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Start-up

CLOTHING   |  Comment

My Secret to Starting a Successful Clothing Brand

When you're young and don't have a lot of money to launch a world-wide clothing brand, you have to get creative and start slow. Here's how we did it...READ»

BUSINESS   |  Comment

How to Fail Before You Open

Some small start ups tend to fail before they even begin to conduct business. This article not only explains why, but how to start an successful endeavor.READ»

Launch: Silicon Valley 2009

Launch: Silicon Valley 2009

Starting a tech business in good times takes guts--more than 60% of new ones fail in four recession-free years. These days, you need courage, chutzpah, and an extra measure of je ne sais quoi. A chance to woo investors helps; ...READ»

solar
SUNDRUM   |  Comment

SunDrum uses PC Technology to Make Solar Systems More Powerful

Massachusetts-based startup SunDrum is working on a liquid-filled heat sink that boosts the power output of photovoltaic panels (PV) and heats water--all with the help of a solar collector that's similar to something you would see ...READ»

It's Creative (Destruction) Genius

As the world and the US slogs through the current economic turmoil, the task of economic development professionals is shifting.  What use to be a local struggle to attract businesses and jobs, competing against other states or ...READ»

Love this magazine!

Long time FC Fan finally joins the community.READ»

As Luck Would Have It…Success Is Not A Science.

One of my favorite radio programs is a quasi-science show called Radio Lab and is hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich. There are two reasons why I love this program so much: 1) because the production values are so good that no matter what they are talking about it sounds multilayered and dynamic and 2) while the topics are science related they are not overly technical and there is a heavy philosophical element usually presented from various sides by the two hosts and their guests. Anyway, while perusing the Radio Lab website the other day to download some files for my iPod, I came across a podcast entry where the two hosts are discussing the early days and their first failed attempt at creating a skit for another public radio program called This American Life. Toward the end of the skit, Jad answers a question about how the show is produced, and he talks about science in a way that struck me, in that it is directly related to entrepreneurship and for that matter…life. Here is an excerpt: READ»

A 2008 Christmas Poem

As I wake to the sounds of the FM dial my mind starts to focus on life’s great trials. “Time to get up kids & brush your teeth and please for once don’t fall back to sleep.” “Hurry now get out of the shower the bus has gone and it’s tardy hour.” In a rush as we fly in our car but the road is slick and traffic is at war.READ»

It Was The Best Of Times, It Was The Worst Of Times

When entrepreneurs start a new business they often have a nasty habit of paying little attention to whether or not the timing it right for that business idea. Some will start their business either way, no matter what the data (or the bozos) say. And some of those entrepreneurs are going to be successful in spite of the worst of odds. But today’s economic uncertainties actually puts the question of timing front and center in the entrepreneur’s minds eye. So here are some things you should consider before starting a business in today’s brutal business climate:READ»

Even Brilliant People Need The Right Opportunities

Entrepreneurs love to point to the success of "self-made" people like Bill Gates as proof that hard work, solid ideas and solid execution are the most important factors for success. But is that really true? Malcolm Gladwell, the ...READ»

Is There Meaning In The Work You Do?

I came across a great post by Umair Haque over at Harvard Business Publishing titled How to Build a Next-Gen Business Now. He lays out five steps to build such a business but it was the fifth step that caught my attention because it ...READ»

Business.com Case Study: Ignore The Laughter Of Other People

Every entrepreneur has had some person laugh at their idea, but few have had thousands or hundreds of thousands laugh at their idea. I personally know someone who had the chance to invest in MTV at the inception but laughed at ...READ»

Inspiring Others Is Important

I am currently in Jamaica and was invited on Tuesday to be a guest lecturer at the H.E.A.R.T. VTDI in Kingston by Dennis Howard, the UWI lecturer who brought me down in February to speak at the Global Reggae Conference. It was a ...READ»

Do You Visualize Your Desired Outcome Before Pursuing It?

In the book The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur that I recently endorsed, Mike Michalowicz speaks early on about the importance of visualizing your goal before setting out to achieve it. He quotes Bob Marley as the best example of ...READ»

How the Credit Crisis Affects Small Business

The big media is talking about big dollars, big companies, and big bailout packages.  Sub-prime mortgage backed securities, money market mutual fund savings, and now commercial paper have all been at the center of the conversation ...READ»

Innovators Are Better Than Inventors?

I recently picked up Finding An Angel Investor in a Day to see what kind of advice was in there and to get additional info on term sheets. I found the following breakdown very interesting: Three Types of ...READ»

My Letter Published In Inc. Magazine October 2008 Issue

The 3rd quarter has started nicely - The entrepreneurship book I endorsed is on sale and doing well, The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, we have a meeting with a potential investor on Sunday who approached us and I am in Inc. magazine's ...READ»

Nancy Pelosi Obviously Did Not Read 'How To Win Friends and Influence People"

As much as I am supporting Barack Obama this year and believe that the Republicans have screwed America with their de-regulation mantra and "deficits don't matter" approach, I call it as I see it.Every person who is trying ...READ»

Focus On Needs, Not Wants or Desires

It seems normal for humans to become slaves to their wants and desires but we have to overcome those, especially in business. I was able to overcome many of mine (especially the desire to be liked by lots of people) thanks to ...READ»

BRAND   |  3 comments

Is Your Brand Awesome? Should it be?

Recently at a small business conference in Chicago I attended a few different seminars on marketing, promotion and branding.  Being a self proclaimed finance geek, I find it is helpful to step outside of my natural habitat to ...READ»

Awareness is Over-rated, Focus on Positive Opinion

The heading of this blog post was what Deborah Meyer, the Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Chrysler had to say during her presentation at MIXX in New York City on Monday. Her presentation was focused on ...READ»

The Danger of Debt-driven Growth

Entrepreneurs are always looking for capital to grow their business or build the foundation of their venture. Most people raise money from family and friends, then borrow against their house or use credit cards. That is not ...READ»

How Can Your Cup Be Filled If It Is Already Full?

Yesterday evening my wife and I discovered an Asian boutique store in our mall and grabbed a copy of the Chinese Uncut version of 'The Forbidden Kingdom' starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li (I collect Hong Kong movies and have over 45 ...READ»

What's Going On? From Wall Street to Main Street.

There is blood in the streets of America’s businesses both small and large.  On Wall Street, the collapse of financial institutions, the bailouts of Freddie, Fannie, Bear Sterns and now AIG.  500 point daily drops in the Dow ...READ»

Blinders Aren't Just For Horses: Business Lessons From Wall Street and Warren Buffett

If you have been following the news, you must know about the trials and tribulations of Wall Street firms. Sub-prime losses continue to wreak havoc and all their Ivy League MBAs aren't saving them.Some people actually believe that ...READ»

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