How to Match Your Startup Stage to Investor Interest
Time is too precious to waste trying to close a deal with the wrong investors at the wrong time. Luckily, not all investors are looking for the same thing, so it pays to know what…
Elevator Speech Part 1: The Market Story
Can you describe your business in 60 seconds? In grad-level venture contests, and in startup groups and the startup eco-system, they call it “the elevator speech.” It’s a formal event in many business plan competitions,…
How to Choose a Location for Your Small Business
The location you choose for your business can be a make-or-break decision going forward. In Business Centers Make a Perfect First Office I discussed location a little but because it is so important, I thought…
A Simple Guide to Setting Up and Marketing Your Business on a Shoestring Budget
Nobody counts the number of ads you run; they just remember the impression you make ~Bill Bernbach Every business, at some point or other, has operated on a shoe string or non-existent budget. But of…
How to Write a Growth-Centric Business Plan for Your Small Business
With the growing acceptance of “lean startups,” the “done is better than perfect” mentality, and accelerated launch approaches like those proposed by Startup Weekend, it’s safe to say that the traditional business plan has become something…
SEO and SEM for Franchise Owners
While some of your franchise’s marketing will be dictated and provided by your franchisor, it’s a good idea to still educate yourself on aspects of digital marketing so that you can make sure that your…
How to Reduce Startup Risk Using Existing Technology
It may not be as sexy, but starting a new business which builds on an existing technology or business model is usually less risky than introducing that ultimate new disruptive technology. There are many levels…
Buying a Mobile Food Business: 10 Things to Consider
Food trucks and carts have come a long way since the days of greasy ‘roach coaches’. People generally have more refined tastes and higher expectations nowadays. The trendy reinvention of fast-food culture seen in recent…
Lean Business Plan: Form Follows Function
Your lean business plan is no more than what you need to run your business. In the beginning, it might be as simple as an elevator speech. Be able to talk through those key points: the…