As a business owner, there are some mistakes that you simply shouldn't make. Here are five rookie business mistakes that you need to avoid: 1. Bad Customer Service We have all experienced bad customer service at some point in our lives that has made us turn down a sale. Many times we walk out of a store because we are not greeted as we enter or as we shop. This is bad … [Read more...]
5 Steps for Going from Concept to Creation
There’s no doubt about it. Ideas are all around us. Have you ever watched the show Shark Tank where people come in with fantastic ideas that actually work? For most, taking those ideas from concept to creation is difficult. Let’s discuss a few steps to help you get started. 1. Research Your Idea Find out if this is something that’s been done before. Is there a way to … [Read more...]
Connecting Women to Investors at Capital W: The Boston Women’s Venture Summit
Investor and businesswoman Sheryl Marshall started working with women-owned businesses and women venture funding in 1999 after spending years working in financial services where she fielded tons of calls from women looking for capital. She recalls, “Back then, only 2% of venture funding went to women-owned businesses, and most of that 2% went to iVillage.” This lack of … [Read more...]
3 Steps To Take Before Starting A Business
The other day I was watching a re-run of the show Reba and thought, “This is a great topic for a blog post!” Reba’s younger daughter needed money for her college fund. Since Reba and her husband were divorced, she asked him if he could help. In Reba’s mind, the way he could help the most was by selling his country club membership that he had for over 15 years. Doing that … [Read more...]
The Trademark Application Process Takes Longer Than You Think [Infographic]
Did you know that it could take anywhere from seven months to more than two years to get a federal trademark registration? A new Trademark Timeline infographic from Innovation to Profits (shown below) reveals that there are three primary things that can cause delays in the trademark registration process: 1. Office Actions These come from the examining attorney at the U.S. … [Read more...]
How to Find and Hire the Greatest Talent for Your Startup
If the time has come to add more talented bodies to your startup, you know this added responsibility comes with many new areas of uncertainty. Where do you go to find the best talent? How much should you pay? The hiring process comes with many questions and gray areas. Consider the following 6 tips for finding and hiring the best talent for your startup. Create a Company … [Read more...]