Great Ideas for your Small Business: Get Certified as a Minority Supplier Marguerite thompson browne, director of special projects for San Francisco–based Washington Sportswear Inc., was among the 4,000 people attending the National Minority Supplier Development Council’s (NMSDC) twenty-fifth annual conference in New York City. “This conference gives you access,” said Thompson Browne, whose sportswear … Read more
Great Ideas for your Small Business: Publicize Your Food Business The power of the press is greater than ever when it comes to driving sales of offbeat specialty foods. Positive publicity sends foodies to the phones to feed their passion for unique food and condiments. With Americans buying an estimated $400 million worth of specialty … Read more
Great Ideas for your Small Business: Attend Charity Events to Make Contacts Dust off your tuxedo or evening gown – it’s time to socialize with the leaders of your business community. One great way to meet the “who’s who” of your town is to buy a ticket to a local charity event where you can … Read more
Great Ideas for your Small Business: Make Your 800 Line Ring An 800 line is a great way to boost sales, especially if you serve customers in a wide area. If you can’t get an 800 number, try 888 or 877, which are also toll-free for callers. Here are five tips to generate more calls: … Read more
Great Ideas for your Small Business: Become Politically Active Dal lamagna has sold millions of tweezers. In 1996 he was busy selling himself. “Hi, I’m Dal LaMagna, and I’m running for Congress,” LaMagna said, handing out campaign flyers to sunbathers on Tobay Beach on Long Island. “LaMagna— rhymes with lasagna.” LaMagna, a successful entrepreneur, spent … Read more
Great Ideas for your Small Business: Tap the Growing Hispanic Market Some of the 2000 census figures have the U.S. Hispanic community feeling new strength. The numbers show a population growing faster than expected and more broadly distributed than in years past. “Best of all,” says George Herrera, president and CEO of the United States … Read more
Great Ideas for your Small Business: Know Your Competition Entrepreneurs love to brag about beating their competition, but the truth is, most small business owners are too buried in work to keep track of what their competition is up to. But operating your business in a vacuum can lead to its demise. “You have to … Read more
Great Ideas for your Small Business: Have a Theater Party When eric schwab moved his advertising specialties company out of his home, he needed a novel way to entice clients to visit the new location. “We partnered with the Civic Theatre of Central Florida for the opening night preview of Forever Plaid,” said Schwab. He … Read more
Great Ideas for your Small Business: Ask for Two Business Cards Whenever you meet a new, interesting person, always ask for two business cards. Why? Because you want to keep one and pass the other along to someone else who might benefit from this person’s products or services. I learned this tip from a veteran … Read more
Great Ideas for your Small Business: Know the Difference between Marketing, Advertising, and PR Too many entrepreneurs use a scattershot approach to marketing, advertising, and public relations, primarily because they don’t understand the subtle differences between the three. But knowing which to use, and when, can save you time, aggravation, and money. Marketing encompasses a … Read more
