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Why Crowdfunding is a Double-Edged Sword for Small Businesses

Crowdfunding has reshaped the way small businesses access capital. Platforms like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe have democratized fundraising, offering entrepreneurs a chance to secure funds directly from their target audience.

Raising capital via crowdfunding

According to a Statista study, the transaction value n the Crowdfunding market is projected to reach US$1.20 billion in 2024, highlighting its growing importance as a funding mechanism. However, as with any financial tool, crowdfunding comes with its own set of challenges, making it both an opportunity and a risk.

This article explores the dual nature of crowdfunding, offering insights into how small businesses can leverage it while navigating the potential pitfalls.…

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Why Not Every Small Business Deserves to Succeed

The entrepreneurial world often romanticizes small businesses, portraying them as the underdogs of capitalism, engines of innovation, and pillars of the economy. While these narratives are inspiring, they often obscure a harsh reality: not every small business is destined—or even deserves—to succeed.

Small business success

Why does this happen? Is it simply a matter of bad luck, market forces, or something more intrinsic? This article dives into the often-overlooked reasons some small businesses fail, arguing that failure isn’t always a tragedy; sometimes, it’s a necessity for the larger ecosystem.

The Harsh Realities of Entrepreneurship

Poor Business Fundamentals

Many small businesses are launched with enthusiasm but lack the foundation necessary for long-term survival.…

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Improving Corporate Governance: 6 Guidelines for SMB Leaders

No business is too small to bother with proper corporate governance. Likewise, it’s never too early for growth-minded startups to think about the obligations they’ll need to meet as they scale.

Corporate governance

Fortunately, examples of sound corporate governance abound in every sector, industry and specialty. While every business should be free to set its own rules and meet its unique compliance obligations as it sees fit, leaders can and should learn from peers who’ve put in the work and committed to “get it right.”

With that in mind, let’s review six basic corporate governance guidelines — or “to do’s,” if you prefer — for businesses to focus on as they grow.…

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Why Small Businesses Should Stop Hiring Friends and Family

For small business owners, the idea of hiring friends and family often seems appealing. It can feel like a natural way to build a team with people you trust while helping loved ones earn a stable income. However, as many seasoned entrepreneurs have discovered, mixing personal relationships with professional obligations can create a recipe for disaster.

Hiring friends and family

While it may seem harmless or even beneficial at first, hiring friends and family can lead to issues that affect the workplace dynamic, the health of your business, and even personal relationships. In this article, we’ll explore the pitfalls of employing friends and family, why it can be damaging for small businesses, and how to navigate the challenges when working with loved ones is unavoidable.…

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The Side Hustle Dilemma: Is It Ruining Small Businesses?

Over the past decade, side hustles have become a dominant force in the economy. From freelance gigs to e-commerce shops run during off-hours, the side hustle culture has inspired millions to explore entrepreneurial ventures. Promoted as a way to achieve financial freedom and independence, side hustles are often seen as empowering tools for the modern worker.

Managing small business growth

However, as the gig economy grows, a troubling question arises: are side hustles undermining small businesses? While the movement to hustle has its merits, its unintended consequences on traditional small businesses and the economy at large deserve scrutiny. In this article, we’ll examine the side hustle phenomenon, its impact on small businesses, and what can be done to create a balanced entrepreneurial ecosystem.…

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The Price War Problem: How Small Businesses Destroy Each Other

Price wars often begin innocently enough—one business lowers its prices to attract more customers, and competitors quickly follow suit. However, what starts as a strategy to gain market share often spirals into a destructive cycle where everyone loses.

Price wars

photo credit: Karolina Grabowska / Pexels

In this article, we’ll explore how price wars undermine small businesses, why they occur, and how businesses can escape this self-destructive cycle.

The Anatomy of a Price War

Price wars are not just about competition; they’re about desperation. When small businesses lack differentiation, pricing becomes the battleground. Here’s how it usually unfolds:

  1. The First Shot: One business lowers prices to attract more customers, believing they can absorb the reduced margins.
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Consider These Improvement Projects to Take Your Business to the Next Level

Your business’s physical location is critical to its overall success. Regular maintenance and upgrades can ensure the space remains both functional and safe. Investing in your property’s structural integrity is an excellent way to increase its value over time.

Business premise improvement

One essential maintenance task is roof inspection, which should be conducted at least every 12 months, according to Allstate. Routine inspections help identify potential problems before they become costly repairs, thus protecting your investment. According to This Old House, in 2023, there are over 253,000 roofing contractors in the US, and finding reliable help for roof inspections is more accessible than ever.…

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Upgrading Your Truck’s Suspension System? Here’s What You Need To Know

Driving or riding in a truck should be a pleasant experience, one that makes you feel capable, comfortable, and in control. If your truck has a poor suspension system, you can’t enjoy any of these things. A bad suspension system or one that’s in need of an upgrade typically means a bumpy ride, difficult handling, and the potential for danger on the road.

Trucking business opportunities

Fortunately, a simple upgrade can make a world of difference. But, before you upgrade your truck’s suspension system, there are a few things to know and consider.

Understand The Benefits Of Upgrading Your Suspension System

First things first, don’t make the mistake of thinking that a suspension system doesn’t make a big difference, especially for commercial trucks.…

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5 Deadly Sins of Marketing a Small Business and What to Do Instead

If you own a small business, then you probably know that marketing is crucial. You need to let your customers know that you exist. The first step toward getting them to buy your products or utilize your services is to get your name out there.

Promoting business using megaphone.

A Milwaukee advertising agency might be the answer. You may also handle your own marketing if you have the time, money, and necessary skill set.

Whichever option you choose, you’ll want to avoid some of the worst marketing mistakes that it is possible for a small business owner to make. Let’s run through five of those right now.…

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Entrepreneurs: Are You a Realist or Delusional?

The journey of entrepreneurship is often glorified for its promise of freedom, financial success, and personal fulfillment. But underneath these glamorized perceptions lies a critical distinction in the mindset that can dictate the path an entrepreneur takes.

Are you a realist who grounds every move in practicality and analysis, or are you more delusional, following big dreams with unshakable optimism? While both traits have their merits and pitfalls, finding the right balance can define success or failure.

Entrepreneur

This article delves deep into the pros and cons of realism and delusion in entrepreneurship, and how these opposing mindsets influence decision-making, problem-solving, risk tolerance, and business longevity.…

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