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Start a Business
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How to Pitch Your Business Idea to Startup Investors
Securing funding, whether for a startup or an established business, is not an easy task. A strong startup concept won’t be enough when approaching investors; you'll also need an exceptional pitch to sell it. Let's look at what defines a startup pitch, a few different types, and how to create a fantastic one for your...
4 Steps to Creating Your Company’s Strategic Business Statement (or BHAG)
You’re not a failure if you don’t achieve your goal. Most companies adopt a certain type of goal setting to drive their business. Whether company milestones or individual KPIs, these goals are focused on one thing: growth. And even if they miss the mark, these companies still grow along the way. They’re taking small steps...
WJR Business Beat: Win $10,000 Grant Through Verizon Program (Episode 410)
On today's Business Beat, Jeff provides details of the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program, including free resources, coaching and $10,000 grants to get your small business up and running. Tune in below for more details: Tune in to News/Talk 760 AM WJR weekday mornings at 7:11 a.m. for the WJR Business Beat....
The Value of Home-Based Businesses to Economic Recovery
The challenge of America’s economic recovery, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, is to spread it to every community – and especially those that have been historically excluded. The key to meeting that challenge is to appreciate the civic and economic value of an overlooked resource: home-based businesses. There are about 16 million home-based...
WJR Business Beat: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Announces New Grant Program (Episode 408)
On today's Business Beat, Jeff Sloan announces a new grant for small businesses from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and FedEx to help small businesses impacted by natural disasters. Tune in to today's Business Beat to learn why this grant is so important: Tune in to News/Talk 760 AM WJR weekday mornings at 7:11 a.m....
11 Self-Made Millionaires Reveal the Best Advice They Ever Got
These millionaires and advisors in The Oracles have had some super-smart mentors; so we asked them for the best advice they’ve ever received. Here’s what they told us — and how it led to their success. StartupNation exclusive discounts and savings on Dell products and accessories: Learn more here “You’ll never succeed without me” The best...
Don’t Miss Your Chance at a $10,000 Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is committed to helping small businesses grow. It’s why we are partnering with this program to arm businesses just like yours with the tools and resources needed to thrive in today’s digital economy. By joining this free platform, you’ll not only get access to courses, live coaching sessions and invaluable...
10 Tips for Landing a Product Licensing Deal
When you’ve got a great idea for a product, there’s an important decision to make right up front: Do you want to build a brand new company from the ground up in order to commercialize the product, or do you sign a product licensing deal with a preexisting company that already has the resources in...
Business Entity Types Affect Financing Options
One of the most important decisions you’ll have to make for your new business is to determine a business entity type. While the topic may seem daunting for new entrepreneurs, establishing a business entity early on is vital because the structure you choose will have financial and legal implications for your business. One of the...
5 Strategies for Building a Great Startup Team
The way you treat your employees, their time, skills and abilities in the early phases of your union as a team influences the rest of your company's course of action. Mark Zuckerberg once said, "The most important thing for you as an entrepreneur trying to build something is, you need to build a really good...
WJR Business Beat: Job Switchers Rewarded with Higher Pay (Episode 406)
On today's Business Beat, Jeff Sloan talks about how it's going to be more difficult and costly for small businesses to hire the best talent because job switchers during the pandemic have seen significant salary hikes. Tune in to today's Business Beat for more: Tune in to News/Talk 760 AM WJR weekday mornings at...
The Best Business Loans to Help with Payroll
When faced with the unexpected, coming up with the capital needed to pay employees on time can be challenging. While it’s important to budget and allocate cash accordingly, financial challenges and unplanned costs are common for all businesses. The good news is, there are a variety of small business lending options that can provide you...
This Entrepreneur Shares Key Takeaways from Launching Her Direct-to-Consumer E-Commerce Brand
As a child, I watched my mother’s generation attempt direct-to-consumer business in a, shall we say, clunky fashion. They held Tupperware parties and loaded up the car with Avon deliveries. Before I knew what direct-to-consumer was, I wasn’t interested. However, technology has changed virtually every aspect of business in this day and age—and revolutionized the...
How Pitch Videos Can Help Your Startup Get Funding
When you’re about to launch a startup, gaining the interest and support of startup investors is an important element in becoming a successful brand. These days, videos are a great way of communicating information and landing you anything from seed funding to crowdfunding. After all, a great pitch video can grab your investors’ and consumers’...
A Q&A with Ryan Close of Bartesian: Creating and Marketing a Game Changer
Bartesian started as a dream for Ryan Close. But in just a few years, his cocktail company had 975% year-over-year growth and more than $50 million in sales. The business is a media darling and has been featured in such publications as Forbes, Esquire, People and others. And not just every product lands on Oprah's...
6 Successful Dealmakers Provide Top Tips on Raising Capital
Bootstrapping will only take your startup so far. Many businesses underestimate how much money they really need to keep going and growing, and they run out of runway. When raising capital, these investor-entrepreneurs and members of The Oracles share their best secrets, tips and strategies. 1. Soul-search For me, it’s all about enthusiasm. You need to show...
WJR Business Beat: New AWS Accelerator for Black Founders Open for Applications (Episode 403)
On today's Business Beat, Jeff Sloan shares information on how your startup can win $225,000 in grants, plus personalized support and resources, through the AWS Accelerator for Black Founders program. Tune in to today's Business Beat to how you can apply: Tune in to News/Talk 760 AM WJR weekday mornings at 7:11 a.m....
What Entrepreneurs Need to Know About the Home Office Deduction
You may see your home office as the place you take important business calls, the place you meet new clients, the place you focus best on crafting your products -- but what about the place you save money on your taxes? The home office deduction can save entrepreneurs a significant sum on their taxes. Here,...
From Concept to Delivery: Tips for Perfecting Your Investor Pitch
Raising money for a startup is a long process, but an important one. Securing funding may not be easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. In order to successfully pitch investors, you’ll need to move through several steps, from concept to pitch deck to the act of pitching itself. Below are some pointers to help...
Don’t Quit and Other Lessons from a Wantrepreneur Turned Entrepreneur
I’ve tried many businesses and side hustles over the past 15 years. I’ve mowed lawns, was a DJ at weddings, negotiated real estate deals, started an e-commerce business, and many others. Some of those endeavors made me money, but others didn’t. Now I have a successful digital marketing agency. People often ask me how I...