1. Not creating a budget and managing financials If you don’t take much time to set and keep your budget, or if it just gets away from you, you’re not alone. Budgets and financials do take time, and as a small business owner, that’s not something you have too much of! Often times the financial part is the easiest thing to put off until tomorrow. However, in order to make smart business ...

As a small business owner over the summer months I watch as my friends and family post photos of their family vacations on social media. Sure it’s easy to take vacation time when you’re an employee that works for a company. However, as a business owner, it’s a struggle, and we too often forget to take time for ourselves! I often have small business owners complain that they can’t ge...

  By: Steve Troup There are many ways to promote your business at trade shows or community events. Some of these can be excellent ways to get in front of many people who don’t know about your business. They may not have a current need, but when they do you will have an advantage over your competitors, as they have met you and had a nice conversation.   Here are some...

1). Conquer Your Fears Starting a business can be scary, it's a big risk with no guarantee of success.  But, as they say, no guts, no glory.  Consider making a list of the things which may be holding you back, then address them one by one and search for simple solutions to help lessen the intimidation factors.   2). Learn From Others Take a look at successful businesses ...

  How do you want to treat your customers? More than likely you have thought of all the things you want to do to keep your customers happy and returning to you. You have considered all the things like product selection, pricing, sales, loyalty programs and so on. No matter how much you try to think this all through and make everyone happy, some customer will through you a curv...

by: Cindy Agans   Do you ever get up in the morning and wish you could go right back to bed?  You just don’t feel like facing people;  a day in complete quiet would be great!   But as a manager,  we can’t do that.  When we walk into our place of business,  we are “on stage”.  Think about it.  If you walk in and the first person you interact with is grumpy, out o...

  1). Don't Look For Problems, Look for Solutions When starting a business, there will be many "bumps" along the way.  These "problems" can be very frustrating or even kill a start-up business.  Think of it this way, problems are just opportunities to discover solutions.  If you can solve problems better than your competitors, or discover solutions to enhance your product or s...

It’s amazing the things that are every day life that can also impact us in our daily jobs.  As a Manager,  I deal with people everyday.  Sometimes,  we have to think “outside the box”.   I have an 11 year old Yorkie/mix named Buddy  that I rescued 8 years ago.   Love this dog!   He is getting some “old age” problems,  but then again so am I!!   I even put in an Invi...

Have you ever had a business problem that needed to be fixed, but you were too busy?  Was it that you didn’t know where to start?  In this blog, one of our expert consultants talks about a specific issue, and how they brought about change.   THE PROBLEM: We had a product that our competitors also offered. It was a very seasonal product so several times a year the orders came i...