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.…

Continue reading

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.…

Continue reading

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.
Continue reading

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.…

Continue reading

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.…

Continue reading

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.

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.…

Continue reading

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.…

Continue reading

How to Choose the Right Power of Attorney When You Run a Business

In the complex landscape of running a business, making informed decisions is paramount. One critical aspect that often gets overlooked is the designation of a Power of Attorney (POA).

Power of Attorney (POA)

A Power of Attorney gives one or more persons the authority to act on your behalf in legal and financial matters, ensuring that your interests are represented even when you’re not able to do so yourself. This can be especially vital in situations like health emergencies or business incapacitation.

Understanding how to choose the right person or people for this role is crucial for the continued operation and success of your business.…

Continue reading

How to Read a Balance Sheet Like an Investor: A Comprehensive Guide

For investors, reading a balance sheet is like looking under the hood of a business. It reveals not only the company’s financial health but also its potential for growth, profitability, and resilience in various economic conditions. A balance sheet provides insights into the value of a company’s assets, its liabilities, and shareholders’ equity, allowing investors to evaluate risk, return, and alignment with their investment goals.

Cost analysis of big data

In this guide, we’ll dive into how to interpret the components of a balance sheet from an investor’s perspective, covering key metrics, ratios, and red flags to consider.

The Balance Sheet Structure: 101

A balance sheet is structured into three primary sections:

  1. Assets: What the company owns.
Continue reading

10 Problems with Small Business Digital Marketing

In today’s digital age, online marketing is crucial for small businesses looking to thrive. Yet, despite the abundance of tools and platforms available, many small businesses struggle to get digital marketing right. From limited budgets to knowledge gaps, there are several problems that prevent small businesses from leveraging the full potential of digital marketing.

Digital marketing

Here, we’ll explore ten common challenges that small businesses face in the digital space and provide insights on how to overcome them.

1. Limited Budget for Advertising

One of the most significant issues small businesses face is budget constraints. Digital marketing is cost-effective compared to traditional marketing, but it still requires a budget for paid ads, SEO tools, and content creation.…

Continue reading