ll have a better shot at keeping it running. These small cities are the best spots to build from the ground up. Dear Lifehacker, I m tired of the rat race and have been dreaming about starting my own… A new report from the financial experts at WalletHub suggests…
We’ve all seen the late night TV commercials targeted at entrepreneurs touting “free money from Uncle Sam”. Unfortunately, for the most part, there is no such thing. I say “for the most part” because government grants for small businesses do exist, but the opportunity to secure one is limited to a narrow field of candidates. Here’s what you need to know about…
Starting a food business has to be one of the most challenging businesses to get into. The harsh reality is that most fail within the first year. The restaurant business in notoriously tough, but where there is a will there is often a way! While vision and ambitions are important, turning that ambition into success requires research, planning, capital, business…
When it comes to funding, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Depending on where you’re at in your business, what type of funding you are seeking, and the amount you need, where you’ll look can vary widely. We’ve compiled a list from a variety of places to help you research and narrow down the options that are best for you. Loans: Small Business Administration…
Applied broadly, an art career can mean many different things. Some art careers involve working for a design company, or an advertising agency, or a gallery. Others involve working in the corporate world. But for most artists, the goal is eventually to go into business for themselves and use their talent and their passion to make a living as their own boss. It…
Deciding to open your own business was not a small decision you hastily made. It was the first decision of a lot of decisions – and likely one of the bigger ones you’ve made in your life – you will now be making. Some of the things you need to decide are: do you operate out of a home office or office space downtown; do you create your own website or hire someone…
Photograph by Leigh Reighton/Corbis Question: What steps should I take before applying for a loan to open a small business? I’d like to maximize my chances of getting a good response. Answer: Getting a small business bank loan is never easy, and it’s been especially difficult since the financial crash of 2008 and the lingering credit crunch. Even though small…
Welcome to Vend’s retail startup guide—a comprehensive “retail roadmap” that walks you through the ups and downs (and sometimes confusing parts) of setting up a brick-and-mortar store. Outlined below are the steps required to start a retail business. You’ll learn how to choose what products to sell, how to select the right location, how to finance your venture…
You can start a business in Georgia easily with the right resources. There are some questions to answer before you get started, like what kind of a business license do you need, do you need to register your business with the state, what tax structure is best for your small business, and other questions. Also, you should learn about labor laws and where you go…
This isn’t to say that there s anything wrong with starting a part-time business or starting a business when you are still working at a job. People have different energy levels and different capabilities. It’s just to say that to give yourself the best shot at starting a business, you have to be able to focus on it. So it’s the wrong time for starting a business…
Photo: Carol Kaliff / Hearst Connecticut Media Monica Guevara, center, is part of a panel during a seminar called Access to Capital for Small Business held at Western Connecticut State University Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016. Also on the panel are Nelson Merchan, left, and Sheila Hummel. Robert Barghause, instructor of finance at the university, far left, is the moderator…
Let s look at an example of a simple cash flow forecast for an example start-up. Example – Sophie & Jack Experienced interior designers Sophie and Jack decide to go into business together. They enter into a partnership, with each of them investing £5, into the business. Their product is a home-makeover service, modeled on the popular daytime television…
Richmond offers entrepreneurs the best of both worlds: an educated workforce, low costs, both government agencies and private-sector companies as potential customers, as well as a thriving outdoor lifestyle, great restaurants and cost-of-living advantages. The city is at the heart of the mid-Atlantic region, with 40 percent of the U.S. population within a day…
You keep hearing about Twitter, about how much it’s growing and how it can do great things for businesses and brands. But when it comes to implementing Twitter into your small business’s marketing strategy, you may be left scratching your head wondering where to even begin. To help you get over that initial learning curve, we’ve created this small business owner’s…
The Small Business Center is here to assist you in starting your own business or to help you expand your existing business. The SBC offers one-on-one confidential business counseling, workshops/seminars on a variety of business topics, and a resource library of electronic and print materials specifically dedicated to small businesses. All of our services are…
In part 1 of the “Startup vs. Small Business” I addressed what may be the most important differentiator between a startup and a small business: growth. While I hope that post was useful, especially from a theoretical standpoint, I want this one to go more directly to where the rubber meets the road. What’s the difference between how a startup funds their business…
Minority and women business owners are stronger applicants for federal grants. Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images It is a common misconception that the federal government provides free grant money for businesses. Nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and state and local governments are eligible for federal grants. Alternatively, minority first-time…
The world of business financing can be confusingâespecially for first-time business owners just striking it out on their own. But not to worry. Funderaâs loan marketplace actually offers three kinds of small business startup loans for you to choose from. Check them out and see what fits your business best. Equipment financing is a small business startup loan…
Most businesses do not qualify for government grants. money, money, money image by easaab from Fotolia.com If you look hard enough, and sometimes get lucky, you might find free money to help start your business — a grant. You should not, however, bank on getting one, because grants are extremely hard to find. Despite what some people say, the federal government…
Technology is a silent partner to all HVAC businesses. Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images One benefit to starting a heating, ventilation and air conditioning business is that you can begin with a small investment in time and resources, and then grow your company at your own pace. Another advantage is that the HVAC industry tends to mirror the fast and forwardly…
