Small Business 2013 – Saving Money Idea #3


Make better use of outsourcing.  Outsourcing and off-shoring have bad reputations perpetuated by folks who have no factual idea about either concept.  Outsourcing is simply delegating necessary tasks to people or companies outside of your business.  Off-shoring is buying goods or services from lower cost regions.  Yes, both concepts can cost people their jobs but your job/businessContinue reading “Small Business 2013 – Saving Money Idea #3”

Free Business Plan Review Offer


I must be crazy.  On April 16th, I posted an offer on Craigslist for a free business plan review.  I wouldn’t write it for you but give you creative criticism from the point of view of a potential investor or loan officer while also testing the feasibility of the plan.  There were NO takers.  IContinue reading “Free Business Plan Review Offer”

Starting a small business Part 9


How much money do you need to start a business? How do you make a small fortune in the restaurant business?   Start with a large fortune.  That one kills at most CPA gatherings. Lots, to answer my first question.  When starting a business, you need to figure out what you need including capital equipment,Continue reading “Starting a small business Part 9”

Embrace the Executive Summary – The Accelerators – WSJ


Embrace the Executive Summary – The Accelerators – WSJ. This is horrible advice for 99% of small business startups.  If you’re blessed with coding skills and an incubator, go ahead and follow this advice.  If you are starting any other kind of business, with YOUR money on the line, you need to build a budget/plan.  Check outContinue reading “Embrace the Executive Summary – The Accelerators – WSJ”

Starting a small business – Restaurants – UPDATED


Just don’t.  “When I save some money (or inherit it or win the lottery), I want to start a little Uzbek restaurant where all my friends can come and hang out.  It will be like a party every night.”  How about: “I can cook so I can open a restaurant.” A successful restaurant might be theContinue reading “Starting a small business – Restaurants – UPDATED”

Starting a small business Part 8


What business should I start? Harking back to one of my early posts, does the world really need another __________?  Fill in that blank with the type of business that you are thinking of starting.  I now know that the world really didn’t another CPA firm specializing in individual tax preparation and small business accounting.Continue reading “Starting a small business Part 8”

Starting a small business Part 7


Do what you love and the money will follow. Excuse me while I wretch.  I love sleeping and drinking beer.  I don’t think following either of those loves will result in any success.  Unless… You should be passionate about your business idea.  Don’t let the passion blind you to the obvious necessities of finding customers,Continue reading “Starting a small business Part 7”

Starting a small business Part 6


Everything that I learned about marketing in college and before starting a business was WRONG.  Marketing is the most important responsibility of a business owner.  Read that again.  You may think that you’re a mechanic, software developer, hairdresser, CPA, etc, but you’re not.  You are a marketer.  I didn’t understand this until I wasted a ton of money.Continue reading “Starting a small business Part 6”

Starting a small business Part 4


Should I hire employees? NO!  NEVER!  People suck.  Quote me on this.  The majority are fat, stupid and lazy.  Don’t believe me.  Check out the Black Friday videos on the web of people brutalizing each other to save $20 on a flat screen TV that they don’t really need.  This is probably your pool ofContinue reading “Starting a small business Part 4”