Entrepreneur Magazine: May 2005

Living the Dream
Small businesses make big impacts when they keep innovation in mind.

The Right Stuff
Race ahead of the competition with the smartest software to help build and better your business.



Be Your Own Boss Features
New Attitude
We name the top 50 new franchises for 2005.

eBay Made Easy
Ready to start an eBay business? These 5 simple steps will get you on your way.

Biz 101
New and Improved
Products that make life easier are all the rage. Your next big business idea may be making a good, everyday item great.

Timing Is Everything
Is it ever too early to plan? Give your startup an edge by mapping the next 10 years now.

Shout It From the Rooftops
Ensure maximum exposure for your new product or service by becoming a public speaker.

A Fond Farewell
We take one final look at our "Biz 101" tech makeover winner.

Biz U
Hit the Floor
Entrepreneurship floors in universities let students live their businesses 24/7.

Innovations
Pet Project
How one former veterinarian wowed major pet-product retailers--and got her invention on their shelves

Opportunities
Access Hollywood
A staffing franchisee carves a new niche in showbiz--and finds fame in his own right.

Hole in One
This golf lover chose a franchise that fit him to a tee.

What's New 05/05
American Idol's got nothin' on this franchise.

Smart Ideas
Smart Ideas 05/05
Mommy-and-me outings, per-call talent reps and more

Success Coach
Popularity Puzzle
How to be the entrepreneur everyone wants to do business with

What's Your Problem?
Love and Business?
Following these four tips can help spouses run a business without ruining their marriage.

Biz Travel
Ticket to Ride
Get downtown from New York City's airports in a jiffy.

Books
Tee Time
Make sense of the global economy by riding the coattails of a T-shirt.

Capitol Issues
Standard Issues
New food and disability rules pose challenges for small business.

Forward Features
Back in Black
The VC industry is fattening up again--but what does this mean for your business?

Passing the Buck
If you're asking employees to manage their own benefits, you could be asking for trouble.

Memory Upgrade
Entrepreneurs develop new ways to treat Alzheimer's.

Spring Cleaning
Old software draining your IT budget? Here's how to clean up.

Winning Hand
A poker pro's tips on playing your cards right in business

Eastern Influence
Chinese investment is starting to pour into the West.

Jumping the Gun
The issue of firearms in the workplace heats up.

Perfect Pitch
Former pitcher's advice is a hit with entrepreneurs.

Home Stretch
Will PC-makers' move into home electronics leave thin support for your business PCs?

Soup's On
Checking up on the progress of an up-and-coming trend

Forward Snapshot
Novel Idea
A gritty novel takes a former drug dealer from prison to her own publishing business.

It Figures
It Figures 05/05
Business stress, revenue gains and more

Seen and Heard
Ain't It Clever?
Spark your marketing genius by reading about what other innovative entrepreneurs are up to.

Tech Toy
Convincing Case
Who says your computer can't be functional and funky?

Wheels
Family Ties
You call it Jaguar; I call it Lincoln . . . How to choose between automotive cousins

Women
Seal the Deal
Negotiating can be difficult, but sharpening your skills in advance will put you on top.

Almost Famous
Middleman
One man's local e-mail list becomes a community marketplace and information treasure trove.

Editor's Note
State of Service
Don't ruin your reputation--provide top-notch customer service to help your business thrive.

Feedback
Feedback 05/05


Resources
Resources 05/05
Websites, organizations, events and more to grow your business

Lead Buzz
Lead Buzz 05/05
A "booming" workforce, the importance of "vision" and more

Lead Snapshot
The Little Black Box
A stash of fresh ideas always comes in handy for a resourceful entrepreneur.

Legal
Good Sports
Who's liable for injuries to a company athletic team?

Real Deal
Making a List
An agenda lets you negotiate with confidence.

Smart Moves
An Inside Job
Need a fresh perspective on projects, markets and more? Chances are, the answers you need are right under your roof.

Staff Smarts
Size-mology
Corporate refugees can be a boon to a small business--as long as you both know what to expect before jumping in.

Dollar Signs
Piece of the Pie
If your industry's facing consolidation, forming your own holding company may keep your business from getting swept up by the big guys.

Funds
Rising in the East
Long-term investors are setting sights on China.

Insurance
When the Wind Blows
Shield your business from stormy weather.

Money Buzz
Money Buzz 05/05
Male vs. female startup costs, smaller workforce=larger income and more

Money Snapshot
Leaping Into Action
FrogPad uses vendor relationships to jump-start its financial success.

Personal Finance
Safety Net?
Insurance companies are offering plans that move beyond traditional long-term care. But do they really protect your assets?

Raising Money
Bridge the Gap
When risks are high and cash needs are immediate, a convertible bridge note provides a solution everyone can live with.

Tax Talk
The Producers
U.S. manufacturers and producers get a break under a new tax law.

Ad Wisdom
Keep It Simple
The most effective ad copywriting gets right to the point.

Flash
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Cultivate new business by tending to your customers.

Net Sales
The Name Game
Get friendly with your prospects by including their names--and personalized content--in your marketing e-mails.

Retail Register
Act Now!
Quick--add urgency to your marketing, and watch your sales take off.

Sales Success
The Price Is Right
Price is often the first thing on your customers' minds--so you need to think about it, too. Name your best price with these key strategies.

Sell Buzz
Sell Buzz 05/05
Measuring marketing success, smart giveaways and more

Sell Snapshot
Bags to Riches
A handbag creator uses home parties to reach multimillion-dollar sales.

Tactics
Service With a Smile
Not sure how to market your service business? Focus on these 5 tips for bringing in new customers, and you'll be glad you did.

Buyer's Guide
Do You Copy?
The latest crop of workgroup copiers have more features than ever.

Connections
Get Smart
Is your cell phone passing the test? Smartphones are the latest, greatest, all-in-one gadgets--and they're only getting better.

Digital Edge
Lose That Weight
The features and the size will get you on the thin-and-light laptop bandwagon.

Editor's Picks
Editor's Pick 05/05
Printers for small offices and internet security

Gear
Gear 05/05
Reviews of the latest tech gadgets and goodies

Net Profits
Minority Rules
Ethnic minority groups are stepping up their online activity. Do you have what it takes to meet their needs?

Tech Buzz
Tech Buzz 05/05
Double-layer CD storage, new e-mail options and more

Tech Snapshot
The Kid's Got It
Not afraid to ask for advice, this self-starter is already making waves in the IT field.

Wireless
Right on Key
Mini-keyboard options for thumbs tired of texting

Spot Check
Now Mac users have hot spots, too