Category Archives: Getting Help with Your Small Business

Tips, guidance and referrals to places where you can get more help running your new small business. Congratulations!

How Can SBA.gov Help Me with My Small Business?

SBA.gov is a website where prospective and existing small business owners can come for help. It’s divided up into several sections including starting and managing a business, getting loans and grants, getting contracts and seeking local assistance. Learn more about how SBA.gov (The Small Business Administration) can help you launch your small business and find long-term success.

Information and Advice

One of the main reasons why prospective small business owners go to SBA.gov is to get general information and advice about starting a small business. The site provides countless resources, including a learning center section for entrepreneurs and categories on starting and managing a business. Topics include everything from hiring employees to business laws and healthcare options.

SBA Mentors

The SBA also has a program called SCORE, which helps you find a business mentor in your area. You can talk to your mentor about your business idea and get expert advice on how to proceed via email or in person.

SBA Loans


A lot of prospective and existing business owners look to the Small Business Administration for help with financing. If you walk into a bank and ask for money to fund your business, the chances of getting approved aren’t that good. New small business ventures are extremely risky. But if you get approved by the SBA, the loan funds are guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, which greatly improves your chance of getting financing from a bank.

SBDC Centers

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are scattered all over the country. They’re commonly located on college campuses, where students are studying business, economics and entrepreneurship. The representatives at an SBDC can help you develop your business plan, do research, find a business location, apply for financing and complete countless other tasks that are necessary to start your company. Just locate and call your local center to schedule an initial appointment.

There are a number of other ways that SBA.gov can help you establish and expand your small business. It’s good to know that there’s assistance out there when you need it.



Starting up a small business, even if it's just on the side, is no longer an option -- it's a necessity. Why? Because everyone needs an additional source of income in our new economy. Click here to sign up for educational and motivational posts to keep you on track.

3 Secrets of Successful Small Businesses

Statistics show that the majority of entrepreneurs start small businesses with lofty plans and ideas that eventually turn to mush (to the tune of 8 out of 10 within 18 months) while others become successful rather quickly.

What is it that makes a small business thrive? Here are 3 secrets of successful small businesses.

Good Communication and Management

No one wants to deal with a difficult, stubborn or unreasonable business person. They might tolerate a person like that for a while, but eventually they are going to bail as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Entrepreneurs who master the art of relating to and with other people often find success. Smart small business owners understand the importance of learning superior communication skills so that they can effectively interact with their employees, suppliers, colleagues and customers or clients.

Staying Up to Date with Trends

Another secret of small business success is keeping up with what’s happening in the world and the industry as a whole. What’s working now might not work a few years or even months down the line. Resourceful business owners do their research, follow trends and make observations to get an idea of what’s likely to happen three, five or even 10 years into the future. They make adjustments or develop new product offerings to head off changes that might affect their businesses.

Asking for Help from Others


Napoleon Hill, the man who is considered the father of the personal success movement, among other accolades, taught about the importance of having a “mastermind” group. This is a network of people with similar aspirations, dreams, hopes and activities that help each other achieve their goals. Successful small business owners aren’t afraid to ask for assistance and advice from their colleagues and actively seek other motivated and resourceful people to join their mastermind networks.

Of course there are other factors in play that determine whether a small business will be successful, but these three play a major part. Be open to learning new things to ensure that your company keeps going strong.

 

Louise Gaillard is a social media manager, prolific writer and author.



Starting up a small business, even if it's just on the side, is no longer an option -- it's a necessity. Why? Because everyone needs an additional source of income in our new economy. Click here to sign up for educational and motivational posts to keep you on track.

Starting a Small Business: Is Someone or Something Discouraging You?

When I first started out as an entrepreneur, my family and friends definitely weren’t very supportive of my decision. They laughed at me, to my face and behind my back. They basically told me that I was crazy and needed to go get a job!

Years later, I may still have my ups and downs as an entrepreneur from time to time but as Frank Sinatra sang: “I did it myyyyy way!” I earn a living doing what I do and I do it all on my own terms. I am not at the mercy of an employer or boss, which is possibly the most rewarding part of having your own business.

I believe to this day that if I had more support and less doubt from the people in my life at the time, I would have gotten a lot further as a small business owner in a shorter period of time.

So my question to you today is, do you have someone or something in your life that’s discouraging you from moving forward with your plans to start your own business? If so, here’s a little motivational post to help you eventually pull away from and around that roadblock.

You’re the Only One Who Can Live Your Life Successfully

From the time we’re children, many of us are conditioned to live our lives based on the wishes and desires of others – our parents, teachers and peers. But the truth is that they don’t know what’s best for your life. Only you know that. You are the only person who can live your life, so keep that in mind when you find yourself making decisions based on what other people want for you.

Relieve Yourself of the Opinions of Others

There’s a saying that goes “your opinion of me is none of my business.” A lot of people go through life making decisions based on what other people will think of them. Why do we care so much about what others think? When it comes right down to it, the opinions of other people really don’t matter in the grand scheme of things. The only opinion that matters is the one you have about yourself. Are you happy? And if not, what do you need to do to get happy?

Some Day…

Are you taking up space on “someday isle?” That’s a place where people sit by idly, speculating on what they’ll do “someday” instead of taking action today. They make excuse after excuse about why they can’t take action: someday when my kids graduate from high school… someday when I get my master’s degree… someday when I save this amount of money. What is really stopping you from taking the first step to make your small business idea a reality? You can start today, even if it’s just sitting down and writing a plan of action. JUST DO IT.

If you’re serious about starting your own small business, you will do it. It’s as simple as that. As Tommy Lasorda said “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s determination.” There comes a moment in life when you have to decide that nothing and no one will stop you from pursuing and achieving your dreams.

Small Business Event: CJ University 2014

CJ University is an annual business conference for those interested in affiliate marketing filled with “networking, learning and socializing!” You’ll learn all of the latest news, tips and advice regarding the affiliate marketing industry.

Location:  Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort in Santa Barbara, CA

Dates: September 9-11, 2014

Target: affiliate publishers, advertisers and agencies

More information: http://www.cjuniversity.com/

 

 

 



Starting up a small business, even if it's just on the side, is no longer an option -- it's a necessity. Why? Because everyone needs an additional source of income in our new economy. Click here to sign up for educational and motivational posts to keep you on track.

Emotional Intelligence & Your Small Business Communication Strategy

On Emotional Intelligence and How it Relates to Your Small Business Communication Strategy

The widespread belief in popular culture is that human emotions aren’t connected with human intelligence. Many people believe that those who act or speak emotionally business handshakearen’t using their intellect; the idea is that the two are mutually exclusive. But in the age of the Internet, social media and advancements in the study of human psychology, it’s become clear that emotional intelligence (also called EQ) is not an oxymoron. It is just as significant as traditional human intelligence (IQ) that can be measured with tests and other metrics.

What Is Emotional Intelligence?
There are several definitions of emotional intelligence in popular theory, but one of the easiest to grasp is this: it is an understanding of human emotions and how to manage them intelligently. It is an understanding of how emotions have a significant effect on the way people communicate with each other, socialize, learn, resolve conflicts and perform in work settings. It also affects how people manage their own issues with stress and mental health.

Knowledge Transfer Benefits
Emotional intelligence is a conduit for better knowledge transfer. When you can relate to others on an emotional level, it makes them more receptive to receiving new information. As an example, self-help authors and motivational speakers relate to their audiences on a high level when they are in tune with their emotional triggers. Teachers also have a stronger effect on students when they are connected with them on an emotional level — studies from as early as 1994 examined the effect of positive emotions on the learning process for young people.

Emotional Intelligence and Social Media
The growth of social media has created a new platform where psychologists can examine the effects of emotional intelligence on individuals and society as a whole. Business organizations in particular study and implement online communication strategies based on the idea of emotional intelligence when connecting with followers and potential customers. As the saying goes, “people buy on emotion and rationalize them with logic.” Many organizations use emotional intelligence to appeal to followers with advertisements and posts that address the inner feelings and desires of their target audiences first and foremost. This inspires future purchases and brand loyalty.

Think of how you can use this information in your business communications and sales strategies. It pays to care about your customers — their feelings, their motivations, their hopes, dreams and emotional triggers. Don’t treat your customers and clients like numbers on a page — treat them with human compassion when communicating with them for the best results.

It’s clear from recent research that emotional intelligence is a valuable concept to consider – especially when it comes to business communication strategy. It may be key to everything from improving personal human relationships to inspiring customers to buy your products and services.

Sources:

ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/oct94/vol52/num02/How-Emotions-Affect-Learning.aspx

 * Image credit: © Atee83 | Dreamstime Stock Photos


Starting up a small business, even if it's just on the side, is no longer an option -- it's a necessity. Why? Because everyone needs an additional source of income in our new economy. Click here to sign up for educational and motivational posts to keep you on track.

Networking Events for Small Business Owners

Learn about upcoming networking events for small business owners in this section of StartUpaSmallBiz.com .



Starting up a small business, even if it's just on the side, is no longer an option -- it's a necessity. Why? Because everyone needs an additional source of income in our new economy. Click here to sign up for educational and motivational posts to keep you on track.

Small Business Events & Business Conferences

Learn about upcoming Small Business events & business conferences in this section of StartUpaSmallBiz.com .



Starting up a small business, even if it's just on the side, is no longer an option -- it's a necessity. Why? Because everyone needs an additional source of income in our new economy. Click here to sign up for educational and motivational posts to keep you on track.

Plan a Business Strategy

Stay updated on the topic of how to plan a business strategy in this section of StartUpaSmallBiz.com .



Starting up a small business, even if it's just on the side, is no longer an option -- it's a necessity. Why? Because everyone needs an additional source of income in our new economy. Click here to sign up for educational and motivational posts to keep you on track.