What’s more important: trust, respect, or being liked in business.
From Joan Isabella, StartupNation Radio consultant That's my question of the day: which is most important for the growth and prosperity of your business: being trusted, respected or liked. Does it differ if you are...
StartupNation Elevator Pitch Contest helps you build your dream business
From Joan Isabella, StartupNation Radio consultant Here at StartupNation, we are gearing up for the second Elevator Pitch Contest which hits the airwaves on November 4th. This time, the prize will be The Ultimate Hook-Up:...
Can you overstep the line to cut through the clutter and market your product?
From Joan Isabella, StartupNation Radio consultant This weekend, I came across two marketing concepts that made me ask the question WHAT ARE THESE PEOPLE THINKING?!?!?!. The first was in an article in the Detroit Free...
It’s Generation Boomers
From Joan Isabella, StartupNation Radio consultant I’m sitting here thinking of funny slang words and sayings baby boomers will remember. Boss really made me laugh. But if you remember dingbat, bad trip, radical, 4-F, and...
Starting a business may be a trait we pass on to our children
From Joan Isabella, StartupNation Radio consultant My father is celebrating his 80th birthday this week. So I will try out my toast to him on you. First a little background: When my parents married, they...
Predicting how successful a new technology will be
From Joan Isabella, StartupNation Radio consultant What if you could tell what technology was going to be adopted in the future. If you could find an equation to identify the market needs and strengths of...
What is your time worth when you aren’t managing your small business?
From Joan Isabella, StartupNation Radio consultant I painted my son's bedroom. Four coats later I was asking myself why I didn't hire a painter to do the job. Deciding to farm out a job--whether it's...
What is the best small business elevator pitch in the pitch-off? You tell us!
From Joan Isabella, StartupNation Radio consultant A signature feature on StartupNation Radio is The Elevator Pitch . Participants have one minute to verbally hook the interest of a potential investor on a virtual elevator ride....
StartupNation forums offer home-based business owners new opportunities for friendship
From Joan Isabella, StartupNation Radio consultant StartupNation is more than a place to read articles about how to run our businesses. It's a place for us to find confidants (and according to this recent survey...
This blog is not about slogging, clogging or flogging or logging
From Joan Isabella, StartupNation Radio consultant I believe in cosmic communication. This is why I want you to know that I have been blogging to you in my mind-- sending out bits and pieces of...
Commencement message made to order for small business owners
They say youth is wasted on the young, but I think good commencement speeches may be too. Last year, my favorite speech was the address given by Steve Jobs at Stanford. This year, most of...
Vacation may lead to a new small business opportunity
I almost didn't come back from my vacation in North Carolina. Not only was the weather perfect, the ocean water warm and the rental house amazing, I saw business opportunities on every corner. I was...
Grassroots marketing strategies can really payoff
"Hitch your wagon to the littlest star" could be the name of the marketing strategy used by the owners of Belly Maternity, a Denver boutique that sells maternity and baby clothes. They sent Angelina Jolie...
Marketing your small business: Choose your words carefully
When you write an advertisement, whether it's for the newspaper, radio, or internet, you may want to tell people that your product is of high quality; that it's a great value. You want them to...
When starting a business, make yours one that gets the job done with one phone call
You know the weekend is over when your spouse heads out the door to the office and hands you a plunger while giving you a kiss goodbye. I don't know about you, but something in...
Ten Steps to opening a lemonade stand
We are trying to teach our 6 year old the value of work. We are hopeful to raise a young man with a strong work ethic and desire to succeed. It's much easier said than...
Small business owners are contestants in the real American Idol
I never watched American Idol. But I'm sure many of you have. I want to know if the show has anything to teach us about running our businesses and our lives. Without ever watching, here...
Small Business exemplifies old business adage: Do one thing really well.
There are lots of sayings, theories and clichés about how to run a successful business. One I've heard many times is “Do one thing and do it well.” While heading out of my hotel to...
Lessons from Enron: Are ethics part of your business plan?
Do you recycle all of your bottles and cans? You know you should. Do you cheat on your taxes--inflate those entertainment expenses just a tad? You know you shouldn't. Do you know someone who you...
Even a great small business idea faces hurdles in the traditional marketplace
Clothes that fit real women. You'd think that would be a no-brainer for a successful start up. Women everywhere complain that ready-to-wear clothes are made for tall thin women, but changing the way department stores...