startup

Is owning a franchise the right move for you? Here are the Pros and Cons... If you're considering making a go of being your own boss and would feel comfortable working within an established network of like-minded…

3 small business suggestions to begin the New Year. New Year's resolutions typically aren't simply for your individual life. With only a few days left to year, it's a smart idea to analyze just what you are doing to optimize…

This New Years embrace customers, talk to them, and build something really great that customers will crave. As a startup lifer who lost more than a few million bucks one spring 2000 afternoon, I’m always on the lookout for…

Outer Limits Brewing- From Challenges to Successful Opening. I’m sure the idea of starting a brewery sounds like a whole lot of fun to most of us, but it’s a business just like anything else and takes a lot of effort to be…

Ask the right questions and take the steps to entrepreneurial success. Entrepreneurial endeavors are challenging; occasionally, the demands of the endeavor can shake us. We may ask: "Are we ready for this?"…

Leadership is at the core of this Latino entrepreneur’s success. Peter Herrero, founder/GM of the White Plains-based NY Hospitality Group, was able to hone his leadership skills as a scout before he entered the business…

Starting a small business rarely maps to plan but it can be manageable. Starting a new business or joining an early stage startup is as exciting and exhilarating as it is scary. When they say it’s a rollercoaster ride they…

Three examples I've experienced in dealings with other businesses – large and small. When I started my own business this year, I started looking at all the businesses that serve me and what I could learn from them. What I soon…

People will talk about you anyway. Make sure it’s good because good means more people will buy your products or come to your establishment. Bad means they will cross you off the “must check out” list or never put you on that list to begin…

Responding to complaints with empathy is vital when responding to issues raised by customers and employees. How many times have you heard someone say: “I just want to be heard!” And yet at times it seems that companies…

When thinking of contracts, most people don't realize an oral contract can be a valid agreement When thinking of contracts, most individuals think about a written document. The document includes all the important features…

When my corporate position was eliminated I used my applied knowledge to start a small business Having worked in corporate banking for over 28 years in various positions of management and marketing, I have a fairly good…

6 brand positioning techniques for staking a claim in specific market segments. Brand positioning involves creating a vision of a product or business relative to competitors. As such, the messaging must be…

Valuing your employees will help build your business   What motivates people?  As a business owner or leader it is imperative that you understand what motivates people because without people your business could not succeed.…

Making customers feel important from the onset is key. First impressions matter. I have learned that you must greet in less than 30 seconds, answer within 2 rings, or respond in less than an hour. As customers continue to…

Knowing and explaining the value for pricing your services. Have you heard the expression “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”? This is true for value as well. When we ask ourselves the question: How much are my…

Six best practices when starting a small business after working in corporate. I have a 30-year career in events - tradeshows, conferences, etc. - and until recently, I have always worked for others. I have worked for media…

Here's four often overlooked legal issues you should think about before starting a family business. Starting a business can be an exciting and optimistic period in an entrepreneur's life. However, what most small business…

Small Business Life Insurance is used to protect a business, or the family of a businessman, from the financial loss Small business owners depend on their enterprise as a primary source of family income and security, an…

Working collaboratively doesn’t mean always playing nice and building consensus, sometimes things can get messy. This is a very important part of the successful collaborative dynamic, working with teams that comprise people of distinctly…

Paying attention to your customer data is key to keeping your small business growing. Two consultants just unloaded their challenge: How do we help our client who has over 100M companies represented in their corporate…

Hispanic businessman Adelo Ramirez, owner of Los Gemelos Restaurant & Tortilleria, is living the American dream. Hispanic businessman restaurateur Adelo Ramirez has seen a lot of change in his life, including moving from…

"5 Rabbit" was a deity among 400 rabbits who were the children of the god of fermentation of Aztec mythology. Four years ago, at 4 a.m. on a Sunday, an exhausted and highly stressed Isaac Showaki casually suggested to his friend and…

Your first appointment should be with the banker who currently handles the business accounts for your company.

There are many factors to consider before investing in real estate. Before making a purchase, talk to your real estate and accounting professionals to be sure you understand the true costs and savings, and ensure a financially sound…

Ever wondered what the difference was between setting goals and setting intentions? The Webster Dictionary describes it pretty clear. Goals are more clearly defined and have a more precise plan. Intentions are about having an…

The tips provided in this article have been gleaned first hand by the author from clients who have recently had to deal with these issues. 

Small business owners need to carefully evaluate and not make assumptions. For most startups, these nine flawed assumptions are the most toxic of all.

Failure is a common core to a heroes’ success. There may be nothing on the planet that bothers me more than a poor effort. Whether students in school, team members on assignments or leaders responsible for others. I…

How to use social media to drive leads...5 recommendations. The most successful businesses and individuals in sales are not just successful because of their abilities to sell and close deals, but because they are able to get…

Here's why small business owners need to take the necessary steps to file trademarks. I know what you’re thinking: You’re thinking: “Why bother with filing a trademark?” And, your next thought:…

Small business start-ups, brand, company image and branding recognition within cultures. Let's start with a little quiz. Don't worry-I'm going to give you the answers along with the questions. Ready? Okay. Think of this…

Small businesses can mitigate or even eliminate many problems by heeding these warnings Editor's note: This is part one of two parts of the Dont's or pitfalls for small business owners. There are many small business…

Four must haves for optimal financial management Set up the right financial management regime at the get-go and then you can spend your days on operations and sales. It isn't expensive. It is efficient. It requires…

Silicon Valley small business startups need more marketing and of course, more money. In my extensive travels coaching small business startups around the globe, everybody wants to be “the next Silicon Valley,” which is…

4 Processes for optimal organization Organization is not a process or plan but an efficient method to facilitate a process or plan. Companies strive to maximize cash flow. Since time is money, (or cash…

Four big ideas around learnings and creative thinking methodologies. Over breakfast a number of years back with Bryan Mattimore, I shared an increasingly gnawing concern with an innovation doctor…

Five more superpowers of packaging. Editor's note this is part two of a two part series, this first part covers the first five of ten. The first part The 10 Superpowers of Packaging- Part 1 Here are the final…

Product packaging is as important as the product itself! Editor's note this is part one of a two part series, this first part covers the first five of ten. Many companies wrongfully view their product packaging as an…

Product and market alignment are crucial to small business success. I’ve shaken hands with too many founders who have sore hands. Why? They’re busy patting themselves on the back for making a pivot, without seeing…

For foreign nationals, the Entrepreneur Parole Program represents a chance to participate in the US economy.. In my April 2017 contribution to LBT, we alerted readers to a program that was due to come on line,…

Carola Otero Bracco helps new immigrants and host communities better understand and accept each other. Often, when people immigrate to the U.S., it’s assumed they’ll assimilate, or become “Americanized”—whatever…

Six lessons from a master in his sales profession. Last week, my mentor and friend of 32 years passed away. His name was Larry Lynch and he was a shining example of loving life and making the most out of every opportunity to…

Are you missing out on sales because you are selling the wrong thing? I walked up to the counter at my favorite local coffee shop. The young girl behind the counter with a beaming smile, looks me in the eye and…

Felipe's small business owners are examples of the entrepreneurial spirit. When I went to speak with the owners of Felipe’s, a relatively new (2 years old) and rather small (roughly 40 covers) restaurant in the resort town of…

Deciding the legal form of an enterprise is one of the first questions to be addressed by entrepreneurs. In our last article, we compared the characteristics of Standard C Corporations, S Corporations, and Limited…

No matter how technical and complicated a problem, small business owners have a universal source of information. Consultants are expensive. When you contract a consultant, you are paying for expertise that you do not…

10 tips to help you navigate the rocky road from corporate exec to small business owner. Like many professionals in business today, I had to respond to changing circumstances and figure out how to succeed in an…

Deciding the legal form of an enterprise is one of the first questions to be addressed by entrepreneurs. For an entrepreneur starting up a business, one of the first legal questions he or she will encounter is what…

Here are six commercial lease line items to identify for and negotiate. The per square foot rent is only the entry fee in most commercial leases. The fine print can make the tenant responsible for additional…

Daisy Expósito-Ulla shares how she started and grew her advertising business. Editor's note: This is part two of a two part profile of Daisy Expósito-Ulla entitled:  Latina Business Leader Spotlight on Ad Exec Daisy…

A business growth strategy is about having a plan and incorporating it into your life. Editor's note: This is part three of a three part series. In part one entitled Latina Breaths Life into Respiremos a Company…

Companies such as Nike and Apple have turned branding into a science - and you can too. Take a branding stroll with me down memory lane for a moment. Do you recall when it was popular to wear product brand names…

Latina entrepreneur Eugenia Altamira a Mexican-American has a unique back-story. Editor's note: This is part one of a three part series. The company is called Respiremos, born from Eugenia Altamira's…

The Business Plan is the blueprint for your business. It is a living document. The Executive Summary – Your Business ID The Executive Summary is both a marketing tool and a document that provides hard data. It…

Is direct sales and network marketing really boosting your revenue or potentially compromising your brand? Revenue can be a risky situation. Right off the bat I know this might be a touchy subject matter for some…

Before you apply for a loan determine if a HARD MONEY LOAN is the right option your small business. Have you watched the Shark Tank? Inventers, entrepreneurs and small business owners stand in front of a panel…

The five takeaways are part two of this two part series. Editor's note: This is part two of a two part article covering the benefits, importance and technique of networking for small business owners. Please…

Networking is vital to the success, growth and viability of a small business. Editor's note: This is part one of a two part article covering the benefits, importance and technique of networking for small…

Identifying products to sell is not as easy as many think. When a small business owner considers starting a company geared toward selling goods, he or she must decide what products their company will…

Define as concretely and simply what you do, for whom, with what expertise, and with what results for clients. Editor's note: This is part two of a two part series. Part 1 kicked off the series with the article entitled: The…

A Ph.D turned style entrepreneur's journey from honing expertise from Argentina to California. Mara Kolesas, Ph.D. a successful fashion professional was born and raised in Argentina, She is a “style…

Lilia Rojas Latina entrepreneur and owner of La Flor de Jalisco bakery has achieved success Lilia Rojas takes an almost literal approach to running her business: the positive meaning of having her cake and…

Entrepreneurs should consider businesses which will have strong market demand. If you are considering a new entrepreneurial venture in the near future you should consider which businesses will have strong…

Ways to improve your business development that doesn’t require tuition. What does a successful business look like? Some might say financial profit, while others may say the establishment of effective brand familiarity.…

Great partnerships are not only necessary in business, but extremely satisfying and rewarding. Over my 30 year career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many colleagues, partnering on both large and small…

Brand strategy and the value of 3 approaches to listening. Within the term brand strategy, the word “strategy” sometimes conjures up military campaigns or sports. It sometimes also sounds like…

While attention has been paid to the bleak immigration landscape, there is a brighter spot. The Entrepreneur Parole Program is a hopeful step in the right direction toward attracting the brightest and best entrepreneurs to…

Discipline, attention to detail are just a few of the hallmarks. In today’s world, business owners can learn a lot from those who engage in world class competition, specifically the Olympics. Olympic athletes are…

Part two there's more than one way to start a business. Editor's note: This is part two of a three part series spotlighting Lily Winsaft a successful Latina entrepreneur and her successful journey. Part one…

Hard work, a thirst for learning and giving back are the building blocks of success. Editor's note: This is part one of a three part series spotlighting Lily Winsaft a successful Latina entrepreneur and her successful…

Choosing the wrong platform for a growing company can be detrimental in the long run. Having learned through experience, the cost involved by making the wrong decision can result in a bad investment. Researching different…

Generate sustainable business and sales through the creation of quality products and stellar service not cheap offerings. Focus on quality products to build a competitive advantage Competing on price alone leaves…

In 2016 Latin Business Today featured a cross section of Hispanic businesses. Here are three Hispanic businesses many featured in 2016. Included in this group were notable Hispanic small businesses from three industries: a…

Business is a family affair for two Hispanic businesswomen the owners of Bronxville's Chantilly Patisserie. When they were in high school, Maria and Mariana Delgado Gambini did some community service as part of their high…

Business is a family affair for two Hispanic businesswomen the owners of Bronxville's Chantilly Patisserie. When they were in high school, Maria and Mariana Delgado Gambini did some community service as part of their high…

Not everyone is suited for corporate life...some require the adrenaline, the risk and the empowerment. For those of you who happened to read my earlier multi-part series “The Accidental Entrepreneur”, I…

The Six common components of Supply and Service Contracts. Editor's note: This is Part IV in the contracts series. Prior pieces in this series: Part I: Small Business Contracts Part I: A Different…

Entrepreneurship- review these two steps for insights on what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Just add water. Can entrepreneurship really be that easy? Can the seeds of entrepreneurship grow for us if we just add water?…

Starting a family and a medical practice to help an under served Hispanic Community. I was born in the Dominican Republic in a very small town called Licey, Santiago. We are 5 children, four boys and me the only girl.…

What every perspective small business owners need to know. Editor's note: This is part three of a three part series As I stated in my last piece Accidental Entrepreneur- My Second Big Break and It Was BIG!, I…

I swear I didn’'t really WANT to start my own firm. I didn’'t have any ego issues egging me on to be THE BOSS. Editor's note: This is part two of a three part series Prior to being an entrepreneur in San Diego…

Getting educated, picking a career and getting ready to get started. I was the Accidental Entrepreneur. I had just moved back to the US weighted down with unpaid college loans and a baby in diapers but buoyed by a…

Angels, VCs, bootstrapping loans from banks and alternative lenders Although bank loans are typically the first form of financing most new business owners think of, they are not the only way to fund your startup. Here’s an…

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Small businesses must adapt to the mobile transaction shift quickly to maintain customer loyalty, market share and revenues. Mobile payments will make cash obsolete and improve the productivity of the payments…

Learning from mistakes can drive new small business strategies and best practices. In the midst of starting a business or embarking on a new venture, things may not always be perfect. But if it was easy everyone…

Small business capital hurdles-remedies and must read small business capital articles. Whether growing your small business or applying for a start-up it's vital to address the following: The Hurdles and How to address…

Have you been thinking of starting or expanding your small business? In working on your business plan, have thought about how you will fund your business? At some point or another financing a startup or expansion…

Business plans are critical to the success of any new venture include these components. Entrepreneurs should dedicate time to create them, regardless if you’re searching for investors. Business plans serve as the framework…

 3 tips to ensure you safeguard your personal assets and business credit worthiness.  Credit plays an important role to many business owners in their daily operations.  Many vendors actually pull personal and business credit…

The four keys to creating a powerful tool to take control of your cash flow. There is an effective way to format your entries for cash flow that will have a dramatic impact on the way you manage your business. Here…

A Small Business With a Lot of Fight- How a Doctor Established A Mixed Martial Arts Gym in an Unlikely Locale You wouldn’t normally expect a doctor from Brazil to hang up his stethoscope to pursue an entrepreneurial…

Creating Assumptions for the Cash Flow Projections The income statement reports billings and accrued expenses. The cash flow statement reports collections and payments—cash inflow and outflow. The cash flow statement differs…

Breaking down pricing for small business goods and services. You can then choose to charge a premium price (if you have a superior, value-added product or service), a discount price (which is generally hard for…

Demystifying the balance sheet and its components. The balance sheet is a crucial tool in your company’s financial management. By looking at your balance sheet, you are able to see a snapshot of your company’s finances at a…

SEO core components, spam and analytics Search engine optimization (SEO) means optimizing your site so it comes up higher in organic (nonpaid) search results, driving more traffic. Optimize your site by posting content with…

Take advantage of social media to generate visibility and sales. Marketing with social media can help you increase sales, drive traffic to your site or store, learn about your competitors and find potential partners.…

Consider the following criteria prior to developing a strategy and launching a small business website. A business website is an essential marketing tool today. Even if you don’t sell online, you need a business…

Small businesses must lock in an advertising and marketing strategy. In the same way your business plan explains your business idea, strategy and operations, your marketing plan lays out your marketing message and how…