Entrepreneurs and Gold Prospectors Both Need Perseverance
Startups are tough. For every entrepreneur and every gold prospector, there are more opportunities to fail than to succeed. Yet experts say that quitting too soon is a prime cause…
Eight Requirements of a Bankable Business
A common question I get is “How do I get a bank loan to fund my startup?” The default answer is that it probably won’t happen, because most banks just…
The Lost Art of Effective Customer Communications
It seems like many entrepreneurs are becoming so technology addicted to their iPhones and email that they forget to listen to what their customers want, or even forget to ask…
Best Practices in Social Media Metrics for Startups
If you are an entrepreneur these days or trying to grow an existing business, everyone is telling you that you need to use social media. There are many ‘experts’ out…
Socially Responsible Opportunities Are Rewarding
For those of you looking for startup ideas that are hot today and recession-proof, consider anything to do with saving energy, sustaining the environment, or solutions to the global warming…
The Nuts and Bolts of Founder’s Stock
In reality, so-called “founder’s” shares are simply common stock, issued at the time of startup incorporation, for a very low price, and normally allocated to the multiple initial players commensurate…
Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back From Success
One of the biggest impediments to starting a new venture is the “terror barrier,” as popularized by Bob Proctor, a 75-year-old millionaire and world-renowned entrepreneur. This is the imaginary barrier…
The Fundamentals of Search Engine Marketing
Probably each of you has been propositioned by email to spend money on Search Engine Marketing (SEM). For most, it sounds like a magical process or a scam, with the…
The Art of Earning Customer Loyalty
You hear a lot of talk these days about the importance of customer satisfaction, but customer loyalty is the real win. A satisfied customer is necessary, but not sufficient, to…
How to Prepare a Professional Loan Package
Many entrepreneurs are convinced that banks are not worth the effort for startups, especially early-stage ones that still don’t have a revenue stream or collateral to back up their financing…