Category: Advice
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…
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…
Building a Successful Small Business: Advice From Women Entrepreneurs
We know many small business owners have difficulty accessing capital, but women business owners have particular trouble. While women own roughly 36% of the small businesses in the United States, only 5.5% successfully find financing at the bank, and 50% of those who applied for funding received nothing, according to the National Women’s Business Council.…
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.…
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…
6 Small Business Podcast Recommendations
You might think of podcasts as pure entertainment, stories to listen to on your commute or at the gym. But today’s heyday of podcasting is bringing a variety of voices right to your ears, and many of them have expertise in small business or stories to tell about building and running companies. Here are recommendations…
What’s an MVP and Why Is It Important for My Business Idea?
In the garages and conference rooms of the tech industry, the acronym MVP has nothing to do with sports greats. Forget about “most valuable player.” In today’s businesses, the term stands for “minimal viable product” and refers to the simplest possible form of any merchandise or service you aim to bring to market. The reason…
5 Questions With…Metro Cobbler & Co Shoe Repair’s Sunny Yoo
Our blog series “5 Questions With…” takes a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of our small business customers. Our next installment is below! Name: Sunny Yoo Company: Metro Cobbler & Co Shoe Repair / Hakky Shoe Repair & Tailor Location: Owings Mills & Hanover, MD Products/Services: Shoe and Leather Goods Repair Years in Business: 5…
In Real Life: Businesses That Succeed Offline
Customers can do almost anything online these days. Shopping, ordering groceries, or watching movies are all exchanges many people choose to make using the convenience of the Internet. Still, websites and e-commerce don’t solve everything, and there continue to be some businesses that thrive offline. Perhaps formulas and code don’t always translate to good practices…