A few years ago, I did some consulting for a business owner. We were throwing around some ideas for PR and word of mouth marketing. (I didn't end up working with him, for a variety of reasons.) He was dead sure he was creating the next Amazon. He'd built his product from scratch. He had some experience in the same business as his customers, and he … [Read more...] about Dumb Things Small Businesses Do #3: Getting Upside Down
small business
14 Must-Have Resources to Get Your Small Business Off the Ground
The hardest thing about small business is getting started. In the past few weeks, I keep getting email from lovely people who want to launch a business, but they don't know where to begin. They're overwhelmed, confused, and in a lot of cases, pretty scared. Since I've obsessively looked at dozens (maybe hundreds) of resources on just this topic, I … [Read more...] about 14 Must-Have Resources to Get Your Small Business Off the Ground
Dumb Things Small Businesses Do: #2: Failing to Make a Business Plan
Don't think I can't see what you're doing right now. You're making that face you have, and muttering, "Ugh, crap, business plan. Can't I just stab my eye with a fork and we'll call it good?" I am right there with you, my friend. But hear me out. That long complicated thing the SBA calls a business plan? That's not a business plan. That's … [Read more...] about Dumb Things Small Businesses Do: #2: Failing to Make a Business Plan
7 Things Dumb Small Businesses Do That You Can’t Afford (Especially Now)
Last time we covered the painful, expensive mistakes made by Big Dumb Companies. That was fun, but the clever Michael Martine had the brilliant idea of talking about what small companies do that's just as dumb. Which saved me all the trouble of bending my brain to think of a post topic, so yay for Michael. This week I'm going to try something … [Read more...] about 7 Things Dumb Small Businesses Do That You Can’t Afford (Especially Now)
