This may be the last piece of advice in the playbook, but make no mistake—it is arguably the most important. Every entrepreneur, leader, and professional has one asset more valuable than any tool, product, or investment: themselves. No matter the size of the business, its success will only go as far as the vision, energy, …
Read MoreStay Ready, Willing, and Able to Pivot and Push Through the Tough Times
If there’s only one thing to take away from any business advice, let it be this: keep your knees bent because tough times will come. Staying flexible, alert, and resilient isn’t optional. It’s essential. Every business, whether a solo operation or a billion-dollar brand faces storms. Some Tough Times Will Be Your Fault Even well-established …
Read MoreGet Help When You Need It
In the Beginning, It’s All You Starting out means wearing every hat imaginable. Not just the inventor of the product, but also the manufacturer, shipper, customer service rep, website builder, marketer, bookkeeper… and even the janitor. Long days—twelve to fourteen hours—seven days a week, are often the norm. For many entrepreneurs, unless major investment funding …
Read MoreKnow What Business You Are In
Many entrepreneurs start a business thinking they know exactly what industry they’re entering. They create a product, identify a market, and begin selling. But what happens if their initial understanding of their business is wrong? This common mistake can lead to wasted time, energy, and resources. Correcting it, however, can pave the way for focused …
Read MoreEmbrace Competition
In the world of business, competition is often seen as the enemy—a looming threat ready to steal your customers and ideas. But what if, instead, you viewed competition as a sign that you’re on the right path? The presence of competitors isn’t something to fear; in fact, it should be embraced. Competition means there’s a …
Read MoreListen To And Learn From Your Customers
Running a successful business is not just about offering a great product or service; it’s about listening to your customers and learning from their experiences. Whether they are providing praise or criticism, each interaction holds valuable insights that can help you improve, grow, and ultimately boost your sales. Sometimes, the feedback you receive might be …
Read MoreStart Selling Online
Starting an online business has become more accessible than ever, and there are numerous advantages to taking your venture online compared to a traditional brick-and-mortar store. With a web-based business, you avoid the costs of renting a physical space or hiring staff to manage it. However, there are still challenges to consider, such as the …
Read MoreLaunch Where You Are With What You Have
Starting a business without a detailed plan is more common than you might think. While a business plan can be helpful, it’s not essential to get started. The key is to take action. You can refine your strategy as you grow, learning from your experiences along the way. Financing Your Business on a Budget Not …
Read MorePrice It Right
When you’re just starting out as an entrepreneur, one of the most daunting tasks is figuring out how to price your product. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when you’re still working out of your garage or living room, with only a handful of orders trickling in. It was hard to imagine ever growing into …
Read MoreChoose the Right “Brand” Name
If I said “Nightingale RDS,” would you know what that is? Probably not. That was the original name for the Blackout EZ window cover when I started in 2007. It was named after Florence Nightingale and aimed at night-shift nurses, with “RDS” standing for “room-darkening system.” But as my market expanded to include new moms, …
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