Rachel Blakely-Gray

17 posts

Rachel Blakely-Gray is Content Manager at Patriot Software, LLC, a provider of affordable online payroll and accounting software for small businesses. At Patriot, she enjoys providing actionable, growth-oriented information for small business owners.

Small Business Saturday

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Make a Splash With Your Startup on Small Business Saturday (and Beyond)

If you just started a business, you might be looking for ways to get your name out in your community. Why not do that on a national shopping day devoted to small businesses—aka Small Business...

byRachel Blakely-Gray

November 9, 2023

Three diverse women smiling around the office.

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7 Employee Benefits That’ll Make Your Job Description Stand Out in 2023

While mass layoffs—particularly in tech—may be dominating the headlines, there’s still a labor shortage. Recent data shows that there are only 5.7 million unemployed workers and over 10 million job openings. So if you’re struggling...

byRachel Blakely-Gray

March 3, 2023

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5 Tips for Mastering Your Brand Storytelling

How are customers, employees and investors able to connect with a business? Companies have a way of coming to life, and often, it’s through the power of brand storytelling. The best businesses have a story,...

byRachel Blakely-Gray

October 28, 2022

grow your talent

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To Keep Your Talent, You’ve Got to Grow Your Talent

Regardless of the economic climate, hanging onto top talent is always a balancing act. Add in the Great Resignation (aka the Big Quit), and you have a recipe for extra high turnover rates. The good...

byRachel Blakely-Gray

September 19, 2022

time management

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Time Management: The One Habit All Successful Entrepreneurs Learn to Master

Every person’s got their own “secret to success.” You know, the habit they swear by. Entrepreneurs have them, too. And more than likely, they’re all different tidbits of advice. Eat right, take a day off,...

byRachel Blakely-Gray

September 9, 2022

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The Fear of Commitment: Why ‘No Obligation’ Is Music to Your Customers’ Ears

We live in a world with endless options and opportunities: where to live, where to eat, where to travel. Things to do, things to see… …Things to buy. With so many options (and many at...

byRachel Blakely-Gray

May 18, 2022

startup responsibilities

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5 ‘Boring’ Startup Responsibilities You Can’t Afford to Ignore

Starting a business is thrilling. You’re finally taking your business idea and turning it into a reality. And to do that, you have to check some exciting tasks off your list, like thinking of a...

byRachel Blakely-Gray

January 13, 2022

content

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The Great Content Battle: Search Engine Optimization vs. Creativity

Entrepreneurs wear multiple hats, which means failing to take on critical responsibilities could land you in hot water. Are you in charge of marketing your startup? If so, are you part of the 55 percent...

byRachel Blakely-Gray

November 22, 2021

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Want to Successfully Build Your Company Brand from Scratch? Here Are 5 Tips

So, you’re starting a new business? Then you’re also creating a brand from scratch. Building a company brand gives you the chance to get creative and make something that resonates with people. Whether you’re not...

byRachel Blakely-Gray

September 13, 2021

choosing a business structure

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4 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Business Structure

Structuring your business is one of the first—and most important—decisions you make in your entrepreneurial journey. Your business entity impacts everything from taxes to daily operations. But if you’re just starting out, you might not know...

byRachel Blakely-Gray

March 31, 2021

cybersecurity

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4 Ways to Defend Your Startup Against Cybersecurity Threats During COVID-19 and Beyond

Did you know that 91 percent of businesses have reported an increase in cyberattacks during COVID-19? Even before the pandemic, 90 percent of businesses said they saw an increase in cyberattacks, and according to another...

byRachel Blakely-Gray

October 9, 2020

storytelling

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3 Steps for Marketing Your Side Hustle Through Storytelling

According to a Bankrate study, 45 percent of working Americans have a side hustle. If you do any side hustle or freelance work in addition to a full-time or part-time job, you want it to...

byRachel Blakely-Gray

August 21, 2020

small business saturday

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3 Simple Steps to Maximize Your Earnings This Small Business Saturday

As an entrepreneur, you may know that Small Business Saturday is a big deal in the small business community. And with good reason. In 2018, participating businesses nationwide raked in a record-high $17.8 billion on...

byRachel Blakely-Gray

November 1, 2019

marketing tool

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4 Tips to Make Your Blog Your Startup’s Top Marketing Tool

One of the top reasons that startups fail is poor marketing. If you’re looking for effective marketing ideas to pursue, consider joining the 55 percent of marketers whose top marketing priority is content creation. Your...

byRachel Blakely-Gray

March 10, 2019

co-founder

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4 Tips for Managing Co-Founder Conflict Like a Boss

Startup failure can stem from a multitude of causes, such as negative cash flow, failure to conduct market analysis or expanding too quickly. But did you know that the majority of businesses with two or more founders fail...

byRachel Blakely-Gray

September 22, 2018

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How to Build Business Credibility With a Limited Budget

What drives consumers to a business? For many customers, brand and reputation are at the heart of their buying trends. But how do you evoke customer loyalty when you are just starting out? Your startup...

byRachel Blakely-Gray

June 21, 2018

tools

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Invest Time and Money in These 5 Tools to Accelerate Your Startup’s Growth

Starting a business can be a slow process. You shouldn’t expect to turn a large profit right off the bat. It might be difficult even getting customers in the door when your business is new...

byRachel Blakely-Gray

April 3, 2018