There is a ton of information out there for small businesses. Every day I find something new, so I thought I’d share a little bit of what I found this week with you here. Since it’s officially the weekend, I have a few small business links for your weekend reading enjoyment.

I talked about small business branding here a few weeks ago, Brand Curve shared some gret information this week on Branding Basics for Startup Businesses.
Building your online presence can be tricky, if you don’t have a plan, check out Planning for Small Business Social Media, to help you build an …read more

If you’re looking for a small business idea you can start on a shoestring, there are quite a few ideas out there. If you’re not crazy about any of these, brainstorm how you can start a business you are interested in for under $100. There are tons of resources out there for entrepreneurs to tap into, and with the internet communication and promotion are way easier than they used to be.

10 Small Businesses You Can Start For Under $100

Start a business teaching whatever you’re good at. You can do this online, or locally. Find a local meeting area to teach …read more

If you’ve had an idea for a small business floating around in your head for a while, and you find yourself  unemployed, why not work on that idea with your free time? When you’re not beating the streets looking for another job, sit down and map out your ideas on paper. Then if it’s possible, start working toward making your small business a reality.
You can at least come up with a business plan, and some goals for your small business ideas. Work on whatever you can now to get your business started without spending money you can’t spare. There …read more

This is a great time to start a small business!  The Recovery Act has provided more funds for the Small Business Administration and higher loan guarantee amounts.  And banks are still lending, if you have the right qualifications (a high credit score, collateral, and a great business plan).  In the photo, Ben Spearing assembles a baby stroller as his wife, Billie Jo, unpacks a wheel as they prepare for the opening of their baby store in Costa Mesa, California, in April. (Paul Rodriguez/Orange County Register/MCT)
But the realities of getting a small business loan haven’t changed. Here’s what I mean:
Reality …read more

Do you have what it takes to succeed in a small business?  It’s fun to read about wonderful businesses to start or franchises to buy. But no matter how fantastic these business opportunities might be, consider carefully how the business fits your skills, experience, and interests. And you need something more to succeed: a passion for this business.
This business owner has a passion for pool. But without skill and experience, he will have a difficult time being successful.  Before you jump into a business opportunity, spend some time taking a personal inventory.
What are your skills? What do you do best? …read more

Starting a small business is like juggling plates. In other words, it’s not easy, but what is?   Starting a business involves many different tasks and projects, and you will need to work on many of them at the same time. It’s kind of a chicken-and-egg thing, but there’s no way to tell for sure which comes first – the chicken? or the egg?
Here are some examples of what I mean by juggling:
Leasing and Financing Juggling Act: You must find a location for your business, so you’ll be running around looking at offices or buildings or warehouses. At the …read more