RECENT ARTICLES
How to Start a Subscription Box Business
A subscription box business delivers boxes filled with a certain type of product at set intervals. Customers typically pay a set amount to receive a new box at the same time each month. Some subscription box businesses vary frequency of deliveries and offer the product at different tiers, which changes what the customer will...
A Primer on Business Sustainability
Sustainable businesses have the opportunity to create profit for their stakeholders, protect natural resources, and improve the lives of customers. According to the World Commission on Environment and Development, sustainable development “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Far from being a passing...
1500 Entrepreneurs in India. 7 Things Ramon Ray Learned from #GES2017 in Hyderabad
In the midst of 1500 entrepreneurs, from 150 countries you’re bound to have a great time, meet amazing people, learn a lot, contribute to the needs of others and make lasting connections. This is what it was like at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (https://www.ges2017.org/ ) which took place in Hyderabad, India from 27 - 29...
Code.org Founder Shares (Video Interview) His Advice on the Power of Teams
At Salesforce Dreamforce, Ramon spoke with Hadi Partovi, the founder of Code.org - he shared the importance of teams. Starting a small business doesn’t mean you have to start with a small idea. In fact, starting with a big idea can actually lead to more success than going with a series of smaller steps or...
1800-Got-Junk Founder Shares His Hustle Story With Ramon Ray
It’s the ambition of many entrepreneurs to grow a small startup into a big, international brand. Brian Scudamore, founder and CEO of O2E Brands, the company behind 1-800-GOT-JUNK and other home service brands, has achieved just that. Check out my interview with Brian on Small Business Trends
3 Things You Can Do *Right Now* to Improve Your Customer Experience
Remember that time you received less-than-stellar service from a business, then enthusiastically returned to spend money there again? Oh, right. Me neither! I’m sure I don’t have to tell you the quality of your customer service matters more than ever. Regardless of the size or tenure of your business, delivering an excellent experience to your customers is...
Seeing “Disabilities” As Opportunities For Your Business Says Peter Shankman
Look at disabled professionals as opportunities to enhance your business. Listen to this interview with entrepreneur and global speaker Peter Shankman (founder of HARO). The word “disability” tends to have a negative connotation. But in the business world, things that some people would consider to be a disability can actually offer great benefits. The most...
Making Your Family Business Last – Mitzi Perdue Shares Her Insights with Ramon
About 70 percent of family businesses never make it past the first generation. Mitzi Perdue is uniquely familiar with the challenges of passing on a family business. Perdue was born into the family that created Sheraton Hotels and then married into the family behind Perdue Chicken. Because of this expertise, Perdue recently wrote a book specifically...
How a Simple Household Annoyance Became a Awesome Business Idea
With the holidays fast approaching, there are probably a number of things you’re dreading as you begin preparations for them. Jane Casey and Charlene Yeager, co-founders of Fancy Panz, believe they’ve found a solution to one of them in a common household annoyance. The Birth of Fancy Panz: Solving a Household Annoyance Although neither Casey nor...
Franchising – The Big Things You Need To Know
You’ve decided to buy a franchise. Whether franchise ownership represents freedom from the corporate world, the fulfilment of a lifelong goal of business ownership or an addition to your business portfolio, investors are attracted to franchising because of the possibility of financial success. Owning a franchise can give you a tested business model with...
Sustaining Innovation vs Disruptive Innovation
This article on Sustaining Innovation vs Disruptive Innovation is published in partnership with Campbellsville University. “Innovation is widely regarded as the single most important ingredient in today’s economy,” according to entrepreneur Faisal Hoque at Fast Company. Innovation not only impacts global economies and business models but the quality of life of people. Innovation has changed the way people...
A Winning Performance Management Process
This article on Developing a Winning Performance Management Process is published in partnership with Concordia University Texas. “Employees who believe that management is concerned about them as a whole person — not just an employee — are more productive, more satisfied, more fulfilled. Satisfied employees mean satisfied customers, which leads to profitability.” -Anne M. Mulcahy, Former...