How Can I Avoid the Hard Sell from Franchisors?
Jeff Elgin answered February 14, 2011
You seem concerned that when you call the franchisor you're going to get a salesperson on the line that is going to ignore your questions and just give you their...moreDo I Need a License to Run a Chat Site?
Nina Kaufman answered February 1, 2011
How you make your profit is not the real issue. In some states, opening an online business is as simple as finding a location (your bedroom counts) and filing a business name (also called a DBA,...moreI Have an Idea for a Change to Facebook. How Can I Protect My Idea?
Nina Kaufman answered February 1, 2011
Generally, ideas cannot be protected. While confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements can take you some of the way, they are not always airtight. Also, depending on how such an agreement is...moreWhat Are the Pros and Cons of Using Your LLC to Be a Member of Another LLC?
Nina Kaufman answered February 1, 2011
Having one entity own part of another has, as you noted, its pros and cons. On the plus side, you get an extra layer of liability protection. In addition, there may be tax advantages to having this...moreHow Do I Produce a Prototype While Protecting My Idea?
Nina Kaufman answered February 1, 2011
Depending on the nature of your idea, you don't necessarily have to build a prototype in order to obtain a patent on your invention. In some situations, for example, in demonstrating your...moreWhat's the Best Way to Add Limited Partners for a Bar?
Nina Kaufman answered February 1, 2011
This is not an area where you should go it alone. In short, you are selling securities, broadly defined as a form of "ownership investment." Securities are highly regulated, both at the...moreDo You Need a Business Plan Before Starting a Company?
Tim Berry answered February 1, 2011
Technically, no. There is no law or authority that says you have to have a business plan before you starting. But most people do because it's smart to know what you're doing before you start. You...moreHow Should I Evaluate a Franchise Opportunity?
Jeff Elgin answered January 31, 2011
Especially in today's tough market, you need to pay attention to the dollars side of the business. Start up financing is virtually nonexistent, so you'll need to define a "reasonable"...moreWhich Franchises Are Hot Right Now?
Jeff Elgin answered January 31, 2011
I was on Fox News recently and got quite a laugh when I said that I spelled sexy, "M. O. N. E. Y." That may have been what you meant, and I hope so. If by sexy you meant what is the...moreHow Can I Improve Lunch Sales?
Michael Kaleikini answered January 30, 2011
Here are a few tactics you may wish to consider: 1. If you don't already have one, create a small lunch menu. A Thai restaurant in my town did this, and, even though it is s semiformal,...moreHow Can an Ordinary Person Get a Grant to Buy or Start a Business?
Tim Berry answered January 29, 2011
I think grants are mostly myth, where we see somebody pitching about "free government money" and what he really means is "buy my product." There are grants offered by...moreHow Do You Know When It's Time to Quit?
Tim Berry answered January 29, 2011
No one can tell you whether it's time to quit based on your email alone. From what you say here, staying with the business could be the worst possible decision, and leaving it could be the worst...moreHow Can I Find Investors When I'm Just Starting Out?
Tim Berry answered January 29, 2011
The answer is yes. Every year, tens of thousands of startups find investors to invest in their companies. To interest investors, startups need to be the kind of startup that makes for a good...moreWhat nondisclosure forms can protect my business plans when pitching investors?
Tim Berry answered January 29, 2011
Your question is a tough one because most serious professional investors won't steal your idea, but they won't sign nondisclosure forms, either. But it still is a problem sometimes, and your...moreHow Do I Buy Benefits for Just One Employee?
Penny Morey answered January 25, 2011
Different states may have different options, but major carriers usually won't write a policy for an enterprise with fewer than five full-time, eligible employees. Here are two alternatives to...moreShould I Start a Business Despite Heavy Personal Debt?
Ryan Himmel answered January 12, 2011
The answer to your question really depends on your specific situation and how much research and preparation you have already done to determine the viability of the venture. If you simply just have...moreHow Do I Find Partners or Investors for My Business?
Ryan Himmel answered January 12, 2011
You may want to explore the viability of partnering with an angel investor or an investment group such as a venture-capital firm. These types of investors can offer industry expertise and a strong...moreDo I need an occupational license to work from home?
Nina Kaufman answered January 12, 2011
Whether you need an occupational license depends on the nature of the work you'll be doing from home. If you're providing general office services, such as bookkeeping, graphic design or virtual...moreMy subcontractor has stopped coming into work, what are my options?
Nina Kaufman answered January 11, 2011
One of the problems that can arise with subcontractors is not screening them carefully beforehand. From your description, you have another layer of complication: While you...moreWhat are my rights if I leave my family business?
