Quick Books Community for Self-Employed is a fun place for me to hang out and to hear everyone’s stories. What a great crowd. If you’re running a small business or thinking about it, you should join the conversation. There’s no cost. Recently, I answered the questions Gina Bianchini asked the community, “What One Thing Did […]
Dawn Fotopulos
5 Cybersecurity Tips for CPAs
Every day, CPAs handle documents populated with their clients’ most sensitive personal details. Names; addresses; Social Security Numbers; bank or savings account details; credit card numbers; tax information. These details and others are there on the paperwork that CPAs work with and store in their files. In the wrong hands, any of this information could […]
Dawn’s Stop-Doing List
Stop cutting your prices to find more clients. Do mine your existing client base for new revenues and referred business. A 5% increase in retention of a profitable customer yields a 25-85% increase in bottom line. Engage and reward existing clients. And ask them to partner with you to reach more of their friends. Eagles […]
3 Keys to Build Your Brand
If I see one more Facebook ad that talks about how to build your “brand” I will engage in primal scream therapy. Building a brand is not hard, as online marketers would lead you to believe. A “brand” is, simply, your reputation. Here are the 3 keys to building a brand for your small business: Capture what […]
Hacking Shark Investors: The Ultimate Pitch Guide
What’s the difference between a shark and any other fish in the sea? Ever think about that? Sharks come in all sizes and shapes with over 450 different species on the earth. The smallest is 8”. The longest 60 feet long. Sharks can only swim forward, sharks keep the ecosystem healthy since they eat diseased […]
When Should I Book Revenues?
It’s the end of one year and the beginning of the next. Small Business owners have some discretion as to when they book revenues on the last day of the year. First you have to ask, what are you trying to accomplish? Do revenues need to look super strong for investors? Are you trying to […]
Can My Business Qualify for a Credit Line from the Bank?
One of my beloved business owners just asked, “Can my business qualify for a credit line from a bank, a traditional lender?” It matters because if your business can meet traditional lender requirements, your interest charges will be a WHOLE LOT LESS. You want this because it’s a better use to cash to find new […]
A CPA’s Real Job
CPAs think their important job is to complete and file clients’ taxes during tax season. If you’re a CPA or bookkeeper, the most important job is to help your clients build profitability, cash flow and terminal value. Most small businesses never get there. They sell a new client, do some work, get paid for it […]
Think Like a Banker and Get the Loan
Jim Blasingame is a small business owner’s best advocate. Jim and I caught up last week and these are the three small business tips every business owner should know, but doesn’t. Apply for a Loan When You Don’t Need It That’s not a typo. Apply for a loan when your small business is flush with […]
How to Value a Company
Debra S. just bought Accounting for the Numberphobic; A Survival Guide for Small Business Owners and here’s what she wrote:
