Great Ideas for your Small Business: Import Something New and Different A new industry was spawned forty years ago by a homely fruit then known as the Chinese gooseberry. The palm-sized brown fuzzballs, now called “kiwis,” were the basis for Frieda Caplan’s wildly successful exotic-produce business. Before Frieda Caplan began importing fruit and vegetables from … Read more
Great Ideas for your Small Business: Create a Fad People used to stand in front of dave kapell’s refrigerator for hours, even when they weren’t hungry. They were mesmerized by his collection of hand- made magnetized words—-an idea that evolved into a major 1990s fad: the Magnetic Poetry kit. Kapell, a songwriter and cab driver, … Read more
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: Consider Multilevel Marketing Fran lyles-harper was a physicist working on the Space Shuttle’s main engines when she attended an in-home art party. “The art really touched my soul,” said Lyles-Harper. “It wasn’t only beautiful, but it was quality art at affordable prices.” Lyles-Harper didn’t buy anything that night, but … Read more
Great Ideas for your Small Business: Become a Government Contractor The federal government is the world’s largest purchaser of goods and services, so why not get in line? The Federal Marketplace should be your first stop. The site is rich with information on how to market and sell products and services to Uncle Sam. The … 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: 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: Really Work a Trade Show Hedy ratner, founder and copresident of the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) in Chicago, really knows how to work a room. A consummate networker, she has devoted years to helping women entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Here are some of her great tips … Read more
