Does the world need what you have?
July 28th, 2009 by Ilise BenunIt may seem illogical, but if you’re starting a business right now, the very first thing to focus on, before you outline your products or offerings, maybe even before you develop your personal brand or corporate identity, is the answer to this question: What does the market need? More…
The Mindset You Need Before You Get into the Business
July 24th, 2009 by Peter TenzerFor any of us who have been in the photography business for a while we understand that there has always been an ebb and flow to getting assignments. When the economy is good we work; when it’s bad, we don’t. You kind of get used to it although it is always nerve wracking when it’s slow. More…
The Leap to Self-employment or New Business Ownership
July 10th, 2009 by Mike SohaI recently asked a LinkedIn Question regarding individual financial startup positions. I wanted to know how people were getting their businesses off the ground today and how they were getting by. Those responding put up their own resources in terms of time, energy and cash and some had raised money through debt and equity. A few respondents spoke about risk vs. benefit and the reality that you stand to “loose something” when you make an entrepreneurial move. Naming exactly what is at stake and “finding benefits you never expected” also weighed in. More…
No Brand? No Direction? Know Where To Start
June 30th, 2009 by Mike SohaIf you do a minimal amount of research – or just look around – you will quickly notice that every business uses branding. The storefronts that are vacant are even haunted by the brand ghosts of the previous tenant. Any other doorway not marked with a name, term, and sign, symbol or design that identifies the goods or services of the seller is just a door. Any buyer that looks at one of those unmarked doors cannot quickly learn or know anything about what’s behind it. More…
Reading, Riting, and Retooling
June 1st, 2009 by Nick ChiechiPart of being in business is being optimistic and forward-looking, which I hate to admit has been a challenge these days. Like so many others, my business has definitely been affected by the economic downturn and has taken me for a loop. Realizing that business-as-usual is a thing of the past, I have gone fast forward into the educational mode. More…
Ain’t Too Proud to Beg
June 1st, 2009 by Nick ChiechiOne of the struggles of starting a business is cash flow. In fact one of the problems of a mature business is cash flow. Once you are in the “running a business” mode, you have ongoing expenses such as rent, salary, supplies, equipment, vendor purchases, insurance, etc… These expenses follow you everywhere and don’t let up. More…
Success = Preparedness for Opportunity
June 1st, 2009 by Nick ChiechiThe first year in business was a rollercoaster ride for sure. I was schooled and trained as a graphic designer. What did I know about running a business? Nothing. I realized pretty quickly that being a successful designer had nothing to do with being a successful entrepreneur. So it was instinct, eagerness and desire that were the fuel early on. More…
