In the weight loss world, when all progress comes to a sudden halt, it is referred to as a plateau. In the business world, “plateaus” come in many shapes and forms. Your business’ progress can come to a sudden screeching halt even though you haven’t changed a thing. When the issue is financial, merchants can get a cash advance even with a history of bad credit. But what about when the obstacle is a mental one? Examine your mindset. Many entrepreneurs become stuck because they are holding themselves back. They are simply not ready to grow. Fear of the unknown […]

According to Forbes, “8 out of 10 entrepreneurs who start businesses fail within the first 18 months. A whopping 80% crash and burn”. When starting a business, it is incredibly important to get several things right in order to make it through your first year. From how you choose to fund your business to your marketing strategies, you need to make sure every dollar you spend is matched with the greatest return on investment. Consider Brand Identity.  Everything that your customers or potential customers know about your business is directly linked to your brand identity. Establishing your business’ brand identity […]

Are you one of the many individuals that wakes up hitting the snooze button repeatedly, dreading the day ahead at work. A steady paycheck keeps you going back. And the fear of not having that paycheck, along with bad credit issues, keeps you from starting a business you would love and look forward to. If the lack of startup capital is keeping you from striking out on your own, you will appreciate the following examples of businesses that require little to no upfront, out-of-pocket expenses. Hobby business. Many startups are created by individuals that turn their favorite hobbies into jobs. […]

The majority of tech start-ups are propelled by dreams of becoming a paper billionaire. In fact, in this tech-driven world we live in, launching a tech start-up it is becoming easier and easier. On the other hand, turning your genius app or web service into a global giant that attracts millions of users can be more difficult. Not everyone experiences the success of global giants like Google, Facebook, Airbnb, Uber and Spotify – 90% of all early stage businesses fail. The reasons can be anything from lack of investment, customers or sales. According to research company CB Insights, there are […]

The holiday season is hectic for everyone, but it can be especially tiring for merchants. While you would love to leave your work at work, it typically travels home with you. From checking online sales and invoices to taking employee calls, your work never stops. While some things cannot be helped, such as emergency, others can. Below you will learn a few tips to help control the chaos of the holiday sales season. First off, shut off your email for something more compacted and high-tech. Yes, there are such things. An app such as HipChat can lead to quicker chat […]

All start up businesses need funding. While some are fortunate enough to do the funding themselves, or with a partner, the majority of new merchant need a funding source outside of their social or family circle. There are many options around, but not all options work with everyone. There are also many questions to ask: How much do I need? Where can I get funding? Who is a reputable funding source? These are just a few questions that small business merchants ask when they are looking for a funding source. You need to make sure that whomever you choose, and […]

With the start of a new year comes the start of new businesses. This is the time to get your paperwork and permits together, because opening a business is a lot more time consuming than you may think. Even if you are an internet-based business, you may still need local authorization to sell your goods. Even before this, you need to know where you will obtain business funding. This is one of the biggest issues that new merchants must deal with, regardless of their credit score. Below are four of the most popular start-up funding options available to US-based merchants. […]

Tracking your financial data is extremely important for all businesses. Not only will it tell you where the funds are going, but it is also an essential tool to use when seeking funding from lenders or investors. Plus keeping tabs will ensure your services and products are priced well, determine cash flow, identify margins, and make filing taxes easier. The following are three basic financial statements that are extremely critical to your small business. Balance sheet. This is an overall financial snapshot of your small business. Managers can use the equation, liabilities + owner’s equity = assets. The equation is […]

There are over 350,000 independent owner-operator truck drivers in the United States. This has become a popular industry and a great opportunity for small business owners to make money. Whether you are a single truck operator or own a complete fleet, there are expenses like truck equipment and licenses that will eat into profits. It takes about $180,000 a year to sustain a trucking company.  If you do not plan for these costs, they could bring your trucking business to a grinding halt. Setting Up Before buying any equipment, interested parties must check with the US Department of Transportation and […]

Do you have a passion for hair? Now is a good time to consider starting your own hair salon. A recent report by the Professional Beauty Association, states that the salon industry is thriving. In fact, over 900,000 hair salons opened in the U.S. just last year. But once entrepreneurs open their doors, how do they attract and keep customers? The following are 3 major tips to keeping your salon successful. Make an Online Presence that Ends with the Shop Creating a webpage or making a Facebook page will create a web presence for your salon to recruit customers. It […]