Should the SBA be a Lender of Last Resort?
The Small Business Administration (SBA) does not do direct lending, but guarantees a portion that affiliate banks lend to small businesses. The SBA only makes direct loans in the…
Value Drivers: Building Reliable Systems to Sustain Growth
If your objective is to someday sell your company for the highest possible price, you would be well served by building reliable systems that can sustain the growth of the…
20/20 Hindsight: Temptation
Life is full of lessons; we get new ones every day. I learned some of my lessons many years after the teaching event. In other words, I learned my lessons…
Know the Key Differences When Creating Your Non-Profit Business Plan
As a business plan consultant for non-profit and for-profit startups, I find that non-profit founders, like for-profit entrepreneurs, seek experienced help crafting their business plans. They see the value in…
Angels Come with Strings Attached
Did you ever hear about the entrepreneur who, upon returning from a quick lunch, finds his angel investor sitting in his office? The angel greets him with the question, "Where…
Startup Myths Exploded
Do economic cycles of boom and bust affect the number of startups? Most analysts have linked entrepreneurial activity to economic growth as though it was a given ... and conversely,…
12 Tips to be Fit as an Entrepreneur
A large part of entrepreneurial success comes from perseverance: the ability to tirelessly grind it out, day after day. But if you aren't in great physical and mental shape, that's…
When you don’t need a business plan… yet
Idea stage entrepreneurs are told by many sources that they need a business plan. When they ask for loans, banks tell them this. When they seek advice, mentors and advisors…
It’s Never Too Early to Plan Your Exit
Most entrepreneurs are so excited about starting and growing their businesses, they often forget the end game until it's too late. Proper exit planning can help maximize the value of…
The Entrepreneur
SnagFilms released The Entrepreneur, a documentary film about a driven auto industry entrepreneur named Malcolm Bricklin. Bricklin is a fiery, temperamental entrepreneur with a flair for brinkmanship. He has a…