Entrepreneur Magazine: October 2003

Made in America?
More and more U.S. businesses are trekking overseas to explore cheaper ways to make their products. But what does that mean for small manufacturers left behind on the home front?

Where's the Love?
You've lost that lovin' feeling for your business—but don't let it slip away. It's time to rekindle your passion and renew your commitment as an entrepreneur.



Be Your Own Boss Features
Price Is Right
350-plus franchises you can buy for less than $50,000

Shape Up!
If you want to start your own business, you'd better make sure you're in shape for it--emotionally, mentally and financially. Our three entrepreneurial fitness tests will help you see if you've got what it takes to get through the start-up phase.

Biz 101
Grape Expectations
Are you thinking about getting into the wine business? Here's a taste of what awaits you.

The Bold and the Profitable
Think you've got the guts to strike out and do something completely different?

Winners' Circle
Lessons from sports superstars help you score business success.

Innovations
Wise Up!
When it comes to inventing a successful product, experience may be your best asset.

Opportunities
All in the Delivery
It was perfect timing for this couple to take on a dry cleaning delivery franchise.

What's New 10/03
A one-stop marketing shop

Real Life
Getting Noticed
Our franchisees can't be wallflowers if they expect to get the help they're entitled to from their franchisor.

Smart Ideas
Good as Gold
One woman unearths a gem of a business by letting her customers create (and re-create) their own jewelry.

Success Coach
A Wild Ride
The twists and turns of running your own business can throw you for a loop. Try these four tips to get back on track.

What's Your Problem?
Becoming Your Own Boss
So you want to start a secretarial service. Where do you go from there?

Almost Famous
Tee for Two
Entrepreneurs find a swingingly successful venture in arcade-style video games, such as 3-D golf.

Editor's Note
Hey, Get Moving!


Feedback
Feedback 10/03
Letters from our readers

Resources
Resources 10/03
Web sites, organizations, events and more to grow your business

Creative Zone
Asking Too Much?
Not a chance. Questions are one of the best tools for unlocking creativity.

Insurance
Fly by Night?
Don't fall for a scam--use these tips before you buy health insurance.

Legal
Ties That Bind
Are you within your rights to require employees to sign a binding arbitration agreement?

Management Buzz
Management Buzz 10/03
Rid your company of its jargon; why closing the last week of the year might be a smart idea

Real Deal
Nothing Personal
Winning at negotiation means learning what to bring to the table--and what to leave at home.

Smart Moves
At Your Service
Is your service center living up to its potential? Find out how to get all you can from yours.

Staff Smarts
Close the Loop
If you're outsourcing projects right and left, make sure the information you need is rolling back to you.

A+ Ads
In Your Face
Cross your fingers, hold your breath . . . and put out ads with no holds barred.

Breakthrough
To the Letter
Testimonials lead to a world of opportunity.

Marketing Buzz
Marketing Buzz 10/03
Can adopting a highway give your company positive exposure?

Net Sales
Live Wire
Online seminars show 'em what you've got.

Retail Register
Seniority Rules
Appealing to the over-65 crowd

Sales Force
Along for the Ride
Losing touch with your reps? Regular ride-alongs can help keep the connection alive.

Sales Success
Get Over It!
Never mind what those negative voices inside your head say--you can make the sale.

Tactics
Words to the Wise
Has your marketing copy lost its punch? Kick it up a notch with these words that work.

Dollar Signs
A Fair Trade
Find out how to barter the right way--and avoid the practices that will land you in hot water.

Funds
No Guts, Some Glory
Thinking short term and safety first? Here's a fund that's got both.

Money Buzz
Money Buzz 10/03
Simple tactics for avoiding bad credit; wooing top-notch talent to your board

Personal Finance
House of Cards?
Home-equity borrowing could be risky business as interest rates rise.

Raising Money
A Perfect Match?
If you think an intermediary service has the quick fix you need for finding investors, take a second look.

Tax Talk
If You Build It . . .
Are you overlooking significant deductions on new construction or major remodeling projects?

Biz Travel
Highway Robbery?
You can make renting a car easier on the company budget.

Books
Mind Games
Jump-start your problem-solving skills for a better business.

Capitol Issues
Growing Up
Congress is set to increase the lending ceilings on SBA programs.

Hot Seat
The Father of Spam
Half of all e-mail sent today is spam. What does the man who started it all think of it now?

It Figures
It Figures 10/03
The number of small businesses receiving SBA loans, who's simplifying their life and more

Smarts Features
The Winner Is . . .
Find out which cities topped our 10th annual list of best cities for entrepreneurs.

Signs of Life?
You'll need plenty of patience to profit from m-commerce.

Score Savvy
Business credit scores are on the horizon. Could your personal credit history hurt you?

Hack Attack
. . . and other threats from the politically offended

Enemy Mine
Learning to live with the competitors you love to hate

Up in the Air
Dotcom stocks could be poised for a comeback.

Snapshot
James L. McNeil
50, founder and CEO of McNeil Technologies Inc. in Springfield, Virginia

Tech Toy
Eye Spy
The latest in robotic watchdogs

What's the Point?
Get in Sync
To spark business growth, follow the leader in your industry.

Wheels
Vintage Vehicles
Manufacturers' inspection programs make it worth your while to buy used.

Women
For Better or . . .
How women entrepreneurs strike a balance between business and marriage

Buyer's Guide
Copy That
If you want to save some money and improve your productivity, maybe it's time to get an affordable copy machine of your own.

Digital Edge
Lighten Up!
Weighed down by your portable PC? These featherweights might be just what you're looking for.

Gear
Gear 10/03
Additional network storage; the small, quieter desktop

Hot Disks
Hot Disks 10/03
Diagramming made easy, turn your tablet PC into a time-saving tool and more

Net Profits
Culture Club
Many e-tailers are lining up to target the growing Hispanic market. It's a good idea, verdad?

Solutions
Smack Down!
Show those numbers who's boss with a new accounting software program.

Tech Buzz
Tech Buzz 10/03
How the Value-Added Tax affects your tech purchases; a new OS for Macs

Wireless
Cutting Lines
Giving new meaning to the term "mobile phone"

A Little Lost?
Get directions at your fingertips.