Article Contributed by Lori Olson

Business goals need to be defined. Startup business plans always need to include what the expected destination will be. Image that you are going on vacation and have no idea where you are going as you get in your car. How do you pack for such a trip? You might end up in Florida with a suitcase full of ski clothing. As obvious as this may seem, many online businesses start out pretty clueless about this.

Step 1 - Pick an online business monetization model.

The four ways to make money online are:

- Ecommerce model - this applies to any business that has a product or service to sell online.

- Lead generation model - this is the cost per action (CPA) approach where information is sold to other businesses

- Advertising model - this applies to sites that are rich with content and attract lots of information seekers and repeat visitors. The site makes money through pay per click and affiliate products. It relies heavily on high traffic and repeat visitors.

- Support - this applies to businesses that specialize in solving customer problems

Once your business model has been defined ("your travel destination") you can figure out the steps needed to get you there. In some cases, there will be overlap of models but one will prevail as dominant.

Step 2 - Identify the steps you need to accomplish your goals.

Here are the minimum requirements for online success:

- Keyword research - This is a crucial first step that is most often skipped or done in a shoddy manner. It accounts for the majority of startup business online failure. It is so critical to be done right, yet most startups fail to take the time to fully research it. They make the mistake of brainstorming keywords that "sound" right. If they do any keyword research they usually stop after identifying keywords that are highly searched. They don't continue the investigation by finding out how much competition exists for those keywords. They don't determine whether the people searching on those terms are information seekers (and will never buy anything) or actual buyers. Keyword research needs all three of these components. If one of these is missing, it is extremely likely that the website will not succeed.

- An SEO friendly website - Failure to develop a search engine optimized (SEO) website is another typical and huge mistake that startup businesses make online. Unfortunately, the main focus is on a website’s looks (whether that be "pretty", "trendy", or professional). Many startups make the mistake of using web designers who know little or anything at all about SEO. They are graphic designers who will make a site look terrific but will be a coding nightmare for search engine spiders. They often include excessive amounts of flash (spiders are just starting to be able to make some sense of it) and dynamic scripts (e.g. spiders cannot read JavaScript). The focus should not be on creating the most beautiful website but rather on the most functional one that has high visitor usability.

- Great content - Sites need to provide the content that is highly relevant to the expected audience and that is also of great quality. It must contain the right keyword weight, frequency and proximity. The content needs to be chunked in a way that makes it easy for visitors to find and consumed. It needs to have correct spelling and grammar.

- An obvious call to action that is easy to execute. Anything that is frustrating to your visitor is likely to send them away (even if they are in the midst of your shopping cart).

- Web analytics - Business owners need to follow the Japanese concept of kaizen. This is looking for ways to make continuous improvement. Web analytics is essential for all web businesses. It can tell you about the way visitors enter and exit your site, how long they stay, what pages lead them on and which ones cause them to leave and so forth. Web analytics will tell you where your site needs to make improvement otherwise you will be completely clueless as to why the traffic your site gets does not convert.

- Marketing strategies - This includes developing organic search engine traffic (developing back links etc.), PPC and Social Media strategies.

- Business processing software - Systems that automate your business will cut down costs, prevent follow up failure and make your business manageable. This is important even no matter what size business you have. If you are a solo entrepreneur, it can be the difference between having free time or not.

Step 3 - Evaluation of your resources:

The first thing to realize is that there a lot of technical steps that need to be done. Startup businesses need to determine what in house skill sets exist and what needs to be outsourced. Solo entrepreneurs and small business owners typically have the "must do it yourself" attitude. This can be a formula for online businesses that are unprofessional looking, never get found online, and never get passed the formulation/beginning stage of development. It is not necessary to learn HTML, JavaScript and PHP. It is not necessary to become and SEO or analytics wizard. It is however, essential to know that you need these things. This is why so very many of online businesses fail. They are missing so many crucial elements because of not knowing or by doing things in an incomplete, haphazard and non-professional manner.

Evaluation of resources includes determining what can and should be done by whom. It includes deciding on how to allocate funds so that your business will grow. The reality is that most individuals to not have all the skill sets that are needed to do the required tasks of a successful online business. Getting the help of experts is the most cost effective route. Fortunately, getting expert help for an online business is highly affordable; especially compared to the costs of starting an offline business. Many so-it-yourselfers turn to "magic bullet" solutions. Startup businesses need to evaluate the benefits of the many do it yourself type of products that are available from internet gurus. While many of these products do have value, the cost in terms of time to learn how to effectively use them (and the energy involved) must be considered. How many products will be needed for the do-it-yourself approach? Will the product do what it says? The reality is that the cost of hiring professionals is often the same or less than attending workshops and buying products. After the workshop is over, small business owners still need to attend to execution of the details whereas hiring a professional accomplished this.

There is no doubt that startup businesses who follow this three step blueprint will distinguish themselves from the vast majority of new online businesses that fail.

About the Author
Lori Olson has a passion for helping small businesses develop strong online presences with a team of 250 professionals who analyze & implement SEO, SEM, PPC Campaign Mgmt, Social Media, Copy Writing & Web Development strategies which are customized to fit any needs, wants & budget. Update Small Business also provides leading edge employee & sales assessment & training; & CRM solutions. http://updatesmallbusiness.com or call 877.265.6568.

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Here’s a tough question: What’s the one thing nearly all business owners consistently overpay for?

The answer is pretty surprising: Postage costs. Stamps, shipping charges, even the time it takes to go to the post office can all add up, costing thousands of dollars or more each year, depending on the volume of mail you ship. Most business owners don’t know exactly how much it costs to mail a particular parcel- so they end up “over stamping” and overpaying- often by quite a bit. Postal stores and shipping providers have overhead costs to meet, too- you pay for these when you’re charged to ship an item.

You can avoid overpayment- and create big savings- by using a postage meter. A postage machine, or digital mailing system, can calculate postage costs precisely, so you’ll never overpay, and can be used in-office, saving you trips to have packages shipped from other providers. Here’s a quick guide to using a postage meter:

How meters work
Postage meters are leased, and work similarly to a parking meter. You “fill up” by making a payment, and postage charges are drawn against your balance. Most meters allow you to “refill” when necessary, and some calculate monthly charges and send a bill- similar to paying for electricity costs. In addition to paying the postage charges, you’ll also need to lease the equipment. You can choose machines with advance features (scales, document feeders) or a simple stamp machine that just prints postage stamps on your outgoing mail.

Features
Mailing machine equipment can be very simple (a stamp machine) or very complex- some machines fold, collate, stamp, and stack bulk mailings containing several different printed pages. If your business sends large bulk mailings, you could benefit from such a machine. Machines can also be fitted with equipment to ship packages- you’ll weigh the parcel and arrange for the pickup online in a few simple steps. No matter which features you need, you can take advantage of cost savings- with a postage meter, shipping costs can be calculated down to the penny for each mailing, so you’ll never overpay.

Costs and billing
Equipment leasing costs can range from less than $20 a month to hundreds for sophisticated equipment designed to handle large volume mailings. You’ll pay for the postage machine equipment (the meter) as one bill, and pay postal charges according to current rates. Some meters only allow you to “pre-pay” postage charges, while other companies allow you to “pay as you go,” where you receive a bill for both postage and meter use costs at the end of a specified period of time. Pay-as-you-go options usually carry additional charges or fees.
You’ll generally sign a lease contract that specifies your terms of use for the meter. Longer term lease contracts can be significantly less expensive- if you’re willing to commit to a longer period of time using the equipment, you’ll get a better monthly rate. You can also choose to purchase a maintenance or service contract that covers repairs or part replacements over the life of the machine.

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Article Contributed by Donna Abernathy

Howard Brodsky set out to conquer the carpet world. Dan Bleier just wanted to save his family-owned business. But both cherished their independent status in a retail chain, “big box” business world. Now, each realizes success through a purchasing cooperative.

The pair spent almost eight months reviewing different business models, disqualifying one after another. Then they looked at cooperatives. Brodsky and Bleier are founders of two of the estimated 300 purchasing cooperatives in the United States—a sector which serves roughly 50,000 independent business owner-members.

“The co-op was the ultimate choice to bring (buying) scale to local ownership while honoring their differences and valuing their independence. It also allowed us to leverage our efforts to serve their best interests,” says Brodsky, chairman and co-CEO of CCA Global Partners. “By comparison, other business structures didn’t endure.”

Entrepreneurs across the American business landscape—from furniture dealers to funeral service providers—are using co-op power to level the playing field between family-owned enterprises and mega-retailers.

Purchasing co-op owner-members are joining together to increase the competitiveness of their independently owned businesses. By pooling their buying power to acquire inventory and services, they lower operating costs, better respond to competition, and improve their businesses’ overall performance.

Conquering the world

By virtually every business standard, CCA has more than endured. It has exploded. Starting with 13 members, the cooperative has grown to 650 owners who operate 3,600 independent stores around the world. The company reported sales exceeding $10 billion last year and has never experienced an unprofitable quarter in its 24 years of existence.

Sales have jumped 325 percent in the past eight years.

“If you give a smart entrepreneur the best tools, he can outplay the big guys. He needs to buy better, brand better, have the best training, best hiring and best marketing,” he adds. Today’s CCA members engage in the flooring, mortgage banking, lighting and bicycling industries. Considered together, CCA’s flooring affiliates represent the largest group of retailers in the world.

Competing effectively

Reading about the success of co-ops like CCA inspired Bleier, who needed to find a way for his family-owned Able Distributors to effectively compete with “the big boys like Home Depot.” He reversed the negative trend by becoming a founding member of Blue Hawk Cooperative in 2005, a Phoenix, Ariz.-based co-op with 200 members—mostly family-owned companies—that own 871 distribution locations in 50 states.

Like typical purchasing co-ops, Blue Hawk offers its members centralized, cost-saving buying plus warehousing, marketing, merchandising and financial reporting—services that give members like Bleier the ability to compete in the marketplace. But competing is not enough, says Lance Rantala, the co-op’s chief executive officer.

“Our plan is to have each Blue Hawk member-owner grow their combined market share by 10 percent,” he says, explaining how partnerships with manufacturers and contractors help build a healthy and profitable business environment for all participants.

Blue Hawk members like the control they enjoy as owners. The co-op business model provides a welcome contrast to buying groups—a common inventory procurement option for independent HVACR distributors—which the members neither own nor govern.

Furniture First’s membership is by invitation only. Prospective members of the Harrisburg, Pa. headquartered co-op undergo an intense evaluation process, complete a 16-page application that includes a detailed credit history. Hartman believes the rigorous process is necessary to determine which retailers will make the best members.

Beyond Buying

Though collective buying of goods and services is at the core of every

Purchasing cooperative, today’s member-owners want— and need—more to succeed. Their co-ops are obliging by offering industry-specific support to enhance almost every facet of business management.

From the beginning, CCA has provided its member-owners with “a better level” of services, marketing, training and merchandising. The co-op offers an extensive selection of online training courses for the employees of member stores. To date, employees have completed almost 300,000 courses.

Blue Hawk members benefit from “extras” such as improved marketing channels, public relations, lobbying efforts, educational and training programs, networking opportunities, sharing business best practices and technology support.

Across the purchasing co-op universe, many consider peer-to-peer networking a bonus of membership. Most co-ops hold membership conferences annually, giving members opportunities for face-to-face discussions, and provide online networking tools to help members share ideas and information.

Surviving Tough Times

Small business is risky business these days. A distressed national economy is not favorable for smaller enterprises, which account for about 99 percent of the country’s business. “It’s the worst I’ve ever seen it,” Furniture First’s Hartman says about the rising costs and shrinking profits for independent businesses.

Though they can’t deliver miracles, purchasing cooperatives can provide relief to beleaguered small businesses—sometimes in unexpected ways. For instance, a new movement that brings together retailers by common location rather than business sector is gaining steam.

Knowing firsthand the power of purchasing cooperatives, CCA’s Brodsky believes these independent business owners are learning one of the most important realities of co-op life: There is strength in numbers. “In troubled times, you don’t want to be alone. That’s the worst,” he says. “Join a co-op because it gives you all the support and tools to compete.”

Sidebar: How to Start a Purchasing Coop

Whether they sell homebuilding supplies or hamburgers, savvy independent business owners are finding that working cooperatively is the key to surviving and thriving. Rosemary Mahoney, chief executive officer and cooperative developer for Lovingston, Va.-based MainStreet Cooperative Group, offers these start-up tips to entrepreneurs interested in cooperative development:

1. Find friends. Every cooperative begins with a group of like-minded people. Determine if the perceived threat or opportunity you have identified is shared by other independents. Work to form a core of organizers who are respected by other independent business owners as well as vendors. Not getting the right members at the start is a mistake that can lead to failure.

2. Explore the options. Before making plans to organize your own purchasing cooperative, determine whether any other cooperatives are already serving your sector. If so, can you join that cooperative?

3. Crunch the numbers. Estimate the total amount of your sector’s business volume that is handled by independents. Is this amount of volume significant to your suppliers? Do your suppliers need independent businesses in the sector? The ability to convince vendors to support a start-up cooperative is essential to its success. You must be able to prove that your co-op can deliver a significant amount of volume and bring value to the vendor.

4. Do your homework. Find one or two cooperatives in similar industries and talk with their management and some members to learn more about how cooperatives work. You’ll be surprised at how many cooperators are willing to talk to those seeking more information.

5. Lay a strong foundation. If you decide to go forward in establishing a purchasing cooperative, be sure to work with an attorney who understands this business model. Also, raise enough capital to hire a chief executive officer who is both an industry expert and well respected by vendors and potential members. Trying to self-manage a co-op is a mistake. Most entrepreneurs are too busy running their own business to successfully and simultaneously manage the day-to-day operations of a co-op.

About the Author
Donna Abernathy writes for the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) . NCBA is the only cross-sector member that helps develop, advance and promote cooperative businesses across the United States. NCBA helps develop new cooperatives through partnerships with CooperationWorks!—a network of rural co-op development centers—and the Urban Cooperative Development Initiative. For more information, contact Jim Jenkins, director of Communications at 202-383-5447 or jjenkins@ncba.coop .

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Article Contributed by Joshua Sim of Singapore Start-up Forum

If you talk to people in Singapore, and ask them about entrepreneurship, you get varied responses.

“Hm, the government is encouraging more people to start business. They are giving more grants and making the registration process easier I heard.”

“Good thing young people like you are starting businesses and reading books to help you. Even if you fail, you still can get back up and do it again.”

“Entrepreneurship is not for everyone. I’m too old for it anyway.”

Most Singaporeans will know what entrepreneurship is, however, few practise it. Apart from small food stall owners, most Singaporeans have a “regular” job. The number of entrepreneurs is estimated to be less than 2% of the whole population.

The good news is that this figure is growing. Thanks to the government’s encouragement, grants, and companies that help teach and promote entrepreneurship.

To these budding entrepreneurs however, a question lingers in their minds. “Where can I find business partners or even a mentor to aid me?”

It is at this point in choosing team members that budding entrepreneurs make an error. They ask their casual friends to be their business partners. The problem with this practice is that some of these friends are not very keen on being business people, and may not have the same goals and dreams as the team leader. These friends may not have the proper skills or business mindset, calling it quits after the first failure. These differences make team synergy impossible, and instead lead to arguments and break-up of the company and team.

Only like-minded people, those with the business mindset, skills, desire to earn, desire to add value to others, or at the very least the interest in creating a business, can and should band together to start an enterprise. Be they good friend or mere acquaintance, only with this interest in business will they make good business partners.

Finding business partners alone is only one problem budding entrepreneurs’ face. Even more challenging is to find business mentors, who are even rarer. Criteria for being a mentor, means having the winning mindset, the business sense, plus having “been there, done that”. Most mentors, who still own and run their own businesses, will not be time free to take care of a ‘disciple’.

As such, there have been cases where the disciple works for free, just to learn the ropes of the business. Much like the jewellery crafters of old. Many budding entrepreneurs may find this practice very unappealing as they may have a full time job to take up most of their time with, let alone start a business. The only few who can work for a mentor for free, are the youth. The students who can still depend on their parents, and work to learn from mentors.

Luckily, some entrepreneurs are trying to help their own kind. Entrepreneurs have build businesses, helping other entrepreneurs get on their feet and move onward. There are entrepreneurship “schools” such as the Entrepreneurs Action Programme by Executive Directions (www.exec-directions.com). Others provide “networking night” or other networking groups that can meet up as often as weekly to monthly.

All this goes to help budding entrepreneurs learn the ropes, and get connected to others to each other.

Here at our own online forum, Singapore Start-up Forum [SSuF], we aim to be the online platform for entrepreneurs to connect, communicate and network. We believe that entrepreneurs should stick together and learn from each other. That way, we all can grow at an even faster pace. This is also called “learning leverage”. Do visit SSuF at www.ssuf.biz and spread the word around. We want all the entrepreneurs and mentors of Singapore to gather at a hub to maximise the benefits of networking and learning from each other.

Hopefully with all these services available, entrepreneurs will have an easier time finding business partners and mentors. If not, entrepreneurs can all hope to find friends who have the same interest in business as them.

Good luck all you entrepreneurs out there, and happy business building!

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Every time I turn on the news I feel like screaming. I am sick and tired of hearing about how bad the economy is. Unemployment is up and is only going to get worse. Banks are in trouble and going under. Real estate is a mess and there is no end in sight. Major corporations are going bankrupt - heck, even the big three automakers may go under.

I hear about how this is the next great depression. I hear about the collapse of the dollar, the collapse of the western world, and the end of society as we know it.

It Isn't As Bad As It Sounds
The sad part is that it isn't all that bad. Yes the economy stinks, but this is only when compared to the amazing boom we experienced in the last decade. Companies have been able to go after the low hanging fruit-heck, there was more lying on the ground than you could pick up!

Just because the ground isn't littered with business anymore doesn't mean that there isn't business out there. You just have to work for it. And the past decade of easy business means that most companies have not made the connections and built relationships. Now they pay the price.

And at the end of the day, now is the time where entrepreneurs can really shine.
No, I'm not crazy. Think about what a true entrepreneur does.

• He connects with his customer


• identifies his needs and problems


• then creates products and services to fill those needs or problems

In other words, he gets paid to solve problems

Now more than ever companies are in trouble. Your customer desperately needs you. No, he isn't spending indiscriminately. But if you solve his problem and help him survive (or thrive) in this downturn he will be your customer for life. And you solve your "slow business" problem at the same time. Only an entrepreneur can do this, and you finally have an advantage over larger companies.

Simple, but Hard to Do
This is a simple concept that is hard to do. I've written several articles that are aimed at this:

• Recessionproof your sales


• How to Thrive in a Recession


• How to Thrive in a Recession - Ignore the News


• How to Thrive in a Recession - It’s All About the Customer


• How to Thrive in a Recession - Working for Someone Else


Brandt Smith is a sales, marketing, public speaking, and professional development expert. Learn about achieving wealth and life balance through entrepreneurship at Wealth and Wisdom, where he is cofounder and senior editor. Their advice on wealth building, personal development, and life balance can help take you to the next level. You can also read more of his thoughts on his blog.

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What do you need to start a successful business?

It’s a question almost all entrepreneurs have pondered. Do you need a business plan before you start, funding to fall back on, or a detailed strategy for how your company will grow? Nearly half of all small businesses fail within the first year of operation- what’s the difference between those that fail and those that succeed?

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Judi Sheppard Missett, founder of Jazzercise. Missett built Jazzercise from a one-woman operation into an international corporation with over 7500 franchises worldwide. Here’s what I learned from our conversation:

You don’t always need start-up capital. “I didn’t even get a business loan,” she told me- something virtually unheard of in many entrepreneurial circles. This should come as wonderful news for anyone trying to start a business on a lean budget or without the resources they think they need.

Evaluate your costs of doing business, and show smart for the resources you need to get started. For example, you can usually find a great website designer for a few thousand dollars if you shop around and compare quotes. Most of what you really need is accessible without a large nest of start-up money.

Provide what the customer finds valuable… Missett taught a jazz dance class in Chicago that eventually lead to the Jazzercise idea. At first, she instructed with an eye to technique and form –just like she had been taught while training to become a professional performer. When students stopped coming to class, she had that “lightbulb” moment- the students cared more about looking like professional dancers than dancing like them. From then on, Missett taught the kind of class her students wanted- fun, no mirrors, great music, and lots of movement.

Too many business owners come up with an idea and try to find a market. Missett proves that the other way around is usually more successful- listen to what customers want, and figure out a way to give it to them. Do research on customer patterns, find a way to track behavior by hiring an online marketing company or tracking marketing campaigns and sales strategically.

…And be willing to adapt and change to customer needs. Jazzercise has managed to grow in spite of the “fad” element most fitness trends seem to capitalize on, precisely because customers still get what they want- Jazzercise programs now incorporate strength moves, contemporary music, and other elements that customers began to want as the program became more popular.

Planning and development aren’t just for startups. If your customer base is growing or changing, you need to grow and change, too. Use email blasts to keep in touch with customers, and build relationships while your business is growing. Keep your offerings exciting and fun, but consistent with the product customers have grown to love.

Listen for opportunity knocking! As the saying goes, you should be ready to answer when opportunities come pounding on your door. When Missett began teaching in San Diego, many of her students were military spouses who moved to far away cities and wanted to continue the program.. Missett’s husband was familiar VHS video, then just a developing technology, so she videotaped routines for faraway teachers. This effort lead to the formation of what is now JM DigitalWorks, a video production company that is a division of Jazzercise.

Don’t wait to be in the right place at the right time- evaluate the resources you already have, and try to create opportunities for yourself . As Judi Sheppard Missett says, “We are all in the right place at the right time, we just need to be aware of it.”

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What do you need to start a successful business?

It’s a question almost all entrepreneurs have pondered. Do you need a business plan before you start, funding to fall back on, or a detailed strategy for how your company will grow? Nearly half of all small businesses fail within the first year of operation- what’s the difference between those that fail and those that succeed?

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Judi Sheppard Missett, founder of Jazzercise. Missett built Jazzercise from a one-woman operation into an international corporation with over 7500 franchises worldwide. Here’s what I learned from our conversation:

You don’t always need start-up capital. “I didn’t even get a business loan,” she told me- something virtually unheard of in many entrepreneurial circles. This should come as wonderful news for anyone trying to start a business on a lean budget or without the resources they think they need.

Evaluate your costs of doing business, and show smart for the resources you need to get started. For example, you can usually find a great website designer for a few thousand dollars if you shop around and compare quotes. Most of what you really need is accessible without a large nest of start-up money.

Provide what the customer finds valuable… Missett taught a jazz dance class in Chicago that eventually lead to the Jazzercise idea. At first, she instructed with an eye to technique and form –just like she had been taught while training to become a professional performer. When students stopped coming to class, she had that “lightbulb” moment- the students cared more about looking like professional dancers than dancing like them. From then on, Missett taught the kind of class her students wanted- fun, no mirrors, great music, and lots of movement.

Too many business owners come up with an idea and try to find a market. Missett proves that the other way around is usually more successful- listen to what customers want, and figure out a way to give it to them. Do research on customer patterns, find a way to track behavior by hiring an online marketing company or tracking marketing campaigns and sales strategically.

…And be willing to adapt and change to customer needs. Jazzercise has managed to grow in spite of the “fad” element most fitness trends seem to capitalize on, precisely because customers still get what they want- Jazzercise programs now incorporate strength moves, contemporary music, and other elements that customers began to want as the program became more popular.

Planning and development aren’t just for startups. If your customer base is growing or changing, you need to grow and change, too. Use email blasts to keep in touch with customers, and build relationships while your business is growing. Keep your offerings exciting and fun, but consistent with the product customers have grown to love.

Listen for opportunity knocking! As the saying goes, you should be ready to answer when opportunities come pounding on your door. When Missett began teaching in San Diego, many of her students were military spouses who moved to far away cities and wanted to continue the program.. Missett’s husband was familiar VHS video, then just a developing technology, so she videotaped routines for faraway teachers. This effort lead to the formation of what is now JM DigitalWorks, a video production company that is a division of Jazzercise.

Don’t wait to be in the right place at the right time- evaluate the resources you already have, and try to create opportunities for yourself . As Judi Sheppard Missett says, “We are all in the right place at the right time, we just need to be aware of it.”

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One way to gain recognition for your community and build visibility for your business is by earning business awards. Many are self-nominated and fairly easy to apply for. Here’s a quick guide to a few of the best business awards for 2009:

Businesses that have helped jump start our economy by maintaining growth over the past three years are eligible for the Inc. Magazine 500/5000 award. Winners are invited to attend the nationally recognized Inc. 500/5000 conference, and are featured in future magazine and online stories. This award is a great chance to gain visibility for your company and to represent your community- past winners have included social mission companies, tech startups, and beauty product lines- companies in all industries with over $2m in sales for 2008 are encouraged to apply.

For those still working on breaking the $1m mark, the Make Mine a Million $ Business contest, sponsored by Count Me In, is a great way to gain the support you need to meet this benchmark. The contest operates as a “race” to the $1m sales mark, and most participants see sales increase at least 40% over the duration of the competition. The M3 race is open to women owned businesses in one of 15 categories.

Businesses already on the fast track to earn $1m- those with $500,000 or more in sales for 2008, are eligible to enter the Entrepreneur Magazine Small Business Contest. Similar to the 500/5000 conferenceInc. contest, businesses are featured in a future magazine issue or online story. Entrants are also featured on the contest website- a great way to increase visibility for your business even if you aren’t chosen as a winner.

The Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award is given annually by international accounting and consulting firm Ernst and Young. Award recipients may attend special conferences and are invited into a network of past winners and prestigious entrepreneurs. The award is internationally recognized as a great achievement- check out the website and contest rules for more details.

If you don’t have the time for a lengthy application, or don’t have the sales revenue to qualify for one of the larger contests, consider Business.com’s “What Works for Business” contest. Applicants write a quick essay about a challenge they’ve overcome. Any small business owner that has overhauled their website design implemented a new online marketing strategy knows that the small things can sometimes be the toughest to take on- here’s your chance to let other entrepreneurs learn from your success. Prizes for the top essay are awarded monthly.

Finally, Ideablob.com allows you to test out business ideas for the chance to win a $10,000 award. Award money goes toward the costs of implementing the idea- if you need to purchase inventory, equipment (such as a credit card terminal) or business software to get your business off the ground, here’s a great place to get started. Awards are given monthly, and are determined by votes from members of the site’s online community.

Whether you’re a brand-new business or a seasoned business owner, there’s a contest out there for you. Most of the above have spring deadlines, so get going- apply for the award you deserve. Good luck!

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One way to gain recognition for your community and build visibility for your business is by earning business awards. Many are self-nominated and fairly easy to apply for. Here’s a quick guide to a few of the best business awards for 2009:

Businesses that have helped jump start our economy by maintaining growth over the past three years are eligible for the Inc. Magazine 500/5000 award. Winners are invited to attend the nationally recognized Inc. 500/5000 conference, and are featured in future magazine and online stories. This award is a great chance to gain visibility for your company and to represent your community- past winners have included social mission companies, tech startups, and beauty product lines- companies in all industries with over $2m in sales for 2008 are encouraged to apply.

For those still working on breaking the $1m mark, the Make Mine a Million $ Business contest, sponsored by Count Me In, is a great way to gain the support you need to meet this benchmark. The contest operates as a “race” to the $1m sales mark, and most participants see sales increase at least 40% over the duration of the competition. The M3 race is open to women owned businesses in one of 15 categories.

Businesses already on the fast track to earn $1m- those with $500,000 or more in sales for 2008, are eligible to enter the Entrepreneur Magazine Small Business Contest. Similar to the 500/5000 conferenceInc. contest, businesses are featured in a future magazine issue or online story. Entrants are also featured on the contest website- a great way to increase visibility for your business even if you aren’t chosen as a winner.

The Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award is given annually by international accounting and consulting firm Ernst and Young. Award recipients may attend special conferences and are invited into a network of past winners and prestigious entrepreneurs. The award is internationally recognized as a great achievement- check out the website and contest rules for more details.

If you don’t have the time for a lengthy application, or don’t have the sales revenue to qualify for one of the larger contests, consider Business.com’s “What Works for Business” contest. Applicants write a quick essay about a challenge they’ve overcome. Any small business owner that has overhauled their website design implemented a new online marketing strategy knows that the small things can sometimes be the toughest to take on- here’s your chance to let other entrepreneurs learn from your success. Prizes for the top essay are awarded monthly.

Finally, Ideablob.com allows you to test out business ideas for the chance to win a $10,000 award. Award money goes toward the costs of implementing the idea- if you need to purchase inventory, equipment (such as a credit card terminal) or business software to get your business off the ground, here’s a great place to get started. Awards are given monthly, and are determined by votes from members of the site’s online community.

Whether you’re a brand-new business or a seasoned business owner, there’s a contest out there for you. Most of the above have spring deadlines, so get going- apply for the award you deserve. Good luck!

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Business Entrepreneur: The Knack- Among the morsels of business wisdom you will find here:

Numbers run a business. - If you don’t know how to read them, you’re flying blind.—Start tracking them by hand as soon as you launch your business.

A sale isn’t a sale until you collect. - A receivable is like a loan. Make sure your customers are credit-worthy.

When your short-term liabilities exceed your short-term assets, you’re bankrupt. - Keep track of how much you’re going to collect and spend in the next twelve months.

Forget about shortcuts. Run a business as if it’s forever. - In the long run, your shortcuts will prove to be detours on the road to achieving your goals.

Cash is hard to get and easy to spend. - Make it before you spend it.

You have no friends in business, only associates. - You can laugh and cry with your employees, but neither you nor they should forget that it’s a business relationship.

Gross margin is the most important number on the income statement. - Don’t make the mistake of focusing on the top line.

Identify your true competitors, and treat them with respect. - Their opinion of you will play a critical role in determining your reputation.

Culture drives a company. - The boss’s most important job is to define and enforce it.

The life plan has to come before the business plan. - You need to figure out where you want to go before deciding how to get there.

The Knack [Business Entrepreneur]

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Making the decision to sell a business is an extremely important one but many business owners do not realize just how important it is until it is their business. It is absolutely imperative that you take the time to consider your options before making a decision, regardless of whether you built the business from nothing or bought into it and made it your own. There are plenty of factors to consider but if you decide to sell your business, you should do your research before marketing your business for sale.

There are several tips that could help you when selling your business, and ten of them are outlined below. This information is essential so make sure that you adhere to the following points:

1. Plan Your Exit Strategy – Experts agree that you should always plan ahead when you want to sell the business, and begin to prepare at least three years in advance where possible. This allows you to prepare for the handover, both personally and regarding the business for sale. It will allow you to maximize profit and get your paperwork in order.

2. Prepare The Business – If you want to get a higher price when selling your business, you need to make sure that it is well prepared. Any outstanding issues should be solved, new policies and strategies implemented, and fulfilling training will get you up to 10% more on your business than would otherwise be possible.

3. Disregard Your Own Valuation – You are emotionally involved in your business so any price expectations you place on it would be emotionally affected. As such, you are likely to over inflate the price and no buyer will want to know how much you believe your business is worth. The only valuation that matters is that of a valuation specialist or qualified appraiser.

4. Protect Yourself – Have your attorney draw up a confidentiality agreement with no possible loopholes before you make any disclosures pertaining to the business. This will protect your business no matter what and ensure that you are not stung if any sale falls through.

5. Inform Your Shareholders – Shareholders and other individuals with an interest in the business, such as board members, could actually stop any sale of your business going through. Advising them in advance and taking steps to ensure that their influence is ultimately muted is essential. Failing to do so may leave you with your business in your name along with a huge bill for costs incurred by brokers, accountants, and attorneys.

6. Prepare Your Conditions – Many business owners wait until a bid is made on their businesses before preparing their own terms and this can hold up a potential sale. It may even be the cause for a sale falling through. Preparing your written terms and conditions before you put your business on the market will inform buyers before they place a bid. You will then be able to negotiate.

7. Consider Your Retirement – Selling a business may only be the start of your retirement but it could lead to problems in your personal life. You need to consider what you will do following the sale of your business for your own peace of mind and general health. Do not neglect this point. Although it may not sound important now, it will be following the sale.

8. Do Not Give Priority To Price – You should never look at the sale of your business in immediate financial terms. The bids offered may be distinguished as the highest monetary bid and the lower ones, but accepting the former may mean you lose out. Lower bids may have clauses by which you earn a percentage of profits for so many years or even retain shares, As such, the cash amount should be placed behind the content of the bid terms when you consider them.

9. Full Disclosure – No matter what the weaknesses are for your business, you should always make a full disclosure, including warranties, about the state of your business. Be sure to include “to the best of your knowledge” in your contracts, and qualify all disclosure made so you and your buyer know exactly where you stand.

10. Choose The Deal – Approving a deal structure is of paramount importance when selling your business. You need to ensure that you are completely happy with every aspect of the deal. For example, you may want to retain a certain aspect of technology from your business for your future interests so this should be qualified in the terms. You may also wish to keep certain business interests out of the sale. Whatever your decision, you should always act in your own best interests so only offer the deal that you feel comfortable with.

About the Author:

GlobalBX provides a FREE business for sale exchange connecting business buyers, sellers and lenders. Search over 32,000 businesses for sale and franchise opportunities. Sell a business for free with no listing fees and zero commissions. We have all the top franchises as well as franchise resales. Find franchise reviews and get free franchise information. You can also contact over 300 lenders directly and get a business loan.

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Before you get involved with a franchise and commit to a future within a specific brand or business, there are essential elements of the law that you need to know. That law is determined by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which requires franchisors to present all potential franchisees with a specific document offering disclosures at least ten days before a contract is signed or money changes hands. That agreement is known as the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC). It is designed to help potential franchisees decide whether an opportunity is the right investment for them and, as such, contains a total of 23 sections.

The Franchisor and its Predecessors and Affiliates – This is the first section and provides specific information about the franchisor. This includes the location, the products / services available, and the experience of personnel working for the company.

Business Experience – This is the second section and it provides you with employment histories for all of the franchise brokers, board members, executives, officers, and management. This is to demonstrate their experience and provides specific information for the previous five years.

Litigation – This is the third section and provides information about any and all litigation that any of the officers, board members, management and executives, as well as the franchisor itself, have previously been involved in. Your attorney should fully investigate any issues arising here.

Bankruptcy – This is the fourth section and is similar to litigation in that it will detail bankruptcy issues instead of litigation proceedings.

Fees – The fifth section informs you of any upfront fees and charges that are applicable to you, including any initial franchising fee that must be paid.

Ongoing Fees – The sixth section details all costs, fees, and payments that are required to be paid following those in section five. This may be royalties, advertising, maintenance, construction, and even staffing costs.

Initial Investment – The seventh section details how much you will need to plough into the business to get it off the ground. These figures are essential for applying for financing and compiling your business plan. Of course, the figures here are typical rather than actual and more of an investment may be required.

Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services – The eighth section is complex on paper but is easy to understand as it details the goods that you are obligated to purchase or lease from the franchisor or its partners. There are often details like the quantities of goods you have to purchase, so you will have an insight into the running of the business.

Franchisee's Obligations – The ninth section details your own personal obligations relating to the business and may or may not include policies, sale figures, training, and the site itself.

Financing – The tenth section will detail an outline of financial plans and arrangements that are available to you as a franchisee.

Franchisor's Obligations – This eleventh section will take some reading as it is easily the longest area of the UFOC. It is also extremely important because it details the franchisor’s obligations to you. It includes various information and all of it is vital to your interests. Pay particular attention to the part outlining the advertising policy.

Territory – The twelfth section of the UFOC details your legal territorial obligations and rights. It outlines whether you have exclusivity or whether you will or may have to share a location with your competition.

Trademarks – The thirteenth section outlines the trademark rights held and whom they actually belong to. It also includes legal details of how the protection works, and thus how and when you will be able to use it.

Patents, Copyrights and Proprietary Information – Further to the above section, the fourteenth section covers ownership of patents and copyrights, and the conditions under which you may use them.

Obligation to Participate in the Actual Operation of The Franchise Business – This may sound complex, but the fifteenth section basically outlines whether you have to be involved in the business personally and the extent of your involvement.

Restrictions on What The Franchisee May Sell – Section sixteen outlines the products you will sell if you invest in the franchise, and gives ideas of further products that you may be able to sell at a later date.

Renewal, Termination, Transfer and Dispute Resolution – Section seventeen is there to protect the franchisor and franchisee because it tells you how and why you may be terminated as well as determining your rights. Should a conflict occur, it would also inform you of how to proceed with a complaint or issue.

Public Figures – The eighteenth section highlights the celebrities or public personas that will be involved in any marketing campaigns, as well as the way in which he or she will receive compensation.

Earnings Claims – The nineteenth section of the UFOC is an important one because it details typical profits, sales, and information about other franchisees. This is not required so it may not be there, but if it is not then do some research to satisfy your suspicions because you need to know these figures.

List of Outlets – Section twenty of the UFOC details statistics about the system that the franchisor employs, including the number of outlets and the location details of at least 100 of them. There will also be information about closures and contract terminations over the past three years.

Financial Statements – Category twenty-one of the UFOC relates to the franchisor’s financial background and the full statements of accounts for the previous three years. It also includes the current balance sheet. All of the above has to be certified by an accountant to maintain their validity. Your own accountant should examine them for you.

Contracts And Agreements – Section twenty-two is exactly what it says it is, so be sure to consult with your attorney to ensure that they are in your best interests.

Acknowledgment of Receipt by Respective Franchisee – The final section is literally an acknowledgement that you received the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular and is of no other consequence.

Although the Federal Trade Commission requires that all of the above be sent to you in the form of a Uniform Franchising Offering Circular (UFOC), they will not have reviewed or approved the information within the document. As such, it is your responsibility to check its accuracy via your attorney and make sure that the franchise business is really in your best interests.

About the Author:

GlobalBX provides a FREE business for sale exchange connecting business buyers, sellers and lenders. Search over 32,000 businesses for sale and franchise opportunities. Sell a business for free with no listing fees and zero commissions. We have all the top franchises as well as franchise resales. Find franchise reviews and get free franchise information. You can also contact over 300 lenders directly and get a business loan.

  

You have two big decisions to make when deliberating over whether to use a franchise opportunity to set up a business. If you have already determined that a franchise may be the way to go for you then you have to choose the right one, but how can you do that?

First, you have to analyze yourself in depth to ensure that you have the personal skills, wants, and needs. You have to know exactly what you are capable of and the extent of your business aspirations. Brainstorming is a handy tool to use in this situation and it is essential that you do so before investigating current franchise opportunities that are available. Starting with industry analysis is the best route because you can then match your skill set to the industry requirements. As such, you can then narrow down your options to a few select industries before assessing whether those franchise options would work in your local geographic area. Only then can you begin to contact the franchisors and create a business plan.

When contacting franchisors about possible opportunities, always ask them to send you franchise information. If they are to be trusted then this should be available at no cost. When you receive the information, be sure to read it extremely carefully, paying attention to every detail. Do not take anything at face value and research every detail given in depth. After all, this is your future and no stone should be left unturned. You can use trade magazines, Internet profiles, professional journals, and annual reports. You should also contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and local authorities to make sure that there are no issues with the franchisor. You should extensively look into the reputation, financial health, growth, management, and day to day running of the business because it will be passed onto you as a franchisee.

When you have digested all of the above information and you are happy with it, ask for details of existing franchisees. It is essential to speak to them because they can give you an accurate viewpoint of how the franchisor runs the business, what the management is like to deal with, insider secrets, how the business is faring, and so on. Any good franchisor will be more than happy to provide this information whereas others may be reticent. Franchisees provide critical information so again only pursue franchises that are accessible. Only then should you assemble a legal team and accountant to answer any legal and financial questions you may have. They will also be able to find any holes that you have yet to discover, thus protecting your own interests.

About the Author:

GlobalBX provides a FREE business for sale exchange connecting business buyers, sellers and lenders. Search over 32,000 businesses for sale and franchise opportunities. Sell a business for free with no listing fees and zero commissions. We have all the top franchises as well as franchise resales. Find franchise reviews and get free franchise information. You can also contact over 300 lenders directly and get a business loan.

  

Where other businesses struggle, franchise businesses thrive. Wendy’s and McDonald’s are prime examples of successful franchise businesses, and also provide inspiration for those individuals who really want to form their own successful businesses in the future. With a brand behind you and a good idea of what does and does not sell, it is no wonder that you have chosen to consider a franchise.

There are two types of franchises out there. One is the good franchise that takes care of its franchisees, providing training and support throughout. The second type does nothing but take from the franchisee and pushes for profit. There is a third type of franchise and that is the one that will rip off franchisees, taking them for as much money as possible. The latter two are not worth the time, money and energy, whereas the former is extremely desirable.

As such, it is essential that you do your research and investigate a franchise thoroughly before signing a contract or paying out any money. The list of questions below may help you to find the better ones as the answers they will yield will give you enough information to make an informed decision:

1. Have you and your attorney analyzed the franchise agreement in detail and do you both completely agree with the details?

2. Are there any elements or step required of you that would break the law or be to the detriment of yourself or your country?

3. Do the provisions in the franchise agreement give you exclusive territory for the period of your contract? If not, what is the maximum number of franchises that may open in your area?

4. Is this franchisor connected in any way with any other franchise company handling similar products or services?

5. If you answered yes to the above question, what is your protection against the second franchising company?

6. If you decide to end the franchising contract for any reason, what are the provisions for you to pull out of the contract and how much would you have to pay to break the agreement?

7. Are you able to sell your franchise during or at the end of your contract? If you are legally allowed to do so, what are the repercussions related to compensation?

8. What time period represents the duration of your contract and how long has the franchisor actually been in full operation?

9. Does the company offering you this franchise have a reputation for honesty and fair dealing among its franchisees?

10. Has the franchisor shown you any certified figures indicating exact net profits of one or more of its members, and have you personally checked the figures with these people?

11. Are you able to tap into franchisor assistance with training, PR, advertising, capital, credit or merchandising?

12. Are you offered assistance for finding the best location possible in your chosen area?

13. Does the franchising firm have solid financial input to ensure stability and the establishment of goals?

14. Does the franchisor have experienced management, trained in-depth?

15. Can the franchisor do anything above and beyond what you are capable of yourself?

16. Have investigations into your background been carried out and has the franchisor been assured that you are capable of making a profit?

17. Does the state in which you live in have franchising laws in place, and does the franchisor adhere to them completely?

18. How much equity capital will you need to purchase the franchise and operate it until your income equals your expenses?

It is extremely important to answer these questions fully and to your complete satisfaction. If this is the case then you may be extremely eager to become a franchisee. However, you should research all answers to get them verified in several places to ensure that your investment would be a wise one.

Purchasing a franchise can provide you with stability and profits in a short period of time but that is not to say that it is infallible. Less than 20% of all franchises fail so you need to ensure that you do not become a statistic. Information regarding specific franchising ideas can be found in the franchising directories, which are generally available at the local library. This will give you a little assistance to get started but you need to ensure that you are completely happy before committing.

About the Author:

GlobalBX provides a FREE business for sale exchange connecting business buyers, sellers and lenders. Search over 32,000 businesses for sale and franchise opportunities. Sell a business for free with no listing fees and zero commissions. We have all the top franchises as well as franchise resales. Find franchise reviews and get free franchise information. You can also contact over 300 lenders directly and get a business loan.

  

Franchising has a longer history than many people may imagine but there have been several defining moments during its history. One of the biggest events occurred on October 21, 1979 when the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) introduced the Franchise Rule. This was designed to protect franchisees because it asserted that all US operational franchisors were legally obliged to fully disclose details that all potential franchisees should know before committing to investment.

As such, it enforced FTC standards to ensure that all disclosures contained uniform information that has been prepared to meet the legal criteria. One of the main requirements of this law ensured that there has to be evidence to support any financial details given. This in turn assures all potential franchisees that there is profit to be made and make them fully aware of any pitfalls.

More specifically, the Franchise Rule requires the following information to be disclosed by all franchisors:

(a) The franchisor must declare its affiliates, directors, officers, management and individuals responsible for all areas of the business, such as training, support, and franchising information.

(b) The franchisor must declare whether it or any of its officers, management, and directors have ever been bankrupt or faced lawsuits in the past, even those from before the individual in question joined the business.

(c) The exact amount you are expected to pay in franchise fees and various other associated charges must be disclosed. This includes all immediate and ongoing payments after the franchise contract is signed and the business has opened.

(d) Any and all restrictions on the quality of goods and services that you, as a franchisee, may use. This includes any purchase restrictions that may be in place.

(e) Any help and support that will be offered by the franchisor and any affiliates including financial support.

(f) All restrictions applicable to the goods and services you will be managing and selling, as well as any restrictions that you have to work with when dealing with customers.

(g) Any advantage or guarantees provided regarding the location and locality of the franchise.

(h) The franchise conditions under which your franchise may be terminated, sold on to another franchisee, repurchased, or modified.

(i) Franchisee training programs that are available and any fees associated with them.

(j) The involvement, if any, of celebrities or known figures in the public eye within the business, whether in advertising or behind the scenes.

(k) Site selection assistance that is offered by the franchisor.

(l) The number of present franchises, franchises projected for the future, franchises terminated or not to be renewed, and the number repurchased in the past.

(m) Full financial statement disclosure.

(n) How far you are expected to participate within the franchise operation after becoming a franchisee.

(o) Full disclosure of proof for earnings and profit claims made regarding other franchisees.

(p) Full names and addresses of franchisees that you can talk to.

All of the above legal considerations of franchising must be fully disclosed during initial contact with the representative of the franchise, whether that is a broker or the franchisor him or herself. As soon as the franchise opportunity is discussed, the legal considerations must be fully disclosed. The disclosure must be at least ten days prior to payment or to any franchise or related contract being signed. This pertains to the contract signing itself and also any financial statements changing hands.

The Federal Trade Commission does not require franchisors to register, but depending on the state your franchise may be in, it may have to register on a local level. The Uniform Franchise Circular Offering (UFOC) guidelines have been adopted by most states as a result of their strict disclosure requirements. However, you should never take it for granted that the franchise is registered or offers full disclosure, thus providing you with protection of any kind. You must research the franchisor fully before committing.

About the Author:

GlobalBX provides a FREE business for sale exchange connecting business buyers, sellers and lenders. Search over 32,000 businesses for sale and franchises for sale. Sell your business for sale for free with no listing fees and zero commissions. We have 1000s of franchises as well as franchise resales. Find franchise reviews and get free franchise information. You can also contact over 300 lenders directly and get a business loan.

  

Article Contributed by Ray Haiber

Having a tough time finding a job? Unfortunately that’s not surprising news due to the fact that this current recession has already to near double digit unemployment rates in some regions. Many of the hardest hit industries such as financial services and home construction face the prospect of an extended or permanent contraction that will force many workers to seek new careers as positions in those industries become eliminated or harder to replace.

One viable alternative that has always been available to workers who either want to leave the restrictions of the corporate world, or can‘t find a job in their industry because of tough economic times is to “buy a job”. How do you do that? By either finding and purchasing an existing small business, or starting a franchise.

Buy An Existing Business:

Business Brokerage Industry statistics indicate that your odds of success increase dramatically when you buy an established business as compared to launching a start up. This is particularly true in challenging economic times, and if the target business has been established for over 5 years and has a proven track record that can be validated via a thorough due diligence process.

What Type of Business?

Your basic goals should be to find a business that you will enjoy working in and growing, compliments some of your existing skill sets, and will also provide enough net income for you to make a comfortable living. Ideally the business should also generate enough income to allow you to cover any debt service you may have incurred if you financed a portion of the purchase price.

How To Find a Business: What’s the best way to find existing businesses for sale? The most efficient way to begin your search is via the Internet. There are quite a few online “Business For Sale” directories like bizbuysell.com that offer a large searchable database of existing small businesses broken down by categories like states and industries. When you see a business that strikes your interest you can then contact the owner or the Business Broker who represents the listing for more information. In most case you will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement and provide some basic financial qualifications before receiving a detailed business summary.

Another way to find an established business is to employ the services of a professional business broker in your local area. Many Business Brokers have access to listings that might not normally appear on a local MLS system, are kept in house, or have knowledge about new listings coming available soon that may fit your investment parameters. A good Broker can also show and help you indentify potential business matches that you may have not even considered. And in most cases Business Brokers working with buyers are paid on a commission basis with the fee paid by the Seller so you have no out of packet expenses. You can find a Business Broker in your local area by visiting: http://www.findabusinessbroker.com

Buy A Franchise

Another viable option to replace a lost job is to start a franchise business. The biggest advantage of buying a franchise opportunity is that it’s a lot less risky than starting a new business from scratch. Most established franchise concepts are proven business models that have a verifiable track record of success that generally can be easily validated during your investigation of the offering. Franchisers can also provide comprehensive training and support before and after you open your location. And keep in mind that one of the main reasons for the success of franchising as a business model is that Franchisers have a vested economic interest in your success in the form of royalty and other fees.

Find A Franchise

As with existing small businesses, the fastest and most convenient way to begin the process of finding a franchise is with an Internet connection. There are now dozens of franchise directories on line today that offer comprehensive listings of franchises available for sale, including information about investment levels, training, availability, and how to contact the franchise company for more details. These directories are also a good source for free information about the general process of buying a franchise business. You may want to visit A couple different directories such as franchiseopportunites.com, franchiseforsale.com, and azfranchises.com because not all of then will carry the same franchise opportunity listings.

Final Note: Always thoroughly investigate any franchise or business opportunity, obtain all appropriate disclosure documents available, and seek expert consultation prior to making any investment decisions.

About Author:

Ray Haiber has 10 years experience as a professional Arizona Business Broker and franchise sales consultant. View and research franchise opportunities for sale across the USA here.

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For any individual looking to capitalize on franchising opportunities and owning a franchise business, there are several advantages to consider. Some of those you may be interested in are outlined below:

The Franchise Business Pros
· Having a brand behind you, whether it is locally or nationally famous, will save you a lot of time and money that would be needed to create your own brand or trademark. You will also attract customers immediately rather than having to advertise extensively.
· You will have an established business framework to work within, which dramatically reduces the risk associated with a startup business.
· You will already have tried and tested suppliers and services at your disposal, which will again save you the time and money associated with finding your own.
· You will receive ongoing support for sales and marketing throughout your franchise ownership. Franchisees often choose to tap into the help that is offered to them throughout their tenure via existing marketing and advertising assistance.
· Franchisees often get comprehensive financial assistance because banks are often more willing to lend money to well-known brands and names than business startups that are completely unknown to consumers. Franchisees may also have access to direct financial assistance from the franchisor.
· The risk of investing in a franchise is lower than it is for a regular business startup. An established concept is much more desirable because there is less risk.
· Continued development opportunities and research will be available. Franchisors tend to choose to tap into information concerning competition in the local area, seasonal goods, demand, and local attitudes.
· You will get business support from your franchisor, which will help to find you the best possible site and enable any construction work that needs to be done in addition to employee training and operational assistance.
· All business procedures and methods that you use will already be tried, tested, and proven to work.
· The quality and desirability of the franchisor products have been proven and come at a certain standard level that is well established.
· You will have the buying power of the franchisor and centralized purchasing at your fingertips, so costs may be reduced as a result of bulk buying savings that are handed down to the franchisee.

In addition to the pros of franchise businesses as outlined above, there are also others that you may want to consider. For example, expansion may come more easily with a franchise business and you may enhance your business interests with additional businesses, either within the franchise or outside of it. This is how dreams of riches become realities.

That is not to say that there are not cons and disadvantages associated with franchise businesses. A few of them are outlined below:

The Franchise Business Cons
· You may lose ultimate control of your business as a result of the established franchise standards that you have to run your business in accordance with. You may also find that you cannot implement your own ideas and initiatives.
· The level of royalties could be as much as 10% or more in select cases, which will of course affect your profits.
· You will have to pay an initial fee to buy into the franchise. It could be as little as $4,000 but may extend up to $50,000 so there is significant initial outlay.
· You will have to pay advertising fees to ensure that your business is recognized as existing in your current location. If the franchisor advertises poorly then your fees are wasted.
· You may have to buy a signage pack from your franchisor. Some franchisors insist on you buying their specific signage and so you may find it extremely expensive.
· If the franchisor gets into difficulties then so do you. As you effectively bear their name then you bear the brunt of a problem, including issues with suppliers.

In conclusion, although there are some disadvantages with having a franchise business, the positives far outweigh the negatives. The risks of failure are significantly reduced and so there are fewer problems than a brand new startup business. Of course, you should always ensure that the paperwork is in order, and you should complete your research and due diligence before committing because there are no guaranteed profits, and you would ultimately be responsible should the venture fail.

About the Author:

GlobalBX provides a FREE business for sale exchange connecting business buyers, sellers and lenders. Search over 32,000 businesses for sale and franchises for sale. Sell your business for sale for free with no listing fees and zero commissions. We have 1000s of franchises as well as franchise resales. Find franchise reviews and get free franchise information. You can also contact over 300 lenders directly and get a business loan.

  

Article Contributed by Avinash Patil

The world needs entrepreneurs more than at any other time in the last century and an online business guru has come up with a way for would-be business owners to test whether they are likely to be a success or failure.

Guy Kingston, a serial entrepreneur who successfully started one of the first private enterprise businesses in post-communist Russia, says the motivation behind starting a business is often the key to success.

Mr Kingston, whose Mind Your Own Business podcast provides free help and advice to business owners said: “Every entrepreneur is driven by their dream of what they want to achieve through business. By asking themselves a few simple questions they can work out what their motivation is and from that you can pretty well work out whether they are likely to be a success or not.

“Many people are really dreamers, who like the idea of running a business but can’t cope with reality. The ones who will succeed are schemers, who will do everything they can to ensure success.”

Mr Kingston, whose website www.myobpod.com features free written, audio and video advice for entrepreneurs with no sponsors attached, sets out the following check-list for would-be entrepreneurs to test out whether they are a dreamer or a schemer.

See which statement applies to your thoughts then see whether this is a dream or a scheme.

“I want to build a business so that I can employ lots of people and be a big boss.”

Guy’s verdict: Dreamer: “if empire building is your main motivation you will probably fail.Costs need to be kept tight in a growing business and the regulatory environment surrounding employing people makes them very expensive. Operate with as few people as possible and the empire will grow.”

“I’m really confident in my idea and my ability to make it work, but there’s more to it than that.”

Guy’s verdict. Schemer: “Positive thinking alone is not enough. Whereas you won’t succeed without it, it is not sufficient alone.”

“Running my own business will mean I will be able to have greater flexibility and time for myself and my family”

Guy’s verdict: Dreamer: “You have more time if you are employed by someone else. Of course you have to get the balance right but don’t see being an entrepreneur as a passport to more spare time.”

“I know I have skills that my employer doesn’t appreciate and I want to sell them direct to people”

Guy’s verdict: Schemer “Often the core of a good business comes from an individual’s talents. Just make sure that it is more than your nearest and dearest who think you are good.”

“I have certain abilities but if my business is really going to take off I’ll need to pick quite a few other people’s brains to bridge the gap.”

Guy’s verdict: Schemer: “The best entrepreneurs beg, steal and borrow ideas from everyone and then adjust them to their own situation. They also recognise early on that they aren’t good at everything.”

“I have inherited some money and I think the best way to use it is to buy a business that I can run.”

Guy’s verdict: dreamer “Buying a business is about a lot more than just having the money. Many successful businesses have disappeared very quickly once under new ownership.”

“My partner / best friend and I get on so well that we would be awesome in business together and we are going to come up with something between us that we can do together”

Guy’s verdict: dreamer “Running a business together puts a great strain on any relationship. Although it works well for many people there has to be more to substantiate going into business together than the fact you are great buddies or soul mates!”

“I want a mentor who’s been round the block a few times.”

Guy’s verdict. Schemer: “Just as you wouldn’t want a brain surgeon who’s never done brain surgery before, you don’t want a business advisor who hasn’t run a business of their own. Experience trumps qualifications and theories any day.”

“Everyone likes the items I produce as part of my hobby so I am going to pack in my job and do it commercially.”

Guy’s verdict. Dreamer: “Hobbies rarely turn into good viable businesses. Before making the leap it is important to check out every aspect of the business model.”

“Business is fairly simple. You just buy things in and then sell them at a cheaper price. That is the basis of my plan for trading”

Guy’s verdict. Dreamer: “This is someone who needs to do a lot more planning on things like stock levels and what the market will stand before venturing into being an entrepreneur.”

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It's easy to let things slip over the summer - after all the weather's far too nice to be indoors organising your office! However, the reality is when you do settle back into working after a break unless your office is organised you spend more time looking for files, business cards, papers, than you do working.

It's a lot of wasted time! Use my tips below and get your office schedule back on track.

1. Clear out your desk and files

Make way for those exciting new projects that have been put on the backburner over the summer. I recently did this and apart from getting rid of four grocery bags of papers, I felt much more motivated to start those projects that had been lurking for months! And it's amazing what you come across too!

2. Set up a Resource Folder

Keep track of those all-important pieces of information that you come across daily. How? Create a Resource Folder:

:: on your PC -- store all those downloaded documents and create a shortcut on your desktop so that you can easily access your information. Go one step further and create folders within your folder, each relating to a specific topic, i.e. industry news, marketing, accounting -- decide what works best for your business!

:: in your Favourites Folder in your web browser -- bookmark those web pages that you find useful so that you can easily access them again. Create subject specific folders within the main resource folder.

:: using a ring binder file -- print out articles that you come across while surfing or any emails that you may need to refer to again; cut out useful magazine articles; store newsletters, circulars or magazines. In fact use your resource binder to store anything that you will want to keep and refer to again! Use divider cards so that you can easily access resources on a particular topic.

Or use a combination of all three for maximum efficiency!

3. Get back in touch with your clients and contacts

Now's a good time to update your client and contact database. It's easy to let things slip over the summer, so drop them a personal note or email and make sure that the information you currently have for them is up-to-date -- and this will ensure that your information is accurate when you come to send those all-important Christmas greetings!

4. Get your website listed in as many places as possible!

Update your directory listings; get entered on new industry directories; check backlinks -- set up a spreadsheet to keep track of all of this.

5. Get your finances organised

I know, it's summer; you'd rather be outside enjoying the sunshine than inside organising your receipts. Now's the time to drag out all those business receipts and get your bookkeeping system back on track!

Follow these simple tips and you'll soon have your office schedule back on track!

Online Business Manager & Virtual Assistant, Tracey Lawton, supports professional speakers, coaches, and authors to operate an efficient, organized, and profitable business. Learn how to create an efficient and organized office in 7 EASY steps, and receive free how-to articles at http://www.OfficeOrganizationSuccess.com.

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Article contributed by Karen S Sieczka

It is better to have enough ideas for some of them to be wrong, than to be always right by having no ideas at all. --Edward de Bono

As entrepreneurs, we have all failed at one time or another. An idea doesn’t pan out, a deal falls through, we get rejected by an important client, things don’t turn out as expected. We feel disappointed and sometimes we even feel hurt. Often, we want to throw in the towel. When this happens, we need to remember failure is an important part of the process of building success.

Failures can become turnarounds. Lee Iacocca brought the failing Chrysler company back from the brink of extinction in the 1980’s. Harry Truman failed miserably in many business ventures before becoming president of the United States. If these two had given up when things were tough, their names would be lost to history.

You probably know who James Dyson is. He is the guy who invented the extremely successful and popular bagless vacuum. It took him over 5,000 tries to get his design right but he used each failure to make improvements and move closer to his desired end result. We wouldn’t even recognize his name if he had thrown in the towel after the 10th failure or even the 4,999th failure!

Everyone knows who Colonel Sanders is. He concocted the secret herb and spice recipe that made the most famous fried chicken on the planet. He was rejected over 1,000 times before someone thought his recipe was finger licking good.

Look at the Wright brothers. How many times did they have to regroup before their airplane left the ground? Look at Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. They didn’t wait for the perfect search algorithm. They started the company and then refined the process as they went along.

Thomas Edison was known for the incandescent light bulb and first recording of music on a wax cylinder. He and his colleagues tried thousands of experiments, some miserable failures, some partial failures, some successes, but each attempt, each process brought something to the table, and sparked an idea or brought them closer to a solution for another puzzle.

Read biographies of famous people. Even among the most successful, most have felt the sting of miserable failures at one time or another. How did they react and move toward success? Focus on how they learned from the mistakes and moved onward and upward. How can you apply these lessons to your own life, career, and circumstances? Ponder this: do you accept defeat when something goes wrong or do you regroup and try again? How persistent are you?

You have to accept failures are part of the success experience. Mistakes often become the next great innovation. Vulcanized rubber was a mistake. Microwave oven technology was created by accident. Penicillin was the result of a failed experiment.

To be successful, you must reconcile with the possibility of failure. Being successful involves taking risks, and the possibility of failure, ridicule, disapproval, and disappointment. Be courageous. Everyone makes some mistakes. You may never figure out all the outcomes before you plunge into a project. So what? Do it anyway! If it fails, learn from it and try again!

Karen S. Sieczka is a training consultant and founder of Growing Great Ideas.com. Her latest training program is Growing Great Ideas: Unleashing Creativity at Work. The program generates ideas, enthusiasm, and teamwork and can be customized to address particular organizational issues or challenges. This article was excerpted from the Growing Great Ideas: Unleashing Creativity at Work book, now available at LULU.com for download or print version.

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I bet just the very title of this article is enough to make you run for cover! Along with paper piles, budget and Cashflow is another area that can drive solo business owners over the edge! In your corporate days you would have had a bookkeeping/accounting department that took care of all of this for you – they paid the invoices, they tracked the receivables, they tracked the income, and they told you the bottom line!

Now that you’re running your own business you are also the Chief Financial Officer, and it can be very overwhelming. However, it needn’t be… let me share with you three simple steps that you can put in place to manage your budget and Cashflow.

What is a Cashflow projection?

One important area of your Financial Management System is that of a Cashflow projection. Put simply, a Cashflow projection shows whether your anticipated income will be able to cover your expected (projected) expenses and this report is very beneficial to you in your business.

It is an annual report and, if set up correctly, will show you how cash will flow through your business throughout the current financial year. I’ve been using a Cashflow report in my business for many years and find it invaluable. Just recently the chance to participate in a high-profile teleclass series came up, and because I have my systems in place, I knew straightaway that it was something I could take part in!

Step 1 – Create Your Cashflow Report

This is very easy to do using a spreadsheet. Create a column that lists all of your expenses, i.e. office supplies, legal & professional fees, membership, advertising etc. and a column for each month of the year. You will need to create formulae that will tell you your total income, total expenses, and subtracts the expenses from the income, and also carries forward any amounts from month-to-month. This is so you can see how your finances are ‘flowing’ throughout the year.

Step 2 – Input Your Data

Taking your financial data from your bookkeeping system input your actual income and expenses, and list any projected expenses in the appropriate row/column. Your Cashflow report will now show you at-a-glance any time periods for which you will need to be especially aware of. For example you may have a lot of expenses in one particular month so you’ll know that the previous month you’ll need to make sure that you have the funds kept back in your bank account to take care of those upcoming expenses.

It will also show you if you can afford to make an investment in your business, whether that’s signing up for a new service or membership club, taking out an advertisement, or buying new equipment.

Your Cashflow projection can also be used as a budget planner. You can plan out when annual memberships are due and put those in ahead of time. You can also add in an amount for when your taxes are due. This will provide you with a really good feel of how cash is flowing through your business, month after month, throughout the year, and you can also tell how much you can take off for owners draw, but still leave enough to cover the anticipated expenses.

Step 3 – Schedule In The Time

Now that you have your Cashflow report in place, it’s important that you update it regularly so that you can stay aware of how cash is flowing through your business, and take any actions necessary so that you have enough to cover all of your anticipated expenses.

I recommend scheduling in at least 30 minutes once a month to update this critical financial management report.

A Final Thought...

Having an annual Cashflow projection will provide you with all of the information you need so that you can keep on top of your business financially and know where you are.

If you have a bookkeeper taking care of all your financial records for you, ask them to prepare your monthly Cashflow report for you.

Online Business Manager & Virtual Assistant, Tracey Lawton, supports professional speakers, coaches, and authors to operate an efficient, organized, and profitable business. Learn how to create an efficient and organized office in 7 EASY steps, and receive free how-to articles at http://www.OfficeOrganizationSuccess.com.

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This article is contributed by Lesley Mattos of Adesso Albums, Inc

Why would a woman making a six-figure salary in Silicon Valley choose to
leave her high profile position with Cisco to create a product that used no
21st Century technology?

Because almost thirty years of working with Silicon Valley's top technology
companies can take a toll on a gal's ability to stop and see, much less
smell the roses! During a trip to Italy, far away from friends and family
and immersed in a culture that lives in the moment, I realized what I'd lost
sight of.

And that's where the idea for Adesso Albums was born. Six years later,
Adesso Albums is an international company with more than a million dollars
in annual revenue.

So how did I do it?

10 tips for Success in Business – Based on My Personal Experience:

1. Embrace change. It's an inevitable part of running a business. Rather
than fighting it, wasting valuable time and eventually losing, you're better
off anticipating, planning for, and embracing change. As a small business
owner you should be nimble and react quickly in a variety of ways. If you
look at change as an opportunity to grow, you will!

2. Use technology. Do more with less by automating routine processes with
web-based applications. These applications increase productivity and free
you, your staff and your resources to focus on more important tasks. And,
these applications can be accessed from anywhere

3. Keep your eye on the ball. It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day
minutia of running a business. Constantly ask yourself if your daily
activities get you closer to your overall goals for the company. It will
keep you on track and stop you from spending time on the wrong things.

4. Know your differentiators. Compare your products and services to the
real, as well as the perceived competition. A competing concept can be even
more threatening than an actual product. Unless you have thought about what
differentiates your product or service from everything that's out there,
your marketing efforts will fall short.

5. Lead by example. Peers and subordinates alike will learn from your
example. They “listen” with their eyes more than with their ears. Your
actions mean more than what you say to them. Make sure your processes and
actions both inside and outside the office are things you want emulated.

6. Give the illusion of participation. Everyone likes to feel like they are
part of the decision process, so let them! Then do what you think you ought
to do anyway. It's not necessary, and often actually a hindrance in a small
business environment to employ the decision by a committee process.

7. Control timing. We often miss opportunities because we think we have to
respond immediately to stimuli such as phone calls or emails. Just because
the phone is ringing or an email comes in, it doesn't mean you have to
react. Your day shouldn't be a series of interruptions. The more you
control your distractions, the more effective you'll be.

8. Know what you don't know. It's inconceivable that you could have an in
depth knowledge of every aspect of your business. Acknowledge your weak
areas and surround yourself with competent resources and trusted partners
and learn from them.

9. Stay organized. It is critical to update, edit, add and delete from your
list of to-do's on a daily basis. Nothing feels better than crossing things
off. And, with a well-maintained list for you and your team, everyone will
stay on track and your chances for success are enhanced.

10. Plan for success. Formalize your processes as you go. Plan for and
build infrastructure ahead of your growth. So when your growth spurt comes,
you're ready for it. And don't forget to celebrate your successes along the
way. Stop and pat yourself and your team on the back as milestones are
achieved.

Following these ten tips not only helped me grow Adesso Albums to over a
million dollars in annual revenue last year, it also helped me reach tens of
thousands of people and help them live in the moment. Everyday we get
cards, letters, emails, pictures and even videos from our customers telling
us how Adesso Albums have touched their lives – and in so many ways –
both personally and from a business perspective.

From the couple who just got married and looked at their original instant
photo guest book every day of their honeymoon to the military family who
used an album to chronicle what happened while the dad was on tour for a
year, to our international distributors who each used the albums at their
weddings and have since quit their day jobs to sell Adesso Albums in their
part of the world – its' all very humbling.

With a good idea, a little luck and my ten tips, you are well on your way to
success too!

About the Author:
Lesley Mattos is Owner of Adesso Albums, Inc. and creator of the original
instant photo guest book that combines retro, funky and fun Polaroid instant
photos with hand written sentiments from guests. Now you can create an
instant memento that is presented to honorees at events such as weddings,
birthdays, anniversary or retirement parties as they are leaving! Visit
http://www.adessoalbums.com

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Article contributed by Michelle Ulrich

1.Social networks – how to work it
a.http://www.craigslist.com
b.http://www.fastpitchnetworking.com
c.http://www.ryze.com
d.Ning.com is a create-your-own social network site

2.Free Classified Ads
a.Backpage
b.Craigslist
c.MySpace – need to be a member with a profile, I believe

3.Teleclasses/Podcasts
a.These can be pre-recorded if you don’t want to interact with others
b.Teleclasses are great for getting the word out about your products/services; guest speakers can promote you to their list and increase your list on a monthly basis
c.Use www.fullcalendar.com to promote teleclasses and events

4.Joint Ventures – co-creation of…
a.New products
b.New teleclasses
c.New workshops
d.New podcasts
e.New ebooks
f.Limitless ideas…

5.Strategic Alliances
a.Promote one another via banner ad exchanges
b.Promote one another via ezine or newsletter mentions

6.Article submissions
a.Write an article – submit online
b.Repurpose into an ezine article or ezine series if article is long
c.Repurpose into a podcast
d.Repurpose into an ebook with additional resources
e.Repurpose into a speech/presentation for live events

7.Ezine submissions
a.Write an ezine – submit online to ezine banks
b.Repurpose into an article
c.Repurpose into a podcast
d.Repurpose into an ebook with additional resources
e.Repurpose into a speech/presentation for live events

8.Ezine with tips, resources, trends
a.Submit to ezine banks for additional subscribers

9.Blog
a.Blog or have someone else blog for you no less than 3x/wk
b.Pick a theme for each month to make it easy
c.Base the theme on your teleclasses and ezine, etc. to make all items/tasks easier to complete

10.Affiliate accounts
a.Amazon – book store, software store, web store, etc.
b.Commission Junction
c.Create your own affiliate account – essentially provides a means for others interested in your product a way for them to make a small percentage while you gain a virtual sales force

11.Blogtalk Radio – 15 mins – longer monologues or full blown radio show; record to podcast
a.Repurpose into an article
b.Repurpose into an ezine piece
c.Repurpose into a podcast
d.Repurpose into an ebook with additional resources
e.Repurpose into a speech/presentation for live events

12.Get involved; share your passion
a.Share your passion with others
i.Online
1.Social networks
2.Forums
3.Message boards
ii.In person
1.Networking
2.Volunteer opportunities in community
3.Church
4.Youth groups
5.Etc.
iii.Don’t forget to share your projects and/or websites with others

About the Author
Michelle Ulrich is the Chief Villager and founder of The Virtual Nation™, an educational destination for Virtual Professionals around the globe. Michelle is an avid believer in giving back to her industry and she does this by offering coaching, teleclasses, resources, and tools, in addition to providing a community of learning, a nation of culture, and a virtual village for her members.

She maintains her private practice where she specializes in working with authors, coaches and speakers who struggle to keep up with e-commerce and new technologies. Clients can check out her services at www.virtualbusinessmarketing.com, while Virtual Assistants can find her over at www.thevirtualnation.com. She can be reached by telephone at (916) 536-9799 in the Pacific time zone.

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This article is contributed by Michelle Ulrich.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." by Margaret Mead

Here is a list of my Top 10 Reasons Volunteering Can Help You Grow Your Business:

1. Volunteering helps you find your place in the community, whether online or in person, especially if you are "the new kid on the block."
2. Volunteering facilitates many new learning opportunities. This occurs through mentoring or just being around others who share your passion or interests.
3. Volunteering fosters new relationships and builds on existing ones.
4. Volunteering can be a great opportunity to try out new skills or hone existing ones.
5. Volunteering gives you a sense of giving service; studies have found this to be very healthy for our brains, our overall health and our psyche (soul).
6. Volunteering creates opportunities for you to be on ‘ground zero’ of your community or industry.
7. Volunteering builds self-confidence and great potential for leadership building opportunities.
8. Volunteering can lead to business opportunities as most people like to do business with people they know and trust.
9. Volunteering is an important value we can teach our children. We can also act as role models for those in need. You may be the reason they give back and volunteer when they are ready.
10. Volunteering is a way to share your knowledge with others as others before you have passed down history and traditions from one generation to the next.

When you are in a rut, need some help or want to impart your knowledge to others, find a community (online or offline) and get involved. It won’t feel so lonely, your questions will be answered and you can pass down your legacy to share with others. Besides, it’s good for your health and well-being.

P.S. Volunteering can be a great way to 'pay it forward.' I have seen commercials where one person is having a horrible day and takes it out on someone else, and then the next person takes it out on the next and so on. If we turn that around and perform random acts of kindness via volunteering in our communities, what an incredible and beautiful synergy we can pass on to others. We can affect our communities with one single act. Imagine if everyone pitched in and volunteered for something...what a peaceful and happy planet this would be!

About the Author
Michelle Ulrich is the Chief Villager and founder of The Virtual Nation, an educational destination for Virtual Professionals around the globe. Michelle is an avid believer in giving back to her industry and she does this by offering coaching, teleclasses, resources, and tools, in addition to providing a community of learning, a nation of culture, and a virtual village for her members. Education is the foundation of her organization as well as for her own personal and professional development. Michelle has been a community college instructor teaching a Virtual Assistant certificate program online. Aside from coaching and teaching, she is also a speaker and soon-to-be author on the subject of Virtual Assistance. She maintains her private practice where she specializes in working with authors, coaches and speakers who struggle to keep up with e-commerce and new technologies. Clients can check out her services at www.virtualbusinessmarketing.com, while Virtual Assistants can find her over at www.thevirtualnation.com. She can be reached by telephone at (916) 536-9799 in the Pacific Time zone.

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There’s no question about the many benefits of writing a book and becoming a published author. Writing a book gives you instant credibility with clients and prospects, solidifies your expert status and builds your personal or corporate brand. In fact, studies indicate that, while more than 80% of the population wants to write a book, only tiny 2% will ever actually do it! Why? Most aspiring writers cite lack of time, lack of focus or lack of knowing how to physically undertake such an ambitious project.

Enter ghostwriters. No longer those shadowy figures lurking behind the scenes, ghostwriters today are experienced professionals who help aspiring authors write the book of their dreams. These writers and journalists work with their “authors” for months at a time to make sure their book gets written right. Most executives call upon ghostwriters to write for them simply because they don’t have the time or resources to do it on their own.

The price and quality of ghostwriters span a wide range. Like anything else in life, you usually get what you pay for. You can take your chances and try to find a low-priced freelance writer on Elance.com, but you’re far better off trusting your project to a pro who comes recommended from a trusted source or referral. That said, you can expect to pay a good ghostwriter upwards of $50,000 for a full-length, non-fiction business book.

The writing process can take 4 – 6 months to complete your manuscript, but good ghostwriters also serve as an advisor during the process, making sure that you’re project stays on track and is ultimately marketable. However, most ghostwriters rarely get involved in the actual publishing process.

Ultimately, your book is only going to be as good as the material and creativity you provide to your ghostwriter. You’ve got to stay engaged in the process and provide ongoing feedback in order to end up with the book that you envision. Still, with weekly meetings and timely feedback, the process can go smoothly and quickly.

Remember, not all writers are created equal. Look for a ghostwriter who is professional, dependable, collaborative, discreet, easy to work with and not afraid to tell it like it is. Find the right fit and you’re on your way to becoming one of those elite 2% who actually write their book!

Lou Bortone is an award-winning writer and video producer with over 20 years experience in marketing, branding and promotion. As an online video expert, Lou helps entrepreneurs create video for the web at www.TheOnlineVideoGuy.com. In addition, Lou works as a freelance writer and professional ghostwriter, with a ghostwriting site at www.GhostwriteForYou.com and a blog at www.GhostwriteGuru.com.

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OnStartups: Chances are, if you're reading this article, you are either involved in a startup already, or looking to be involved in one.

This article is for the folks in the latter category, the "wannabepreneurs". The ones that have always wanted to be entrepreneurs, but haven't quite gotten around to it. The folks still slogging it away in BigCo land waiting for the "right" entrepreneurial opportunity to come along.

Here's my advice: Stop Waiting!

If you've got a passion for startups, you need to be in a startup. Either run with the best idea you have and start your own thing (even if the idea sort of sucks), or join the best people you know that are already doing something. Just get out of the daily slog that is most big businesses. Scratch that itch.

Be an entrepreneur, not a wannabepreneur.

Here are a few quick points to help convince you:

1. You're probably overestimating the risk of leaving that BigCo job. Chances are, that sort of job (or something awfully similar) will be there a year from now if things go miserably.

2. Though nothing compares to doing your own thing, joining a startup team is not bad either. It's a great way to dip your toes in the water. Often, half the battle is just getting out of your comfort zone and being around startup people.

3. Regardless of what your risk tolerance is, you can likely still find opportunities that are more entrepreneurial than what you're doing now. There are startups with really high risk, with nothing but a dream and a developer (or two) all the way to startups that have raised several rounds of funding and are on the IPO path. You should be able to find a startup that meets your risk profile.

4. Unless you have some compelling evidence that things are going to get easier later to do something more entrepreneurial, chances are, they're not (going to get easier). So, if the question is when, not if, then ask yourself "why not sooner, rather than later?"

5. For those that are thinking: "Yeah, this is all easy for you to say, you're not walking in my shoes", I say this: You're right. If you truly don't have the situation or circumstances to take the leap, that's ok. I just implore you to at least think about it and decide for yourself whether your obstacles are real or perceived.

I'll close with a quote that's been on my list of favorites for a while:

"Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable." -Sydney Harris

Taking The Leap: Don't Just Be A Wannabepreneur [OnStartups]

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There are only so many hours in a day and working on your own as a solopreneur means that if you want to really grow your business you either have to find a way of going without sleep, or expand your team!

Personally, I prefer the latter! And this is what I’ve been doing recently too. My web host takes care of anything technical for me related to my website, and over the summer I partnered with a bookkeeper so that she could take over this area of my business for me! It’s made such a difference being able to hand over a large area of my workload to someone else.

So how can you ensure that your new-found team all work together and provide the best possible support for you and your business? Here are my top three tips:

1. Create a Team Directory. List your virtual team members with their name, role, email, telephone number, website, and job description and circulate it amongst everyone on your team. That way everyone will know who is doing what and can go directly to the appropriate team member with questions rather than have to go through you.

2. Schedule in a Weekly Call. This would be the equivalent of an office staff meeting, but you can do this virtually using a teleconference service. There are many services available and a lot of them are free, you just pay for the call at your end. This is a great way to stay in touch with your team.

3. Encourage communication between team members outside of the weekly call. Set everyone up on a Yahoo group or instant messaging service so that they can communicate with one another and get your projects done.

With my clients as well as having a weekly call we utilize a wonderful virtual office service that lets us upload and share documents, centralize our contacts, allocate tasks, and maintain our calendars. Members of our ‘team’ can also communicate with one another via a forum, and we can also hold team votes!

So if you’re finding that you’ve reached a plateau in your business, and you enjoy getting your nightly sleep! follow my advice above and expand your team.

Online Business Manager & Virtual Assistant, Tracey Lawton, supports professional speakers, coaches, and authors to operate an efficient, organized, and profitable business. Learn how to create an efficient and organized office in 7 EASY steps, and receive free how-to articles at http://www.OfficeOrganizationSuccess.com.

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Younggogetter: This post written by Ryan, an entrepreneur, who, writes about relationship marketing, eCommerce, and other elements of business as it relates to Generation Y, on his blog, Ryan Stephens Marketing, outlines 3 reasons why you should skip obtaining your MBA.

Reason #1: It’s about PEOPLE — not rules, theorems, and formulas.

Being a great business person, or a great marketer is about connecting with people; it’s about building and solidifying relationships, and it is about making your brand a Lovemark. Managerial Cost Accounting doesn’t help you do that. I do not want to spend my life tucked away in a cubicle (or an office), but out on the streets interacting with and learning from consumers. What do they really want? How can I facilitate our relationship by providing them with the solution they are looking for?

What theorem teaches me how to do that? When you start seeing your business as a business of margins you are in danger of becoming a commodity. You can learn all the strategies in the world to get attention for your business, but what do you do when you get it? Is it sustainable? Learning about the people, your consumers and what they want enables you to thrive and consistently answer these questions. A piece of paper that dictates how well you ran regressions does not.

Reason #2: I’d rather build my network via Happy Hour and other events.

One of the reasons people decide to get an MBA is because it is a great opportunity to meet other ambitious people, and when one of them gets wealthy, they might hire you one day. But seriously, most good programs ensure that you get to hear some great speakers, work in groups with some talented peers, etc. and this is a valuable experience.

All I am saying is that I would rather do it at happy hour. Chances are you are working with some brilliant people right now. Maybe they fill stifled by their career, maybe underneath their rule-following, drone-like performances in the office they have brilliant business ideas that just need a little social lubricant to come to the forefront. I have had some great conversations with some really intelligent people at Happy Hour. I suspect it is because we do not feel confined by the rules of corporate America, but free to dream big, and showcase our passion for unique business approaches.

Aside from all of that, there are a lot of great people who will communicate with you if you make the effort. Is the CEO of Proctor and Gamble going to have lunch with you? No, the odds are not likely. However, if you contact someone in a company and tell them you respect the work they do (provided you have done your research and know what that is), and would like their advice concerning that particular field, job, etc. you would be surprised how many people would accommodate you.

Most people are nice people. Most people like helping other people. Build your network from the ground up. Just because a CEO comes and talks to your class does not mean he’s going to answer your email that you sent the next day. Take networking into your own hands.

Reason #3: I’m in too much of a hurry to waste time getting an MBA, when I could read some great books in one summer and get a very similar education.

For most MBA programs you need a few years work experience so by the time you work, then come back, then get the MBA, that’s approximately 5 years you could have been in the workforce, unleashing your ideas on the world (or at least trying to). And that’s my vantage point. I like to think of myself as an entrepreneur anxious to get out into the real world and to start making things happen.

Give me Keith Ferrazzi’s Never Eat Alone and I’ll learn about relationship marketing. Give me Kevin Roberts’ Lovemarks and I’ll learn about the future of branding. The point is a couple of good professors, business people, or bloggers could provide me with a list of great books I need to read. I could read one every other day or so and get a lot of the same education I would get in an MBA program.

Perhaps I do not get the actual experiences in terms of practicing presentations, but what better way to practice than to be giving presentations for my own company or whomever I am working with. Grades honestly do not matter that much to me anymore (I know, I know – you freak out if you don’t maintain that 4.0) but aside from obtaining higher education or that first job, when do they really matter ever again?

My aim is not to discredit or to diminish the idea of an MBA degree. I will freely admit that they can potentially accelerate your career path and provide you with a great opportunity to meet some phenomenal people and obtain some phenomenal opportunities in the process. All I am saying is that they are not the necessity that so many people believe them to be.

You can save all the money and invest your time emotionally connecting with people. You can build great relationships and hash out lucrative business ideas over a drink (or other social event), and you can obtain a solid education by reading best-selling business books by brilliant authors that probably know a lot more about that particular subject than your professor. I would say that is three pretty good reasons to skip getting your MBA.

3 Reasons To Skip Getting Your MBA [Younggogetter]

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You'll pay too much in taxes if you don't understand that cash in minus cash out does not equal profit.

This is the most important thing you need to know before you start keeping records for your business...cash in minus cash out does not equal profit. It simply equals cash left over. Or, in many cases, it's a negative number, so it equals cash you owe somebody.

What this means is that you'll need to understand the IRS rules and keep your records according to those rules so you report your profit correctly and take (and be able to prove) all the deductions you're allowed to take. Because you want to pay the least amount of tax possible, right?

The way you'll need to keep your books will be different depending on whether your business is a sole proprietorship, a partnership or a corporation. The rules for calculating income and deductions (and therefore profit) and the forms used for reporting to the IRS are different for the different business types.

What counts as income? Most or all of the money you take into your business will count as income. This includes fees for services and/or product sales.

But not all the cash that comes into your business counts as income.

If you get a rebate for a purchase you made at your local office supply store, that's cash in, but it's not income. It's a reduction in your supplies expense.

If you get a refund of part of your insurance premium at the end of the year, that's cash in, but it's not income. It's a reduction in insurance expense.

If you borrow money (and it doesn't matter if it's from your brother or the bank), that's cash in, but it doesn't count as income.

What counts as expenses? Most of the money you spend for your business will probably count as expenses. This includes advertising, postage, office supplies, and similar items.

But not all the cash that goes out of your business counts as expenses.

When you buy business property like cars, computers, and furniture that will last longer than a year, you're not allowed to deduct their entire cost as an expense in the year of purchase (except in special circumstances).

These items are called capital assets. Sometimes they're referred to as fixed assets.

You have to depreciate them over several years. Basically, depreciation is a process of spreading the cost of an item over its useful life.

You might have cash of several hundred or thousands of dollars go out the door when you purchase fixed assets, but you can't deduct the entire amount of the purchase price as an expense when you buy them.

Some things that your business pays for might only count as partial expenses. An example of that is business meals and entertainment where you can only deduct half of the cost.

That doesn't mean that your business can't pay for 100 % of the cost, but only that you're limited in the amount of the tax deduction you can take. This is another example of cash out that doesn't translate directly to expenses.

Some things your business pays for might not be tax deductible at all.

An example of this would be a contribution to a Political Action Committee. That doesn't mean that the business can't pay for it, just that it's not a deductible expense on your tax return.

Some more examples of cash that goes out the door that doesn't count as expenses are: draws for sole proprietors and distributions for partners or S corporation shareholders.

There's also one type of expense that can be more than the amount of cash that the business actually spends. It's the home office deduction that some sole proprietors can take.

So you see why it's so important to understand that cash in minus cash out does not equal profit.

Unfortunately, the IRS rules and regulations don't always make logical sense; they might seem complicated and unfair. One thing is certain. They are the way they are, so we have to deal with them. Learn what you can. And get help when you need it.

Sheryl Schuff, CPA, is a Certified Public Accountant, author, and consultant who teaches entrepreneurs how to get their businesses organized, keep good accounting records, and maximize their business tax deductions. She is President of Schuff & Associates, PC and has been in private practice for over 30 years. She recently started an information products company www.TaxesForSmallBusiness.com to provide individual training materials for small business owners.

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Young Entrepreneur: After polling our Young Entrepreneur readers, here is our list of the top 20 mistakes that startups make when creating a new business. I’ve also included a few of the comments that were left for some of the top points.

#1: Not Having a Clear Plan or Vision

“The biggest mistake people make is not looking far enough ahead in your market. So many businesses are losing ground to new technologies as example, so think ahead on how to better utilize these new technologies. With the current recession, how many planned for it? Every business will go through cycles of growth and market demize, just as we are all now seeing, so again, think ahead, have vision beyond today is one of the keys to success.”

#2: Surrounding Yourself With People Who Don’t Believe In Your Idea

“Another mistake would be surrounding yourselves with people (whether by accident or because they’re family, etc) who don’t believe in your idea. You need to be around positive feedback all the time.”

#3: Not Having Enough Money

“I think this is big for those businesses that have the incentive to only reap the benefits and not focus on the longevity of your venture. Taking out $10k now may prevent making $100k in a few months. Mindsets should not be “Yeah I own a buiness I make this much” but rather “Yeah I own a business, we invested in XYZ and were able to afford this new service/expand here/etc” Also, too many people plan on the basic expenses of starting up, and don’t think about the increased expense that come with a more successful, growing, developing business.”

#4: Doing It All Alone

“Lots of CEO personalities think they have to be the answer to all problems, and this is not the case. Their pride and mindset of “I must live up to this role” is skewed and they may fail to tap the most important and valuable resources that surround them in their management team and affiliates.”

#5: Not Seeking Mentors

“I think having a mentor - a much more experienced entrepreneur that can give you some valuable advice is so IMPORTANT…especially when you are a young and overly ambitious… and with so many challenges to meet on the way to success.”

#6: Losing Momentum

“Being satisfied and content with functioning can lead to “big headedness” and false hope that it will always be this way. You need to constantly improve your product/service, research your around-the-clock changing market and competition, and promote innovation and forward progress amongst your management and team.”

#7: Not Marketing Your Business / Expecting People To Come To You

“A few mistakes that I personally made was the lack of focus on a targeted marketing plan, and the miscalculation on future expected growth.”

#8: Not Looking At Your Competition

“I think it is a big mistake to start a business without really understand the market.”

#9: Being Overly Enthusiastic and Not Having Realistic Goals

“A few mistakes that I personally made was the lack of focus on a targeted marketing plan, and the miscalculation on future expected growth.”

#10: Not Thinking Survival

“Too many people think that so long as everything is done “textbook” and they have the proper set up, and plans down on paper, that they will succeed. Also, many people have the idea that it is easy to keep it up after they get an initial consumer base. Not true. small businesses are small fish in a big pond, constantly competing against emerging and growing bigger competitors that have the backing, both monetarily and resourcefully, to push them out of the picture.”

The remaining 10 common startup mistakes are:

* Doing It Just For The Money
* Not hiring right away
* Getting to year 1, past year 2
* Not getting involved in the community
* Working in your business instead of on it
* Going wide instead of deep into a niche
* Not using email marketing
* Having a lack of ambition
* Failing to network with others
* Growing too quickly

The Top 20 Startup Mistakes - Entrepreneur Poll Results [Young Entrepreneur]

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When most small business owners think about taxes, they think about Federal income taxes. But there are other taxes that I want to let you know about, so you’re not surprised if you have to pay them.

The first is self-employment tax. If you’ve ever worked for someone else, you know that social security and Medicare taxes get deducted from your paycheck. When you’re self-employed, you don’t actually get a paycheck.

Here’s what happens if you’re a sole proprietor. Following the IRS rules and regulations for calculating income and expense, you report your results for the year on your personal 1040 by filling out Schedule C.

Then you take the net profit and put it on Schedule SE for self-employment tax. After a small deduction, you calculate 15.3 % as your self-employment tax. This is double the rate of 7.65 % that’s deducted from employee paychecks because as a sole proprietor you’re both the employer and the employee so you have to pay both parts.

You get to take half of the amount of self employment tax as a deduction from your income on the front of your 1040. This has the effect of reducing your taxable income.

The self employment tax itself goes on the back of the 1040 in the section called Other Taxes on the line that says self employment tax. For the 2006 filing year that was line 58. This tax gets added to your Federal income tax and any other taxes you owe and is paid when you file your 1040.

If you (and/or your spouse on a joint return) have had Federal income tax withheld during the year that adds up to more than your total taxes for the year (which includes self employment tax), you’ll still qualify for a refund.

If your business is operated as a corporation AND you’re active in your business, you should receive W-2 wages and you won’t be subject to self employment tax on your earnings. Distributions from S corporations are generally not subject to self employment taxes.

If your business is operated as a partnership, you might have some items of income that are subject to self employment tax and some that are not. These items will be reported to you on a schedule K-1 that is part of the business tax return.

Sales tax

Many States have sales taxes. If you sell products to customers, you’ll have to charge them sales tax and pay it to the State. In some cases, digital downloads are considered products as far as the sales tax rules are concerned and certain services might also subject to sales tax. In Indiana, where I live, the rules are put out by the Indiana Department of Revenue. There will be a similar agency in your state who you can contact to find out the rules.

Local Taxes

Some cities and school districts have local taxes that you might have to pay. Some of these depend on your type of business. There might be additional sales taxes, property taxes, innkeeper’s taxes, or food and beverage taxes. Check with the authorities in your area for details.

And then there’s the often dreaded Estimated Taxes

This is a subject that confuses many people.

First, let’s try to understand the reason that the estimated payment system exists. Our system of Federal taxes is a “pay as you go” system. When you think about it, that makes sense. The government needs money all year long to pay for various things.

When you work for someone else, taxes are withheld from your paycheck each pay period, so the government gets its money over the course of the year. If you’re a sole proprietor, this doesn’t happen, so you’re expected to make estimated payments.

As with many IRS rules, there are some exceptions, and some penalties if you don’t pay enough or pay on time. There are some cases where you might not be required to make estimated payments (and you won’t have a penalty if you don’t), but it would still make sense to make them anyway, to avoid having to pay a large amount on April 15th.

If you have another job in addition to your self-employment, you can increase your Federal withholding on that job to cover the amount of the estimated taxes that you would otherwise have to pay. And if you’re married and file a joint return and your spouse has wages from another job, he/she can have additional Federal withholding taken out to cover the estimated payments.

Or, you can make quarterly payments using Form 1040-ES. You can also sign up to make the payments on-line. You might also need to make estimated payments towards your State taxes.

Payroll

If you have employees, you’ll need to pay various Federal, State, and local payroll taxes. But we’ll have to save that conversation for another time.

The most important thing you need to understand is that it’s your responsibility to find out what taxes your business has to pay. And that the laws vary from place to place and by type of business.

A good source of information is an accountant who specializes in consulting with small businesses.

Sheryl Schuff, CPA, is a Certified Public Accountant, author, and consultant who teaches entrepreneurs how to get their businesses organized, keep good accounting records, and maximize their business tax deductions. She is President of Schuff & Associates, PC and has been in private practice for over 30 years. She recently started an information products company www.TaxesForSmallBusiness.com to provide individual training materials for small business owners.

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Dorm Room Biz: Money. It’s what every college student wants and what every college student lacks. You can save up all summer and it is sure to be gone by Thanksgiving. Or, more likely, Columbus Day weekend. There are tons of ways students can earn money online and keep up with the trust fund kids. Here a few:

1. Teach the computer illiterate. Do you know your way around a computer better than you do your school’s library? Branch out your services to those who think a click of the mouse means their vermin troubles are gone.

2. Help others set up their computers. Many people have computers but often incorrectly install their new machines or aren’t aware of the upgrades their systems offer. It can also be as easy as making sure they’ve got everything plugged into the right outlets.

3. Join the blogosphere. Does everyone tell you have great ideas? Or maybe just you think you have great ideas. Either way start your own blog and if you’ve got something to say that people want to hear then the advertisers will be eager to be seen on your site.

4. Create and update webpage designs. Every company now wants to and needs to be on the web hocking its wares. If you’ve got experience creating webpages then your services will be in high demand.

5. Join an online auction. eBay is the place on the web to sell anything from your prized possessions if you’re really in a bind or maybe old baseball cards for some extra cash.

6. Help others join the digital music age. The old record collection doesn’t have to lie in dusty heap anymore and, if you have the little equipment needed, you can help transfer these old classics to a digital library.

7. Clean up computer messes. Computers are constantly being ground to screeching halts by viruses and spyware these days. Computer users are eager for help cleaning up their systems.

8. Scour the internet for lost records. Scan the internet for background checks for employers or track down old classmates for clients.

9. Sell the next hot .com name. Selling domain names may sound passé as it seems all the good ones are taken, but with new .tv or .info domains emerging the possibilities are endless.

10. Be a photographer. With digital photos taking the place of the old family scrapbook, computer savvy individuals are in high demand to help computer illiterates in this new direction.

10 Best Ways for College Students to Make Money Online [Dorm Room Biz]

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The US Tax Code can be pretty rough on the self employed. It often seems to be written to favor big corporations over small and solo businesses. The rules are often complex and confusing for the average self employed individual to grasp, even with the help of an accountant. And that first paycheck can be a shock when you realize how much of it is eaten up by self employment taxes!

Even when tax breaks are available, figuring out if you qualify and then having all the right paperwork in place may make those deductions seem like they aren't worth the hassle! For instance, if you have a home business, i.e. you work out of your house, you may be able to deduct for a " home office" -- but the requirements are strict, and can be a trigger for an unwelcome audit. Mileage reimbursement is a little more straightforward, until you realize you have to write down every trip, its' length, who you met with and what you talked about! And not many new business owners even remember to keep track of startup expenses, much less understand how depreciation works, without the help of a good accountant.

There is one tax provision, however, that is clearly worth the trouble: a Section 105 Medical Reimbursement Plan. This can save you, quite literally, thousands of dollars a year. You must be married and able to legitimately employ your spouse at least part-time in your business in order to qualify. If you are and you can, read on -- your heartburn over outrageous health insurance premiums and skyrocketing medical expenses may be about to go away!

Here's the bottom line: with the requirements met and the proper paperwork in place, you can:

• Deduct 100% of your family health insurance premiums
• Deduct 100% uninsured family medical and dental expenses
  
• Save a huge chunk in federal, state, and self employment taxes!
  

How do you qualify? You must have a properly documented employment agreement with your spouse, and the work performed and salary must be reasonable. Complete records of the premiums and expenses and their reimbursement are required. Ugh, more paperwork...but help is on the way!

I've been very impressed with the BizPlan/AgriPlan Section 105 Medical Reimbursement Plan, offered by TASC (Total Administrative Services Corporation). Recommended by a colleague (who saves several thousand dollars every year with this plan), I've found TASC to be a very professional company that takes its obligations to its self employed customers very seriously, including offering a tax audit guarantee. And the annual cost is very reasonable, starting at under $200.

Don't wait -- you can only deduct expenses that occur in or after the month you apply for the plan. Consult your accountant, and check out BizPlan today, for maximum tax savings this year!

Terri Zwierzynski is a self-employed business strategist and marketing consultant to solo entrepreneurs, and a grassroots promoter of the solo entrepreneur lifestyle. She runs Solo-E.com, the resource website for the self-employed which attracts thousands of solo home business owners monthly from over 100 countries on six continents (and was recently named a finalist for “Website of the Year” in the 4th Annual Stevie® Awards for Women in Business). Terri is also the co-author of 136 Ways To Market Your Small or Solo Business.

Find more articles about Email Marketing at Solo-E.com, plus get a copy of our new ebook, "25 Surefire Ways to Capture More Clients, Get More Done in Less Time, and Make More Money -- in 90 Days or Less."

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When you have systems in place your mind is also clear because you’re not feeling overwhelmed; instead you feel organized and calm, knowing that everything is taken care of and the systems are running smoothly. This allows you to focus on your clients and your other income generating activities. Your creative juices flow and you can begin developing additional streams of income.

Therefore running an efficient and streamlined business is all about continuously improving and 'tweaking' your office management systems so that they grow with your business and not hinder your business.

But why do you need efficient office systems in place? Here are some answers!

# To quickly and easily find important contact information.

# To be able to respond to client's requests straightaway.

# So that you can immediately submit a proposal. To keep track of your business.

# To be able to follow-up with clients and contacts.

# So that you can stay on track with your projects.

# To monitor your latest marketing campaign.

Sometimes though problems don't become apparent with your office management systems until you actually start using them -- and then you may find out that they're not working in the way that you'd hoped.

So what can you do about it?

Step #1 Look at where the problems are.
Are you constantly searching around looking for an email address? Or cannot tell at a glance if your project is on track? Or you don't know your cashflow situation?

Make a list of where you feel the problems are, and then follow step two - you may be surprised at what you discover!

Step #2 Analyse what percentage of your time is being spent on administrative tasks.
Keep a diary for a week of how you are spending your time. At the end of the week look it over and see what percentage of your time is being spent on these jobs. Could this time be better spent on income-generating activities? Or market research?

Step #3 Compile a list of all non-income generating tasks that you currently do.

Could some of these be delegated? Would it help if you took on an assistant? Perhaps now is the time that you should start to think about partnering with a Virtual Assistant so that you can grow your business, and this list will help you determine where you need the support.

Once you have followed these 3 steps you should have a good idea of where your time is being spent, what your biggest time drains are, and where you can make improvements. You will be well on your way to deciding if you need to partner with a Virtual Assistant and will be able to see exactly where you need the support.

Online Business Manager & Virtual Assistant, Tracey Lawton, supports professional speakers, coaches, and authors to operate an efficient, organized, and profitable business. Learn how to create an efficient and organized office in 7 EASY steps, and receive free how-to articles at http://www.OfficeOrganizationSuccess.com.

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Not long ago I took a trip to Tuscany and spent a week in a cooking class. Before the trip I spent time researching my options. I wanted to know who would be teaching the class, what courses and dishes would be covered, how hand-on the class was, if wine-pairings with the dishes would be addressed and if the class included trips to the local farmer’s markets to select fresh produce. Finding just the right cooking school was important to me because I would be spending a significant amount of money traveling to Italy and I wanted my experience to be well worth my time and effort.

For a woman interested in buying a franchise, evaluating the training a franchise business offers should involve even greater research – after all, this is about your future – not a vacation.

As part of your due diligence when researching a franchise opportunity, find out everything about the training a franchise system provides. A good training program should cover not only the product or service but also setting up the business, marketing, employee management, business procedures, reporting, etc.

The best way to find out about the scope of the training program is to ask existing franchisees. Find out what stood out about the training they received and what they feel could have been covered more completely. Ask them how prepared they felt when they opened their business and what ongoing training they have been provided.

Keep in mind that the franchisees you talk with may have been through various versions of the training program. Problems that existed at one time may have been fixed. Or, you may find that a training program that was fine in a company’s early days is now out-of-date. Be sure to include in your research franchisees who have had the same training you will receive to get an accurate assessment of its value.

Ask current franchisee if they received a training manual and if the information is updated periodically. Also ask if the franchisor offers other training resources such as conference calls, webinars or intranet sites. Ongoing training is important for many companies who adjust their business with changes in the marketplace. If this applies to the business you are reviewing, find out what they do to keep each franchisee up to speed.

An addition source of training may come from periodic conferences held by the franchisor. Besides providing additional education about the product or service, conferences offer franchisees an excellent opportunity to connect and network with other franchisees in the system. A network of peers is one of franchising’s invaluable resources so be sure to ask if this is an opportunity the franchisor provides.

Although this is less of a problem today than in the past, some industries may have an “old boy’s club” mentality among franchisees. You will be able to tell by reading the UFOC if there are other woman franchisees. Include some women in your due diligence calls so you can get an idea of the business culture and the prevailing attitude towards woman franchisees.

Many franchisors will have field support personnel who are available to be at your site during your grand opening and at periodic intervals during your first year in business or longer. Having someone right there to answer your questions may help calm your first-day jitters so find out if this a serviced provided by the franchisor.

If, after your franchise investigation process is completed, you don’t feel the offered training will adequately prepare you to run your new business, it’s time to step back and look at other opportunities. As reported in the August 2006 Franchising World magazine, a recent study by FRANdata found nearly 2500 franchise concepts in 18 different industries and almost 900 of these concepts were started over the past three years. You don’t have to compromise – if one company does not have the training you are looking for, there are sure to be many other companies who can meet your needs.

I’m happy to report that the cooking school in Tuscany exceeded my expectations and I left there able to prepare a number of authentic and delicious Italian dishes. Had I not researched the available schools so thoroughly, I might have been very disappointed with my choice.

To get full value for your investment in a franchise business, the training should answer all your questions and set you up as a confident and successful owner.

Franchisee training should include:

• Everything you need to know about the product or service
• Everything about using/protecting the brand
• How to find your business location
• How to negotiate a lease
• How you complete the permits and buildout
• How to find, hire and manage employees
• How to market your product or service
• How to keep books and records for the business
• The reporting requirements and processes
• Where to get the equipment needed for the business
• How or where to buy supplies and inventory
• How to get help when you have a problem

Kimberley Ellis is the President of Bison.com, a leading online resource for franchise and business opportunities. She has been quoted as an industry expert in USA Today, Wall Street Journal and a variety of local and regional publications regarding trends in business and franchising. Kim combines her entrepreneurial spirit with a diverse background in marketing and operation to help others succeed in franchising.

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Passive Revenue. The words jumped off the website page and hit me like a thunderbolt! I thought I even heard angels singing. It was the golden idol; the Holy Grail. My heart skipped a beat and went ka-ching!

As a freshly-minted solo entrepreneur, I had never heard two sweeter words. Passive Revenue. Just seeing that glorious expression instantly conjured up images of dollars magically dropping down out of the sky. Like some kind of gift from the Internet gods. Imagine, making money while you sleep! Why didn’t I think of this sooner? It all sounded too good to be true.

So, being a hard-nosed, cynical New Englander with a solid, Protestant Work Ethic, I felt compelled to do the due diligence. I took e-courses, attended teleseminars and read “Multiple Streams of Coaching Income.” I spent thousands (yes, 5 figures!) on coaching, classes, marketing materials and websites. I started building an opt-in list, began a blog, created information products, sent out ezines, wrote articles, and launched joint ventures. I listened to and learned from the finest online marketing gurus. Soon I became an Internet junkie, totally addicted to the concept of passive revenue, and its seductive cousin, multiple streams of income. I was hooked, and there was no turning back.

After a year of education, edification and execution, I felt I had most – if not all – of the puzzle pieces in place: Online shopping cart: Check. Autoresponders: Check. PayPal set up: Check. Squeeze Page: Check. Free offer: Check. Then, I finally went to bed one night thinking, “Well, I’m going to sleep now. Time to make some money!”

So this is the part of the story when I’m supposed to wake up to an in-box full of orders, right? Well, not quite. Sure, there were a few orders, but I was a long way from crashing any servers. While all the pieces may have been in place, this life-long career marketer had forgotten one key ingredient: Marketing. Duh! You would think a former television network marketing and promotion exec would remember that, passive or not, you gotta sell it, baby!

Where’s my passive revenue? What? You mean I need to market these products? I have to promote? I’ve got to make offers, and send out e-mail blasts, and work my list? I gave them a freebie, so why aren’t they pouring into my funnel? Huh? You want me to do teleseminars now? Speaking gigs? Radio interviews? What’s passive about that? That’s not passive. That’s downright…active! What happened to “if you build it, they will come?” Is this “Field of Dreams” or Field of Schemes?

As a newbie entrepreneur, I guess I didn’t know the secret handshake. But I get it now. You didn’t really mean passive revenue, right? Let’s face it. There’s nothing passive about it. Maybe we should call it Work Your Ass Off and Market Relentlessly Income.

I think I understand the concept now. If you want to make money on the Internet, you need to be active. Better yet, make that proactive. If you want those elusive multiple streams of revenue, you’re gonna have to hustle. Every day, in dozens of ways. Be smart. Get creative. Market like you mean it. Don’t “work” your list, build connections. Develop relationships. Sweeten your offers. Give more value. But, above all, get to work! Call it passive revenue if you want. It still sounds pretty cool. But we know what it really takes!

Lou Bortone is an award-winning writer and video producer with over 20 years experience in marketing, branding and promotion. As an online video expert, Lou helps entrepreneurs create video for the web at www.TheOnlineVideoGuy.com. In addition, Lou works as a freelance writer and professional ghostwriter, with a ghostwriting site at www.GhostwriteForYou.com and a blog at www.GhostwriteGuru.com.

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If you are considering a franchise as your next career move, you probably already understand a number of the benefits to being a part of a franchise system. However, as each franchisor will offer different levels of assistance, it can be confusing to someone trying to evaluate a potential franchise purchase.

Since the value of a franchise is that the system has been developed to have replicable results, you will want any system you evaluate to score high in those areas that are important to the success of your unit.

Location – Location – Location
If your franchise is going to be site-dependent, the franchisor should, at a minimum, provide guidelines for selection of a site and the general terms of a lease agreement applicable to this type of location. Some franchisors will provide company personnel who will help you search for and select a site while some even work with national real estate brokers to find the best properties. If your franchisor provides help in site selection and lease negotiation, you are working with a good company.

Build-out Assistance
A typical franchise will provide each franchisee with instructions for the design and lay-out of the store along with details of where to purchase the components. As group buying power an important benefit of being part of a franchise company, you should expect to pay less for these components as a franchisee than if you purchased them as a sole proprietor.

At the high end of franchisor build-out assistance are those companies with design groups who help the franchise design the store, sometimes with such high-tech devices as CAD (computer-aided design) systems. Also, some franchisors will even hire a construction team to do the build-out and then deliver the components right to the new business.

Initial Training
The majority of franchised businesses do not require a new franchisee to have previous industry experience, primarily because they believe they can train a person with good business acuity to run the business successfully. A good training program is therefore essential. Most franchise companies will bring the franchisee to corporate headquarters for classroom training and some will allow time for hands-on training at a nearby franchise unit or corporate store.

This initial training should cover all aspects of the operations of the business, including book-keeping, record-keeping, operations, recruiting and retaining employees, and finding customers. The franchisee should receive an operations manual and get answers to any remaining questions she may have so that she feels confident she will be able to get her business up and running.

Some franchisors will provide corporate or field personnel to work side-by-side with the franchisee during grand opening and during the first week of operations, ensuring the franchisee has mastered the training and achieves a comfort level with the business. Franchisors that are willing to train a franchisee’s manager along with a franchisee are providing a value-added service.

On-going Training and Assistance
A good franchise business will continue to improve and evolve with time and the addition of new units and on-going training is often a necessity. Similarly, a good franchisor will offer continuing educational opportunities to franchisees as well as providing on-going assistance as needed. Many franchisors provide a help-line for issues that come up in the field and some will make regular visits to the franchisee’s location. A company that provides conferences or other opportunities for a franchisee to connect with fellow owners has the best interests of their franchisees in mind as these opportunities allow for creative problem-solving, the sharing of best practices and can reenergize the business focus.

Marketing Expertise
Your franchisor should provide you with a complete marketing plan for your new business that covers grand opening through at least the first 3-6 months. Since the franchisor has every reason to want you to succeed, a savvy franchisor will do much more. Many will provide you with the actual marketing materials, professionally produced. These may include pieces such as posters, banners, direct mail postcards, newspaper ads, and maybe TV and radio spots, all of which can be customized for your location.

Permits, Compliances and Other Legal Issues
Depending on the type of business, you may also need assistance in dealing with local governmental agencies for various permits. If your franchise involves food or beverage, there are numerous health-code compliance issues you will need to handle. Your franchisor should provide help in these areas so that your opening is not held up waiting for permits to come through.

There are several ways to find out how the franchisor handles these support items. The first, of course, is that you will want to ask questions about each as part of your investigation into the business. The second step is to talk to existing franchisees about the support they received and how well prepared they were to open and run the business.

Be sure to ask these franchisees if they felt there was anything missing from the training and support they received and if there is anything they wish had been more complete or done differently. If the company you are investigating scores well with these franchisees, you can be confident you will be happy with the support they will provide to you.

Kimberley Ellis is the President of Bison.com, a leading online resource for franchise and business opportunities. She has been quoted as an industry expert in USA Today, Wall Street Journal and a variety of local and regional publications regarding trends in business and franchising. Kim combines her entrepreneurial spirit with a diverse background in marketing and operation to help others succeed in franchising.

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As i type this entry at 12:03am EST, i am again reminded what I love about owning a business. Its the freedom of knowing that if i want to do work in my home office at midnight and try to change my life and that of my family and employees, no one can stop me! And when i get on a thought trail in the middle of the night, I am hard to stop.

I have decided to sell businesses, buy businesses, fire people, hire people, change people's reality for both the better and worse, all the while never once worrying about overtime, lack of access to my computer, cleaning crews or login procedures, you see, I own the joint! And it feels good.

For anyone considering starting a business, i will caution or encourage you that if you really have the stomach for it or a passion for an idea, you will be shot by an arrow that Cupid would wake up in sweats with fear of! I promise you that!

As a business owner, I never shut it down. I went on vacation at the end of year at a swank resort in Florida, have a $1000 a night suite for my wife and kids, a spa to die for, 2 pools, beautiful beaches, warm weather, sun and fun at my finger tips, miles of beach and the flattest ground known to man to run and the entire time i am thinking about my newest start up idea.

What will I call it? How will i fund it? Will I have partners? What URL should I secure? Which of my 6 development firms will i hire to build the site and do the optimization? Do i outsource it to my developers in India who are cheaper but challenged with their desire to be so literal? Do i write the content for the site or have someone else do it? What are my corporate objectives? And the parade of thoughts go one for 5 days and 4 nights!

And can i tell you, it was the best vacation i had in years. You see, a business owner is so adept at mental multi-tasking that i can play with my kids at the beach, have cocktails, talk to my wife, answer e mails, think about dinner reservations, plan the route of my morning run and which spa treatment by whom and never miss even the slightest detail! And they call me crazy! HAHA! I laugh at those bogged down with minute details! I am a big thinker. Big ideas. Big dreams! Always have been. Always will be.

The Blackberry is just a mechanical version of my brain. Calls, e mails, texts, schedules, documents, thoughts, web access. I look at my Blackberry as a mirror image. So you see, i live off of less than 5 hours of sleep a day. Any more and i am lethargic and grumpy because i might miss an opportunity to fine tune my global strategy or my opinion of a new hire or a suit i want to buy or a flight i need to take or a contact i need to cultivate... And the song goes on in my head all day and all night.

Pleasant dreams!!!! Enjoy them for both of us, because i am far too involved at this moment to sleep. I will have plenty of time to relax when i am gone!

Evan Morgenstein: Entrepreneur, Consultant, Sports Agent, Motivational Speaker. Morgenstein started in the tech industry after graduating in 1987 from Syracuse University. Working for several partially owned IBM partnerships, Morgenstein learned from some of the best. He has parlayed that into a dominant company Premier Management Group in the celebrity talent and sports marketing industry.

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The kids are headed back to school and it feels like you should have a lot of extra time on your hands. Why aren’t you able to accomplish all that needs to be done? Time management is a big struggle no matter what stage of life you’re in. As work at home moms, it is even more important that we manage our time wisely. Below are five tips on how you can accomplish more during the time the kids are in school.

1. Set your priorities

It’s important to map out not only what needs to be accomplished during the time that you have allotted each day, but also what things are most important. Make a list of the tasks that need to be accomplished and then rank them according to deadline, desire to complete, etc. Keep in mind that the more you can do while the kids are in school, the more time you’ll have with them the rest of the day. If at all possible, make time with you spouse and children the center of your day and try to work around it.

2. Schedule your time

Now that you know what order your list needs to be accomplished in, take the time to write out a schedule of how and when you will complete each item. This will give you a tangible way to see your progress each day. Your schedule doesn’t need to be set in stone - it needs to be somewhat flexible so that it doesn’t become burdensome. Having a plan of action will help you avoid distractions and accomplish more during the time you have available.

3. Delegate

Whenever possible, delegate tasks that can be accomplished by others. Have your kids stuff envelopes, have hubby print out business cards for you, and if you have a virtual assistant (VA), allow them to do some of the online work or phone calls for you. The best thing I’ve done for my business this last year is to hire a virtual assistant. She is fast, efficient and saves me a lot of time. I can be working with clients and making sales while she handles my article distribution and other tasks. The time saved is well worth the money spent.

4. Let the phone ring

Customer service is one of the most important parts of running a home-based business. Being available for your customers and being willing to answer questions is what will set you apart from the many other businesses out there. However, if you are working to accomplish a task that is important to your business it may be necessary to allow the phone to ring and the answering machine to handle some calls. I’m not suggesting that you ignore your customers, but that you use your answering machine for what it is – a message service. By knowing who has called and what they need, you can call your customers back when you have time to work with them without feeling rushed. Also, by knowing what your customers need before your speak with them you can make preparations ahead of time, thus spending less time on the phone and saving both yourself and customer time.

5. Take a Break

One of the biggest mistakes of work-at-home moms is to work too much. Because we are building our own businesses we feel that we will not succeed unless we’re working – or at least thinking about work twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. This simply isn’t true. Taking care of yourself is one of the best things that you can do for your business. Focusing on something other than your business can give you clarity and help you avoid burn-out.

Running a home-based business while your children are in school is possible, but it does take efficiency and organization. It’s very important that you set your priorities and your schedule your time in a way that is flexible and that allows you to get the most accomplished in the time that you have available. Don’t get discouraged if it seems like you’re not accomplishing much some days. Rest, go easy on yourself and do your best.

Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. She graduated from Grace University with a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies/Bible. Jill has worked from since 2000 and started her own home-based business to assist other Christians who desire to work from home while maintaining a godly life.

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Don't let these stop you from having a business plan for success!

A recent study of 29,000 business startups noted that 26,000 of them failed. Of those failures, 67% had no written business plan. Think that's a coincidence?

Here's the top 10 myths Solo Entrepreneurs often have about business plans. Usually, the reasons why they don't have one. De-bunk the myths, and see how having a business plan for your solo business, can actually be easy and fun--and can jumpstart your success!

1. Myth: I don't need a business plan--it's just me!

Starting a business without a plan is like taking a trip in a foreign country without a map. You might have a lot of fun along the way, and meet a lot of friends, but you are likely to end up at a very different place than you originally set out for�and you might have to phone home for funds for your return ticket.

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: Successful Solo Entrepreneurs know that the exercise of creating a business plan, really helps them think through all the critical aspects of running a business, make better business decisions, and get to profitability sooner.

2. Myth: I have to buy business plan software before I can start.

Business plan software comes in many shapes and sizes, and prices. Many are more geared at small and growing businesses with employees.

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: Business plan software can be helpful but it's not required. Software is more likely to help if you have a more traditional type business, like a restaurant or a typical consulting business.

3. Myth: I need to hire a consultant to write my business plan.

Consultants are an expensive way to have your business plan written.

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: Your business IS you - and you need to be intimately involved with the creation of your business plan. A better strategy, if you think you need professional help, is to hire a coach or mentor - someone who can guide you in what you need to do, not do it for you.

4. Myth: The business plan templates I've seen have all these complex-sounding sections to them. I guess I need all those?

The only time you need to follow a specific outline is if you are looking for funding.

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: Your business plan needs to answer ten basic questions - that's it! Don't make things more complicated than necessary.

5. Myth: My business plan needs to be perfect before I can start my business.

If you wait for everything to be perfectly detailed, you may never start.

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: If you have at least a first draft that answers those ten basic questions, you are ready to launch your business! Make your business plan a living, evolving document. In the startup stages, review and update your plan every 2-3 months. As you grow and stabilize, you can slow down the review cycle to every 6-12 months. All business plans should be reviewed and updated at least once a year.

6. Myth: I have to do everything I say I'm going to do in my business plan, or I'm a failure.

Many Solo Entrepreneurs never start because of this myth which leaves them feeling that the success of their future business suddenly rides on each stroke of the pen or click of the keyboard!

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: Think of your business plan as a roadmap for a trip. Expect to take some detours for road construction. Be flexible enough to take some exciting, unplanned side trips. And don't be surprised if instead of visiting Mount Rushmore, you decide to go to Yellowstone, if that turns out to meet your vacation goals better!

7. Myth: A good business plan has a nice cover, is at least 40 pages long, must be typed and double-spaced�

Business plans intended for investors, such as a bank or venture capitalist, must meet certain requirements that such investors expect.

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: As a Solo Entrepreneur, your business plan need only satisfy YOU. It might be scribbled on a napkin, on stickie notes on your wall, or consist of a collage of pictures and captions. It might be all in one document or scattered among several mediums. As long as you know it in your head and heart without having to look at it, and and it is easily accessible to you when you have doubts, that's all that is necessary.

8. Myth: I don�t need a loan - so I don't need a business plan.

YOU are the investor in your business - and would you invest in the stock of some company without seeing a prospectus?

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: Seeing your plan in black and white (or color, if you prefer!), can give a whole new view on the financial viability of your business. If 'doing the numbers' seems overwhelming, remember you don't need fancy spreadsheets. Just lay out a budget that shows where all the money is coming from (and going), and have an accountant review it for additional perspective.

9. Myth: My business plan is in my head - that's good enough.

I don�t know about you, but I sometimes can't remember what I planned yesterday to do tomorrow, if I don't write it down!

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: There is a real power in writing down your plans. Some schools of thought advocate that the act of writing a plan down triggers our subconscious to start working on how to manifest that plan. And, of course, it's a lot easier to remember when you have it in front of you. And a lot easier to share and get feedback from your non-mind reading supporters.

10. Myth: Friends and family are the best sources of feedback and advice on my business plan.

If your brother is an accountant and your best friend is a market research expert, then this might be true.

Solo Entrepreneur Reality: As well meaning as our friends and family can often be, they just aren't the best way to get honest, objective guidance. Instead, seek out folks that have specific knowledge that will help you, are willing to be candid with you, and that have a genuine interest in helping you succeed. A business coach is one resource to consider!

Terri Zwierzynski is a self-employed business strategist and marketing consultant to solo entrepreneurs, and a grassroots promoter of the solo entrepreneur lifestyle. She runs Solo-E.com, the resource website for the self-employed which attracts thousands of solo home business owners monthly from over 100 countries on six continents (and was recently named a finalist for “Website of the Year” in the 4th Annual Stevie® Awards for Women in Business). Terri is also the co-author of 136 Ways To Market Your Small or Solo Business.

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A Solo Entrepreneur (Solo-E) is a professional who chooses to go into business by themselves (go solo), collaborate with others, grow their business without boundaries and, more than likely, without employees. The Solo Entrepreneur may also be called a free agent, freelancer, solopreneur, self-employed, sole proprietor, personal business or home based business owner (although not all Solo Entrepreneurs are home-based.). Other terms used by government agencies that count and classify solo entrepreneurs (like the U.S. Census Bureau) include: nonemployer business, no-employee business, microbusiness (which usually means less than 5 employees), and SOHO (small office - home office).

Being a Solo Entrepreneur does not mean being isolated or being completely on your own. Solo-Es often collaborate with others and/or build alliances with other Solo-Es according to their business needs. Although many Solo-Es do not have employees, some may have up to five employees to help support their day-to-day business needs or build the business in other ways. Many find creative ways to support themselves, for example, by using virtual assistants.

What Are Typical Solo Entrepreneur Characteristics?

- A desire for personal freedom that affords them an opportunity to make unique lifestyle choices.

- Seeing themselves as entrepreneurs with a vision, a personal drive, and a passion to fulfill their dreams.

- A deep longing to succeed in their chosen area of expertise and a joy for learning.

- Believing in themselves and being passionate about what they do.

- Being committed to their quest to be solo.

- Comfortable using technologies such as the Internet to promote their business, collaborate with others, and learn.

"The thousands of people starting home based businesses confirm my belief that a new breed of person is emerging on Earth. Such a person is of higher value doing self-created work instead of a job thought up by others. This person is both independent and committed to service, highly flexible, constantly learns, and gets better and better every year." Al Siebert, PhD., author of The Survivor Personality: Why Some People are Stronger, Smarter and More Skillful at Handling Life's Difficulties...And How You Can be, Too.

Where Do Solo-Es Come From?

Many come from the corporate world, while others enter the world of being a Solo Entrepreneur as they change from a traditional-based small business with employees and management responsibilities to being an independent professional.

In a 1996 study, 66% of all people pushed into being solo (through downsizing or being fired), said they'd now rather be soloists than wage slaves. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were over 20 million single-person businesses in the US in 2005 -- an increase of 2.7 million in just three years!

What Are The Social Changes Occurring That Are Supporting The Shift Toward Solo Entrepreneurship?

In the paper, The Swedish Solo-Entrepreneur - Extension and Characteristics (http://www.fsf.se/AhusPMkompl_slut.doc.pdf), Eva-Britt Hult and Dick Ramstr'm proposed three factors:

- A general change in attitudes toward individual choices in actions and life direction and away from working in large companies, climbing the corporate ladder in search of more money, and more employees.

- The spread of tools and techniques, including information technology developments, that enable many people to work together on projects, but not be confined to a formal organization.

- The increased volatility of the industrial sector in general, which leads to a quicker change in the fortunes, direction, and size of companies and makes it advantageous for companies to employ Solo Entrepreneurs with the right mix of talents at the right times.

Another more recent white paper written by Dawn Rivers Baker, Editor/Publisher, The MicroEnterprise Journal, addresses the many factors behind this shift, from political to economic to cultural. Read this fascinating, in-depth analysis: "THE MICROBUSINESS WAY OF GROWTH: How microbusinesses substitute operational efficiency for scale, and sacrifice organizational growth for revenue growth." (http://www.microenterprisejournal.com/download.html)

Other Places To Read About The World of Solo Entrepreneurs:

Trading Places, Inc. magazine, November 1, 2002 (http://www.inc.com/magazine/20021101/24825.html)

What Should I Do With My Life, Fast Company magazine, January 2003 (http://www.fastcompany.com/online/66/mylife.html)

Free Agent Nation: The Future of Working For Yourself, Daniel Pink - Self-Employed Business Ownership Rates in the United States: 1979-2003, Robert W. Fairlie, University of California, Santa Cruz (http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs243tot.pdf)

Where Do Solo Entrepreneurs Do Their Work?

A Solo-E's office may be considered unconventional as compared to an office in a corporate setting. The Solo-E's office is characterized by low overhead. It may be located in the Solo-E's home or be a shared office, and it is used as needed. The Solo-E's conference or meeting room may be the corner coffee shop, a local bookstore, or a client's office.

Solo-E's often use other tools and services such as a laptop, mobile telephone, personal digital assistant, and text messaging to support their business mobility needs.

What Drives The Solo Entrepreneur?

Daniel Pink, author of the best-selling book, Free Agent Nation, describes a revolution in how we work and live in the United States. According to Pink, four major factors are driving this new work ethic and propelling professionals to become Solo Entrepreneurs. These factors, which are listed below, are echoed in the 2000 Swedish study referenced above:

Freedom: the ability to exercise one's will. (Pink; Free Agent Nation, 2001; p. 66) For Solo-Es one of the biggest complaints about their lives as a employees was that they disliked office politics. They felt imprisoned by all the games played in corporations.

By having freedom, Solo-Es determine when they are going to work, with whom they want to work, and where and how they are going to work. They use their freewill to make business decisions. Solo-Es feel liberated and motivated by their new freedom.

Authenticity: People want to be themselves - not wear a "mask" at work to fit into the corporate culture and environment.

Traditional work environments tend to force people to fit into a mold, and individuality often is suppressed. People express discontent with not being able to be themselves at work.

Solo-Es are able to allow their personalities, individuality, creativity, and uniqueness to shine, while being true to themselves and not having to "be someone else" in front of the boss or their peers.

Accountability: "putting one"s livelihood and reputation directly on the line. (Pink; Free Agent Nation, 2001; p. 73) Solo-Es are on the front line of their businesses. There is no one to hide behind or any coattails to ride on. This means Solo-Es are accountable for everything they do, including their business - marketing, the quality of their work, delivering what they promise to their clients, the success of their business, etc. They accept these business challenges and reap the rewards and lessons learned along the way.

Self-Defined Success: the measures of success are being redefined by Solo-Es.For Solo-Es, money and the promise of a promotion to the next rung on the corporate ladder are no longer motivators or factors in defining what it is to be successful. Solo-Es use a different measuring stick to define their success. Money remains an important factor to many, because they have to pay for their bills - but it typically is not the primary measurement of success. Instead, success is building the business they dreamed of building for years, and following their heart's desire (or calling)--and that is what they deem success!

Success may also be defined by having the freedom to choose the work they do, the freedom to present their authentic selves in the work they do, the ability to integrate and balance their work with their life, the freedom to grow their business as they deem appropriate, and the list goes on. The criteria for success are self-defined by each Solo-E. In the 2000 Swedish study, one woman said, "My lifestyle is my big profit."

What Are The Challenges Facing The Solo Entrepreneur?

Solo-Es often have many challenges and demands on their time, self-confidence, finances, and other resources. These challenges include:

- Having a desire to be solo, with no idea of where to start or of what is possible.

- Working through the initial start-up phase and not giving in to the temptation or pressure to go back to a corporate job or other "safe" haven.

- Having skills, products, and/or services that are in demand, but little experience or knowledge of how to package, market, and sell.

- Understanding how to cohesively fit together the relationships and elements that are part of running a business.

- Determining how to create a unique and solid brand for their business that helps position their strengths.

- Having a desire to go solo, but not knowing how to build a support network.

- Developing ongoing personal leadership skills that help them connect in more meaningful ways.

- Finding a way to transition from doing "tasks" to managing and building their business.

- Figuring out they do not have to do everything themselves, and then learning how to find and build the right alliances, as well as initiating collaborative efforts to support their business.

- Recognizing they are not alone as they make the move into the Solo-E market.

- Determining how to embrace their new career move and establish realistic and achievable goals.

In spite of these challenges, Solo Entrepreneurs find that the rewards are worth it! Being a Solo Entrepreneur is not so much a job, as a lifestyle. Solo-Es get to work when they want, doing the work they love, with people they enjoy working with. It's a fantastic choice - one that we think more individuals will be making in the years to come.

Terri Zwierzynski is a self-employed business strategist and marketing consultant to solo entrepreneurs, and a grassroots promoter of the solo entrepreneur lifestyle. She runs Solo-E.com, the resource website for the self-employed which attracts thousands of solo home business owners monthly from over 100 countries on six continents.

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I found three things that inspired me and helped me understand that the small business market is alive and well. Companies that are doing well exhibited three primary behaviors: the business owner exhibited a positive attitude, the business created and implemented a sound business strategy and they had the discipline to stay focused on the strategy.

The attitude of the business owner is the single most important principle described in the book. The owner must accept 100% of the responsibility for the results of the business. When responsibility is accepted, action can be taken to make the necessary changes to accomplish the desired results.

When success is achieved, these owners are generous in giving credit to others within the organization. Without exception, the most successful business owners understand it is all about people: hiring and retaining the right people, eliminating ineffective people, and providing the necessary resources for employees to master their tasks.

Having and implementing a sound business strategy is next. A large complex strategy is not necessary; a one page document will do. However, the business strategy does need to be well thought out, carefully crafted and well executed. The business strategy will define and drive the activities and behaviors the organization must execute to become successful. If you do not have a business strategy, the organization becomes like a ship without a rudder – it can’t be steered – it just goes in circles. A business strategy should include such things as: a financial plan, marketing differentiators, product strategy, and employee retention strategy, etc.

The other two attributes become much more effective when discipline is in place. Discipline can be defined as “staying the course,” and executing the strategy. The most successful companies understand the value of discipline and they work hard maintain the course defined by the business strategy.

A poorly crafted business plan that is well executed is far superior to a well-crafted business plan the sits on the shelf.

Discipline is not overreacting to market changes, staying focused on your core markets, and measuring success as defined in the business plan.

Business success is contingent on these three principles: attitude, strategy, and discipline.

Attitude is composed of seven different behaviors. If you would like to understand those seven behaviors in more details, please watch this 10 minute video:

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=548203

To Your Continued Success,

Ronald Finklestein
Small Business Success Expert
info@yourbusinesscoach.net.

After a successful consulting career, Ron Finklestein has spent the past 6 years building his business AKRIS LLC and helping entrepreneurs and business owners build their businesses by helping them solve the tough problems that hold them back. Ron is called The Small Business Success Expert by his clients because of his passion for their success and his knowledge of business.

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Ignore these at your peril!

1. Do What You LOVE: If you've chosen your business because you read that this niche was the next hot one, or because your favorite uncle (or your best friend) thinks you'd be well-suited for this business, you may as well pack up now and save yourself some time and money. If you don't love what you do, it will show...potential customers will know it and will go elsewhere. Is it possible to be successful anyway? Sure -- but it won't be easy and it won't be fun...and isn't that why you want to be in business for yourself anyway?
   
   Instead, choose what you love. You'll know what that is when you find yourself being incredibly productive, forgetting the time passing by, and not being able to wait to get up in the morning to do more! At Solo-E we call that being juiced...but whether you call it being in the flow, or the zone, or whatever, FIND IT!
   
   
2. WRITE DOWN Your Business Plan: As a small or solo business owner, you still need a business plan. Even if you aren't getting a loan! Would you invest thousands of dollars of your own money buying stock in a company that didn't have a written prospectus? (I hope not!) Then why would you spend thousands of dollars AND hours of your precious time on a business that doesn't have a written plan?
   
   Write your plan, get it critiqued by professionals, and most important, BE READY TO CHANGE IT. This may seem counterintuitive...why bother writing it down if it's just going to change? Because writing it down makes it more clear...and helps you get to the next stage of learning and planning and revising. It's critical--67% of businesses that failed had no written business plan. Want to play the odds?
   
   
3. Multiply Your Expected Startup Costs by Two--or Maybe Three: When I started my business, an honors MBA grad with 15 years of solid business experience behind me, I figured I was smart enough to estimate my startup costs accurately. I knew all the things I needed and made conservative estimates and I was still WRONG! That's right, I was still off by a factor of almost three. Don't make this mistake! One of the biggest reasons small businesses fail is because of lack of capital. Give yourself the best possible start by saving or acquiring sufficient startup funds NOW. Before you start!
   
   
4. Make Your Market Niche as Small as Possible: Again, this is counterintuitive--shouldn't you try to appeal to as many people as possible? The paradox is that the more you try to appeal to EVERYONE, the less you will appeal to ANYONE. Let's say you are selling your house...would you rather list it with the agent who operates in 14 counties, sells both commercial and residential real estate, and sells everything from cottages to estates? Or would you pick the agent who specializes in your community, selling only houses in a well-defined price range that she knows extremely well? Ruthlessly define your niche, make it as small as possible, and stay true to it. You'll thank me later!
   
   
5. Do Marketing Your Way: The temptation is to choose all the marketing methods that the competition uses. To stay with tried-and-true marketing channels. To place advertisements that you know nothing about creating, or make cold calls that give you heartburn. Why? Because (all together now) "that's how it's always been done."
   
   It's difficult to stand out among your competitors when you are doing the same kind of marketing! So instead, look to your strengths. What do you like to do? What are you good at? Then choose three marketing methods that play to those strengths. If you need ideas, check out 136 Ways to Market Your Solo Business.
   
   
6. Remember the Most Important Ingredient in Your Business--YOU: Business-owner: know thyself. Spend some time learning about who you are and how you are unique. Then let that uniqueness shine through in your marketing, in how you run your business, in everything you do. Don't hide your quirks--celebrate them!
   
   Customers go to small and solo businesses primarily because they are looking for a personalized experience. They want a relationship with you as the owner of your business. If you try to come off as who you think they want, they'll smell right through that and not come back. Be who you are, and trust that who YOU are is going to be attractive to the right people.
   
   
7. Build Your Business by Building Relationships: Being a small or solo business owner isn't about sitting in the corner alone. Actually it can be--and that isolation is what drives many out of business and back into a "job". Build relationships to survive! Start with your colleagues--others you know who are at the same stage of business as you, or are farther along and willing to mentor you. 
   
   Next, build relationships with potential customers. Ask them what they want! Then create products and services based on their input and come back and show them what you have done. Get feedback, tweak, and maybe make your first sale. Stay in touch with your customers even after they leave you.
   
   Last but not least, build relationships with your competitors. You might be able to do this right at the beginning, simply by asking them for their advice. Surprisingly, many ARE willing to share their secrets if you just ask. Later on, build cross-referral relationships, co-marketing alliances, and other relationships that are win-win for you, your competitors, and your customers.
   
   
8. Don't Accept a Customer Just For the Money: This is probably the hardest advice for new business owners to apply. Especially when there is a job, a project, a potential client, just outside your niche, that could keep your business solvent for the next six months. Don't do it! Taking on a client outside your niche inevitably results in frustration for you, dissatisfaction on the part of the client, and in the end, usually costs you more than you make. Ask any successful business owner and they'll tell you this is true!
   
   
9. Don't Do Everything Yourself: It's so tempting to fall into the self-deception that "it's cheaper for me to do it myself." IT"S NOT! If you aren't good at something, for instance bookkeeping, it will probably take you 2-3 times as long--time you could be spending doing things that are essential for you to be doing personally, like writing your business plan or deciding your marketing strategy. Put sufficient capital into your business upfront so you CAN hire help right from the start. Your business will get off to a quicker start because you aren't distracted by time-consuming tasks that drain your energy.
   
   
10. Assemble Your Support Team: Start with the people who will help you do the things you aren't good at. Some examples: bookkeeper, marketing writer, web designer. Then add the people who give you professional business advice: a lawyer, an accountant, a business coach. Finally, include the people who support you personally: your family, friends, and colleagues.
    
    Don't forget to be part of other's support teams, too. Share your expertise at Solo-E, start a networking group where business owners support each other, share a referral with a colleague. Solo Entrepreneurs supporting other Solo Entrepreneurs is what will make us all successful!

Terri Zwierzynski is a self-employed business strategist and marketing consultant to solo entrepreneurs, and a grassroots promoter of the solo entrepreneur lifestyle. She runs Solo-E.com, the resource website for the self-employed which attracts thousands of solo home business owners monthly from over 100 countries on six continents.

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AllBusiness.com: Can you outsource your life? David Davin thinks so.

Davin is COO of DoMyStuff.com, a Beverly Hills-based online community where busy people can find someone else to do their chores and errands. Need someone to fix a dripping faucet? Just post your task on DoMyStuff.com, wait for the community to bid, and pick your assistant.

"Our lives are supposedly getting simpler with the advent of technology, but most people find themselves busier than ever," Davin says. "Everything comes together to form a white noise that distracts you from what's important."

The site started as a joke between founders Darren Berkovitz and Stacy Stubblefield. "Berkovitz said he wished he could outsource finding a girlfriend," Davin says. "He and Stacy had a good chuckle but when the laughter subsided, they thought, 'Why not?'"

A DoMyStuff.com member can be an employer, an assistant, or both. Employers can choose based on price, location, expertise, satisfaction rating, or the assistant's job history. Once an assistant is chosen, the employer puts money into an escrow account so the assistant knows it's there. Then work can begin. Afterward, the employer releases the funds from escrow to the assistant's account and employer and assistant can rate each other. DoMyStuff.com takes a percentage of each transaction.

DoMyStuff.com: Let the World Be Your Assistant [AllBusiness.com]

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Entrepreneur: What do Sir Richard Branson and Michael Dell have in common? Aside from their obvious success and wealth today, they were both recognized by Entrepreneur magazine as "Young Millionaires" in the late '80s. When we first interviewed Dell, he was 23 years old and fresh out of college. He spoke about the struggles of running a $6 million business while attending school, but said the rewards were more than worth it. And you can bet that today, as the world's second-largest PC maker, he'd say the exact same thing.

Our past Young Millionaires have plenty in common; for instance, many of their ideas were initially greeted with skepticism. That's what happened to California Pizza Kitchen founders Larry Flax and Rick Rosenfield, who told us in 1986 that people thought they were crazy for going into the restaurant business. Yet today, CPK is an industry leader with more than 210 locations in 29 states and eight countries.

When we first highlighted the businesses below, they were relatively unknown. But now, they're household names virtually synonymous with the products they sell. Find out just how far they've come.

Young Millionaires Who Made It Bigger [Entrepreneur]

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Mind Petals: Entrepreneurship offers countless benefits for the business-minded, goal-oriented, and independent thinkers among us, and today’s increases in entrepreneurial endeavors are only further propagated with the internet.

Still, many business savvy troopers insist on realizing their dreams solo. Here are just five benefits of being a solopreneur:

1)You’re the boss of all! - Every ‘department’ of your business is fueled by your own plans, strategies, and objectives.

2)You don’t need permission to change direction. - Effective decision making is a necessary skill for the business to succeed in the long run, and the solopreneur makes every effort to fine-tune their skills and use them to their advantage.

3)You can accelerate your learning at your own pace. - You have the freedom to take classes, learn about all aspects of business management, and pick up new skills along the way.

4)You get to wear multiple hats.- This often means tackling the learning curve at a higher-than-average rate, but the rewards include the freedom to explore every single aspect of your business—and take full control of its direction.

5)Your success lies solely in your hands. - Whether your business turns out to be a smashing success or a morbid failure, its destiny is truly in your hands.

5 Key Benefits of Being a Solopreneur [Mind Petals]

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Business Opportunities And Ideas: Barclays Local Business, who compiled the figures, suggests that 44 per cent of today's business leaders were the dreamers of yesterday.

Commenting on the figures, John Davis, marketing director for Barclays Local Business says: "This survey highlights what many bosses have probably suspected for a long time - that for some employees, their current job is the last thing on their mind when they are at work.

"For budding entrepreneurs, the routine of their job can spark dreams of going onto bigger and better things."

However, it was not just the workplace where potential entrepreneurs could think about their future. Around eight per cent mull over a potential new venture while on holiday and a further six per cent think about being their own boss between pints in the pub.

Dreamer Today. Entrepreneur Tomorrow? [Business Opportunities And Ideas]

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NYTimes.com: Remember when white earbuds had status? Jonathan Hall does. But these days, as he and his fellow rail commuters in the tristate area know, the iPod’s once-cutting-edge headphones confer as much distinction as a gray-flannel suit. A couple of years ago, Hall and his wife, Kate, decided that there must be a way to capitalize on this shift. IPod add-ons, including cases and “skins,” had become big business by then — but those items decorated only the main device, which was usually stuffed in a pocket, out of sight. Today, the Halls, who are both 29, have sold tens of thousands of pairs of flexible rubber charms called Emotibuds, which clip onto earbuds, almost like earrings. Each pair (they sell for $12 for a set of three pairs) features a blocky little face that incorporates an emoticon into a cute cartoon visage. There are a variety of faces, each set against a bright color and corresponding with a mood, like “starry-eyed” or “frisky.” Recently, Emotibuds were part of the online design store FredFlare.com’s Next Big Thing contest, and while they didn’t win, the store has had to reorder them at least four times to meet demand.

Earphone Identity [NYTimes.com]

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LATimes.com: Richard Crasnick rode in three championship parades with the Los Angeles Lakers, wrote speeches for a basketball legend named Magic and toured Europe with Olympic gold medalists. But the biggest sporting event of his life is playing out in a drab warehouse in Carson, using a thin triangle of leather less than half the size of a credit card.

Crasnick is president of FIKI Sports, which stands for "Flick It and Kick It," a two-person business that includes his lifetime pal, Craig Matthews. They are betting on a sport that couldn't be more low tech in an era of sophisticated game consoles that contain more technology than a supercomputer did 10 years ago.

Paper football is played by two people sitting across a table or desk. The "ball" usually is a sheet of notebook paper folded into a flat triangle. Touchdowns are scored by flicking the triangle until it hangs over the edge of the table without falling off. Points also are awarded for "kicking" the ball with your finger through your opponent's goal posts -- formed by his or her index fingers and thumbs.

Crasnick's version, projected to bring in $1.5 million in revenue this year, is the result of a shared daydream with his brother, Michael, 16 years ago. They took a paper football, wrote the then-Los Angeles Raiders team logo on it and slipped it into a small plastic bag to mimic packaging.

After a long drive, tabletop football scores big [LATimes.com]

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Entrepreneur: It's fascinating to hear other people's success stories. One of the most interesting parts is learning how successful entrepreneurs got their start and how they overcame challenges and adversity. Did an idea flash in their minds like a lightning bolt? Or was it something that percolated over the years? How did timing play into their launch? Did experience or desperation drive their plan forward?

When I researched my new book, Secrets of Millionaire Moms, I asked 17 highly successful business owners for the personal inspiration and catalyst that moved them to take action. For each woman, it was different. Some were motivated by years of experience and the seed money that enabled it to happen; others launched out of a financial or emotional need.

The common ground all these entrepreneurs shared was financial success and the gratification of creating something larger than themselves. Here are a few excerpts of their experiences:

Rachel Ashwell, founder of Shabby Chic

Ashwell left school at age 16. She separated from her husband in her mid-twenties--with two babies under the age of 2 to support. These circumstances drove Ashwell to take a chance and start a retail business--Shabby Chic. With her babies by her side, she scouted flea markets for items she could refinish. Her pieces became an instant hit in her California store. The rest is history. Her company has since expanded to include a national line of slipcover furniture, bedding, home accessories, a TV series, design books and a line of home furnishings called Simply Shabby Chic sold exclusively through Target stores.

What Inspires People to Startup? [Entrepreneur]

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Business 2.0: What could be more American than a recreational vehicle? How about an 18-wheel semi that, at the press of a remote control, "pops up" into a motel with room for nearly four dozen people?

Surprisingly, however, this supersize RV is being made not by a U.S. company, but by a Spanish one. Hotelmóvil is the brainchild of Fernando Saénz de Tejada, the 36-year-old CEO of SuiteMóvil. He got the idea three years ago on a pilgrimage to a shrine of the Virgin, where he and thousands like him had to sleep outdoors. "In the events sector," Saénz says, "the principal inconvenience is the lack of infrastructure."

A Hotelmóvil arrives at the site - campground, beach, woods, etc. - looking very much like a standard semi. You simply detach the cab and press "Play" on a handheld remote to start the 30-minute hydraulic unfolding process. Four legs lower to the ground to stabilize the structure, the second story rises to a height of 20 feet, and the first-floor rooms slide out, Transformer-like, to the side.

When all is finished, you have 11 bedrooms with private bathrooms and a second-floor outdoor terrace. The rooms come with hardy wood-and-metal furniture bolted down inside; bunk beds can be added to sleep as many as 44. The hotel includes perks such as heating, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi. The first five units will roll out of the factory in Italy in early 2008, and Saénz says he's already received inquiries from hospitals, travel companies, and even the Formula One racing circuit. The standard Hotelmóvil will sell for $500,000 or rent for about $8,000 a weekend.

New hotels start popping up [Business 2.0]

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Teentrepreneur: Typical teenage entrepreneurs are not hard to come by. Indeed you may have inadvertently been one in your life already. In fact when you were between 13 and 18 there’s a 99% chance that you tried to make money in one form or another. I’ll give a run-down of the typical types of businesses that teenage moguls start up to make their first bit of cash, so maybe you can replicate the successes of the many!

1. Lemonade Stall - Its true, everyone loves lemonade, especially in the summer when you’ve been on a run or out at a stressful day at work, a nice cool lemonade increases the blood sugar and puts you in a feel-good mood!

2. Lawn-mowing - Again another highly popular business for young people with a love for nature (or for money for that matter). Here in the UK in the summer, the grass grows like crazy and I myself have to cut the grass once per fortnight.

3. Gaming Cards - When you were a young teenager, I bet you played with gaming cards at some point of your life. For me, just as I was approaching 12/13, Pokemon cards were in fashion. Some of the holographic cards could be found in normal packs and sold online for as much as £10 a card!

4. Sell Food At School - Unfortunately I never got a chance to try this one out as the schools I’ve been to have charged lunch meals to the end of term bill. But, if your school lunches are payable with cash, try going into class with some fizzy drinks or sweets.

5. Newspaper Delivery - This one is another teenager’s bread and butter of pocket money and income. Head down to your local Post Office or Depot and ask if they have any Newspaper or Magazine Delivery positions.

5 Businesses For A Typical Teenage Entrepreneur [Teentrepreneur]

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Inc.com: Ask Ben Kaufman if his company, Mophie, will still be making iPod accessories a year from now and he'll answer without skipping a beat: "God, I hope not!" And that's after his line of slick gear -- headphone splitters, FM transmitters, and remote controls, all of which function with a protective case -- won a Best of Show award in the innovation category at MacWorld last year. So what gives?

"The thing about this industry is that everything is the same," says Kaufman, 20. "So we set ourselves apart by branding." Sure, Burlinton, Vt.-based Mophie (named after the CEO's two golden retrievers, Sophie and Molly), makes cool products, but that clears just the first barrier to entry in a crowded marketplace. For Kaufman, the real key to his company's distinctive brand identity is the product-development process, which can be summed up in three words: open source innovation. It's a popular concept these days -- allowing communities of users to drive the product development process -- but one that can be tricky to execute.

Kaufman, who started his company as a freshman at Champlain College, decided to put all his cards on the table in January at the 2007 MacWorld Expo in San Francisco. "We said, 'OK, we can have a regular booth, or we could shake up the floor and say we're not going to have products today. We're going to build and develop.'" Mophie's team handed out pads and pencils to attendees, uttering one simple command: "doodle."

In four hours, they collected 120 new product ideas for iPod accessories. That night, they scanned the drawings, put them up on the company website, and asked the expo attendees to vote for the best doodles. The result of the process, which Kaufman calls Illuminator, was a line of three new products, the first of which is a combination iPod Shuffle case, bottle opener, and keychain called the Bevy. Its designer, 18-year old Jared Fiorovich, gets credit on Mophie's website.

The Innovator [Inc.com]

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BusinessWeek: Who are the greatest entrepreneurs of all time? We could spend a lifetime compiling a list without ever agreeing on who deserves a mention. From the pirates of Silicon Valley to the captains of industry, there are far too many figures to choose from to give anyone the final say.

In other words, we acknowledge our list's inherent subjectivity. To compile it, we picked the brains of professors, authors, and BusinessWeek staffers. Our criteria for entrepreneurs to be considered among the greatest was simple. If they had the vision to create new markets or tap into underserved markets, changing the way people lived in the process, then they were candidates on a list we whittled down to 30 players.

The Greatest Entrepreneurs of All Time [BusinessWeek]

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CNNMoney.com: Vail Horton, the co-founder and CEO of Keen Mobility, likes to glide along the hallway of his headquarters in Portland, Ore., on his wooden skateboard, checking in with employees who might need an extra jolt of encouragement or a laugh with their morning coffee. Wearing Dragon sunglasses and a dazzling smile, the man who runs this medical-device manufacturer might seem like any other brash, 30-year-old entrepreneur - with one striking difference: Horton leaves his legs behind in his office, propped up against his giant desk.

Horton was born without legs or a fully developed right hand, and doctors told his parents he would never be able to walk. But after consultations with rehabilitation experts and months of intense physical therapy at home, Horton took his first steps at age 4 with the aid of crutches and prostheses. He has been exceeding expectations ever since.

While still an undergraduate business major at the University of Portland, he developed chronic pain in his shoulders from the prolonged wear and tear of walking on crutches. Instead of resorting to a wheelchair, he came up with a new kind of crutch, using shock absorbers at the base to lessen the impact. Realizing that he had coincidentally discovered a promising market, Horton and his roommate, Jerry Carleton (now vice president of business development), decided to start a company that could help others overcome disabilities. The two launched Keen Mobility in 2002, naming their startup for the grandfather who encourage Horton at every turn, and giving it a lofty goal: to better the lives of customers who are elderly or disabled.

A disabled CEO's $2 million innovation empire [CNNMoney.com]

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Business 2.0: As an eager young buyer for gourmet market Cowan & Lobel in Albany, N.Y., Rachael Ray spent hours spying on customers, looking for tipoffs to new trends. One odd pattern she noticed again and again: Many well-to-do shoppers would bypass the produce section and head straight for the prepared-foods counter. That gave her an idea: Why not run a cooking class for harried consumers, showing them how to make gourmet meals in 30 minutes flat?

To Ray, it was just a small way to prop up grocery sales. But a decade later, that simple notion has turned Rachael Ray into a brand on par with Martha Stewart and created a small media empire worth a reported $10 million. Since its debut in 2001 on the Food Network, Ray's top-rated cooking show, 30 Minute Meals, has spawned three more Ray-hosted shows on the network, 16 cookbooks, a self-titled national magazine, and even a syndicated daytime talk show.

One-man Brands [Business 2.0]

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sdbj.com: Linda Byerline hates to admit that her business experience is self-taught. She was a stay-at-home mom with a nursing background when she posted an image of an extra cloth diaper she had made for her daughter on eBay.

Four years later, Byerline runs Happy Heiny’s, which provides cloth diapers online and in retail stores across the world.

“It completely caught us off guard,” she said of the immediate success of the company.

Byerline is planning to open her first “brick-and-mortar” store in El Cajon later this summer after moving the business out of her home this year.

Entrepreneur Profile [sdbj.com]

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Youngentrepreneur: BusinessWeek put out a list this week of their top European Young Entrepreneurs for 2007. They looked at business owners who were under 25 years old, were making an impact, and were inspiring others to do so as well. Most of the featured entrepreneurs are in technology related businesses and are breaking from the traditional past of their deeply routed cultures.

Some of the winners are:

Russia: Artemi Krymski, 23 - building the best real estate directory for buyers looking to purchase properties

Sweden: Jonas Hombert, 20 - selling easy to use video-editing software taking advantage of the YouTube craze

Ireland: Aodhan Cullen, 25 - founder of popular web analytics software provider StatCounter (I use it for my website and am a big fan)

Estonia: Karoli Hindriks, 23 - runs MTV Estonia and sells knitted hats and gloves made from reflective material

Top European Young Entrepreneurs of 2007 [Youngentrepreneur]

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 Open Kitchen Night » Springwise: If the underground restaurant known as Charlie's Burgers departs from the norm in part through its secrecy and its constantly changing...

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