[content field="callout1" format="true" class="calloutwide"] In the world of "venture" investing, the deals that many investors are looking for are unicorns - billion dollar companies. Uber, AirBNB, Dropbox and other companies like this (before they go public) are what investors are looking for. Companies that can go VERY BIG. It's hard to be a billion dollar company and...
[content field="callout1" format="true" class="calloutwide"] Amazon started out selling books. They are now selling "everything." Wal-Mart and other giant retails are struggling to find out what hit them. Last week a truck pulled up and delivered a package to me, from Amazon. I thought it was the US Postal Service. NOPE, it was an Amazon delivery...
[content field="callout1" format="true" class="calloutwide"]Try as they might to keep employees off of social media, many businesses have realized it’s an impossibility. Not only are today’s workers constantly compelled to check their own Facebook pages and Twitter feeds, but some businesses need them to log in occasionally to help promote their own efforts. Now that...
[content field="callout1" format="true" class="calloutwide"] Did you know that it takes about 7 seconds for people to form a first impression of you - based on how you look? Maybe you are a nice person, maybe you're even smart. But HOW you look (before you open your mouth) affects how people think of you and...
[content field="callout1" format="true" class="calloutwide"]In the past ten years, large banks have started lending less to growing businesses, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. These cut backs on funding have effected small businesses drastically. Lines of credit and loans are a necessary part of growing one's business. These lines of credit help with expansion, fulfilling...
[content field="callout1" format="true" class="calloutwide"] Businesses of all sizes use technology to interact with customers and take care of day-to-day duties. With the growing popularity of mobile devices, professionals can even remain connected to office files and emails when they aren’t in the office. They can respond to requests and fill orders from home or...
[content field="callout1" format="true" class="calloutwide"] Competition is good, it really is. Competition validates what you are selling and helps to mature the market place for what you're selling. On the other hand, it's competition which drives down your prices, steals your customers and takes away your best employees. In a recent article, the Wall Street Journal covers the growth...
[content field="callout1" format="true" class="calloutwide"] There are two kinds of people in the business world – those who have been to SXSW Interactive and those who have not. Whichever side you are on, I know you will enjoy my latest Smart Hustle Magazine interview with Hugh Forrest, the director of SXSW Interactive and a community manager...
[content field="callout1" format="true" class="calloutwide"] Business is full of gritty details including processes, regulations and procedures – details that overwhelm entrepreneurs and crush many good ideas before they even get started. Greg Van Ullen, founder of OMilk, a high end nut milk brand, urges entrepreneurs to just dive into their ideas and pursue their passions without...
[content field="callout1" format="true" class="calloutwide"] W e live in an age where there is more opportunity than ever before, with instant access to an audience that is all around the world. However, leveraging this audience can be tricky, and many small business owners are unsure how to channel their digital marketing efforts into successful...
