Your Biz

Guest List -- Sunday, July 12

Andrew Littell — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:34:00 GMT

Small Biz Marketing In this special edition of "Your Business," we'll take a look at all the ways small business owners can effectively market their companies. Find out the latest trends and strategies straight from marketing experts. Also see how entrepreneurs Paige Davis, Melissa Nathan, and Amy George, co-founders of the reusable bag company Blue Avocado, are using a giant eight foot ball of garbage bags affectionately named Schlumpy to get the word out about their business in Austin, Texas....(read more)

Guest List -- Sunday, July 5

Andrew Littell — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:07:00 GMT

A year ago, Micki Clark had no time to enjoy her Colorado horse ranch. She was too busy commuting 60 miles to Denver to the office of Communiqué, her family owned real estate and marketing firm. When the housing market collapsed, much of Communiqué's business dried up. Clark was forced to take drastic measures to save the business. She got rid of her office space and set up a teleworking system with her employees. Clark is now saving thousands of dollars on overhead as Communiqué's staff communicates...(read more)

Web site of the week for the week of June 29

Andrew Littell — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:03:00 GMT

The National Hispanic Business Information Clearinghouse is a great source of information for Hispanic entrepreneurs. You can check out the latest small business headlines, take a look at interesting training videos, and browse various networking events around the country. Most of the site's content is also available in Spanish. ...(read more)

Top 5 for the week of June 29: Sources of Feedback

Andrew Littell — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:59:00 GMT

1. Higher education -SmallBusinessInstitute 2. Online focus groups -Twitter -LinkedIn 3. Scout the competition 4. Hit the library 5. Telemarketing and phone surveys Source: USA Today...(read more)

Guest List -- Sunday, June 28

Andrew Littell — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:44:00 GMT

When Kara Underwood and Kirstin Martin opened separate wedding consulting businesses within blocks of eachother in Chicago's West Loop, they knew they had their work cut out for them. The weakening economy only made matters worse. Underwood and Martin decided to merge their businesses into a single location. While their businesses aren't identical, they are complementary and in this way they help each other generate income and share common costs. Find out how a merger may be the best strategy...(read more)

Web site of the week for the week of June 22

Andrew Littell — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:40:00 GMT

oDesk connects employers with freelancers around the world. Users can browse through listings for hundreds of different positions, or you can post a specific job you're looking to fill. Secure payments can be made through the site based on hours worked or the number of projects completed. ...(read more)

Top 5 for the week of June 22: Growing service businesses

Andrew Littell — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:39:00 GMT

5. Child care4. Painting and wall covering contractors3. Personal care2. Consulting1. Computer systems design Source: Sageworks, Inc. ...(read more)

Guest List -- Sunday, June 21

Andrew Littell — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:18:00 GMT

Mike Enos is an avid outdoorsman. In the winter he struggled to cover his boat with tarps and bungee cords. When he saw a truckload of new boats shrink wrapped, he called the company and asked if they could shrink wrap his boat. Their answer was "no," and that inspired Enos, a serial entrepreneur, to find the materials and do it himself. After years of running some unusual businesses -- he was a taxidermist and owner of "Johnny on the Spot," a port a potty business -- Enos found himself in...(read more)

Top 5 for the week of June 15: Business Books

Andrew Littell — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:15:00 GMT

1. Will It Fly? How To Know If Your New Business Ideas Has Wings…Before You Take the LeapBy Thomas K. McKnight 2. The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Business Don't Work and What to Do About ItBy Michael E. Gerber 3. Guerilla Marketing: Easy and Inexpensive Strategies for Making Big Profits from Your Small BusinessBy Jay Conrad Levinson 4. The Business Planning GuideBy David H. Bangs 5. Start Run & Grow a Successful Small BusinessBy Toolkit Media Group Editors Source: Entrepreneur.com...(read more)

Guest List -- Sunday, June 14

Andrew Littell — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:19:00 GMT

Small Biz Newsmakers For entrepreneurs managing a tight budget, one lawsuit from a disgruntled customer can cripple their business. The Chamber of Commerce is now producing videos that are designed to raise awareness about these lawsuits. Lisa Rickard, President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Legal Reform, and Joanne Doroshow, Executive Director of the Center for Justice & Democracy debate the impacts of frivolous lawsuits on small businesses. A Restaurant...(read more)