The story the unemployment numbers don’t tell!

The number 14,500,000 (actually more, depending on who you ask and how you count) unemployed is a big number with a lot of zeros. But it doesn’t tell the real story.
Behind that 14,500,000 statistic are unemployed victims of the economy. They represent stories of real people and real families who we caught by a thundering [...]

Success is its own motivator

Success is a powerful motivator in and of itself.
Once you taste success, you gain euphoria, excitement, pride, and confidence. In turn, that helps to motivate you for the next challenge… and the next… and the next.
Accumulating small successes adds up.
One (1) small success may not seem an impressive result. But when you add [...]

Avoid unnecessary distractions

Most people who start a new business are doing it for the first time. So they don’t have the firsthand experience of knowing what to do and what not to do during those critical first couple of months.
If you head off to the library or a bookstore or surf the Internet, for example, you’ll find [...]

Retail used to mean brick and mortar

But brick and mortar gets to be expensive.
In today’s technological world it’s easy to create a “retail store” and sell online… through eBay. In fact, you could set up an eBay store within a few days. You need a source for product and a place to store things. That’s about it.
And don’t forget Flea Markets.
I [...]

Planning a business? Study Apollo 11

NASA celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20th.
While many people typically look at the moon landing itself as the “big story,” I am first and foremost impressed with the immense amount of planning that was required to make this incredible event happen.
Planning is about setting a goal or defining a [...]

Think “Positive Thinking”

My first full-time job after college was with a Cleveland division of a major national corporation (no longer in business) headquartered in Akron, Ohio.
I don’t think it took me more than three or four months on the job to realize that corporate life was not all that it was cracked up to be. After all, [...]

Don’t bother running to the bank

Many new business owners feel like the first thing they need to do when they have an idea for their new business is to run off to the bank to obtain a line of credit.
This is one of those things that I discourage people from… especially that early in the process. The reason is that [...]

When business owners fail to hold themselves accountable

Business owners labor from one built-in handicap that’s difficult for them to avoid: Accountability!
The reason is that as the owner of your own business, you really aren’t accountable to anybody. Your business lives or dies based on your skill.
But day-by-day… it’s your kingdom! You’re the boss.
As a result, even if you have a clear plan [...]

State budget crunches will slow U.S. economy

By Joan Gralla
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Severe budget crunches afflicting U.S. states will put the brakes on the national economy by as much as seven-tenths of a percent of Gross Domestic Product in the next 12 months, according to a Goldman Sachs report.
That is a reversal from the usual pattern, when states and municipalities can [...]

Balancing life and business!

Too many business owners work long hours and sacrifice time for recreation, family, and friends. It takes an expensive toll and reduces the enjoyment of your business success.
These 3 little known ways to own a business and have a life are things you can do… steps you can take… to reach a balance in your [...]

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