Entrepreneur Magazine: October 2005

Hot Spots
Got the itch to move? Looking to expand? Our Hot Cities rankings are back for 2005 and ready to help point you in the right direction.

The Office
Don't let your messy office hold you back--clear the clutter, spruce up the design, and organize the space so it works for you.



Be Your Own Boss Features
Less Is More
Think you can't afford to buy a franchise? Well, think again. Check out our listing of franchises for under $50,000.

For Better or Worse
Look no further for a business partner. You may already have a perfect match--your spouse.

Biz 101
A Week in Review
See just how much activity these two busy entrepreneurs pack into a typical week.

What Office?
Going virtual might be just what your company needs to save cash, increase profits and expand.

Wiping the Slate Clean
What do you do with old tech equipment? These entrepreneurs give it a whole new life.

Biz U
Buddy System
Can a great college friend prove to be an equally good business partner?

Innovations
In the Mood
Warm retailers up to your new product, even if it's in a category all its own.

Opportunities
Charged Up
An electrical engineer realized his dreams in the land of opportunity.

Card Shark
Mastering tricks of the card trade set a franchisee up for success.

What's New 10/05
Learning the ropes

Smart Ideas
Smart Ideas 10/05
Healthy treats for your pet, smoke detectors that talk and more

Success Coach
Easy Does It
Achieve real results in your business by following these practical steps.

What's Your Problem?
Offering Credit to New Customers
Never get burned again with these three tips for checking credit.

Biz Travel
Vegas, Baby!
Don't gamble with your Vegas plans--we've got the trip tips you need.

Books
Work It
What makes startups tick? Check out some surprising research on smart starts.

Capitol Issues
Go South
The sun comes out over Central America with a new trade agreement.

Forward Features
Sizing Things Up
Under fire for giving too many contracts to big business, the SBA fights back.

Now in 3-D
Another dimension is coming soon to a website near you.

Iron Man
Cal Ripken Jr. goes to bat with a business to promote the joy of baseball.

License to Thrive
How you can profit from big companies' tech ideas

Security Breach?
New laws could change how you handle customer info.

National Treasure
A psychologist explains how entrepreneurs started it all.

Patent Pending
U.S. patent laws are in flux, so be on the lookout for change.

Severed Ties
Bankruptcy reforms threaten to cut entrepreneurs off from protective measures.

The Real Thing
Can reality shows bring in the dough for your company?

Forward Snapshot
Clean and Green
A dry cleaner is paving the way to greener pastures one shirt at a time.

It Figures
It Figures 10/05
The cost of complying with federal regulations, wasting time at work and more

Point/Counterpoint
In or Out?
The immigration issue is as hot as ever, but it's no longer just a partisan debate.

Tech Toy
Hit the Sack
Trendy tote bags for your laptap

Wheels
Guilt-Free Luxury
Get big performance with a small price tag.

Women
Father Figure
What happens when a daughter inherits dad's business?

Almost Famous
Sock It to You
This company has foiled sock-swallowing dryers everywhere with its cool and unusual concept.

Editor's Note
Teens Take Over!
No need to be alarmed: The family comes to work, the office is redone, and something's happening at Borders.

Feedback
Feedback 10/05


Resources
Resources 10/05
Websites, organizations, events and more to grow your business

Lead Buzz
Lead Buzz 10/05
Busted for off-the-clock work, the cost of employees who smoke, and more

Lead Snapshot
On the Merge
Acquiring a company--and being acquired--taught this entrepreneur a lesson in leadership.

Legal
Mending Fences
Fix a rift with a neighboring business without your lawyer.

Real Deal
Law of the Land
Master the six laws of money.

Smart Moves
Reshuffle Board
If a big customer announces a restructuring, you could be in for a major hit, so have a strategy in place to stay in the game.

Staff Smarts
Joining the Ranks
Returning veterans are proving to be powerful new hires.

Dollar Signs
Net Deposits
Entrepreneurs have been slow to adopt online banking--with good reason. But some banks are trying hard to win them over.

Funds
New Frontiers
An exchange-traded fund can help your money see the world.

Insurance
Downshift
Cut your car-insurance costs.

Money Buzz
Buzz 10/05
Overpaying on hotel stays, earning less if you're unattractive and more

Money Snapshot
Rescue Plan
An emergency-assistance loan got this entrepreneur through her company's darkest hours.

Personal Finance
On Edge
Hedge funds are becoming increasingly popular, despite their recent troubles. Should you dive in?

Raising Money
Over the Limit
Many banks offer credit to cover account overdrafts, giving businesses a flexible way to fill short-term funding needs.

Tax Talk
No Refuge
Tax shelters come under increased scrutiny.

Net Sales
Team Players
Get more wins--and more sales--from your affiliate program by stacking your roster with internet-marketing pros.

Retail Register
On the Lookout
Paying attention to trends can pay off for your store.

Sales Force
Closer Call
Looking for a few good salespeople? Start here.

Sales Success
Winds of Change
Are you having trouble showing customers the benefits of your offer? Try these 10 tips to make them realize what they're missing.

Sell Buzz
Sell Buzz 10/05
The power of poor service and word of mouth, and more

Sell Snapshot
Buzz Skill
Psst! Have you heard about BzzAgent? Find out why this company is on everybody's lips.

Tactics
That's the Spirit
Ready to try something new this holiday season? Here are four great ways to win more sales and raise your company's visibility.

Buyer's Guide
Take a SIP
New SIP-based VoIP phones will keep you chatting on the cutting edge.

Connections
Free at Last!
Don't let your phone hold you back--VoIP can go wherever you take it.

Digital Edge
Phone on the Range
Head to the country, where Wi-Fi roams free and unrestricted by big-city politics. You'll be encouraged by the possibilities.

Gear
Gear 10/05
Get internet access anywhere with this little card

Net Profits
Getting Personal
Will engaging in dynamic pricing help or hurt your business?

Tech Buzz
Tech Buzz 10/05
Fiber-optic broadband, teleconferencing and more

Tech Snapshot
Home Smart Home
This entrepreneur wants to make your new home the ultimate gadget.

Wireless
On the Edge
Not near a hot spot? With this network, that's no problem.

Cable-Free USB
Turn wireless data-transfer speeds up a notch with WUSB.