Smart Answers for Entrepreneurs

November 20, 2009

After You Lose 'Floorplan' Funding

I'm trying to secure floor funding to finance inventory for a boat sales business. Our bank closed down our funding, and I wonder how to find another company that ...

November 17, 2009

Business Owners' Holiday Giving Plans

Customers will get their holiday cheer this season, but employees and charitable organizations may find their stockings empty, a new survey suggests. The annual ...

November 13, 2009

When a 'Pop-Up' Shop Makes Sense

It's the time of year when a vacant storefront may morph overnight into a Christmas store, followed by a tax preparation office, then a garden shop. These so-called ...

November 10, 2009

The Medical Marijuana Business Matures

The U.S. Justice Dept., at the direction of the Obama Administration, last month announced that it would no longer direct federal investigative resources to pursue ...

November 6, 2009

Tax Planning in 2009

Tax planning in 2009 presents some unique challenges for entrepreneurs. It's been a rough year financially for many small businesses, and common tax strategies may not...

November 3, 2009

Promote Your Business Through New Media

I've owned a six-employee tech company for five years. We'd like to get publicity for our unique service for e-book merchants. But when I hired a PR firm recommended ...

October 30, 2009

Get Certified as a Woman-Owned Business

I am a woman-owned business and want to market that with a general stamp. I will be applying for specific certifications along the way, but for now can I produce an ...

October 27, 2009

The Pros and Cons of Cloud Computing

I'm getting sales pitches for "cloud" computing, but I'm not sure what exactly it is or how it would benefit my service company. Also, is it safe to keep our client ...

October 23, 2009

To Beat the Recession, Reinvent Your Business

RocketLawyer launched its online legal site in 2007, targeting entrepreneurs with a pay-per-document-download model. Things went well until the economy began falling ...

October 20, 2009

Before You Use Retirement Funds for Your Startup

I've been unemployed for four months and have six weeks of emergency savings left. I have a commercial trucking license, but no one will hire me since I haven't driven...

October 16, 2009

Why Wholesalers Limit Sales to Small Retailers

I recently went to a trade show and placed merchandise orders for my new Web-based business. Then I got a call from one of the companies telling me that since I have ...

October 13, 2009

First Steps for Aspiring Interior Designers

I am taking a course on interior design with the hope of becoming a design consultant as a second job. I don't plan on hiring staff. Would I just need to set up an LLC...

October 9, 2009

Starting a Sports Merchandise Store

I'd like to open a sports store to sell products just from the four major sports teams in a city. I have sales experience but don't know where to start setting up a ...

October 6, 2009

Self-Employed Pay Taxes on International Sales

I am a jewelry designer with an online store and plans to live in Paris and sell wholesale and retail in Europe and Asia. Will I declare all international sales on my ...

October 2, 2009

Finding a U.S. Manufacturer to Make Your Product Idea

I have an idea for a new luggage design for children. I have searched for a manufacturer, but it seems all roads lead to China. I desperately want to make it in ...

September 29, 2009

Do You Need Your Own Web TV Show?

Yana Berlin dabbed on a product sample for a new perfume and liked it O.K. But when her three grown daughters got a whiff, they had one reaction: "You smell like ...

September 25, 2009

Time for a 'Business Divorce'

When the economy is in recession, it's a given that many businesses will be sold or go under. And when that happens, it often triggers what attorney Michael A. Gold, ...

September 22, 2009

How Drop-Shipping Works for Retailers and Manufacturers

Retailers are interested in carrying our manufacturing firm's new products, which help infants and toddlers to stand and walk. However, many are asking for ...

September 18, 2009

Advice on Doing Business in Africa

Later this month, hundreds of U.S.-based small-business owners will meet potential partners and suppliers from Africa's 53 countries at an international summit held in...

September 15, 2009

Don't Expect a Fee for Making an Introduction

I'm an independent record producer. About 30 years ago, I introduced a close friend to a recording artist, and we all became friends and produced a song together. We ...

September 11, 2009

The Struggle to Find Inventory Financing for the Holidays

The green movement has spawned a growing interest in bicycle commuting and touring that dovetailed nicely with the founding of BikeShopHub.com five years ago. The ...

September 4, 2009

Personal Credit Reports Reflect Business Loans

Do business loans show up on personal credit reports? —J.P., Milwaukee Traditionally, business loans were considered separate from business owners' personal ...

September 1, 2009

A Gear Retailer Makes User-Generated Content Pay

When sports gear retailer Backcountry.com launched an expanded online community in 2008, the founders considered it a marketing experiment. But a year later, ...

August 28, 2009

How to Expand Your Customer Base

Q: I've been hired by a small company to sell low-cost, lightweight stainless steel tubing and to license its proprietary technology. We have been under exclusive ...

August 25, 2009

What's Up With Warehousing?

I am lecturing a group of 20 entrepreneurial students, and one of the segments is supposed to be on "integrated warehousing." Where can I get easy-to-understand ...

BW Mall - Sponsored Links