Entrepreneur Magazine: August 2006

Hot Stuff
Make these top trends part of your marketing mix.



Almost Famous
Beachy Keen
Celebs, fashion editors and beach-goers give the stamp of approval to mix-and-match bathing suits with an international flair.

Biz Travel
Paying for Perks
Want the travel amenities you're used to? Be ready to pay up.

Books
Exception to the Rules
A new book doesn't bend to old business adages.

Forward Features
Be My Neighbor
This philanthropic fund is encouraging business growth, but will it start a trend?

History Lesson
Social networking sites spark unofficial background checks.

Stuff It
Why some consumers just say no to new purchases

Feel Cheated?
The SBA's corruption scandals should fuel your fire.

Burning Bright
A Burning Man bohemian and business owner helps clean up after Katrina.

Feeling Puzzled?
An addictive brainteaser can beget entrepreneurial gold.

Bubble 2.0?
Investors are making a cautious return to online startups.

Insights
Odd Man In
Don't go on luck: Know the odds.

Wheels
Bring the Bling
Look hot and feel even hotter in an exotic car.

Women
Field of Dreams
This entrepreneur is making a difference for women in tech--and her SMB clients.

Big Ideas
Free Style
An entrepreneur takes his blues to the streets.

Brain Storm
Thinking Bigger
Seeking company innovation? Look to your staff for collaboration.

Hot Trend
Setting the Mood
Spur brilliant ideas by spicing up employees' surroundings.

Innovation Buzz
Organic Energy
Innovations in battery life.

Innovation Snapshot
Glow On
This entrepreneur found a business idea in a material that sparked his creativity.

Global Village
Looking Forward
Here's a cheaper way to ship international orders.

Lead Buzz
Forever Young?
If you think a retirement plan doesn't matter to recent college graduates, think again.

Lead Snapshot
Supermarket Sweep
When online grocers started closing shop, a family-owned store grabbed the market.

Legal
That's My Lawyer
Is it OK to share a lawyer with a close competitor?

Smart Moves
The Hot Zone
Prepare your business for the outbreak of bird flu or any other possible pandemic before you're really in trouble.

Staff Smarts
Objective Edge
Office ombuds help smooth conflicts--without litigation.

Dollar Signs
Dashing Looks
Want to see your company's latest data? A dashboard puts all the information you need in one clear display.

Funds
The Best of Both
Stocks or bonds? How about something in between?

Insurance
A Step Ahead
Consider offering employees long-term care insurance.

Money Buzz
Trading Up
The basics on Section 1031 exchanges.

Safe Bet?
An investment alternative for risky times

Money Snapshot
United They Stand
One man is improving fellow entrepreneurs' odds of winning government contracts.

Personal Finance
Best for Last
Retirement might be easy, but it's not free--it takes some serious saving. How much exactly? That's the million-dollar question.

Raising Money
Exit Visa
With export financing options limited, some states are helping U.S. businesses go global. Could your company do with a ticket abroad?

Rich Returns
Top of the Heap
However hard high oil prices hit the economy, you can be prepared.

Tax Talk
Paying Tribute
Go on--get some credit for your company's research.

Real Deal
Friendly Fire?
Don't let a deal destroy your friendship.

Retail Register
Teen Dream
Wake up to a market that could bring you big bucks.

Sales Success
Up and At 'Em
Rejection got you down? Pick yourself up, and turn that no into a yes.

Sell Buzz
Knock, Knock...
Door-to-door sales are back.

Sell Snapshot
David vs. Goliath
In the war against Starbucks, independent coffeehouses have a viral marketer on their side.

Tactics
Brand Slam
When it comes to your image, are you hitting hard or striking out? Cover all your bases with these 4 critical elements of a winning brand.

Biz 101
Change of Scenery
Love to travel? Look abroad for new entrepreneurship opportunities.

Delicious!
Turn a secret family recipe into a not-so-secret success.

Biz U
Game Plans
Students are learning business strategy by playing entrepreneur.

eBay Entrepreneur
Site to See
New customers are out there, but they might not be on eBay--yet. Use a website to show them the way to your business.

Opportunities
From the Grapevine
Entrepreneurs tap into America's taste for fine wine with new wine bar and retail store opportunities.

Smart Ideas
Smart Ideas 08/06
Inflatable chairs, pest-repelling trash bags and internet marketing.

StartUp Features
Friends With Money
Looking to raise capital for your new business? Start by approaching the people who know you best.

Family Dynamics
Love, money, relationships, contracts... learn to navigate the complexities of owning a family franchise.

Success Coach
The Main Draw
Want to improve business? The secret is in how you relate to customers.

What's Your Problem?
Get It Covered
Insure your business from the start.

Buyer's Guide
Make the Switch
Pick up the pace with a gigabit ethernet switch for your network.

Connections
Saved by the Bells
Who wins the battle between the bells and cable companies? You do.

Digital Edge
Hold On Tight
It's a wild ride, but haggling with your cell carrier can pay off.

Net Profits
Branching Out
Looking for new markets? A microsite could help you reach them.

Public Domain
Don't risk losing your corner of the web by letting it expire.

Net Sales
Attention, Please!
Having trouble attracting readers to your blog? With the right voice, your popularity in cyberspace will soar.

Tech Buzz
Beam Me Up
Broadband internet access for rural regions.

Nice Mice
Time for a new mouse?

A Nod to Pods
Learn how podcasting can help your business.

Tech Snapshot
Close to Home
No need to look overseas--thanks to one entrepreneur, tech talent is just around the corner.

Wireless
Fast Talk
VoIP is wasting no time in going wireless.