Author: mccbloom@gmail.com
No Incubator? No Problem. Use These 3 Steps to ‘Self-Incubate’
Incubators have been a secret weapon for hundreds of businesses. They offer a huge promise: take an entrepreneur’s idea, nurture it, support and educate the founders through the early stages, and at the end produce an ideal result: a viable company. Still, receiving the benefits of incubators has a few major hurdles, such as being…
Starting a Small Business? Make Decisions Like a Warrior
Life in the military is strikingly different than that of a startup entrepreneur, but there are many decision-making techniques they use in the military that could benefit entrepreneurs compelled to make decisions with sometimes less-than-perfect information. As we honor those who serve our country this month, let’s take a lesson from how the Marine Corps…
Advice From a Vet that Will Help Your Small Business
For those who have spent time in the military, they know that life in the service is decidedly different than life as an entrepreneur. Nevertheless, many of the skills servicemen and women learn in the armed forces translate very well to running a successful small business. Tom Bernard, owner of ProCraft Interiors, an Army veteran…
10 Tools for Professional-Looking Designs in Your Digital Marketing
No matter the size of your business, the design of your digital marketing materials is a big part of their success in bringing in customers and raising your company’s stature. In today’s competitive environment, if your website, events page, or newsletter doesn’t look polished and professional, it doesn’t put your best foot forward. The good…
Should I Use a Personal Loan for My Business?
There are times when many business owners might be tempted to use a personal loan to pay for business expenses. For example, when a business is still in the idea stage, or otherwise very young (under a year old), it can be difficult to access financing via a traditional small business loan, which is why…
5 Keys to Delegating as a Small Business Owner
Few people know what it’s like to own a small business unless they’ve actually done it. You need vision, passion and optimism to create something from scratch. You must maintain the high level of dedication and tireless work ethic it takes to keep a brand, product, and team continually working and evolving. Because of this,…
How to Run Your Business For the Long Haul…In a Short Term World
You may have heard the phrase, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.” For some businesses today however, the intent from Day One really IS a sprint—new companies are launched with the goals of first achieving lightning-fast growth, and then being acquired by the highest bidder. For those who see their business as an extension of…
Use These 5 Steps to Ensure Your Business is Ready for Spring
Spring is finally here, meaning that many small businesses are getting ready for the onslaught of seasonal, warm-weather customers. In addition to stocking up and staffing up, there are steps you can take to ensure that your busy season runs smoothly, and even beats expectations. Audit Your Operating Systems Right now, in the calm before…
The Month-Long Financial Event You Might Not Know About
Did you know that April was Financial Literacy Month? I was tempted to call it a celebration, but admittedly, “celebration” would have been an overstatement. I understand that most entrepreneurs don’t jump into business ownership because they’re excited about the financial responsibilities like doing the books, filing taxes, or financing their businesses—but they are all…
How to do Market Research on a Budget
Have you ever dreamed of opening a bed & breakfast in a particular neighborhood? Imagined running an unusual business, like a greenhouse-meets-coffee shop or a pet playground? Or even pictured becoming part of a neighborhood with a company that’s more mundane, like a mover or an accounting firm for bed & breakfasts? Our imaginations can…
7 Ways to Get Ready for Tax Day
Tax day is almost here. But taxes don’t have to be a hassle! If you meet with your accountant or CPA and have your paperwork in order, filing your taxes will be a breeze. Here are some tips for ensuring a smooth process as you go. Make an appointment with your accountant. March is like…
Three Tricks to Paying Back Your Loan—Stress Free
A small business loan is sometimes necessary for many business owners to fund growth or meet other short-term cash flow needs. Whether you’re just starting out, looking to expand, building inventory, or just need a little extra capital, securing a loan is a process that many business owners will need to take at one point.…
Understanding Business Credit and 5 Ways You Can Build a Great Profile
Understanding how business credit works is critical as your business grows beyond the first few months or years. As a business owner, it’s important to understand what lenders see when they look at both your business credit profile and your personal credit score—because they both play a role in how lenders evaluate your credit worthiness.…
Does My Business’s Age Impact Its Credit Profile?
One of the things a lender considers when they’re evaluating your business’ credit worthiness is your track record. So the age of your business credit profile will help a lender make decisions about your business. In other words, the more years of credit history that demonstrate your business can properly use and repay its business…
6 Ways to Lower the Stress of Moving Your Business
Maybe you’ve outgrown your space. Maybe rent in your neighborhood has shot up. Or maybe you need to move to a different city for personal reasons. Transferring the physical location of your business from one place to another can seem like an overwhelming feat, but the details of moving an office space doesn’t have to…