Here are a few reasons: - Lower operation costs (no need for a fancy office, you can work from your garage and nobody cares). - Internet marketing is a lot more affordable than traditional... (more)

Whether or not you're actually being cheated by your business partner, there are several steps you can take: 1. Engage a qualified accountant to review the financial books and records--the... (more)

Since career planning has taken a back seat these days to simply keeping a good job for many employees, you just have to deal with reality and realize you are working for a company with severe... (more)

I am not an attorney, so take this as the best guess of somebody who's been in business for a lot of years -- definitely not legal advice. In my experience, the general idea that having the... (more)

Start by reaching out to the businesses that are the most likely to have a need for your services and are large enough to pay for them. I recommend you target other home-based businesses, with an... (more)

You would need to see the benefits for you in your particular locale and municipality, and talk to a good tax accountant or tax lawyer to see what advantages you may gain from this change.... (more)

Usually you can determine this by multiplying the EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) by a multiple for your industry. Typically, for most businesses of this... (more)

Contact companies with whom you want to do business with and negotiate to buy a supply of their products so you can resell -- having everything you need in place administratively and legally to be... (more)

Yes, there are agents to help with this process. The challenge, however is that they need to see evidence of volume to "rep" your product. An alternative is to attend an expo or... (more)

Yes, it is. When you are first in business, you may not know the prices you need to charge to cover your costs and overheads. Now you know, and you can adjust accordingly. Raise your prices on... (more)

You really don't need a UPC code, however, if you are working with a re-seller or distributor, they may require you to have one. Check with your distributor or reseller to make sure you meet... (more)

You can outsource the very basics, and in the meantime develop a system for recruiting and training so you can eventually bring everything in-house. For that next step, you may want to consider... (more)

Run -- don't walk -- to the nearest business attorney who works with software start-ups. Your question shows that you are mixing up important legal entity concepts (you don't have stock in an LLC,... (more)

Federal offices (i.e. post offices and banks) are closed on specific days; but other businesses decide for themselves what they want and can afford to provide. There is no federal law requiring you... (more)

First, question your assumptions: do your larger competitors really offer financing, or do they have loan brokers they can recommend, quickly, so their customers can get the financing they need?... (more)

The EIN and tax information setup are relatively simple steps to take. More important is to have a working relationship with bookkeeping and accounting functions, either by having a bookkeeper or... (more)

Zoning ordinances and permits are very prickly things. Running a retail business that has some foot traffic is very different from running an event space where you can expect larger groups to... (more)

"Sweat equity" is the term usually given to the time and effort a cash-strapped entrepreneur puts into a business in order to earn his/her ownership share -- as opposed to contributing... (more)

There are two sides to every story. Has anyone genuinely asked the woman what is going on? Often, workplace dynamics lend themselves to demonizing or scapegoating one employee. Having one... (more)

Yes, what pops off the shelf is different than what catches your eye online so consider the context when you are looking at packaging options. How will it look under fluorescent lights in store at... (more)