See the video, click the title above to see the first article,
then click here to read he final results article
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•National Association for the Self-Employed - start learning, start networking, get going!
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•The National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) - the world’s leading organization advancing business incubation and entrepreneurship. They can help you with critical decisions involving which “incubators” are reliable and a match for your needs to obtain funding, business development, and more.
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✓Business incubator can mean a faster start for your startup - USA Today, May 8, 2011. Business incubators are collaborative programs designed to help new startups with some of the most vexing issues they face by providing work space, support services, networking opportunities and training.
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•The Small Business Bible - from the USA Today Small Business columnist.
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•American Express has its Open Forum site with useful information. You do not need to be an Amex customer. Topics even include finding insurance for your small business.
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•Want to do business with the Federal government? Here is a link to a descriptive web page provided by Congressman Elliot Engel. It provides further links as well to various government entities such as the Small Business Administration’s Goverment Contracting page, the Minority Business Contracting Agency, General Services Agency (the government’s chief acquisitions agency) much more including contact names within your state: Business Opportunities With the Federal Government
Coming soon: a summary of consumer research services by the Social Research Foundation, owner of shareourtips.com/. If you plan to start a new business, start with feedback from your target audience.
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•General Info
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•Aptitude tests - are you a born entrepreneur
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•Defining entrepreneur skills
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•Community - creating an online community
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•Webinars & group feedback
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•Creating a business plan
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•Pitch your idea - attracting investors
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•Avoid scams
COMING SOON
Evaluating the various “make money online from home” programs.
Join our ONLINE COMMUNITY and you may be chosen to receive
a free copy of one of these programs for you to review!
Comments on the Web
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•Self-employed workers can reduce health insurance costs - USA Today
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•Learn how to think like an entrepreneur - take advantage of ideas and opportunity, and explore whether owning your own business is for you. USA TODAY small business columnist Rhonda Abrams, CEO of The Planning Shop, introduces a video series that will inspire you to take the first steps to starting your own business.
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Click here for our “Entrepreneur Basics” e.g. how to establish a professional business image on a low, low budget.
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An entrepreneur gets into business one of these ways:
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1.Buy an existing business
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2.Buy into a franchise - click for a list of the Top Ten
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4.Licensing: patent an idea or product and license it or sell it. Sometimes collecting a royalty is the way to go if you have limited time, funds and experience in, e.g. product development. Royalty fees are negotiable, but even 5% of a large number is better than owning 100% of something you cannot successfully market. Be sure to work with an attorney experienced in this area.
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Consider a licensing coach - who has licensed over twenty products. They can coach you on their opinion of your product’s commercial potential, how to identify and approach potential licensees, how to present your idea, licensing contract details and more. Their book is to the right.
Let’s Hear Your Tips!
Add a TIP using the “Comments” box and YOU may be chosen to have your picture appear with it or even to give your tip in video at shareourtips.com! Click on “suggest” or “request” for more information.
STEP ONE
Step One to being a successful entrepreneur ... is YOU! Do you have the emotional and other personal qualities? Sure a regular job has its problems such as finding and keeping one, dealing with the usual pressures, your boss’ temperments or officie politics.
“As an entrepreneur, you will still have to deal with temperments..
of your current and prospective customers. And of course there is
the stress of living without a regular paycheck”
This isn’t meant to dissuade you... just a friendly, and frank, reality check. Start with this book - and there are others we will list (send us your recommendations too). Don’t be afraid...
Eight Fallacies of Entrepreneurship - a good discussion from the owner of five small businesses
How to be an entrepreneur: Qualities you can learn to develop the next big thing
Selling a small business? see our special page on this
A new book treats the Beatles’ successes and failures as a sort of Rosetta Stone not just for aspiring rock stars, but also for businesspeople everywhere
Whisper Words of Business Wisdom
“Resources are important; resourcefulness even more so”
John Baldoni, Harvard Business Review article
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-(tip: be sure to read the article’s viewer comments at the end)
Take advantage of the new world of
SOCIAL COLLABORATION
“We is greater than me”
Have a cause
you believe in
The Use of Intimidation in Negotiation
but need help
learning how to
find sponsors?
Using BLOGS, TWITTER, FACEBOOK and other SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS to promote your business and build vital relationships. Click here for our SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE
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•Google Announces Payment System for Digital Content - The New York Times, February 18, 2011; should you accept payment by credit cards, PayPal or this new platform from Google? Read on...
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•Matchmaking for Web Start-Ups and Investors - The New York Times, March 7, 2011
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• Failure is part of every life, and every career - don't shy away from it, learn from it
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• Poll: College students get hard lessons in finance - a good article with some solid numbers based on reseasrch with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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• Lessons learned from 25 years as an entrepreneur - from Rhonda Abrams, the Entreprenur columnist for USA Today. From the article: “Twenty-five years ago, I said goodbye to my last boss, and launched my first small business. Through these past 25 years, I've owned four businesses — going through booms and recessions. I've hired, fired. I've raised capital, gotten bank loans, invested my savings. I've been challenged, engaged, tired, and, occasionally, nervous. I've loved it — though, I confess, not every minute. Looking back on those 25 years, what are some of the most important lessons I'd share with other entrepreneurs?...”
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•Even more Entrepreneurial articles - links to a page chock-full of them!
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•Selling to the government? Great tips from American Express! - October 6, 2011
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•Tips on marketing your small business - November 21, 2011
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•Millennial entrepreneurs bypass the unemployment line - December 3, 2011
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•New small business rule: Sacrifice inventory, save the store - December 3, 2011. “...one of the small business owners forced by the recession to focus on the exacting discipline of inventory management, the art of fine-tuning the mix of stock on hand to maximize profits.”
2012
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•Why Starbucks succeeds in China and others haven't - February 12, 2012
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•Small Business Strategies: Women get into the startup game - USA Today, March 23, 2012
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Instagram, the wildly popular 2-year-old photo app snapped up by Facebook for $1 billion earlier this year, has a lot of friends online. Dozens of companies have climbed aboard the Instagram bandwagon to sell photo-related gifts.
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•From the viewpoint of the investor: Just Manic Enough: Seeking Perfect Entrepreneurs
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•Top 6 Reasons Beginning Entrepreneurs Fail - all failures are not equal. Successful failing
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✓http://www.honestlynow.com/fab50 - unique site solicits feedback for you!
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✓http://ycombinator.com/ - a startup funder which helps you attract bigger investors
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✓Women 2.0 - helps women start technology companies
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✓Springboard Enterprises - helps women in startups obtain funding
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✓UpStart Bootcamp - a fee for coaching and feedback on your business idea
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•Google Connect enables cloud versions of Microsoft Office documents
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•How to Shape the DNA of a Young Company - The New York Times, January 23, 2011
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•How to Hire an Assistant - from Inc. magazine
These days, you may not have a choice. There are companies like ExecuNet (see above) which attempt to match you to companies looking for high-paying management positions. But if you are considering the entrepreneurial route, here are some useful tips and links:
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•Entrepreneur Test - from Harvard Business Review, free!
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Interactive Entrepreneur Quiz - free!
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If you are still employed, but chaffing at the limitations you see due to internal company issues, consider reading “Intrapreneur vs Entrepreneur” from about.com
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Don't let 'mentors' throw cold water on your dreams - USA Today, October 27, 2010 - Take advice only from those who can help you. Surround yourself with folks that have proved that they are in your corner. With all others, keep your mouth shut!
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•Eight founders who ruined their companies - February 10, 2013
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•High Level of Practical Intelligence a Factor in Entrepreneurial Success - Science Daily, Oct 31, 2010
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•Ten ways to balance your work-from-home-life - includes a downloadable checklist
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•The good news is these days, working from a home-based business is quite acceptable if you are professional about it. For example, if your ten year old answers your business phone, that’s not good (I had that experience calling a prospective consultant).
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•Consider setting up a “virtual office” which presents a professional image while costing very little.
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•MEDICAL INSURANCE - Businesses turn to 'private exchange' health insurance
Do you need a patent, trademark or other form of legal protection for your idea? Has anyone else done something {or has filed paperwork with the government} to do something legally similar already?
Check it out at the official website for the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
PROTECTION
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•How to find a prototype manufacturer - you can’t sell “an idea” to a company hoping it will sell your product. They will want to first see at least a prototype and more likely a finished piece showing exactly what they would be selling. The mold alone can cost you $50 - 100k or more depending on how complex the item is. Here is a quote from a website that will help you get bids from potential manufacturers:
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Contract Auction can assist you in finding a prototype manufacturer; simply create a free listing for your project and manufacturers will submit their quotes. You can communicate with them privately, or on the message board within the listing if you feel your answer could benefit all bidders. Check the profile of the bidders and review feedback. There are other helpful articles on the website that can help ensure you find the right manufacturer for your prototype or manufacturing work.
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Buildmyproduct.com - a product development company
Businesses use gaming principles in marketing
Most banks, credit unions and many small businesses use Deluxe Check Printer. Save by going direct! For personal checks try Deluxe too, Checks-in-the-Mail or search on “bank check printers”
