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Getting Started Articles
Articles to help you get started turning your business idea into a successful company.
Five Ways You Can Learn to be an Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs are not born, they are made. Many of the skills and traits that help entrepreneurs succeed can be developed with a little time and effort. Here are five things you can work on now to improve your entrepreneurial skills and be ready to start a business. Read more about these five ways you can learn to be an entrepreneur...
Startup Skills -- Making Decisions
When you are starting a business, you will find yourself confronted with the need to make good decisions quickly. There is no mystery to making decisions. Use this five-step process to make decisions and solve problems in your business startup. Read more about a five-step process to make decisions while starting a business...
Do You Have What It Takes to be an Entrepreneur?
While there is no one personality or skill set that guarantees success as a entrepreneur, there are some common factors that are "what it takes" to be successful at starting a business and being an entrepreneur. Read more about having what it takes to be an entrepreneur and start a business...
Starting a Business? Use These Principles to be a Successful Entrepreneur
Trying to decide if you have what it takes to start a business and be an entrepreneur? Stop looking for definitive answer -- there is no set of skills that will guarantee success. However, if you apply these principles to your business startup, your odds of success are greatly increased. Read more about the principles that make a successful entrepreneur...
How to Start an Import/Export Business
Starting an import-export business can be a great way to take control of your work life. Like any startup, you will need to do research and line up the resources you will require to make your business successful. Read more about starting an import-export business...
How to Start Your Own Salon
Opening a barbershop or beauty salon is a common dream for would-be entrepreneurs. The salon industry includes businesses ranging from basic hair-cutting outfits to comprehensive personal care spas. Whatever your dream, there are a number of steps to turning your idea into a thriving company. Read more about starting a beauty salon...
"You Have to Be Lucky to Succeed" and Other Business Startup Myths
When you tell friends that you are thinking of starting a business, you are likely to be met by these common business startup myths from well-meaning advisors. The reality is that successful entrepreneurs come from all walks of life, with all types of personalities. The only real commonality is a desire to own their own business and control their own life. Read more about some common business startup myths and the corresponding realities...
You Don't Need a Business Education to Be an Entrepreneur
While formal education opportunities for entrepreneurs are more widely available than ever before, you do not need a business degree to start a business. All you need is the desire to take control of your own life and a commitment to continuous learning. Read more about becoming an entrepreneur without a formal business education...
How to Develop Your Ability to Synthesize Information -- A Key Entrepreneurial Skill
The ability to synthesize information and make decisions based on everything you know is an essential entrepreneurial skill. Use these tips to help develop this key entrepreneurial skill and apply your new skills to starting a business successfully. Read more about developing your ability to synthesize information...
Want to Start a Business? Start With These Five Things
If you have been thinking of starting a business and don't know where to start, these five things will get you on the path to business ownership. Read more about the first five steps you should take to starting a business...
Starting a Business? Four Myths to Watch Out For
Consider these common myths about business ownership before you take the plunge and start your own business. Starting a business with realistic expectations will increase your odds of success greatly. Read more about the four myths to watch out for when starting a business...
Four Red Flags When Starting a Business
The excitement that comes with a great business idea sometimes causes tunnel vision. As you are starting your business, avoid these four red flags that can cause significant barriers to your business's success. Read more about four red flags to watch out for when starting a business...
Can Hyperfocus Make Your Business Startup More Successful?
Do you find yourself mired in details and losing control of the big picture? Is your business startup spinning its wheels? Use the technique of hyperfocus to maximize the use of your time and the success of your business. Read more about how using hyperfocus can make your business startup more successful...
Five Reasons You Should Start a Business in 2010
Many people are saying this is the worst time to start a business. However, there are great reasons to start a business in this economy. Here are five reasons you should start a business in 2010 and not wait. Read more to find out why you should be starting a business in 2010...
Develop Your Self-Discipline to Succeed as an Entrepreneur
Starting a business can seem like an endless road of things that have to be done. By developing your self-discipline through prioritization, time management and task management, you can keep yourself on the road to success as an entrepreneur. Read more about how to develop self-discipline as an entrepreneur...
Before You Choose a Business to Start, Know Your Priorities
The answer to which business is best to start is an individual decision that should be based on your priorities and goals for your business. Before you choose a business to start, evaluate your objectives, then evaluate your options. There is a perfect business to fit almost anyone's needs. Read more about understanding your priorities before you choose a business to start...
Four Things to Consider Before Starting a Business
Successful business ownership is possible for entrepreneurs from all walks of life, with all types of goals for their business. Here are four things to consider before starting a business to help you start out on the right track. Read more about these four things to consider when starting a business...
Being a Successful Entrepreneur -- Balancing Personalities
One key to being a successful entrepreneur is to balance the three business personalities within yourself and within your organization. Staying in balance will allow you to manage your business well in both the short term and in the longer term. Read more about how balancing your business personalities will help you be a successful entrepreneur...
Entrepreneurs, Managers, and Technicians...which are you?
Three business owner personalities are described by Michael E. Gerber in his best-selling books -- the entrepreneur, the manager, and the technician. Which personality do you have and how will that personality affect your ability to start a successful business? Read more about the three business personalities and how it affects your business startup...
Exceeding the Greed Limit
When trying to make sense of the recent economic events, many point their finger at "greed" as the underlying cause. In reality, it has been the low ethical standards exhibited by too many in positions of power and leadership that drove the devastation of the American economy. Read more about ethics in business...
Starting a Business? Why You Need to Know the Basics of Business
Starting a business one of the best ways to take control of both your work life and financial future. But, in order to be successful, you need to know more than just the operations of your business, you also need to know the basics of business. Read more about why you need to know the basics of business when starting a business...
Starting a Business? Why You Need to Know Operations
There are hundreds of stories of smart entrepreneurs starting business in fields they know nothing about and being successful. This is because they take the time to learn the operations of their business in addition to knowing the business basics. Read more about why you need to know the basics of operations when starting a business...
Starting a Business? Why You Need to Know Accounting
When starting a business, many entrepreneurs outsource basic accounting services first -- sometimes even before they have the business fully planned and started. Handing off the accounting function without understanding the basics of how income and expenses will be recorded can expose your business to a myriad of potential problems. Read more about why you need to know the basics of accounting when starting a business...
Starting a Business? Why You Need To Know Financial Management
Even if a business startup has a good handle on their accounting system, they may neglect the next steps of financial management -- creating and analyzing financial reports and preparing forecasts and contingency plans. Knowing the basics of financial management will help you position your new company for long-term success. Read more about why you need to know the basics of financial management when starting a business...
Starting a Business? Why You Need To Know Strategic Planning
Strategic planning is a tool that every entrepreneur should have in their arsenal when starting a business. Knowing where your business is going, and how you plan to get there, is key to your long-term success. Read more about why you need to know the basics of strategic planning when starting a business...
Starting a Business? Why You Need To Know Marketing
Every business will do some marketing, and most business startups will expend a great proportion of their first year's expense budget on some type of marketing or advertising. Knowing the basics of marketing will enable you to develop a smart, cost-effective marketing plan when starting a business and avoid wasting time and money on marketing that doesn't pay off. Read more about why you need to know the basics of marketing when starting a business...
Starting a Business? Why You Need To Know Networking
Too often, entrepreneurs who don't think of themselves as great networkers neglect this very important aspect of owning and running a business. Especially when starting a new business, making connections and becoming a part of the business community is crucial. Use networking to your advantage to locate resources for your business as well as build your reputation and customer base. Read more about why you need to know the basics of networking when starting a business...
Starting a Business? Why You Need To Know Customer Management
Managing the relationship between your business and your existing and potential customers is critical in building a sustaining business. Your business will benefit from repeat business, lower marketing costs due to targeted marketing, and referred business. Don't neglect this important business basic when you are starting a business. Read more about why you need to know the basics of customer management when starting a business...
Starting a Business? Why You Need To Know Technology
No matter what type of business you are starting, there are some essentials of modern technology that you will need to know in order to have a successful business. Technology is no longer only for dot-coms -- the right technology will support the success of any business. Read more about why you need to know the basics of marketing when starting a business...
Starting a Business? Why You Need To Know the Legal Stuff
There are a number of specific legal issues when you are starting a business, and many more that you will run into over the life of your business. Even though you are using an attorney to assist with the "legal stuff," it is important that you understand what each legal step means, both now and if something goes not according to plan. Read more about why you need to know the basics of the legal stuff when starting a business...
'Bama and Startups -- Lessons from Coach Saban
With the University of Alabama's football team's recent meteoric rise from a team with problems to a National title, attention has been focused on how Coach Nick Saban was able to accomplish this feat. There are great lessons from his approach for business startups. Read more about business startup lessons from Alabama’s Coach Saban...
Starting a Business? Should You Keep Your Day Job?
The decision on whether to keep or quit your existing job when starting a business is very dependent on the type of business you are starting, the capital and other resources you have available, your tolerance for risk, and your ability to balance competing demands for your time. Consider these factors when making the decision whether to start your business full time or part time. Read more about deciding whether to stay employed while starting a business...
Starting a Business in 2010? Take Care of Yourself
Starting a business can be both mentally and physically demanding, so the better shape you are in and the better you take care of yourself, the better able you will be to take care of business. Here are some tried and true methods to take care of the entrepreneur. Read more about taking care of yourself while starting a business in 2010...
Time and Money are Inversely Proportional When Starting a Business
While the dream of starting a business over-capitalized and having it hit profitability the first few weeks is a fabulous fantasy, the reality is that successfully starting a business requires adequate capital and the time to fully develop the business. You can however, make up for a deficit of one with more of the other. Read more about the balance between capital and time when starting a business...
The Reality of Starting a Business -- How Long Until I'm Rich?
There are millions of get-rich-quick business opportunities advertised these days, but the reality of starting a business is that you need a viable idea, a good plan, and some patience to get from the idea stage to a fully profitable business. However, profitability is possible with almost all viable business ideas. Read more about the reality of starting a business...
Starting a Business? How to Manage Your Time
Managing your time well is one of the keys to successfully starting a business. There are so many things to get done prior to your launch, and a huge number after you launch, that having a system for managing your time is critical. Read more about managing your time when starting a business...
Setting Yourself Up for Success -- Starting a Business in 2010
To take advantage of the great climate for starting a business in 2010, you need to set yourself and your business up for success by planning ahead. There is no time like the present to get started! Read more about setting yourself up for success if you are starting a business in 2010.
Five Sure Signs Your Business Startup Will Fail
While there are a number of specific reasons for these failures, most can be traced back to a failure to employ business fundamentals. Here are five sure signs that a new business is headed for failure.
Starting a Business? The 4 Things You Need to Succeed
Whatever your business idea, your best chance of success comes with a realistic understanding of what it will take to launch the venture. The four fundamentals of business startup are time, money, knowledge, and support. Read more about succeeding when starting a business...
New Year's Resolutions...Is Starting A Business on Your List?
Make 2010 the year you actually achieve the Start your own business Resolution! Time, money, and contacts are the three fundamental requirements for any type of startup, so get started on the road to entrepreneurship today! Read more about achieving your resolution to start a business...
Economic Revival the Entrepreneurs' Way
Americans will use their own independent spirit to dig us out of this economic mess through innovation and entrepreneurship. More and more of us are recognizing the iffy status of corporate employment and seeking ways to take ownership of our work life and future. Entrepreneurship is the best path to recovery, whether the startups are independent contractors or fast growing gazelles, or any size in between. Read more about achieving economic revival...
Best Businesses to Start for 2010
If you don't have something you have "always wanted to do", finding the best idea can be difficult. The 2010 marketplace is a bit different from previous years. The changing demographics of the US also present excellent prospects for new niches in the small business realm. Read more about these great businesses to start in 2010...
Want to Be Your Own Boss. How? Open a Business!
Opening a business is easier than most people think. Start with a good idea. Add in planning, marketing and financial management, and you have a recipe for becoming your own boss and taking control of your life. Read more about how to open a business...
Starting a Business? Steps to Startup Success
When you are starting a business, the steps to getting started sometimes seem overwhelming. By organizing your startup tasks in logical sequence and tackling one step at a time, startup success is within your reach. Read more about the steps to starting a business...
Match Your Business to Your Work Style to Maximize Success
An important consideration when starting a business is to be sure that your business matches your personal work style. When your business style and your work style are complementary, it is far easier to make your business startup successful. Read more about matching your business idea to your work style...
Five Cs of Business Startup Success
Most people are familiar with the 4 Cs of diamond quality, but are you familiar with the five Cs of business startup success? Keep these five things in mind while starting a business. Read more about the five Cs of business startup success...
Deciding Whether to Start a Business? Take Stock of Your Life First
Starting a business and making it successful is a tough but rewarding path. It is important to take stock of your life and your future before you decide whether entrepreneurship is the right option for you. Read more about taking stock of your life when deciding whether to start a business...
Five Things Every Entrepreneur Needs to Succeed
Every entrepreneur needs a workable business idea. Beyond that, there are five areas that entrepreneurs need to have covered to be a success. Read about the five things every entrepreneur needs to succeed...
Lost in the Business Startup Maze? Use Your Goal to Find Your Way
Remember those difficult pencil mazes in which it seems like every turn leads to a dead end? Your business startup can feel like that sometimes. By understanding your goal for your business, you can see a clear way through the maze. Read more about how to navigate through the business startup maze...
Social Entrepreneurship is on the Rise
Social entrepreneurship business models are developing rapidly and are likely to be a key innovation that comes out of the current economic recession. Whether "going green" or sponsoring local charities, there are hundreds of ways to build your business, and your personal wealth, with the greater good in mind. Read more about the rise of social entrepreneurship...
Start a Business for Free?
Many potential entrepreneurs want to know how to start a business for free. While it is technically possible, the likelihood of failure is great, and your options are severely limited. Here are the top five ways to start a business for free and why they don't make any sense if you want to succeed. Read more about starting a business for free...
Five Things You Need to Know to Start a Business Successfully
Entrepreneurs have a far greater chance of success if they are well-prepared for the challenges of business ownership before they launch their venture. There are five things you need to know to successfully start a business. Read more about the five things you need to know to start a successful business...
Taking Care of the Entrepreneur During Business Startup
Taking care of business doesn’t mean that you can’t take care of yourself. In fact, the better you feel, the easier your startup will go. So work hard, but also play hard and take care of your people. Eventually, all those things will come together to help you reach your ideal life. Read more about taking care of yourself while starting a business...
The Skills You Need to be a Successful Entrepreneur
Many entrepreneurs start out with a great skill -- they may be a chef, a carpenter, or a travel agent. What soon becomes clear is that skill with the business side of your idea--planning, marketing, and financial management-- is what will make or break your business. Read more about the business skills you will need as an entrepreneur...
Becoming an Entrepreneur? -- Five Reasons to Think Twice
Most people who want to own their own businesses have no factors that stand in their way. If however, you fall into one of these categories, you may need to re-think your decision to become an entrepreneur at this point in your life. Read more about becoming an entrepreneur...
Women and Social Entrepreneurship
Many women are finding that the power and privilege that comes with successful entrepreneurship make it easier to make a difference, both financially and by promoting new ideas. Combining a for-profit business with social activism provides the best of both worlds. Women who are thinking about launching a nonprofit should consider the alternative -- Social Entrepreneurship. Read more about women and social entrepreneurship...
Every Business Startup is a Series of Unexpected Events - Will You Be Ready?
No matter how seasoned an entrepreneur, every business startup has its share of surprises. Certain personality traits are advantageous in dealing with rapid changes, and developing these traits will help ensure the success of your business when faced with change. Read more about being prepared for the unexpected in your business startup...
Whether your Business is Big or Small the Basics are the Same
Business is business, and the critical tasks and keys to success remain the same across the board. Whatever your startup intentions, start out right by preparing yourself for the planning, marketing, and financial management skills that every venture requires to thrive. In business, the basics are always the same. Read more about the basics of starting a business...
Brains and Guts -- Entrepreneurial Traits That Don't Come With an MBA
Entrepreneurship does not require an MBA or forty years of experience. What it does require are brains and guts. Do you have the "right stuff" to be an entrepreneur?
Use a Pros and Cons Analysis to Choose the Right Business Idea
Most entrepreneurs have more than one business idea and choosing the best one to start first becomes an issue. A pros and cons analysis can go a long way toward identifying the best idea for you to start. Read on to find out how to do a pro-con analysis for your business idea...
Want to Get Rich Quick? Then Stay Away from Get-Rich Quick Schemes
Entrepreneurship is the best way to improve your station in life. However, expecting wealth to happen by magic, with little money and even less effort, is absurd. Don’t buy in to the hype of these scams. Instead, look around for a good business idea and put in the time and work to make yourself a success. Read more about get-rich quick schemes to avoid...
Go Where the Puck is Going -- Great Advice When Planning to Start a Business
Greater success in business (and in hockey) can be attained by looking where the target is going to be rather than aiming for where it is now. Always be looking for opportunities and threats on the horizon, and keep your venture flexible enough to respond as needed. Read more about planning your business startup...
Protect Your Invention and Your Business Startup with a Patent
In order to successfully morph your invention into a legitimate business venture, it is critical that you protect your idea. A patent is the right way to protect that invention. The patent process can take some time, so get started now protecting your ideas, and your business. Read more about the importance of patent protection for your invention...
Starting a Microbusiness? Use These Tips to Plan for Success
The most common business startup today is the microbusiness -- businesses with zero to five employees. Running a microbusiness requires the same focus as running a larger organization with the added issues of smartly managing growth and nimbly responding to changes. Read on for tips on how to start and run a microbusiness...
Moonlighting a Startup Can be a Great Way to Start a Business
For many entrepreneurs, starting a business full-time is not a viable option. Moonlighting your startup can be a great way to start a business. There are a few key points to remember if you choose this option for your business startup...
Taking on a Business Partner can Make the Difference for Your Business Startup
Partnering with the right person can provide significant benefits to any startup. Be clear about what you are looking for in a partner, choose the right person, then set up your partnership to maximize the success of your business startup. Read more about taking on a business partner for your business startup...
Startups Everyone Should Avoid -- Especially First-Time Entrepreneurs
There are certain types of business startups that you should avoid when choosing the right business for you. Selecting one of these startups to avoid is a recipe for startup failure. Read on to find out which businesses to avoid...
Eyes Wide Open -- Prepared Entrepreneurs Have the Best Chance of Success
A prepared entrepreneur goes into business startup with their eyes wide open, knowing that there are some downsides of business startups. If you are alert and expecting them, it will be easier to shake them off and turn them in to motivators. Read more about the potential downsides of startup and how to handle them...
Business Startup Lessons from "The Next Iron Chef" Reality Show
A recent season of The Next Iron Chef competition focused on eight qualities that distinguish the best of the best. Each of these traits is relevant to greatness in any vocation, and are particularly applicable in the world of entrepreneurship. Read more about making your business startup the best of the best...
The No-Cost, No-Effort Business Startup Revealed
You have probably seen ads and read articles suggesting that there is a no-cost, no-effort way to start a business. Too good to be true? Absolutely. Any legitimate entrepreneur will tell you that the road to independence takes more than posting a website or buying in to a "proven" million-dollar scheme. And while there is no no-cost, no-effort route to business startup, developing an idea into a business is achievable for almost everyone--no matter how little money you have to start. Read more about how to start a business based on your idea
Serious about Starting a Business? Do it Right Before You Launch!
The old adage, "Failure to plan is planning to fail," is never more true than when starting a business. If you are serious about taking control of your work life, then you should plan to start your business the right way. Don't waste your time and money on get-rich-quick schemes. Follow the process outlined in this article start your business right!
Top Ten Startup Mistakes...That Almost Always Lead to Business Failure
Over two-thirds of new business fail within the first few years. Protect your business startup against these ten common startup mistakes and get on the road to a successful company. Read more about avoiding these business startup mistakes.
Starting a Business in a Recession
If you have considered going into business for yourself, there is no time like the present. In fact, the advantages of starting up in this economic climate are significant -- a shift in consumer priorities, lower costs on services and products your company will need, cheap but high-quality employees, an inherent emphasis on solid financial management. Read more about starting a business in a recession...
Successful Entrepreneurs Share Five Personality Traits
There are five personality traits shared by successful entrepreneurs. Budding entrepreneurs often wonder if they have the right personality to succeed with a business of their own. In reality, these five personality traits can be developed by anyone who has a drive to succeed as an entrepreneur. more...
Startup Skills Every Entrepreneur Needs
Three essential startup skills every entrepreneur needs are the ability to learn and apply new information, communication skills, and organization skills. Knowing the operations side of your business is only half the battle -- use these three critical skills to maximize the success of the business side of your company. more...
Entrepreneurship is Not for Everyone...5 Myths and Realities of Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is a great way to take control of your work life, increase your wealth, and find more enjoyment in work. However, you should not become an entrepreneur until you've considered these five myths and realities of entrepreneurship. Read more about the five myths and realities of being an entrepreneur...
MLM for Business Startup?
Many potential entrepreneurs are drawn to MLM programs because they want to run their own business but don't have a business idea to pursue. Keep in mind that the best place to be in an MLM is at the top. Otherwise, you are better off developing your own business idea and building your own startup, guided by the three keys to business success -- planning, marketing, and financial management. more...
Business Startup Full Time or Part Time?
Many potential entrepreneurs have a hard time deciding whether starting a business part-time or full-time makes the most sense for them. On the one hand, dedicating yourself full-time to a startup seems like it would give your idea the best chance of success. On the other hand, starting out part-time allows you to keep your regular job while testing your business idea. The best option for you depends on a number of factors more...
Business Startup Keys to Success
As more and more people join the ranks of entrepreneurship, more and more information comes available about the right way to drive the success of your startup. The SBA offers a list of factors common among successful startups, such as “has employees” and “knowledge of the business.” The Inc. 5000 fastest-growing companies article offers other interesting statistics about the various factors that drive the success of these ventures. At the end of the day, any and all business success can be boiled down to three keys more...
Starting Your Business Smaller Can Make Your Success Bigger
For many people with a great business idea, the delay in taking the plunge into entrepreneurship is because of the lack of time or money to get their idea off the ground. In most cases, there are viable means to modifying the business idea into something that can be started part-time and with less capital than the original plan. Starting out smaller can be very advantageous, more...
Create a Great Home Office Space for Your Startup
Whether you plan to work from home just during the planning stages or through the life of your business, creating the right space will increase your productivity and efficiency. more...
Starting Up the Easy Way?
Potential entrepreneurs who aren’t sure what kind of business to start, but know they want to be on their own are often drawn to the idea of buying a ready-made business. Whether purchasing an existing business or buying into a franchise or multi-level marketing (MLM) program, the idea of having the operations portion of a business already laid out can be very attractive. Before you spend your startup cash on these options, there are a few things to consider about each. more...
Why Wait to Start Your Business?
For most first-time entrepreneurs, there is a considerable lag of time between thinking about starting a business and actually taking the first steps toward turning a business idea into reality. This time is usually spent rationalizing inaction – that is, thinking about all the reasons that now is not the ideal time for a startup. For the most part, these justifications fall into one of five categories:more...
Startup Partners -- Can You Work With Someone Close to You?
Starting a business with someone you are already close to, like your spouse or best friend, can be very beneficial to the business. This article will help you evaluate whether it is the right choice for you and your partner and set up some ground rules for the partnership. Read more about working with a businesss partner...
