How Do I Start an Online Business?
John Arnold answered August 9, 2011
Before you determine a budget and choose a technology solution for your online business, there are four important questions to answer. Once you are confident in your answers to these four...moreHow Can I Add E-Commerce to My Business?
John Arnold answered August 9, 2011
Selling online can take several forms, so it's important to consider whether you want to build an entire e-commerce store or just complement your in-store sales with e-commerce. Here are three...moreHow Do I Open a Bar?
Brad Sugars answered August 4, 2011
First, you should consider the market for another bar in your area. Is there really a market for one, and if there is, how will yours be different that the competition? Do they offer food to their...moreShould I Finish School Before Starting a Business?
Tim Berry answered July 19, 2011
The middle-aged person you're going to be in a couple decades will miss the education you're getting now if you don't in fact get it. It's usually not a smart idea to sell yourself short by not...moreCan I Use Another Business's Name?
Nina Kaufman answered July 15, 2011
As they say: "There is nothing new under the sun." So, it should come as no surprise that different people will want to choose the same business name. Generally, as long as no one...moreHow Much Will It Cost to Launch an E-Commerce Site?
John Arnold answered July 12, 2011
E-commerce website pricing varies widely depending on the level of sophistication you want to have, and e-commerce success often depends on many technology solutions are working together. So, your...moreShould I Bring a Mentor into the Business?
Tim Berry answered July 6, 2011
This is sort of like asking whether you should marry the person you're dating. That said, if you do a deal like this you better be sure this person is somebody you can live with day in and day out...moreHow Can I Use Social Media to Market My Business?
Michael Kaleikini answered June 18, 2011
There a few ways you can do this: 1. Create a fan page. Since you are a business-to-consumer company, you can reach out directly to the kinds of people who like what you are offering. Use the...moreHow Do I Have a Prototype Built?
Brad Sugars answered June 16, 2011
You'd probably need to get the prototype built before you go to a manufacturer, unless you have a previous relationship with a company who is willing to work with you. There a lot of...moreHow Do I Protect My Personal Assets?
Nina Kaufman answered June 3, 2011
There are two important steps you can take to protect your personal assets when starting a company. First, make sure you are operating as a corporation or a limited liability company. A local...moreShould I License My Product Idea for Royalty Fees?
Brad Sugars answered June 2, 2011
If this is the type of arrangement you choose to make, you'll need to do a lot of due diligence. It's best to talk to people who have actually done this to get an idea of the "ins and...moreWhat's the Best Plan for Paying Back Investors?
Tim Berry answered May 27, 2011
What you're suggesting here sounds much more like a loan than an investment. Think of an investment as someone buying a percentage of ownership in your company in exchange for a sum of money that...moreWe Launched. What's Next?
Brad Sugars answered May 26, 2011
It sounds like everything is set. Now, you need customers. Your next move will depend on what you're selling. Are you in a high "traffic" area? Do you have all the names and contact...moreHow Do I Design a Prototype?
Brad Sugars answered May 23, 2011
Start with your own industry and see if you can find someone who will build something for you directly, or can refer someone who can "freelance" for you. You can also use the internet...moreCan I Protect My Idea Without a Patent?
Tim Berry answered May 17, 2011
This is a tough situation. Patents just aren't that protective anymore. I own a corporation and I stopped signimoreHow Do I Relaunch a Defunct Business?
Nina Kaufman answered May 13, 2011
Any time you want to launch or resurrect a business, you have a couple legal issues to consider when choosing a name. First, you want to be sure that the name is available with your state's...moreHow Much Does it Cost to Launch a New Product?
Brad Sugars answered May 12, 2011
Numbers are the language of business. It is critical to "know your numbers" on the expense side before plunging into any business venture. You're talking about starting something...moreWhere Can I Get Help Launching a Website?
John Arnold answered May 5, 2011
It's good that you're considering professional advice at the beginning of the startup process. As a professional advisor myself, I'm often consulted only after a business has launched and...moreHow Can I Raise Money for My Nonprofit?
Brad Sugars answered May 3, 2011
Start by contacting a local shipper or a local franchisee of a larger shipping company. Ask if they might like to partner with you. Another option would be to contact an individual donor and ask...moreHow Do I Use Benchmarking in My Business Plan?
