Perception vs Reality Entrepreneurship

Perception vs Reality of Entrepreneurship

  So why exactly would you want to be an entrepreneur? Most seasoned entrepreneurs would say it’s for one of three reasons: you’re a starry-eyed novice who sees the next Mark Zuckerburg every time you pass a mirror; you can’t wait to get the life kicked out of you by the reality of self-employment; or maybe–just maybe–you have a marketable idea you’re passionate about & the commitment to get it done right. Probably everyone toying with entrepreneurship believes they fall into the final category. But do you really? How can you be sure? It’s important to know the difference between the fantasy of starting a business and the reality of doing so before investing your money, your career, and your family’s financial future in a brand-new endeavor. So what’s the difference between the perception of entrepreneurship and its reality? Here are a few business tips for the future small business …

Oatly business story

No Dairy, No Problem: How OATLY Is Crushing the Competition

  Do you dislike soy or almond milk? And certainly don’t want to drink an entire glass of cow’s milk? If so, you’re not alone. The disdain and need for dairy-free milk led a food scientist from Sweden to develop something new: oat-based milk. OATLY was launched in 1994 and now generates over $200 million in sales each year. So, how did a Swedish scientist start a business that revolutionized the dairy alternative market? He created an alternative that actually tastes seriously good. However, there is so much more to the story than just great tasting vegan milk..     Academic Research Led to a Dairy Free Breakthrough   Back in the early 1990s, food scientist and chemistry teacher Rickard Öste was completing academic research on lactose intolerance. He knew that existing dairy alternatives were not very appealing to most people. He also grew up in Sweden, which is the …

Word of Mouth Advertising

6 Ways to Create Positive Word of Mouth Advertising

  Even with the myriad ways to market and advertise your product today, word of mouth is still the best, most reliable way to attract new business. It’s also one of the toughest to create, which is why any business trying to inspire good word of mouth can use some advice regarding the most effective ways to do it. In theory the concept seems somewhat simple but getting current customers to tell other people about your product or service does take some time to naturally happen. Here are 6 pointers that can help you get people talking about your product or service. Some you may already be using, but even if that’s the case, we’re also going to describe the best way to go about them.   1. Excellent Customer Service   There’s a reason that this one is at the top of the list because it’s the single most …

productive remote employees

How to Ensure Your Remote Employees Are Being Productive

Managing a remote team is tough. It’s even tougher if you’re used to everybody working in the office where you can manage by walking around, pop by people’s desks for informal checkups, and keep your finger on the pulse of your team. But when the whole staff has gone into work-from-home mode, you miss out on that valuable water cooler effect. In a remote setting, business owners carry two burdens — their own work and their team’s performance. It can be overwhelming trying to figure out how to navigate the remote working environment when you are taking on both responsibilities in a new setting. If some of your team members have never worked from home before, they may not know how to stay focused, manage their time, or communicate with others. That’s why you have to be intentional when managing a remote team. You’ll need to make sure your employees …

clubhouse app founders hit

Clubhouse: How the Audio-Chat App Founders Created a Hit

  With a constant stream of social media apps, it can be hard to keep track of the latest rival to Twitter or Facebook. One app that has managed to stand out from the pack is Clubhouse. The audio-based chat app has quickly captured people’s attention, including some of the most powerful tech gurus and world leaders. Elon Musk recently invited Vladimir Putin to a clubhouse chat. The app launched in April 2020 during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic. By summer, it was valued at $100 million and had just 1,500 users. By the end of January, it was worth over $1 billion and had attracted over two million users. As it prepares to launch support for Android devices, Clubhouse is expected to dramatically increase its user count. So, who’s behind the latest chat app? Clubhouse is the brainchild of Paul Davison and Rohan Seth. Here’s the story …

prepare business tax season

How to Prepare Your Business for Tax Season

  Tax season can be a stressful time for business owners.. and even more so if you don’t have any help to pull all of your information together. Probably the most important point is to make sure you have all your ‘ducks in a row’ as early in the year as possible. There are many things you should keep in mind this year, as the pandemic has posed many challenges for some. Things such as PPP loans that were offered or certain loses you incurred, all are specifics to give thought to. No business owner is obviously particularly thrilled about tax season. It’s just an unfortunate part of the job that has to get done one way or another, hopefully with the help of an accountant, if you can afford one. We find it can be helpful to have a light list of points to remember during tax season. So …

Common Blunders Small Businesses

7 Most Common Blunders Made by New Small Businesses

  Small businesses seem to pop up like weeds these days, but that doesn’t automatically mean that all of the owners know what they’re doing. There is also a large portion of them who have zero experience with running a business, or who have the necessary skills for making it successful, like marketing, promotion, leading a team, bookkeeping, and many other skills. This is a recipe for a scenario wherein a lot of mistakes can be made—sometimes, very costly mistakes. If you’re starting a business, then do yourself a favor and take a few minutes to look over these very common mistakes that new owners make. There’s no need to feel bad about it when you make a mistake such as the ones we’re going to cite here because we all learn as we go. You might just be able to avoid setbacks and cultivate success for your company much …

Remote Business Owners Telecommuting

Working Remotely: Business Owners Guide to Telecommuting

Working remotely has become a necessity for business owners around the world. Lockdowns have shuttered the doors to millions of businesses, forcing many to adopt teleworking policies. While telecommuting offers many advantages, from flexible scheduling to increased productivity, it also comes with many challenges. Maintaining communication & work relations becomes more of a chore outside of the office. You may even notice a loss of work culture. As the pandemic continues to impact the way we live and work, every business owner should take the time to review their telecommuting policies. Use the following guide to address the challenges of working remotely and reap the benefits!   Set a Work Schedule   The most important rule for working from home is to set a work schedule. Without a schedule, it becomes much easier to put off work for an hour or two in the morning or at any point during …

Home Business Websites: Your Virtual Storefront

  You most likely already have a website for your business, and if you don’t, you probably realize that it’s pretty important. If you’re running a home business, then it’s something that you really can’t do without because it’s going to end up being your primary interface with customers. Don’t underestimate just how much value a good website can bring to your company.   Every Business Needs a Website   There is sometimes a misconception among small businesses that if they’re not selling any products online, there’s no reason to have a website. The thing is, it doesn’t matter if you sell online or not. First of all, your business probably should sell your product or service online, as it removes a step between someone finding your company, and making a purchase. The point of having a site, though, is not whether or not you’re actually selling it there; it’s …

Looking Ahead: Position Your Business for Growth in 2022 - Small Business Growth Tips for 2022

Looking Ahead: Position Your Business for Growth in 2022

  Obviously, I think we all can agree that 2020 & 2021 were bizarre, difficult & uncertain years in countless ways. The pandemic has changed the way we live, how we think and especially how we work. As challenging as it may be to maintain motivation during these times.. It’s important we move forward and choose to focus on positivity. Entrepreneurs and small business owners CAN progress with the right mindset even while navigating difficulties. So how can you ensure that 2022 is a year of success and growth for your business? Here are 15 ways to position your company for business growth in 2022:     1. Reinvent the Wheel (then do it again) Conventional wisdom says “Don’t reinvent the wheel.” It’s a good thing that Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone, and every other tire company in the world didn’t listen to conventional wisdom. The wheel needed reinventing so we could …