This week’s roundup of “How To” articles, educational resources and upcoming events, business news and success stories recommended by SBE Council President & CEO Karen Kerrigan.
November is National Entrepreneurship Month, and this week’s selection of content and ideas focuses on resources and links that provide information and advice for starting a business.
Startup Ideas and “How To” Launch
50 Small Business Ideas You Can Start in the Spare Room, Small Biz Trends. “You don’t need a ton of space to start a small business. Once the kids have moved out or you’ve finally cleaned out that room at the end of the hall, that extra space can help you get a new business off the ground.”
10 Steps to Start Your Own Business, Small Business Administration. Want to make your best idea your new business? Don’t remain stuck when the SBA has the guide you need at the touch of a button.
Should You Be Looking at New Franchise Opportunities? Small Business Administration. “When it comes to buying a new franchise opportunity, make sure you get the facts you need so you can make an intelligent decision.” Here are some tips.
Key Steps to Develop and Evaluate Your Business Idea
Webinar November 28, 2017 1:00pm ET/10:00am PT
Do you want to start a business but not sure if your idea is feasible? Or do you need help gathering your thoughts into a viable business idea?
During this webinar, you will learn the essential steps of developing and evaluating your business idea, including how to:
● Turn your business idea into a reality
● Conduct preliminary research
● Use a one-page tool to evaluate 8 aspects of your company, including customers, cost, pricing and marketing
Register here.
Trends in Entrepreneurship and the Gig Economy
SCORE’s Small Business Jobs Report and the Gig Economy, Small Biz Labs. “It has some very interesting data on small businesses and their use of gig workers. According to the report…Business owners reported a 37% increase in hiring gig workers over the past six months, compared to increases of 13% for full-time employees, 22% for part-time employees, and 12% for part-time independent contractors.”
Are There More Gig Walkers Than Uber Drivers? Small Biz Labs. “When most people hear the term “gig economy, they think of Uber. But Uber is hardly the only gig economy company. In fact, it may not even be the largest, at least in terms of the number of independent workers using its platform.”
The Future of Retail in the Age of Amazon, Fast Company. “The truth is that the bigger Amazon gets, the more opportunity it creates for fresh, local alternatives. The more Amazon pushes robot-powered efficiency, the more space there is for warm and individualized service.”
A Growing Number of Young Americans are Leaving Desk Jobs to Farm, The Washington Post. “For only the second time in the last century, the number of farmers under 35 years old is increasing, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest Census of Agriculture. Sixty-nine percent of the surveyed young farmers had college degrees — significantly higher than the general population.”
Starting Up on the Right Track: Access to Capital, Marketing, Getting Organized
Mission Statement Examples, Bplans. “Be clear and specific, and you’ll highlight the core of what makes your venture unique and worthwhile. It’s a challenge, but you want to capture what your company stands for in a brief and memorable way.”
5 Tips to Master Mobile Marketing From the First Days of Your Startup, Small Biz Daily. “In 2016, mobile surpassed desktop as the preferred method for browsing the web—up to 60% preferred using mobile devices, while around 40% chose desktops. So what does that mean for you as a small-business owner and marketer?”
4 Secrets to Building a Successful Business on Instagram, Fast Company. “For small businesses with limited marketing budgets, the key to Instagram success goes beyond just posting pretty pictures, says this platform exec.”
6 Small Business Financing Options for Startup Entrepreneurs, Small Biz Daily. “You have a brilliant idea which you want to launch in the market. But you face the major problem in your start-up plan…financial support. The first hurdle is to convince your creditor about your idea and borrow money to run your business. Here are the 6 small business financing options that are good ways to start your journey.”
5 Small Business Finance Trends of 2018, Inc. “Overall, it has been a good year for small business lending and Small Business Administration (SBA) lending.”
7 Ways to Survive the Retail Customer Shift To Online, Startup Professionals. “The time to start for new ventures is at the beginning, when you can set the right team culture, and before biases are set. For existing businesses, it’s harder. You have to break things, change people, and build some new habits yourself to be the right role model.”
Entrepreneurial Success and Inspiration
She Left Law Enforcement to Start a Soap Craft Empire, Smart Hustle Magazine. “Anne-Marie Faiola understands the importance of creativity more than most. A former corrections officer, Faiola turned to her hobby of soap making to deal with the stress of her day job. And now she helps other people leverage their own creativity in a similar way through her company Bramble Berry Handcraft Provisions.”
21 Side Projects that Turned into Million Dollar Startups, Planio. “Despite all the hype around personal side hustles, and the importance of hobbies and interests outside your job, entrepreneurs aren’t as willing to put their money where their mouth is and fund those crazy, moonshot ideas that could become million-or even billion-dollar businesses. And this is a mistake. Side projects aren’t just distractions. In fact, some of the world’s most successful companies started as side projects.”