Plan Your Business Archives

Monetizing Your True Purpose: How to Make Money at Anything

By now, you've mastered the importance of cracking your life’s purpose code and finding your purpose. Now, it’s time to discuss monetizing your true purpose. There are five primary reasons people do not achieve their...

byEric Lochtefeld

October 27, 2022

Why the Supply Chain Disruption Is Actually Good for Small Business

When the economy is strong, and the sales are rolling in, there is little incentive for entrepreneurs to come up with any new innovations. It is only when something dramatic like a pandemic hits, and...

byKim Staflund

October 17, 2022

Want to Become a Digital Nomad-preneur? Avoid These Blunders

The dream of many office dwellers is to shed their winter coats and boots, grab a laptop and flip-flops, and build a riches-producing business while sipping iced lattes on a beach somewhere. As silly as...

byEthan Drower

October 14, 2022

5 of the Biggest Gaps in Cyber Liability Insurance

An alarming number of data breaches and cyberattacks have occurred in the past several years, thanks to a global pandemic and various other factors. More precisely, cyberattacks have increased by 27% compared to 2020, with...

byRachel Jenkins

October 13, 2022

5 Terms That are Killing Your Startup’s Pitch

Whether you’re (virtually) presenting before a group of investors or meeting an angel investor one-on-one via Zoom, the words you use to explain your company and your strategy are critical to securing funding. While the content...

byAsh Rust

October 11, 2022

Why Diversifying Your Income Provides More Opportunities in the Long Run

One of the most common reasons people pursue the path of entrepreneurship is to achieve financial security and independence. If the events of the COVID-19 pandemic have taught us anything, it’s that anyone -- regardless...

byHenry Ma

October 6, 2022

How to Run an Effective Soft Launch (Even if Your Budget Is Tight)

When you’re preparing to sell a new product, you should definitely consider running a soft launch. That means delivering your latest product in stages rather than releasing a product that is fully ready. With a...

byJessica Perkins

September 30, 2022

How to Bootstrap Your Side Hustle into a 6-Figure Business

How do you successfully bootstrap a side hustle into a six-figure business? Building a wildly profitable business is simpler than you might think. With the right business model and strategy, you can build a successful...

byLuisa Zhou

September 29, 2022

Why a Service-Based Business is a Great Model for Young Entrepreneurs

Millennials and Gen Z are the perfect small business owners. They like to be independent, expect more lifestyle freedom than their parents, and have the digital chops to manage a business online. Forty percent of...

byDayana Mayfield

September 26, 2022

More Money Isn’t the Only Thing That Will Attract Quality Employees

As a business owner, you are constantly battling with how to boost profits and productivity without increasing costs. Commonly, the first adjustment that comes to mind is within your own team. Finding quality staff members...

byScott Lieberman

September 22, 2022

11 Reasons Why You Need a Side Hustle

Side hustles aren’t new, but they’re more popular than ever. Especially now, with so many ways to make money online, more and more people are deciding to pursue a side hustle. A 2021 survey from...

byGeorgi Todorov

September 21, 2022

5 Tips for Aspiring Mom Entrepreneurs to Turn Your Startup Dreams Into Reality

As a mom, your schedule tends to center around your kids more often than not. From school drop-offs and pickups to ballet recitals and lacrosse practices to checking homework and cooking dinner, it can feel...

byPurusha Rivera

September 20, 2022

Turn Your Passion into a Business: 3 Steps for Purpose-Driven Startups

Purpose-driven companies are all around us, replacing profit with a greater good. Tesla setting a standard for clean energy in transportation, Pela making common goods compostable or Love Your Melon using hat sales to fight...

byTricia Martin-Owen

September 12, 2022

Q&A: How Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Can Help You

We reached out to Brianna Ellison, director of community engagement for Verizon, as part of our initiative to bring the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program to Michigan entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners. From marketing...

byStartupNation

September 9, 2022

Want a Proven Business Model? Try Coffee Shop Franchising

The beauty of franchising is that you're buying into a proven business model, Jeff says on this segment of "The Pre W. Smith Show," and coffee shops are a great way to go. Listen to...

byJeff Sloan

September 8, 2022

LIT Method’s Taylor Norris Shares Business Tips for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs

Passion, vision, trust -- and being prepared for anything -- are the key drivers fueling women entrepreneurs. Every day is International Women’s Day in my mind. While it’s wonderful to have a holiday highlighting our...

byTaylor Norris

September 8, 2022

Register NOW for a Pitch Competition and Day of Networking

StartupNation and Dell have partnered in a national competition worth $500K in prizes for startups! Are you a Michigan-based startup with a great idea? Apply to join Dell for Startups for a pitch competition Sept. 28, sponsored...

byStartupNation

September 6, 2022

Urbanum’s Brigid Beaubien: An Eclectic Approach to Home Goods

Urbanum, with its creatively decorated windows and sophisticated black and gold color scheme, sits in a busy, revitalized strip in the New Center neighborhood of Detroit. For gifts and decor, this spot can't be beat...

byStartupNation

September 6, 2022

How to Leverage Your Full-Time Job to Fund Your Entrepreneurial Dreams

When I accepted a position at a software development company after college, I was clear with them from the start. During the interview, they asked about my passion and my goals. I shared that I...

byKyara Gray

September 6, 2022

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready: Tailored to Your Needs Anytime, Anywhere

Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses leader Jamiel Robinson talked with StartupNation CEO Jeff Sloan about how the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program helps people move forward in their entrepreneurial journey. Tune in to the...

byStartupNation

September 1, 2022