American Free Enterprise is proud to partner with Our Time, an organization that supports entrepreneurs under 30. This week's video spotlights David Schottenstein, owner of Astor and Black Custom Clothiers, who is working to get American men looking good for less! Check out the video below and hear
When stock markets seem especially unpredictable and economic fears are looming, taking risks and innovating are not the most attractive of options. However, as an article from the Harvard Business Review explains, there are ways to open up future business options even in turbulent economic times. S
With high unemployment rates and rife economic uncertainty, job creation is a top, but a seemingly difficult to accomplish, priority for Americans. One thing is clear, we need more entrepreneurs and bold innovations. As part of The Washington Post's leadership roundtable on unemployment and restarti
The United States is often thought of the land of opportunity. Though we are far from achieving an ideal business environment, we continue to host thousands of entrepreneurs from all over the world who are looking to make their startups successful. An article from Entrepreneur tells the story of thr
An article from Microsoft News Center explains the recent increase of remote employees. Employees desire the option to work from home and many companies are finding this change actually increases productivity, while increasing employee satisfaction as well. As the world continues to get smaller, tel
There is no question that recent economic uncertainty has taken a toll on small businesses. Unfortunately, the credit downgrade and subsequent stock market relapse reinforces looming fears about America's economic future. However, as an article from the Wall Street Journal shows, while some small bu
American Free Enterprise recognizes the value of young entrepreneurs to our economic future. Thus, we are proud to partner with organizations such as Our Time and the Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour, who encourage and support young entrepreneurs. It appears that others share the enthusiasm the aforeme
When entrepreneurs start a business, growth is typically the number one goal. The logic is simple: a bigger business generates more profits. However, as an article from Inc. points out, there is another line of reasoning, which emphasizes that staying small has its advantages. The article challenges
In a struggling economy, starting or owning a business can get you down. Low pay, high overhead costs and long hours are just a few of the pills that some business owners must swallow. However, as an article from Business Insider points out, entrepreneurship can also encourage optimism, pride and ha
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Mike Moradian, an entrepreneur in his mid-twenties, is asking the world an interesting question: Should I go to Harvard and get my MBA or should I continue to focus on my successful startups?
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Smartphones have revolutionized the way we do business. Mobile phones now have the capacity to pay bills, scan tickets and look up almost any information in the world. Mobile phones also have
Businesses in all industries have adopted social media as a means to build relationships with customers. However, a debate still exists over the actual value social media contributes to a business. For individuals on the fence, Dave Kerpen's book, Likeable Social Media, explores the value of engagin
Innovators often look to find simple yet effective solutions to challenges in niche markets. These so called "edge" innovations can have remarkable success in solving problems on a larger scale. Accordingly, entrepreneurs look to take "edge" innovations and use them to reshape how the masses do busi
Unfortunately, when the Great Recession hit, banks raised standards for borrowing making it increasingly difficult for small businesses to secure funding. Although lending remains a concern, it may not be the primary problem.
An article from the Wall Street Journal today discussed the need for hi
Our Time, an organization that helps entrepreneurs under the age of 30, held an event for young entrepreneurs to share ideas, celebrate new companies and give advice. Dani and Jodie Synder, founders of Dannijo Jewelers, gave great insight in a short interview at that the event about what it takes to
A study examining the work habits of over 1,000 small and medium sized businesses indicates that employees are embracing the summer with flexible hours and time away from the office. As the Wall Street Journal suggests, with economic uncertainty ahead, time away may be exactly what they need.
Acc
A report released Tuesday indicates that small business hiring is gaining momentum, and according to the Thomson Reuters/PayNet Small Business Lending Index, small business borrowing in June is at its highest level since April 2008. As an article from Inc. points out, although this news is exciting,
Entrepreneurs and engineers have more in common than you might think. As an article from Venture Beat explains, both entrepreneurs and engineers are "highly innovative and goal-oriented and both seek reward in the form of professional and financial gain." The article goes on to lists five skills eng
Actress, screenwriter, producer, author and businesswoman Felicia Day is carving a path as Internet superstar, with big audiences and big paychecks. Having been typecast as the secretary by Hollywood, Day decided to pursue new goals, and subsequently started her own business, and launched an interne
As businesses nationwide struggle to recover from the recession and create jobs, the tech boom has some companies fighting over potential employees, and using creative recruiting techniques. The boom, occurring most notably in Silicon Valley, has resulted in an unemployment rate for tech professiona
A group of leading tech stars met this week to discuss job creation. The meeting was held by the White House Council of Jobs and Competitiveness. According to an article from Mercury News, the forum focused on three main challenges: fostering the creation of new startups across the country, bringing
Securing funding can be one of the most difficult obstacles to growing or starting a business. However, as an article from the Wall Street Journal explains, an advantageous tax break may make it easier to overcome this barrier. The break, which closes on Dec. 31, gives investors the opportunity to p
TechStars, a documentary television show airing on Bloomberg TV next month, is a must watch series for tech enthusiasts and budding entrepreneurs. The show will feature companies from TechStars, a startup accelerator based in Boulder, Colorado. David Cohen, the founder and CEO of TechStars promises
According to Capital Access Network Small Business Report, women-owned small businesses are experiencing less of a decline than men-owned businesses during this recession. According to the report, as noted by Yahoo! Finance, women-owned small businesses saw a decline of only 1.5 percent in card sale
From eco-friendly communities, to innovative showers and revolutionary popcorn, startups worldwide are using new technology to make the world a better place. Community website COMMON has identified 10 of these remarkable startups who, on August 19, will present their projects in Boulder, Colorado to
Customers in your neighborhood and perhaps worldwide are using the Internet to access information about your business, and if their experience isn't as pleasing as they hoped it would be, then your business can really suffer. Accordingly, Mashable compiled a list of five simple tips to improve busin
Small businesses were hit hard by the Great Recession and they are still in process of rebuilding. Thankfully, the rate of small business bankruptcies continues to fall, although the rate of decline has slowed. An article from the Wall Street Journal explains the situation.
According to the Wall
If a business wants to stay ahead of the competition and develop innovative products and services, relying on entrepreneurial minds isn't enough. Instead, businesses must strive to create an entrepreneurial culture that fosters innovation and creativity. In an article from Entrepreneurial Mind, Jenn
Creativity is the catalyst for innovation and hiring people who bring fresh and original ideas to the table is a great way to get ahead of the competition. The key, however, is finding creative people who will work well with your office culture. An article from Inc. discusses a few tips on how to r
In a global economy, an inefficient company has no chance of survival. Accordingly, over the last twenty-five years, businesses have reengineered themselves to cut costs and remain competitive. An article from the Harvard Business Review notes that the U.S. Government, free from the market pressures
Today brings both uplifting and disheartening news about the current state of our economy, with a decrease in applications for unemployment and news of slow economic growth. The LA Times reports that new applications for unemployment have dropped under 400,000 for the first time since April. The
An article from Venture Beat today takes us back to a 2008 Entrepreneur Thought Leader Lecture at Stanford University, in which Judy Estrin, CEO of JLABS, discusses the problems associated with short-sighted innovation. Estrin notes that a risk averse business culture hinders real innovation and
Automobiles have come a long way since Henry Ford began assembly line production of the Ford Model T. Today, car manufacturers are pushing the limits of innovation. An article from Yellow Pages recently showcased 11 different concept cars from various manufacturers, which combine style, originality
Political leaders from both parties have presented numerous proposals to increase employment and spur economic recovery. Unfortunately, as noted by Nobel Laureate Gary Becker and Judge Posner, numerous anti-business proposals have fueled economic uncertainty, which in turn has paralyzed hiring.
Self-employment presents many risks that can seem intimidating to someone used to the corporate lifestyle. One of these risks is giving up the corporate benefits one has access to as a "traditional" employee. However, as employers seek ways to cut back costs, employee benefits are one of the first t
Bleak employment statistics continuing in June spark the question: Why can't America create jobs? As sales have begun to increase, hiring has not. An article from the Wall Street Journal discusses why America's job market is struggling to bounce back, and points out that the small business industry,
Making decisions based on a comprehensive business plan may seem like a wise and foolproof practice, but arguments have been made for a more flexible, reactive strategy. An article from Inc. features insights from Araceli Carmargo, a young entrepreneur, who argues that in a world where business is a
Deciding where to start a small business is one of the most important decisions an entrepreneur will make; especially considering that some areas of the country have struggled more than others during the recession. Accordingly, entrepreneurs will be interested to learn about study conducted by NewGe
Creating a harmonious work atmosphere may seem like a noble goal, but some experts say that a culture of dissent is more valuable. David Sacks, the founder of Yammer, sat down with Adam Bryant, of The New York Times, to discuss his ideal company culture, and present his insights on the importanc
Recharging the batteries is key to remaining highly productive at work and it is widely understood that without time to relax, physical and mental burnout is inevitable. A number of companies are addressing this need by forcing their employees to take some much needed time off. An article from the W
As the unemployment crisis continues, efforts to spur job creation are more important than ever. OurTime, an organization that supports young business people, is emphasizing the importance of Americans under 30 in job creation. An article from the Huffington Post reports on an event that OurTime hos
Editor’s Note: This weekly column is written by U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue. Read more from the official blog of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, ChamberPost.
Before the most expansive overhaul of our financial regulatory system in decades became law, one of its
Today, more than ever, small businesses and startups have multiple options when it comes to selecting tools that facilitate accounting, productivity, website design, web analytics and more. Accordingly, Mashable has featured an infographic conveying the results of a BestVendor survey of over 500 sta
Results from CareerBuilder's Small Business Job Forecast indicate that despite less than optimal small business hiring, improvements are expected in the second half of 2011, in comparison to figures from 2010. The study indicates that customer service, information technology and sales are the indust
In the fourth quarter of 2007, a Wells Fargo survey indicated that the majority of small business owners expected cash flow to be "somewhat good" or "very good" over the next 12 months. However, as the Great Recession hit, cash flows quickly decreased. As reported by Small Business Trends, small bus
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Over the last couple of years we have witnessed a booming increase in the number of food trucks, most notably in urban areas, such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Their initi
Applications for jobless benefits in the United States increased by 10,000 in the last week to 418,000. Employers have been less likely to hire new employees in the last two months because of economic uncertainty and unease over the government's debt ceiling negotiations. An article from Bloomberg l
Social media has changed the way we interact with family, friends, strangers and, more so than ever, potential employees. Considering that recruiting quality young talent is crucial to a startup's success, understanding the functionality of social media and how it is used by Gen Y, gives employers a
It appears as though the proverbial statement "when the going gets tough, the tough get going" should read, "when the going gets tough, the tough get inventing." An article from USA Today points out that the Great Recession, which in recent years has been financially devastating to industries na
Many small groups of people have their own dialect they use when communicating with each other; some phrases are hard to understand for outsiders. Entrepreneurs have their own dialect as well; if you want to be a true entrepreneur, or at least talk like one, there are certain phrases you need to lea
The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition have released a video staring the cutest and brightest young advocates of U.S. global leadership. The children present a simple yet persuasive outlook on the benefits of investing in development and diplomacy programs. As illustrated in the video, there is a dir
Due to budget cuts, state funding is decreasing for LSU, forcing them to innovate and put their entrepreneurial skills to the test. LSU Chancellor Michael Martin says they have to reduce dependency of state appropriations, and to do so they are planning on brewing their own LSU brand beer.
Ac
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New statistics from the National Federation of Independent Business's (NFIB) monthly survey shows that small business owners perceive credit availability as getting worse.
Our nation's current financial crisis has affected every demographic in the country. However, unemployment rates have hit certain cities harder than others. Venture for America is a new non-profit out of New York City that seeks to help alleviate this discrepancy and revive struggling cities. The pr
A recent report released by Guardian Life Insurance shows that many small business owners fear that they will be unable to retire when they want, if at all. An article by Inc. discussed the difficult decision of leaving your business and turning over the workload to other employees. In addition, the
Summer has always been a perfect time for children home from school to earn a little spending money. A few weeks ago in Georgia, 3 young entrepreneurs set out to do just that when they set up a lemonade stand in their front yard. Unfortunately, their stand was shut by police because they did not hav
Knowledge-based businesses can often be difficult to expand because it is hard to teach employees the expertise you have learned through years of schooling and experience, and more often than not, clients want to deal directly with the expert. Inc. offers some great advice on what to do so that you
As a parent and business owner, summer can be rather problematic as you attempt to manage your business and keep your children occupied. The Wall Street Journal has a solution that will benefit you and your children, and even offer tax advantages; hire your children to work for you! As the article d
A new SMS-based layaway program has been introduced to help entrepreneurs in Africa. Kickstart, a non-profit organization that sells human-powered irrigation systems for entrepreneurial farmers, has implemented an SMS-based layaway program in Kenya that forces buyers to set aside a small amount of
In the current age of technology enabled globalization, tech companies have become a hot commodity. Unsurprisingly therefore, many of the most profitable startups in the past few years have been tech companies. Despite the incredible opportunities in the technology market, it is still true that most
Entrepreneurs and small business owners are instrumental in economic growth and prosperity. Needless to say, Egypt is a country that could greatly benefit from developing entrepreneurial talent. An article from entrepreneurship.org discusses Egypt's need to cultivate an innovative spirit and to prom
Finding ways to support and encourage entrepreneurship is vital to reviving and sustaining the American economy. An article from Inc. highlights small business incubators that are successfully supporting innovation. These incubators give businesses the resources necessary to gain momentum. Legal, a
President Obama recently asked agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Labor Relations Board to review existing regulations and remove the ineffective and burdensome ones that are discouraging innovation and business growth. Although President Obama's efforts wer
Small Business Labs published the results of a recent study detailing the fundamental differences between small business owners and high-growth entrepreneurs. The results were interesting, highlighting the different demographics that compose the two groups of people.
The study shows that high-gro
With budgets tighter than ever and economic uncertainty casting a gloomy outlook on the future, small business owners may find themselves swamped with more work than they can handle. Carol Higgins with Up and Running explains the necessity of prioritizing existing business and finding a balance betw
Google took the typical science fair to a new level in their first annual Google Global Science Fair. The event allowed students from all over the world to submit their projects online and the top 15 projects were chosen to compete at the fair in California. This year the projects included resea
Lieutenant General William G. Pagonis served in the United States Army for 29 years and completed his service as the logistical chief of the first Gulf War. Since then, Pagonis has successfully transitioned into a variety of industries including retail, restaurants and even owning a horse ranch. Not
Education has long since been coined as the "great equalizer." According to a new study, small business ownership is another great tool to promote equal opportunity. Research, as reported on by Small Business Labs, shows that small business owners enjoy roughly equal levels of success across demogra
In the midst of economic hardship and widespread auto-sector job losses, Detroit has turned to its creative business owners and entrepreneurs to spur job creation and economic growth. As an article in the Wall Street Journal describes, the Creative Ventures Acceleration Program provides small busine
Dismal numbers in the past few months show a disheartening stagnancy in job growth. As The Small Business Outlook Survey from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce indicates, the primary reason small business owners are forgoing adding jobs is economic uncertainty. Issues causing this uncertainty include: fe
As the national job report indicates, the United States desperately needs to create more jobs to lessen unemployment and revive the economy. Today, the Wall Street Journal reported that hiring at small businesses more than tripled since last month. This new report indicates once again that small bus
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The June Monthly Jobs report has been released showing that in order to reach the 39 month goal of recession recovery by September 2012, we will now have to create 464,000 jobs every month. During the month of June, only 18,000 jobs were created, making the monthly target rise
Hot dog eating contests will always be popular, but the conventional hot dog stand has some serious competition. Food trucks featuring an incredible variety of food options such as frozen bananas, breakfast tacos, and waffles with chicken have been popping up across the country. We all know that ent
The Jobs for America Summit 2011 is on Monday! If you haven't already registered, there is still time! Today, in the build up to the event, Beth Tully from Cocoa Dolce in Wichita, Kansas talks about how small businesses are hiring and discusses her business, which has done better than forecasted thi
As the Jobs for America Summit 2011 approaches, more small business owners are discussing the future of small businesses. Tony Hill from Edwards & Hill Office Furniture in Columbia, Maryland is very optimistic about the future of small business. Hill argues that small businesses are the economic eng
Is your resume the black and white, standard format type? While this type of resume may land an interview for some jobs, if you are looking for a job in the creative field, you may want to consider updating your resume with an innovative twist. If you are looking for inspiration, Business Insider ha
The Jobs for America Summit 2011 is only 5 days away! In preparation for this event, Daryl Braham and Tyrone Leslie from Heritage Homes, in Fargo, North Dakota discuss small business and the challenges small businesses face with regulations. They also advise that in order to be successful you must s
As of 2:00 p.m. EDT, President Obama began conducting a first-of-its-kind Twitter town hall. With your help, we can make the President give us an answer about why his administration insists on excessive and costly regulations that harm our economy.
Click here to send your Tweet in support of
As recent college graduates are released into the "real world" and start new jobs, there are many benefits that rookie employees are encouraged not to overlook. As Harvard Business Review posts, make sure to enjoy your "honeymoon period", remember that you can ask question because you will not be ex
Entrepreneurship is so important in today's world that online educational programs on how to be a great entrepreneur are now being developed. The Ice House Entrepreneurship Program launched on June 29th was created through a collaboration with the Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative and Pulitzer Pri
As the Campaign for Free Enterprise's Jobs for America Summit 2011 approaches, Arel Moodie discusses the importance of entrepreneurship and the problem of limited access to capital. If you haven't already registered for the summit, make sure to register today. The event is this coming Monday, July 1
Focusing on minute details while prototyping is typically not the most efficient way to go. Instead, looking at the bigger picture and showing off one element of your product can be far more effective. Too often, people get hung up on the little things when the
With the Fourth of July around the corner, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the American Dream and the small businesses that embody it.
Passion, innovative ideas and the will to succeed are what make America great. In honor of that spirit and the millions of small business o
IBSWorld's recent study, discussed by Small Business Trends, has identified industries that are expected to experience the most growth in the near future. These industries include: testing and educational support, internet and technology, green, construction, and health. The perspective growth of
Entrepreneurship is not an easy path to follow. It factors in risk, problem-solving, tough decisions, responsibility and hopefully success. Flexibility and the ability to handle change are vital traits to becoming a successful entrepreneur and building a profitable business. Philip Palaveev, a Forbe
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Former President Clinton is heavily involved in the nation's discussion of how to promote job creation and solve the current unemployment crisis. Today, Clinton will ho
Adam Witty is the founder and CEO of Advantage Media, a publishing company that specializes in publishing books from motivational speakers. In addition, Adam Witty travels around the world as a keynote speaker and business consultant. Recently, Witty was celebrated as one of Inc.'s 30 under 30 for e
In the past year, the world has watched as Greece unraveled politically and economically. Tragically, a country once revered for its innovation and creativity has lost its business flare as the Greek government discouraged entrepreneurship and risk in order to create a society in which employment w
As our economy struggles, we continually brainstorm ideas that will help spur recovery and job creation. Time and time again it is made clear that fostering entrepreneurship through education is integral to the future success of this country. Research continues to reaffirm this point of view, as dis
As individuals, Sheena Lindahl and Michael Simmons boast impressive resumes. As a team (and couple) their accomplishments are even more outstanding. The couple, who began dating in college and are now married with two children, are co-founders of Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour, which promotes ent
Walk into your local grocery store and you will see a wide variety of products from all over the world. The question arises, how do these products make it in to big retail stores? With the millions of products out there, differentiation is key to getting the attention of major retailers and departme
In the past decade there has been a push for increased focus on encouraging entrepreneurship in colleges and universities nationwide. But, as the U.S. economy worsened, many institutions lost sight of the importance of developing entrepreneurial skills in country's future leaders. As our post, T
Experts nationwide have differing opinions on the cause and potential solutions to the current financial crisis. Margaret Spellings, former U.S. Education Secretary and Senior Advisor to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, discussed how education can revive our economy and create jobs in an interview with
Hiring Our Heroes, a program started by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce last year to help veterans and their spouses find employment after they return from overseas, is having a hiring fair today from 8a.m. to 3:30p.m. in Manhattan. Kevin Schmiegel from the U.S. Chamber and fellow veteran talked to Chu
In the digital age, businesses automatically assume that increasing their presence on various social media platforms will spur the success of their companies. However, creating a successful and strategic social media plan can be a major investment. Accordingly, it is important to be sure that utiliz
Many argue that freedom from regulation will encourage international trade and increase foreign business opportunities for companies in the United States. As our post, "For Job Creation, Don't Forget About Trade", from yesterday indicated, America is currently allowing other countries to gain a comp
Terrible economic conditions in the U.S. have forced countless American workers out of jobs. For many this is devastating, for others, it presents an opportunity. With increased lay-offs during the recession there has been a significant increase in entrepreneurship and innovation. A recent report
A startup business can have an excellent product and excellent employees, but without the press, no one else knows how great your business really is. Generating coverage about your business via reporters is a great way to get the word out about your company, however without a catchy, succinct, perso
Today marks an exciting milestone for Foursquare, a location based social networking site that was launched in 2007. The company has seen tremendous growth since its inception a little over two years ago. It is another example of how digital media is transforming the way we communicate.
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The economic reports of the last few weeks have been anything but encouraging. However, according to Polanchi Inc. research, venture capitalist executives are remaining optimistic. Although they recognize challenges lay ahead, they are more confident in the economic situation then they were at this
Dr. Jeff Cornwall, with the Entrepreneurial Mind, was more than upset with the Time Magazine cover article downplaying the importance of entrepreneurs to the overall health of the economy. As commented on in an earlier post, Time Magazine cites that it is a myth that entrepreneurs are the foundation
Unemployment rates are generally seen as a critical factor in determining the overall health of an economy. However, as Small Business Trends reports, these rates may not necessarily reflect reality. For instance, if the economic conditions are so bad that people stop looking for work, the unemploym
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At 9:00 AM ET six governors from both sides of the aisle will participate in a summit at the U.S. Chamber. They will discuss policies that have been successful in encouraging businesses to locate, grow, and expand locally. Watch live right here or on Faceboo
Getting a loan from a bank to fund your start-up or small business can be difficult, and the terms can be disheartening. However, it is not the only method of obtaining a loan. An article from the Wall Street Journal shows that peer-to-peer lending is growing substantially in popularity. Sites such
Fostering entrepreneurship in children has always been associated with America's first business, the lemonade stand. The valuable lessons we learned waiting for passersby on the street can easily be applied to real-world business situations. According to an article from AOL Small Business, success c
Surveys show that the number of people choosing to take vacation time off this year is significantly less than it has been in years past. To most, this is not surprising. People often dream of becoming their own boss, but when the time comes they realize that getting away from their start-up is next
In order for a business to be successful, especially in difficult economic times, innovative ideas are crucial. Without trying new methods and utilizing creative thinking, improvement is difficult. Subsequently, it is necessary for companies of all sizes to foster creativity in order to solve challe
A survey by Business Rountable shows that American's top CEOs are less confident in the economy than they were a few months ago. Though the CEOs are still predicting economic growth in the United States, their predicted rates of growth have decreased. An article from Yahoo! News gives insight into w
Qualities that a CEO must possess include: determination, patience, hard-work, leadership and intelligence. However, one quality, often overlooked, that is crucial to a CEO's success is mental toughness. In an article from Venture Beat today, there are three questions that are asked in order to disc
As a nation, small business account for over 99% of jobs and are contributing 64% of new jobs. However, with high unemployment rates, it can be difficult to keep up. The Atlantic shows a few practical ways that we, as a nation, can help entrepreneurs flourish. Subsequently, their success will be
Looming negativity about the economic situation and the subsequent challenges entrepreneurs face can be disheartening. But according to a post from Forbes, the current financial conditions are providing much opportunity for Health IT innovation. Below you will find stories of recent graduates who
As graduating seniors leave the comfort of college in search of fulfilling jobs, they may be intimidated by the experience and credentials of other applicants. Experience is of great worth, but, at least according to one small business, enthusiasm is more important. TerraCycle is growing start-up se
Earlier today, we reported that women business owners are more optimistic about the economy, but NFIB says that overall, small business owners are less optimistic than last month. The NFIB's Index of Small Business Optimism fell 0.3 points in May to 90.9, marking the third monthly decline in a row.
DailyCandy has announced their second annual Start Small, Go Big Contest, which gives budding entrepreneurs with ideas pertaining to either fashion, beauty, food and drink, or home the chance to turn an idea into an empire. As many entrepreneurs know, having a experienced mentor can be integral
A new survey suggests that women business owners are more optimistic about the economy than they were six months ago. This news comes at the same time the NFIB's Index of Small Business Optimism fell 0.3 points in May to 90.9, marking the third monthly decline in a row. Although not as optimistic as
Small business owners in the real world know the challenges of meeting expectations and understanding the rules first hand. Yet, government intervention and regulation continue to exacerbate these challenges.
Watch this video of Andy Card at America's Small Business Summit 2011 as he discusses ex
Starting a small business can be a difficult task- but that is just the beginning. Keeping a small business flourishing is another challenge. While the prospect of growth and success is exciting, it can also require making a few uncomfortable decisions. An article from the Harvard Business Review di
Cultivating a spirit of entrepreneurship in children may seem impossible, but an article from the Wall Street Journal exposes many psychological needs that children must have fulfilled in order to explore their full potential. It gives practical advice about how to raise an entrepreneur.
The ar
An article from Small Business Trends uses new data to show progress being made in small business lending. According to recently released data from NFIB, it seems that the needs of small business owners in terms of credit are being met better than they were in previous months. However, the article
Job creation is a top priority to successfully move to a period of stability and growth. The United States is aggressively working toward meeting the challenge of job creation, being led by President Obama who assembled a council of 26 private sector business leaders who are working to generate idea
A Recent Gallup article exposes the underlying factors causing U.S. employers to hold back spring hiring. The results show that though the numbers are better than they were five months ago, that story is incomplete. This article gives insight into the implications of a slow hiring spring.
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With the recent discouraging trends in job creation, it is good to know that many industries are picking up speed and their momentum is expected to continue throughout the year. An article from Reuters shows recent data from IBISWorld that identifies the top 10 hiring industries in the United States
An article from the Wall Street Journal today tells the amazing stories of three families who are using entrepreneurship to make a real difference in the lives of their children. Each family has a child that identified a specific need: diabetes, strict diet constriction, help in social situations. W
There comes a point when every small business reevaluates its developmental strategy in regard to growth. Lately, the primary goal of small business owners has been to merely survive. In the harsh economic climate we are facing, survival is something to celebrate. However, many business owners a
Using fame to promote business adventures is not a new idea, but it is certainly a successful one. Stars from every industry are utilizing their resources to start up companies of all kinds. Forbes magazine recently released their list of the top 100 celebrities and celebrated in style at the Drai's
If starting a business was easy, there would be a lot more of them. But, it is not. It's difficult. Hard work, long hours and sacrifice is required to be successful. And when you add a rough economic situation on top of the normal stress, and it can seem impossible. But it isn't; there is hope! An
Are you considering starting your own business? If so, make sure you are looking at all aspects of the business, not just public markets, before getting started. VentureBeat tells us their top 10 reasons why you should start your own business today. Start-ups aren't easy but if you are willing to ta
The devastating economic toll of the recession in the past few years has made raising moral anything but easy. However, recent statistics from the Capital One Small Business Barometer Survey are showing positive signs of relief and confidence.
According to Capital One's Survey
The majority
Utilizing celebrity status to create success in another industry is not necessarily a new idea, but it is certainly a profitable one. From salad dressings, clothing lines, night clubs and suave restaurants, celebrities are making a diversified mark across every industry in the United States. An arti
Interesting data was released yesterday by the Harvard Business Review concerning the comparative interest in innovation internationally. Increasing interest in entrepreneurship is trending internationally, especially in Europe and Asia. This article explains that innovative strategies are bei
It is difficult to imagine a world where computers, cell phones, and GPS did not infiltrate every daily activity. Digitalization occurred so rapidly but so completely, that years before the internet seem much further away than reality shows. As such, it is only logical that Gen Y is leading the way
Initial public offerings of the technology sector have been more frequent than in any other U.S. industry. Venture Beat discusses this good news for the technology industry. During the spring of this year companies such as Zipcar, LinkedIn, Yandex NV, and Freescale Semiconductor Holdings went public
The free enterprise system continues to prove its worth as more generations are moving to America for a chance at economic freedom, liberty and a better life for their family. On the Entrepreneurial Mind, Dr. Jeff Cornwall posts a video on why it is important to continue to protect our liberties and
Little bets in business can be very beneficial and not just in small businesses. They can be helpful in Fortune 500 companies too, as long as you know when to make a little bet. On Open Forum, Guy Kawasaki interviews Peter Sims about little bets, which are
Economic recession prevents growth and decreases the number of start-ups. According to the the Census Bureau in 1977, 16 percent of U.S. companies were startups. Comparatively, only 8 percent of U.S. companies were new in 2009. The chart below, courtesy of Small Business Trends, shows this unfortuna
Small businesses today have many advantages over bigger businesses, which is why big businesses are now trying to implement a "small business mindset." On NewsOK, three major advantages are pointed out: agility, knowing everyone in your company's strengths and weaknesses; adaptability, taking risks
Unfortunately, job creation in May slowed significantly. Dr. Jeff Cornwall, with The Entrepreneurial Mind, indicates the continued need for increased business to create more jobs. Though progress has been made in the past few months, it seems as though there is still much room for growth.
Acc
In the past few years, as our nation has faced a devastating economic crisis, criticism about government involvement and business regulation has heightened. President Obama and his administration are taking notice and working to implement a new "21st Century regulation" plan that will hope
Idealistic visions of starting a new business tend to cloud our understanding of the difficulties entrepreneurship can bring. Still, innovation and success are readily attainable. The Kauffman Foundation for Entrepreneurship, who also happens to be one of our partners, compiled a list of several tip
Though it appeared as though consumer confidence was finally on the incline, new information from The Hill indicates a decrease of consumer assurance. Economists were predicting a slight improvement in keeping with the last two quarters but instead the numbers are showing the opposite.
Confiden
Starting a small business is not easy, but thanks to today's new technology, apps are making the process a lot easier. Being an entrepreneur means having a continuous checklist of things to do, but as VentureBeat tells us, these 3 apps will make your life less stressful. These apps include Yammer, a
Small businesses have been hit hard by the devastating losses and economic uncertainty of the past few years. The resilience of these small businesses is paying off as they are beginning to see some relief. Entrepreneur.com recently identified five key indicators that show that small businesses
Although small business credit had been improving for about a year, it is now becoming harder to get. According to Small Business Trends, between March and April 2011, the difference between business owners saying credit is more available and saying it is less available has become more negative. In
Innovation can be an intimidating word. Creating a breakthrough invention is tedious and time consuming, but don't think you aren't equip to do it. As the Huffington Post explains, innovation is not just inventing the newest, coolest thing, but changing and adapting old habits to better them. Althou
Last week, we posted our Center for Entrepreneurship Legislative Agenda which was featured in Entrepreneur's post regarding how Congress can encourage entrepreneurship. Just a reminder, our major priorities are:
Support the “StartUp Visa Act of 2011,” which would help create American jobs by
Some may be hesitant to mix work and personal life, but start-ups are now preferring Facebook over LinkedIn and other professional sites for networking. With 500 million users, 6 times the amount of LinkedIn, it's no wonder they prefer Facebook due to its massive user base, says The Wall St
Why have your employees only excel in one task why they could potentially do two or more and increase productivity? On Inc., Hopkins Printing shows us that cross-training is an effective way to get things done and increase revenue. This cross-training process started for them in 2009 due to a major
Less than half of small-business owners are taking a summer vacation this year. According to the Wall Street Journal, only 46% of owners plan on taking a week off. Top reasons for skipping the beach are because they are too busy to get away, can't afford it, or don't have coverage. Last year, people
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Ask any small business owner what they hope to achieve in the future and more often than not the term growth will come up in conversation. Indeed, growth was likely one of the goals for Chad Hurley,
High-growth, entrepreneurial companies have been the life blood for many regions across the country, and with 14 million unemployed, these regions are desperate to initiate plans that will foster the development of similar businesses and kick-start local economies.
Unfortunately, regional lea
Congratulations to Red Frog Events for winning the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award! As NBC reported, this award was given to a company that represents a great small business who helped both their employees and the economy. Chicago-based Red Frog started 3
Recent and ongoing disasters across the country have been severe and deadly. The country will mourn the tragic loss of life for many years to come as those affected work to rebuild their homes and communities. Victims of the disasters may have suffered loss in many forms; a friend or family member,
Starting a small business is not an easy task. Eileen P. Gunn, founder of FamiliesGo! learned this lesson the hard way. In an article for Inc., she offers tips to new entrepreneurs so that they can learn from her mistakes.
Gunn suggests even the simple things like making sure you have a partn
Hiring new employees can be a long and tedious process. Sorting through resumes, spending time on people you know would not be a good fit for your company, and writing emails back to them is wasted time that could be spent furthering your business. Using sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are
Although the invention of the wheel and the creation of Twitter are vastly different innovations they both represent milestones on the evolutionary timeline of the entrepreneur.Grasshopper Group's infographic brings this evolution to life with a timeline featuring entrepreneurs such as Phoenicia
Since the beginning of the financial crisis in 2008, economic issues have dominated Americans' concerns. Now, three in four Americans have identified some form of economic issue as the "most important problem" we face today, representing a two year high. Since an all-time high 86 percent concern for
As a small business owner, you have to keep a tight eye on every cent spent. The Wall Street Journal asked the Entrepreneur's Organization for tips on how to save thousands of dollars in ways that have most likely not crossed your mind. From saving on shipping, to letting your employees telecommute,
More often than not, reality TV stars are pushed into the spotlight for a mere instant and then forgotten by an audience with a short attention span. Undeniably, a few such stars have an element of entrepreneurial flare that affords them a spin-off show or perhaps a New York Times best seller, but f
This week, we've been celebrating small businesses as a part of National Small Business Week. Small businesses are critical job creators and help grow our economy. National Small Business Week is the perfect time to support small businesses, but we should continue to support and honor small busi
To say that Gen Y faces some tough times ahead is somewhat of an understatement. A staggering 60% of recent graduates have not been able to secure full-time employment in their chosen profession, the unemployment rate for college graduates age 24 and younger rose to 9.4% last year, and 85% of th
First the good news; the U.S. GDP, of about $13.5 trillion, has returned to pre-financial crisis levels. Now the bad news; the production of goods and services that have returned the U.S. GDP to these levels has been achieved with 7 million fewer workers. The reasons for this are twofold; one, techn
According to job placement firm Adecco as many as 60% of recent graduates have not been able to secure full-time employment in their chosen profession. With unemployment at 9% it is clear that the recession has been hard on people of all ages, but the youngest members of the labor force appear t
Considering a study has shown that 80% of customers base a significant part of their purchase decisions on the perception of a firm's ethics, it would be wise for organizations to ensure they hold themselves to the highest ethical standards. However, this is not simply a decision that can be made ov
Whilst unemployment remains high, startup companies continue to pop-up in cities across the country and they are looking for employees ready and willing to make them the next Facebook or Groupon. Limiting job searches to more established companies may be simpler, but by following Mashable's 8 ti
Well-known blogger Robert Scoble, who currently works at Rackspace, recently interviewed 24 startups about emerging technologies, apps, devices and trends.
From these filmed interviews Scoble was able to compare each company and find out what startups like best, what's hot in technology and what
Many of the brightest minds from across the world travel thousands of miles to enroll in American universities. They make the journey fully aware that the education they are about to receive will set them up for a very successful career in their chosen field. Whilst these international students inve
Despite the devastating effect the recession has had on many industries across the country, it appears that not all sectors suffered from forced employment cuts. Indeed, a CNNMoney analysis of the more than 140 sectors tracked in the Labor Department's survey of employers identified 15 sectors
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With an astounding 1,093 U.S. patents in his name, Thomas Edison will always be remembered as one of the great American innovators and businessmen. His remarkable body of work, particularly in the
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau has indicated that in 2009, 43 percent of Americans worked for a company that was 25 years old or younger. While more Americans work for old companies, that is still a huge percentage! This means that startups and young companies are vital sources of employment. Even
Many small business owners have limited staff, time and money. Accordingly, saying "no" to redundant tasks, time consuming pursuits and uncertain business ventures is common place. In fact, understanding the importance of the word "no" is vital to the success of all businesses. Inc. explains why “no
Pokémon cards, yo-yos and cellphones have all been banned from the classroom at one time or another. More often than not, teachers simply got tired of the distraction they caused and moved swiftly to confiscate them. For many teachers, computers share the same distracting qualities as the aforem
This press release was posted today by the Global Intellectual Property Center, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce . To view the latest releases visit the media room.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce commended today’s introduction of the PROTECT IP Act, legislation th
Small business owners are always looking for new ways to expand their operations. Identifying weaknesses within the company and striving to improve them is one route to success, but an external analysis is equally important. More specifically, researching competitors and acquiring competitive intel
As the economic recession took its toll on employee salaries and unemployment, employee engagement became critical as small businesses were forced to ask their employees to work more, while getting paid less. To assist business owners in keeping their employees happy, Small Business Trends cites the
One might think that the recession has pushed the average age of entrepreneurs up as those forced out of jobs look to create their own businesses. However, greater access to information and technology, and parents pushing children to succeed and distinguish themselves in an increasingly competit
According to The Associated Press' monthly analysis of conditions around the country, the nation's economic stress levels were at their lowest point this year. According to the report, lower unemployment, bankruptcies and foreclosures in March contributed to the reduction of economic stress. The AP'
As the U.S. slowly emerges from the Great Recession, many have argued that recovery is not sustainable without growth in manufacturing. The Institute for Supply Management’s factory index, has indicated that the industry has been expanding for 21 consecutive months through April, whilst a 5.9 percen
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released April employment figures today. They reported that the private sector had an overall gain of 244,000 jobs in April and the unemployment rate increased from 8.8% in March to 9% in April. Despite the increase in jobs, more job-seekers entered the market.
Entrepreneurs are guided by belief. Belief supports their decision to take a risk and start their own business. Startups cannot function without the entrepreneur's undying dedication and belief in their business. However, this belief can often lead to failure if it is not adjusted to fit reality. Th
As a 20-year-old Princeton University freshman, Tom Szaky founded TerraCycle, a company whose "purpose is to eliminate the idea of waste." Since its creation it has become one of the fastest growing green companies in the world. Szaky, the company's chief executive, initially used prize money
Data from a private report based on payrolls indicated that companies in the U.S. added workers in April, another sign that the labor market is slowly improving. Figures from ADP Employer Services showed that employment increased 179,000 in April. A report of these labor market trends, featured
Editor’s Note: This post by Sheryll Poe, originally appeared in ChamberPost, the official blog of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The headline is a quote from small business owner Phil Kennedy, who runs his family’s business, Comanche Lumber Company, in Lawton, Oklahoma. Kennedy participated
Jane Berentson, editor of Inc. Magazine received a visit a few months ago from a young man named Ankur Jain who invited her to become involved with the Kairos Society. Jain, only 21, created this non-profit student group over three years ago to support collegiate entrepreneurs working to create the
You're an entrepreneur. You have a great idea and already raised the capital to fund your venture. You created a business strategy for the entire year. So what's next? How do entrepreneurs move from having great ideas to owning successful businesses?
Venture Beat created a list of five key ingred
It takes some people years to develop an innovative idea that has the potential to make a lot of money and it takes others a mere second of inspiration. Most innovators and entrepreneurs fall into one of the two aforementioned categories but a very fortunate minority managed to stumble into great we
Companies trying to navigate the turbulent global economy often target emerging markets in an effort to grow and increase profits. However, an article in Harvard Business Review emphasizes that companies pursuing opportunities in emerging markets should be careful not to overlook developed economies
Based on an analysis of four decades of employment trends, the summer employment rate among teenagers is projected to hit a post-World War Two low with only one in four teenagers expected to be hired. The poor job market and lost federal funding, which has contributed to the projected lack of jo
Good news for entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry. The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index, a monthly report that tracks the U.S. restaurant industry, reached 101 in March, increasing .3% in February alone.This recent gain was the third consecutive period of growth in
Harvard University recently announced its selection of Gordon Jones to direct its new Harvard Innovation Center slated to open next fall. Harvard hopes to create a broad program that mentors entrepreneurs and helps them achieve more while still in school than they could on their own. Ultimately they
Companies who offer online daily deals have become wildly successful in just a few short years. From Living Social, to Groupon, to Facebook's deals, the competition is fierce between sites and platforms. Mashable, with the help of Online MBA, analyzed the four most popular daily deal websites, Livin
It would appear that rising anti-immigrant sentiment has contributed to a worrying decline in entrepreneurial talent here in the U.S. Skilled immigrant entrepreneurs are increasingly opting to return home to places like China and India where they continue to innovate. The immigrants who are leaving
Andrew Mason, founder and now CEO of Groupon was one of the first entrepreneurs to introduce the now immensely popular deal-of-the-day business model to e-commerce. Since its growth, there has been a proliferation of similar ventures including Living Social and now Facebook deals. Similar but sm
Small businesses are increasingly funneling marketing dollars online as the customers they seek spend more time on the Web. However, no clear picture has been generated of exactly which online channels small business are using (and plan on using) to promote their products and services. In an online
Despite meticulous preparation of your business plan, the project will likely hinge on the success or failure of the pitch. Invariably the pressure and nerves are tough to handle during the pitch which is why it is important that you are confident that the content you deliver is of the highest quali
Getting your small business or startup to go green has obvious benefits for the environment, but the rewards don't end there. Not only can going green can be a significant long term money saver, but as more and more people begin to consider their carbon footprints, being able to position your compan
At the Campaign for Free Enterprise, we understand that some level of regulations are necessary in order to maintain citizen’s health and safety, but we believe that currently, there are too many regulations. The excessive regulatory power of the government impedes innovation, progress, job c
Following the slow recovery from the economic recession, online discount websites like Groupon have become increasingly popular. Although customers love the daily discounts on local goods and services that Groupon offers, merchants do not seem to be as big of fans.
A study by Rice University'
Florida’s National Entrepreneur Center, or E-Center, is set to open in its new Orlando Fashion Mall location. The Center, formerly known as the Disney E-Center, has relocated from its downtown premises to a new 22,000-square-foot space. This space will be filled with service providers such as
New Federal Reserve data has indicated that small business owners and entrepreneurs are investing their own savings when creating and/or running their businesses. Moreover, 80% of all small businesses surveyed had not applied for a business loan in the past five years. The Wall Street Journal de
Starting and running a small business is a huge feat in itself, but starting and running a profitable small businesses is as challenging as it has ever been. The pursuit of profit is something Paul Downs, founder of Paul Downs Cabinetmakers, is all too familiar with. He was able to turn his com
The tech industry is booming and currently undergoing its largest hiring "binge" since 1999 as a result. The competition is fierce, but not among job-seekers. Employers in the tech field are competing against each other in order to entice the best of the best. Companies recruit with promises of huge
Aaron Levie, like a few other well-known entrepreneurs, started his own company while still in college. Levie and his friend launched Box.net, cost-effective online storage space, in his university dorm room. The two gained initial success by blasting news of their startup to bloggers, the press an
An office wellness program encourages healthier lifestyles by providing employees access to medical screenings, fitness centers and education on weight-management. A new study reports that a wellness program is a smart investment for small businesses because they help lower health insurance cost
Happy Earth Day! To celebrate and remember our earth, lendio provided a list of ten environmentally-friendly practices small business can implement immediately to help preserve the environment and improve their bottom line.
"Going Green" can actually help small businesses save money, get tax
Living room floors across the country are inevitably still littered with financial records following Tax Day. As is so often the case, we find ourselves scrambling to find the records we need from a never ending assortment of financial documents. Whilst the living room floor is a good (all be it mak
Finding financing for a new business venture is about as difficult as it has ever been. As discouraging as this is, the outlook is even more unfavorable for women seeking angel investment. The disparity in access to funding between male and female entrepreneurs is an area that has long since req
Small businesses owners who invest significant time into social media for local marketing are reaping the rewards, according to the 2011 Social Media Marketing Industry Report put together by Michael Stelzner of Social Media Examiner. As Small Business Trends explains, the poll of 3,342 business own
At the Campaign for Free Enterprise, we understand that some level of regulations are necessary in order to maintain citizen's health and safety, but we believe that currently, there are too many regulations. The excessive regulatory power of the government impedes innovation, progress, job creat
Following the recession, trickling sales and the slowdown of customer payments have impacted everyone, particularly new startups. According to data from the latest Kauffman study, young startups companies find themselves struggling in this tight economy. The Kauffman study looks at how businesses o
Running a successful business is contingent on many factors including understanding one's customers and having the awareness and ability to adapt. In The New York Times' You're The Boss blog, restaurant owner Bruce Buschel explains how he was able to reassess his business practices and make a succes
Anil Kandangath,winner of the Data Viz Challenge, run by Eyebeam and sponsored by Google, successfully developed an interactive graphic which takes the data from WhatWePayFor.com, containing over 25 years' worth of tax information, and masterfully extrapolates the information to show you how much o
As a Venture Partner at Mohr Davidow, business and investment expert Geoffrey Moore has had the opportunity to work closely with many of the firm’s portfolio companies. In this role, Moore has been able to guide multiple companies to success with his extensive knowledge and experience. In an i
As America slowly begins to rebuild following the economic downturn, small business say they want to increase their spending and hiring. Businesses are moving out of "survival mode" practices of the recession and looking to once again grow and expand.
In a survey of over 700 small businesses
According to the National Small Business Association's 2011 Small Business Taxation survey, the complex federal tax code is a costly burden to small businesses. Attempting to maintain compliance with the code takes time and money, extremely precious resources for small businesses.
The Nationa
Editor’s Note: This post by, Abram Olmstead, originally appeared in ChamberPost, the official blog of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
You ever wonder how much impact a single person has on the economy? Yesterday the Phoenix Center reported that on average, “eliminating the job of a single regulat
Environmentalism is no longer a fad, but an established movement with widespread popularity. As a result, environmental consulting has become extremely profitable, especially for startups and small businesses who offer a "one-stop" shopping experience for customers. According to Inc. environmental c
Many families struggling to make ends meet following the devastating recession have turned to the Internet to regain some financial stability. Yahoo! News documents the story of Tori Redmond-Mize, a mother and wife who exemplified the power of innovation and entrepreneurship by creating a web conten
Tim Jahn, creator of Beyond the Pedway (a website for creative entrepreneurs), has identified a need for a special group of parents. If you classify yourself as a "parent entrepreneur," then Mr. Jahn's new Naptime Entrepreneurs may be the community for you. The site, which officially launches on
Entrepreneurs and small business owners alike work diligently to turn ideas into successful companies. As is often the case, learning from those who have been successful in the past is a fantastic way to get on the path to success. In the second installment of The Wall Street Journal's “How I Built
Children are known for their creativity and imagination, but some kids take it a step further and actually invent their own products! Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway personal transporter, founded the organization FIRST, to help innovative children with their inventions in the field of science
If the stabilizing economy and increased consumer confidence has you thinking about starting a business then look no further than Inc.'s list of startup-friendly industries. Using industry data from three private research firms, Inc. has identified growing industries that possess startup friendly ch
The American education system focuses on teaching skills in science, math and literature year after year. Scott Adams, self-made entrepreneur and mastermind behind the Dilbert comic, believes this type of education is great for brainy kids who will go onto work in these fields, but a waste of ti
Internet innovations, particularly the rise of social media, has proven to be instrumental in helping businesses better manage their relationships with customers. Now social media is advancing a step further by not only offering a communication pathway to customers, but also an avenue for sales.
As the midnight deadline quickly approaches, Democrats and Republicans are still locked in a heated debate over the federal budget. Many small businesses are likely wondering if a government shutdown will hurt their bottom line.
According to The Wall Street Journal, any new SBA-backed loans,
Dave McClure's superangel fund 500 Startups is planning a new fund called The Designer Fund to help web designer entrepreneurs. Considering that extremely successful companies from YouTube to Flickr were started by designers, it's possible that McClure's new fund could give rise to the next "big
The word "bubble" to describe the current state of industry seems to be a recurring phenomenon. It was used to depict the rise of the Internet between 1999 and 2000. Today bloggers and even the mainstream media constantly throw the word bubble around when talking about the rise in internet startups
Many entrepreneurs, after building a successful company from the ground up, decide to step down and let someone else take the reigns. However, letting go of the CEO role can be a challenge, especially when new leaders make decisions you don't agree with.
This is why many former CEOs, like Sta
An announcement form the Labor Department on Friday provided further indication of positive recovery in the job market. The announcement indicated that private-sector employers, including many small businesses, added 230,000 jobs in March. The data also showed a reduction in the jobless rate to 8.8%
In a video titled "The Path to Prosperity: America's two futures, visualized," Rep. Paul Ryan explains his new budget proposal and why spending cuts are necessary.
Watch the video on the American Free Enterprise Facebook page.
When Jim Koch founded Boston Beer Co. he experienced first hand the obstacles facing small business owners and entrepreneurs. Limited access to funding and lack of business experience stood between him and what has become a world renowned brewery. Accordingly, Boston Beer has pledged $100,000 th
The number of self-employed Americans is down more than 1.1 million since the beginning of the recession. Small Business Trends takes a look at the troubling statistics and ask the question, “How long it will take America to rebuild our stock of small business owners?”
According to Bureau o
This past week, representatives in the House reviewed the patent-reform bill that would change the patent process to a first-to-file system from a first-to-invent system and allow the patent offices to keep filing fees. Filed by House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith (R., Texas), the proposed changes
Last week, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce presented the 2010 Spirit of Enterprise Award to pro-business members of Congress. Greg Galdabini, director of executive communications for the chamber, interviewed the award winners on the state of American Free Enterprise and the need for the creation of U.S
Good news for small businesses! According to a recent PNC Economic Outlook survey, U.S. small business owners can expect increased sales over the next six months. Small Business News reports that every one out of two small business owners will see an increase in their sales figures; however, a simul
Thursday on the Today Show, hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb interviewed mompreneurs, Cozy Friedman and Josie Maran on how they built successful million dollar companies from the ground up while simultaneously taking care of their families at home.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world
Is your company likeable? Join us at America's Small Business Summit in D.C. May 23-25 to hear one of our speakers, Bill Graham, share his insights on how likeability translates to business success.
Bill Graham helps CEOs, salespeople, executives, managers, teachers, engineers, elected offic
In its survey of 800 "likely" voters from across the country, The Tarrance Group has produced findings which indicate that American voters are largely against increased government regulation.
Americans agree that small businesses are most vulnerable to increased regulation with an overwhelmin
The increasingly popular tool Skype has continued its history of innovation by launching “Skype in the Classroom,” a feature that will undoubtedly contribute to the trend of increasing technology in the classroom. From laptops and iPads to interactive chalk boards, teachers and schools are increasin
The earthquake and tsunami in Japan have been devastating to the country's economy. The automobile industry, like many others, has fallen victim to the natural disasters. One of the many casualties was a paint-manufacturing plant that was was knocked out of operation. However, this has generated unp
Starting a small business is a daunting task even under ideal conditions. The risk and long hours associated with entrepreneurship prevent many from leaving the safety of the corporate world. Imagine then, trying to start your own businesses under Taliban rule as a woman. Yet, many women are doing j
The tax code is constantly changed and amended. Entrepreneurs, who put all their time and energy into running their business, simply do not have enough hours available to understand each and every change in the financial reporting rules. They are finding they must hire outside help from accounta
Small business confidence fell 3.7 points from February to March, a significant decline. According to the latest Discover Small Business Watch, the confidence index fell from 90.2 in February to 86.5 in March. Fuel seems to be one of the biggest concerns for small business owners as rising fuel
Small Business Trends reports that during the recession, small businesses managed to keep on a greater number of their employees according to data from the ADP Employment Report.
The ADP report shows that businesses with 49 employees or less lost a lesser fraction of their workforce and have begu
Good news for job seekers. Gallup's latest Job Creation Index reached +14 last week, its highest level since Sept. 2008. According to Gallup's nationwide poll, 32 percent of employees say their company is hiring, while only 18 percent say their company is laying off or firing.
Gallup also fou
Yahoo! Finance reports that not only will there be more hourly job positions available this summer, but the average pay rate will increase as well.
Ten percent of hiring managers said they will be hiring more seasonal staff than last summer, up from 6% in 2010. Those who score summer jobs will b
Fortunately many small businesses made it through the recession and managed to stay afloat in the tough economic times. However, the impacts of the economic downturn still linger as small businesses have been one of last segments to recover.
Bloomberg BusinessWeek reports that increasing numb
Most regulations are necessary to ensuring there are clear rules for operating a complex society. Economists, entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens all understand that balancing regulation with the need for economic growth is essential to ensuring the quality of life for Americans.
The U.S.
The Startup America Partnership is an alliance of innovative entrepreneurs, corporations, foundations, and other private sector leaders working to dramatically increase the prevalence and success of high-growth enterprises in the U.S. The Partnership is the private sector's response to Pres
Pitching to potential investors is a daunting prospect. One must be concise, to the point and persuasively convey the money making potential of the business. Ordinarily, the pitch takes place in an office and attire is strictly business,but not always. Mashable details the practices of High Peaks Ve
One year ago today, the health care bill was quickly pushed through Congress and signed into law by President Obama. The President and his PR team are now setting out around the country in an attempt to defend this law and hide its high costs and excessive regulations that are severely damaging
Prior to launching your startup, it's smart to test your business ideas. Trying out your ideas beforehand increases your confidence, as well as gives you feedback on what works and what to change before you waste time and money.
Up & Running compiled a list of five quick and easy ways to test
Something is encouraging older generations to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors. Perhaps the recession has forced people over 50 to start their own business, or maybe the baby boomers have decided to fulfill lifelong dreams of running their own companies? Whatever the reason may be, the rate of e
The Innovation Fund, a Cleveland-area fund launched by Lorain County Community College, provides modest grants to promising start-ups. However, the fund sets itself apart from others by requiring that recipients of awards from the Innovation Fund commit to offering at least one local college st
Launching your own business from the ground up is an extremely trying and difficult task. Starting March 25, a group of entrepreneurs looking to garner funds for their small business will pitch their ideas to a panel of investors on ABC's reality show, Shark Tank.
Mark Cuban, a self-made entr
In the past, laptops were the only devices to use wi-fi. Now, its not uncommon for people to have three or four devices with wi-fi capability. Traffic on wireless networks doubled in the last year due to the increase in usage of online social networks and portable devices like iphones and ipads.
When it comes to startups, team matters. The only way to succeed in this rapid evolving world is to stay ahead of the curve by continuing to innovate and be forward-thinkers. Without a strong support team behind you, this goal is impossible to maintain. TechCrunch provides tips on how to assemble th
Meet some of the inspiring entrepreneurs we met at SXSW this year! We want to give a special shout out to Rock Health who launched at the festival. Rock Health, which aims to provide healthcare expertise, development resources and eventually funding to winning ideas, was started by four Harvard Busi
Do you have a big dream? Chris Gardner did. You probably know the owner and CEO of the brokerage firm Gardner Rich from his international best-selling autobiography, The Pursuit of Happyness, or the movie of the same name that starred Will Smith. Gardner didn't let anything hold him back from
Access to cash for entrepreneurs and small businesses has become increasingly restricted in light of the recession. If you have the opportunity to pitch to potential investors it is therefore more important than ever that you make it count. VentureBeat offers some valuable tips for anyone seekin
It certainly takes a natural gift to become an entrepreneur and successfully start and run a business. However, as Small Business Trends explains, an MBA degree does not become redundant in the presence of natural ability. Instead, it provides entrepreneurs with a solid foundation from which they ca
At SXSW, the Campaign for Free Enterprise interviewed Molly Davis, one of the executive producers for the film, "Something Ventured." The film highlights some of our nation's finest entrepreneurs sharing how they worked with venture capitalists to grow world-class companies.
Molly is a founding p
While others are floundering in this economy, small businesses seem to be bouncing back. Although things are not perfect, the economy is on the mend and small businesses are slowly gaining the ability to begin hiring once again.
Small Business Trends reviewed the NSBA 2010 Year-End Economic
As the NFIB Survey reports small business optimism is on the rise, so it appears that small businesses are more ready to hire. Portfolio spotlights one such example- Tom Gerace, CEO of Skyword plans to double his company's workforce this year by tapping into the growing population of freelance singl
The National Federation of Independent Business recently released a report saying the small business confidence is at its highest level since the start of the recession, although it still remains below its 2001-2007 average. The continuous increase in confidence has led to a three-year high.
The WSJ reports North Dakota is doing all the right things and as a result maintains a 3.8% unemployment rate. The state was also ranked as the top overall growth performer in our Enterprising States study last year. See how they are drilling for oil, attracting high tech business and keeping the ta
Did you know five days is enough to start a company? This is just one of the many new ideas Inc. has picked up at SXSW Interactive in Austin, Texas this past weekend. The days have been filled with wall-to-wall sessions, keynotes on innovation and talks of online influence. Check out some of the
This press release was posted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce yesterday. To view the latest releases visit the U.S. Chamber media center.
WASHINGTON D.C.-As part of its Project No Project initiative, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a first-of-its-kind economic study today identifying
This post was originally appeared in ChamberPost, written by Tom Collamore, Senior Vice President, Communications and Strategy and Counselor to the President at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
As our nation works to get our economy back on track, a top priority must be addressing our broken reg
It is difficult to find an industry in which social media has not been incorporated somehow. Indeed, social media appears to have captured the attention of small business owners nationwide. In a recovering economy, many such business owners have adopted social media in an attempt to grow their busin
The Kauffman Foundation's Entreprenurial Activity Index for 2010 has indicated increasing diversity amongst entrepreneurs as well as an increasing entrepreneurial activity rate. Small Business Labs' analysis of the Index has confirmed their prediction of growing diversity as well as an increase in o
[caption id="attachment_5350" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Austin, Tex., home of the South by Southwest festival"][/caption]
Attendees of the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, will have the opportunity to experience the successes, failures and heartbreaks experienced by a ha
Achieving great success often requires great risk, which may be easy if you have nothing to lose. However, for many entrepreneurs, risking their life-long savings on a business idea can create hesitation and fear. Our culture tends to make people risk-averse, so how do entrepreneurs conquer their fe
When planning to start their own business, potential entrepreneurs are often full of idealistic dreams of changing the world with their product while making a profit for themselves. However, once they actually launch their business, reality often sets in. We applaud entrepreneurs for taking the plun
The Wall Street Journal discusses an entrepreneurial trend which indicates that the recent growth in business creation can be attributed to immigrants more so than to any other segment of the population. We know that Americans from all walks of life value the free enterprise system that makes entrep
Opening a successful brick and mortar store can be a very challenging undertaking. Phoebe Schmidt is all too aware of this harsh reality as described in The New York Times' account of her struggles in securing financing and conducting a thorough market analysis. She realized that online sales can of
Tackling entrepreneurship, although rewarding, is no easy feat. In fact, Jeffrey Bussgang of the Harvard Business Review defines entrepreneurship as an "irrational state of being." While we don't agree, we do know that entrepreneurship can be challenging.
The risk of starting your own business co
This post was written by John Murphy, Vice President and head of International Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The U.S. Department of Commerce recently released the full data for U.S. exports and imports of goods and services in 2010. The Chamber has prepared a handy overview of the of
Techniques for starting a business and making money are usually not one in the same. No matter what craft or trade you master, you will never be able to monetize yourself if you don't have one skill that many people lack: the ability to make money.
Jason Fried, a software designer and self-ma
Two friends with a love for the great outdoors, yet unsatisfied with the available gear on the market, used their passion for camping to create their own line of outdoor gear: Western Mountaineering.
This post originally appeared in Free Enterprise, an outlet for news and views from the U.S.
Unfortunately, there is no standardized test to determine whether or not one will be successful as an entrepreneur. A commitment to life as an entrepreneur can be mentally and physically challenging. Accordingly, it makes sense to at least attempt to determine if you are cut out for the role before
Small Business Trends Radio has compiled 100 of the best podcasts available for small businesses. Categories include leadership and management, tax and finance, and starting a business. This wealth of useful and informative content is only a few clicks away.
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
DishyMi
The Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour continues to inspire the youth of America as speakers impart wisdom pertaining to the development of ideas and the principles of success.
Click here to learn more about the first and only nationwide entrepreneurship tour.
Employees working away as cogs in the corporate machine may often fantasize about ditching the corporate world to become their own boss. However, making these dreams a reality can be a little worrisome. Employees may be hesitant to give up corporate perks like paid vacations and health insurance for
Gallup's latest job creation index has reached the highest it has been since January 2008, breaking the recent four month cycle of no improvement.
The current +12 index means that nationwide 30% of respondents say their employers are hiring and 18% say that their employers are letting go. However
It may seem like Lady Gaga is just another pop star looking for her fifteen minutes of fame. But, don't let appearances fool you. Lady Gaga is a dedicated entrepreneur who built her brand from the ground up and worked hard to become incredibly successful.
According to Up and Running, Lady Gag
Many people incorrectly assume that in order to conduct international business, a company has to be "big." In reality, small businesses are becoming increasingly capable of conducting business in countries all around the globe. Pursuing international customers offers small businesses many challenges
Defining entrepreneurship isn't as straightforward as one might think. Varying perspectives stem from experience as an entrepreneur, with entrepreneurs and from resulting success or failure. Business Insider explores the idea of defining entrepreneurship, but ultimately it appears that the d
The Discover Small Business Watch, the monthly index measuring the relative economic confidence of U.S. small business owners who have less than five employees, dropped a little on a month-over-month basis. However, Small Business Newz points out that other small increases mostly offset this apparen
The recession has dramatically raised unemployment rates. Businesses are eager to get back to work as the economy slowly mends. Despite the unemployment, many businesses are still having a difficult time finding employees with the right skills.
Inc. reports that now is the the time for job cr
Jobs and tasks that IT employees usually specialize in, like hardware installation and maintenance, are slowly being automated due to the rapid technological growth in cloud computing and other web-based services.
The innovation in technology is not putting these people out of work, but it is
Lauren Bush is known for her family's affiliation and work in politics, however she decided to make a difference in a different manner. In 2004, Bush traveled the world working to aid hungry children as an honorary spokeperson for the United Nation's World Food Program. In an attempt to impact the w
Small and large business dynamics differ greatly, and as businesses grow, or employees move to new working environments, it is important to understand the key differences that exist. From customer interaction, to authority derived from titles, Small Business Newz explores the differences that exist
Are you a small business owner? Has the new health care law affected your business? See what Bill Fienberg had to say to the House Committee on Small Business last week and tell your story.
This post by Greg Galdabini originally appeared on ChamberPost, the official blog of the U.S. Chamber
Countless factors contribute to economic growth and sustainability. One of the most important factors is the development and success of small businesses. The Orange County Register has provided 10 ways to grow your small business and subsequently stimulate economic growth.
1. Save yourself, not
President Obama met with entrepreneurs and small business owners yesterday in Cleveland, Ohio to celebrate their integral part in stimulating economic growth and job creation. He also looked to gain their insight and ideas on action the government can take in order to grow entrepreneurship, educatio
Starting your own company is no easy feat. If your business heads in the wrong direction from its conception, it can set you up for failure. Entrepreneurs are looking to earn success, promote innovation and increase their cash flow immediately, however it may take longer than anticipated if the righ
VC term sheets contain a lot of confusing jargon. Without a lot of experience, deciphering them can be tricky. Thankfully, Entrepreneur Corner has posted two columns that define some of terms one would see on VC term sheets.
A reader asks: We just got a term sheet from a VC and we were hoping y
It's President's Day! Many business are closed and employees have the day off, but what is the history behind this day? Honoring both Abraham Lincoln's birthday on Feb.12 and George Washington's birthday Feb 22., President's Day always falls on the third Monday in February.
Yahoo! News has provi
Intern-recruitment season is upon us. Big name companies across the countries are barraging college campuses looking for college students to find help for a cheaper price as well as make new hires. So how can small startups compete with the cash flow, brand recognition and perks offered from well-kn
If you can rent a car, rent a movie or rent a home, why can't you rent your clothes? This was the idea that sparked young entrepreneurs Ms. Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss to launch Rent the Runway in November 2009. Their website allows women everywhere to rent designer dresses at a fraction of the pr
The new Startup America program launched by the Obama administration has created a new program called the Entrepreneurial Mentor Corps (EMC). It's a pilot program that aims to help entrepreneurs connect with successful business owners to find guidance, support and mentorship.
Fast Company exp
There are thousands of business books out there for entrepreneurs, filled with antiquated tips that use all the same cliché jargon for marketing and promoting your company.
Author David Siteman Garland has attempted to shake up the monotony with his book, Smarter, Faster, Cheaper: Non-Boring, Flu
Many people have seen his commercials and know his innovative vacuum technology. However, you may not know that Sir James Dyson, like thousands of other entrepreneurs, is tired of the time-consuming and expensive patent process. On Monday, the Wall Street Journal published an editorial letter by Dys
Waiting for Superman, a documentary about the plight of America's public schools garnered much attention, particularly from NewSchools Venture Fund. This group works to support entrepreneurs focused on education. They promised to invest $ 5 million in entrepreneurial education organizations if 150,0
According to a new survey from Elance, small businesses are hiring at record rates. Grow Smart Biz discusses the positive outlook for 2011 and the increased use of the internet in the hiring process.
A leading employment website, Elance recently released its Q4 2010 Online Employment Report, an
President Obama recently visited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to speak about furthering job growth and increasing American innovation. What the U.S. Chamber is now calling for is action by federal agencies like the FDA to adhere to Obama's message.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's blog for smal
Mashable reports that 2010 saw exponential growth in mobile usage. With the continued innovation in the smart phone industry, they foresee that 2011 will see unmatched in growth of new technology and consumer usage.
Currently over 70% of the world's population has a mobile phone and this numb
Does everyone have what is takes to be an entrepreneur or do entrepreneurs have special qualities that make them successful? People usually think of entrepreneurs as innovative risk-takers with high creativity and ability to work-hard—traits that do not seem to be teachable.
Sara Sarasvathy,
One week from today, the countries of the G-20 will meet in Paris to talk about how to globally implement the financial agenda that was affirmed at the last G-20 meeting in Seoul.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce writes that G-20 representatives are working to reform the International Monetary Sy
Born in the United States, the venture capital model has given rise to the most influential technology companies of the modern era. Our European counterparts however, do not have access to the same levels venture capital expertise and success. As VentureBeat explains, government-controlled business
Amidst worrying college graduation rates, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will invest $2 million to further a company's development of its School App system. The system aims to increase student involvement at college in a variety of areas, and ultimately boost the number of college graduates.
Technology continues to become more and more user-friendly as generation after generation becomes more tech-savvy. This is why today, more than ever, it is important for small business owners to embrace technology in all aspects of their business. Technology can give owner's a competitive edge as we
Small business optimism increased in January, but only slightly according to the NFIB Index of Small Business Optimism. The major concerns for entrepreneurs and small business owners still linger: lower taxes and decreased regulations. These problems continue to impact small business owner's willing
Wayne Crews of Forbes recently wrote an opinion piece based on a report by Nicole and Mark Crain for the Small Business Administration. Their report found that regulations cost around $1.75 trillion annually, which was half of our government's 2010 spending. Our government has over 3,000 regulations
Creative genius and innovation have emerged unscathed from economic turmoil in the United States. For proof of this, one need look no further than Topicmarks, a newly developed program featured in Mashable, that summarizes and extracts important information from cloud documents.
From Mashable
The economic slump of the past few years has caused many nine to fivers to re-evaluate their career path and join the growing ranks of small business owners. According to Inc., small business created 60 to 80 percent of net new jobs in the last decade.
Entrepreneurs know that it has been toug
Governors from around the country are all working to accomplish the same goal: reduce spending without increasing taxes. According to the Wall Street Journal, governors from both parties are attempting to erase the deficit by making big cuts to shrink state budgets.
Reining in spending and taxe
In the spirit of Valentines day, Mashable has come up with 10 easy ways to show your employees you care about them. Simple things like demonstrating trust, allowing flexibility, and bringing fun into the office can go a long way in improving employee happiness and productivity.
These great te
The pursuit of success in the current business climate is an uphill battle. Nevertheless, innovation and ambition amongst the American people is as present now as it ever was. For many, one ingredient is missing: mentoring. For 10 lucky entrepreneurs chosen as participants in TechStars, mentoring is
According to Verizon’s Small Business Center, around 40% of small businesses do not have a website. Even businesses with static websites are lagging behind in the game. Small businesses without an engaging online presence are missing out on a large portion of potential customers and sales that could
Founded in 2006 by Paul Edelman, TeachersPayTeachers, is an innovative online startup that offers a great way for educators to increase their monthly income, while simultaneously improving education material available to teachers. On their website, teachers can sell their lesson plans and other educ
Internet video has fundamentally changed the way that many people consume media. Media consumers can now watch most video from anywhere - on their TV, computer, laptop and mobile phone.
YouTube struggled with it's business model and copyright issues, but founders Shishir Mehrotra and Salar Ka
We've argued that the U.S. must double exports in 5 years, and then double them again in order to help create the jobs Americans need. With 95 percent of the world's customers living outside of the U.S., there is a big market for U.S. exports outside of the country.
You may think that exporti
We love to hear about entrepreneurs who have found success! America's success is driven by entrepreneurs who use the free enterprise system to follow their dreams. Up and Running, a blog from Entrepreneur.com highlights 3 startup companies who have found success. They even highlight why these startu
The Internet is making it much easier for entrepreneurs to launch their start-ups and reach customers. But what makes a successful web entrepreneur? Is it simply marketing your business effectively online or having a cool domain name? Online success is not easy to come by and takes a lot of hard-wor
If your small business is strapped for cash, worry and concern may prevent you from seeing the obvious solutions. Oversights in your business may be related to a lack of confidence or ingrained habit. There are often a few simple steps you can take to find hidden profits.
Inc. has created a l
Inc. conducted an informal survey amongst small business owners and asked them to name why they love owning their own business. From their answers, Inc. has compiled a list of the 10 most common themes:
1. You Control Your Own Destiny: Many entrepreneurs consider themselves "Type-A" personaliti
Tom Black, professional sales trainer, teaches people what he knows about selling, sales management and entrepreneurship. Yesterday, at the Entrepreneur Magazine's Growth Conference in Atlanta, he covered his 9 essentials for sales success:
1. Find your own personal definition of success, then
Eduardo Saverin is back in the game, the "start-up game," that is. He recently raised $8 million in financing for his new venture, Qwiki. Saverin is a true entrepreneur and in his interview with CNBC, he offered up some advice for the entrepreneurs out there:
Eduardo Saverin--co-founder of Face
Yesterday's Executive Order from the President is requiring federal agencies to review all regulations that could slow job creation and hinder our economy's competitiveness.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Tom Donohue called the announcement positive, while encouraging Congress to "re
The 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, CES, showcased an array of products, but there were a few in particular that small business can benefit from. Check out the list from OPEN Forum and see if any of these new technologies could better your business:
Video Conferencing
Video conferencing solu
Ever wonder if you could more efficiently manage your customer relations? Small Business Trends shares the latest CRM tools you’ll want to consider for managing your small business. Each of these tools has a different focus, but a customer database is at its core.
1. CRM Apps With an E-Mail Foc
Inc. has put together a list of 6 tips to ensure your employees are engaged throughout the training process, retaining what they learn, and having fun. The leaders of Zappos, Disney and Home Depot offers their advice when it comes to preparing new hires:
1. Train Everyone On Everything: Zappos
Bizzy, a personalized local business recommendation engine, announced yesterday that its members have supplied over 100,000 recommendations on their favorite places to eat, shop and play (and this success comes after a relaunch). In an interview with Bizzy’s Founder, President and GM, Gadi Shamia, a
It's been tough for small businesses to get funding, especially from traditional sources. But, there may be good news around the corner. Entrepreneur.com writes that small business lending is positioned to increase. With increased credit, small businesses will be able to make the investments necessa
Inc.'s 2011 Hiring Tool Kit: Everything you need to turn that promising new recruit into a star employee. Get tips for hiring employees, including screening, on boarding, training, education, performance and goal-setting.
The Best and Worst Interview Questions: There is a thin line between the
Continued slow job growth and poor education and training could pose a gloomy future for America’s workers. In an op-ed in yesterday’s New York Times, Laura Tyson, former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers and the National Economic Council in the Clinton administration and member of Presi
Great music can provide nourishment to the entrepreneurial soul. Check out this list of top songs that inspire, energize and provide courage during the inevitable ups and downs:
Black Eyed Peas- Let's Get It Started:
The Black Eyed Peas are definitely doing their bit for the world’s party goer
Improving strategy is a constant goal of small businesses. With perpetually advancing technology as well as a fluctuating economy, small business owners need to adapt their strategies in order to keep up. Small Business Trends has compiled tips from several sources to help entrepreneurs improve
Three years ago, the company Teens in Tech launched with the mission to provide assistance to young people starting companies in the tech world. Beginning this summer, they are expanding their support to provide hands-on instruction and guidance in an eight and a half week summer incubator for tee
Have you been hoping to start a business, but just haven't felt like it's the right time? Well, 2011 just might be your year. Plenty of new businesses are started each year, but we might seen a boom in 2011. With favorable taxes and a building economic recovery, the Wall Street Journal thinks that t
Deloitte’s on a hiring mission, GE's on the lookout for engineers and Ricardo, an engineering consultancy that designs power trains, can’t find enough mechanical engineers. 2011 is already shaping up to be a much better year than the two that preceded it. Time explores these new hiring opportunities
Free enterprise thrives because of the creativity and innovative spirit of entrepreneurs, small business owners and American workers. However, matching employees up with employers in a mutually beneficial relationship is also key to moving the economy forward. To do this, expectations have to ma
Are you thinking about starting your own business? We know that entrepreneurs and the small businesses they create are critical job creators that will help the economy recover. But, finding the business idea that's right for you can be a challenging task.
Noobpreneur offers a list of 10 small
Culture is important to a company - it can make or break productivity and employee morale. Unfortunately, some decisions can hurt company culture, even if there weren't intended to. VentureBeat discusses some of the most common culture-killing culprits in start-ups.
Hiding the numbers – Does ev
Entrepreneur Corner reports on why college is the best time to start a venture. A few reasons they cite are time, access to a large pool of human capital and support from your university. Check out the six points:
1. Plan for the “bridge” between college and "real life."
One of m
Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of LearnVest, Alexa Von Tobel, offers online tools for young women seeking financial empowerment. Check out the video here:
Shustir has tapped into a critical need for many small businesses - an inexpensive online presence. Small businesses can create a profile, including a blog, and sell products on Shustir. Their customers can interact with their products, and content, and even "like" the business. In this way Shustir
Inc. highlights the top 10 job creators of 2010:
Sutherland Global Services:
Jobs added between 2006 and 2009: 9,406
As a global company with offices spread out in nine countries around the world, including in the United Arab Emirates and Bulgaria, Sutherland Global Services has added an im
Mashable reports on how Evernote made a 10 million dollar a year business out of taking notes. What apps do you use in your daily life?:
Notes — they’re not sexy or flashy. But when one is the difference between remembering something of significance and forgetting it, then it takes on an indisp
The New York Times reports on how Joe Runyan, the founder of Hangers Cleaners in Kansas City is competing with Tide:
Joe Runyan, the founder of Hangers Cleaners in Kansas City, Mo., an environmentally safe dry cleaner, was concerned when, in 2008, Procter & Gamble opened its first franchised Ti
Small businesses are working on their New Year's resolutions. Do you have a New Year's reolution? Tell us here!
While it may have been an unfriendly economic climate over the past few years, small business owners are hopeful heading into 2011. Sixty percent of small business owners polled said
Mashable looks back at the technological advancements that small businesses have benefited from and predicts how those technologies will affect entrepreneurs in 2011:
Here are my five predictions about how small businesses will continue to adapt to changing technologies as we move into the new year
Check out six marketing strategies from Entrepreneur that will get your customers' attention:
We're headed into the final sprint to the holiday-shopping finish line. So it's a good time to brainstorm about marketing strategies that could still make a difference and bring in more customers for
The Washington Post reports a group of 20 CEOs met with President Obama yesterday to discuss exports and the budget deficit, among other things:
President Obama and businesses leaders pledged to work together to repair both the economy and their sometimes strained relationship in a nearly five-
The Young Entrepreneur Council offers some helpful tips on creating a solid brand. We spotlighted the advocacy group's founder in a blog post yesterday.
Q: I'm a freelancer looking to build a company around my services. What tips can you offer for creating a solid brand?
A. Tap social me
Cargill, one of the world’s major processors of cocoa beans, recently won the international community service award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for the training they do with farmers in Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Brazil, Indonesia and Vietnam. Check out the inspiring video here:
Read th
It's beginning to look a lot like the holidays. Businessweek reports sales and small business optimism are up, signaling the holidays are here:
Dec. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Sales at U.S. retailers increased more than forecast in November and optimism among small businesses rose to a three-year high, sign
The must-haves for the entrepreneurs on your list this holiday season. Check out these ideas from The Washington Post:
What do you get for that budding innovator starting the next Google in his basement?
1. Visa card -- with a $50,000 limit
"If you're starting a business, be prepared to put i
Coworking spaces are offices where people from different companies can rent out a space to serve as their office. They tend to put people from very different industries in one environment - this can lead to increased productivity and creativity.
So, how do you get the most out of an innovative, c
Basic math and science skills are critical for nearly every job today - even in non-math or science fields. This is because technology plays an important role in most businesses. Unfortunately, it seems that American students are falling behind their peers around the world in math and science kn
Mashable investigates how big companies use social media:
Given the hundreds of social media tools available, and the thousands of different ways to use them in business, you’d think that getting Fortune 500 companies on board would be a complex and daunting task.
But it’s not. The truth is,
In a recent post, we explored the weight on the shoulders of America’s small businesses when it comes to accessing credit. Similarly, Small Business Trends reports there are plenty of small companies seeking capital and not getting it:
Are banks becoming more willing to lend to small companies?
In a tight economy, good credit is key to expanding your business. Here are a few tips from Inc. on keeping your credit on track:
A great business plan can get your foot in the door, but it will rarely get you a loan. As America struggles through one of the worst recessions in history, lenders ar
Free enterprise: 1, Predictability: 0. Groupon is widely expected to get gobbled by Google [GOOG] for billions. And can you believe the company is only 3 years old?
Forbes’ own Christopher Steiner recently covered Andrew Mason and the rapid rise of Groupon Meet The Fastest Growing Company Ever
The best entrepreneurs are business owners who have an optimistic attitude coupled with a pessimist's viewpoint and rationality. Do you agree?:
Optimism can kill your business. There, I said it. Let the comments and rants begin (and if they are anything like those written in response to my Why "B
Did you know that even Taylor Swift got rejected? See what you can learn from her success:
When Taylor Swift was 11 she would go up and down Music Row knocking on producers’ doors telling them “Hi, I’m Taylor and you should listen to me sing. Call me!” And of course nobody ever did. Without getti
You never really know what to expect when you become an entrepreneur:
Some challenges are easy to see coming – things like difficulties building brand recognition, finding people you can trust and having the infrastructure necessary to support growth. But the real hurdles are the things you nev
Inc. sits down with Matt Mickiewicz, who prepares to launch his fifth company. The 27-year-old Vancouver native talks about being a young entrepreneur and the importance of being the first to market:
Matt Mickiewicz is far from your average 27-year-old. He launched Webmaster-Resources.com in 19
In the past three years, nine U.S. communities have received national honors for their efforts to blend economic, environmental, and social priorities and to advance the community’s overall sustainability and success.
This is what the Siemens Sustainable Community Awards is all about.
The
With Thanksgiving approaching, it's time for us to give thanks. Many leaders often wonder how to best express their thanks. Marla Tabaka says that leaders should take extra time to show their appreciation.
What gratitude offerings will you extend this week and during these holiday season ahead?
Mobilizing customers around a social purpose was a hot topic at the recent New York Entrepreneurship Week conference:
By now you may have heard about Small Business Saturday, an American Express social-media marketing campaign that launched last week. OK, Amex calls it a "movement."
The comp
Forbes Magazine recently released their list of America’s 100 Best Small Companies:
Right off the bat, I need to say that the phrase “small companies” is relative. We’re not truly talking about “small businesses” with this list. The annual revenues of those on the Forbes list were in the 8 a
Steven Schussler talks with Fox about the importance of philanthropy and how entrepreneurs must embrace social responsibility:
It was announced early this morning that a 15-ton palace carved out of more than 30,000 pounds of ice will be constructed on the Fox Plaza, 48th Street and Avenue of
Fashion and style are Free Enterprise! Check out this submission from the I am Free Enterprise video contest - Amare Sinh is a trendy and chic contemporary women’s fashion line started by young entrepreneurial siblings, inspired by life and love. Do you or someone you know have Free Enterprise sty
Small Business Trends offers ideas for great places to get help growing your company without breaking the bank:
1) SCORE: A partnership with the Small Business Administration, SCORE offers free consulting from experienced business veterans. SCORE has more than 350 offices nationwide, with SCO
Suzanne Biegel is on a mission- "to make sure that women entrepreneurs are getting as much exposure as men."
"When Suzanne Biegel was 10 years old, her activist mother took her to work with her at the League of Women Voters. She remembers marching for the Equal Rights Amendment. Her first T-s
Free Enterprise means taking chances – and in honor of another great story of free enterprise from our video contest, take a look at this moving story about building and sustaining a local farm for the better of the community.
The spirit and ingenuity of free enterprise comes to life through the story of a local pizza parlor owner in Brick by Brick – he took a backyard idea and grew it into a business. Watch the video below to learn about their story.
The Web has been buzzing this week regarding the recent engagement of Prince William to Kate Middleton. But, less attention has been paid to Kate's parents - successful entrepreneurs. The Middletons created a mail order business for party supplies called Party Pieces.
Carole Middleton founded her
Entrepreneurs are innovative and creative, but they also have their own USP - unique selling proposition. Young Entrepreneur explains how to find yours:
As an entrepreneur, you’re a small fish in a very, very big pond. What that means is even good ideas sometimes aren’t good enough. Sometimes, your
To wrap-up the first day of Global Entrepreneurship Week, here's a fun, mega info graphic on tips for entrepreneurs. Thanks, Young Entrepreneur, for putting this together!
Justin Anderson broke his braces on hard granola as a child and was inspired to create a moist version that would be braces-friendly. Watch him tell his story:
