Dear Entrepreneur, Can you manage it all? I’m sure anybody can! But the question is, at what cost? What are you giving up in order to manage it all? And is it worth it? By doing everything yourself, are you adding value to your business, or taking precious time from what you do best? How [...]

My six-year-old is upset again this evening. I tell her it’s time to go to bed, but like any typical evening she’s not listening and stalls for more time. “But mama, I just want to do this one little thing … please, please?” We negotiate and strike a deal that she can do one thing [...]

As I write this, it is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I am working on a report for the spirituality website I work for and I am also watching my young son and daughter — they have the day off from school. Just as I begin to get into a rhythm with the report, [...]

Lately I’ve been thinking about the plethora of marketing activities that businesses have to engage in just to remain competitive and ahead-of-the-game: ezines, strategic alliances, referral harvesting, writing articles, delivering presentations, direct mail campaigns, keep-in-touch strategies, etc, etc, etc! Then, just when you’ve hit your stride, you’ve got your integrated marketing system humming down the [...]

Spending money to work with a qualified financial advisor will end up saving you time and money in the long run. If you are like most busy professionals, you simply do not have the time or expertise to get your finances in order. This can lead to costly mistakes that can shake your financial stability [...]

Stress in small doses, and linked to positive events, helps you be more productive, active and happier. However, when stress reaches a certain level, it starts to have adverse effects. Adrenalin floods the body, breathing becomes shallower, your thoughts become less clear – everything is framed in terms of fight-or-flight responses. If this state persists [...]

Every year at this time, everyone is hot under the collar to share their take on the hottest marketing vehicles or newest trends. Whether you sell B2B or B2C, you probably are feeling a tad overwhelmed by all the choices. You are not alone! But whether you are a technophile or not, there’s no denying [...]

How often have you heard a supervisor or manager exclaim, “It’s all about the bottom line. We need to do all we can to keep our customers,” or, “Without the customer we are nothing.” Both statements are true. However, while CEOs, presidents, and managers should focus on the customer, sometimes they can treat people inside [...]

Managing it all – or not! This is a very relevant question when it comes to your marketing plan. On the one hand, you want to demonstrate that there is a wide enough customer base, or “target market” so that your business will not only sustain itself, but grow and become profitable. Obviously, the extent [...]

“Ac-CEN-tu-ate the positive,” so the song goes. But for small business entrepreneurs, focusing on the positive while “playing ostrich,” or being unaware of the negative, can be a costly mistake indeed. Just as your doctor routinely checks blood pressure, weight, glands, and reflexes, so your business should have a periodic check-up. You should look at [...]

Perfectionism Takes Time Hi Jill, I’ve been struggling for years with too much to do in too little time. Even backlogged, I manage to exceed my clients’ expectations. But, my responsibilities have just increased and I’m afraid I might drop one of the balls I’m juggling. Do you have any suggestions to help me stay [...]

It’s important to understand when to add individuals to your business model. Adding a new team member should be an easy transition – that’s where organization comes in. Clearly defined processes such as workflow, workspace, filing system, and other key functions in the business should be identified. Structure is one of the most overlooked aspects [...]

Women who are juggling a family and home while trying to progress in the business world usually end up exhausted by the end of the week feeling defeated because balls dropped and “something or someone” got neglected. How do you effectively balance and manage your career with the rest of your life? 1. Spousal and [...]

What do you dream about? Do you have dreams of building a blockbuster business, material wealth, taking great vacations, writing the next bestseller, or contributing to the lives of others? Whatever dreams you have big or small, staying motivated can sometimes be a challenge. Initially, many people hit the ground running towards their goals with [...]

Laurel Tielis – Background I grew up, went to college, got married in my senior year and never gave any serious thought to working. I always loved writing though (and even managed to be named editor-in-chief of my sixth grade yearbook!), so I was lucky to back into a career in journalism. I was vacationing [...]

Stacey Koerner – Background * Please tell us about your education and professional experience I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with a degree in Communications. I focused on public speaking and was on the debate team which gave me more confidence to speak in front of groups and it has definitely helped me [...]

Deciding to Start your Business How did you spot the opportunity to start your business? I wanted a business that was as far away from my high-tech job as possible. As someone who enjoyed eating out and cooking and entertaining at home, I thought a restaurant fit my skills and interests best. For a few [...]

Jenifer Curtis – Background Please tell us about your education and professional experience I have a unique educational background. My father worked for Hewlett Packard and took many job opportunities in the company which moved us around the states and overseas throughout my childhood. I have lived on both the east and west coast of [...]