This is a tough one to answer because so much depends on the specifics of your situation, what resources you have, what level of funding you need, how you feel about business with family and... (more)

The best marketing channels for your business will depend on the type of product you are selling. Without knowing the type of product you have, you need to consider whether you are manufacturing... (more)

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... (more)

If you plan to include charitable contributions as a regular part of your business model, you will want to be "transparent" regarding three important issues: Identity, amount and... (more)

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... (more)

An easy way to do this is to look at all the categories of quick service/fast food restaurants in your area and see what isn't offered. Then, find out why. Or, if you are offering something... (more)

I can't say what the market will do when they see your viral content. Then again, what is it that you have that you believe will make it viral? There have been a lot of great products that... (more)

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... (more)

There are lots of sources you can use for funding your franchise. The most common are loans, investors and personal funds. Each has pros and cons and the right answer for you depends on your... (more)

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... (more)

Seek an advisor first, before you seek an investor. Find someone local with related experience -- maybe an attorney or a counselor at the nearest Small Business Development Center. Check... (more)

Franchise fees are usually not negotiable but that fact has as much to do with the government's disclosure requirements than it does with a company's unwillingness to bargain. The Federal Trade... (more)

First, ask yourself: Who are the biggest targets that I want to reach first? Who has the best reputation that will help me tell the rest of the marketplace, "I have earned XYZ, Inc.'s business... (more)

What you're selling is not necessarily the operative question -- it's how you're selling it. If you plan to hold a yard or garage or sample sale, many cities and towns do require that you obtain... (more)

There is nothing in this realm even remotely as simple as standard practice. There are no simple formulas. This will be a matter of what you and your partner can negotiate. Your question is a... (more)

Usually industries have generally accepted formulas as a starting point, and then you adjust for extra factors. In hotels, I went online a searched for "valuation multiples for hotels"... (more)

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... (more)

Most of the outlets you've mentioned do have media agencies that represent them. You can try doing a search or reach out to industry publications to find out who the "go to" agency is.... (more)

Building an inside team that the field team will appreciate has its challenges. The biggest thing to consider will be the relationship between the two teams. Will it be complimentary or... (more)

Whenever you work from home, there are a number of legal considerations you will want to explore. The first is whether or not you are "zoned" to work from home. If you own or rent an... (more)