Growing Business

Main Street vs. Wall Street
A year after the financial meltdown, small businesses are still being alienated by their banks.
The Recession’s Winners and Losers Not everyone suffered during the financial crisis. A look at those who won and lost big during Wall Street’s meltdown.

By Kevin Kelly | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Sep 16, 2009

One year ago this week, Lehman Brothers closed its doors. Financial panic, obvious from the rapid decline of stock markets, spread like a contagion. The meltdown obviously hurt me, like many people who had much of their retirement savings loaded into equities. Of course, the panic spread when the federal government effectively took over the insurer American International Group and its mind-boggling debts a day later. But the impact the unfolding financial debacle might have on our family-run plastic packaging manufacturer didn’t hit home until a day or two later, when I called our banker at Wells Fargo & Co. and asked for an increase in our credit line. Read more…

Improving Foot Traffic Appeal
Tips for Sprucing Up Business Curb Appeal This Spring
Jan 30, 2010 Katelyn Thomas
As weather begins to warm and foot traffic increases, many small business owners are realizing that it is time to give their offices or stores a face lift to make their businesses more appealing to all those potential customers strolling by. Businesses with a renovation budget will repaint, replace all the furniture or make other big changes. Does this mean that businesses that are struggling to make ends meet aren’t able to improve their building’s appearance this spring? Not at all. For those that don’t have money in their budgets for a big makeover, there are still plenty of small things that can be done to spruce up the building or office. Read more…

Creating a Family Budget to Become Debt Free
Budget Your Way Out of Debt
Mar 1, 2010 Mike Valles
Developing a family budget can be one of the best things for the family. It can quickly enable more money to be available each month, and can lead to debt elimination.

Waiting until there is a large amount of debt is not the time to start learning how to get the best use of money in the home. Consistent financial budgeting of the family’s money is a great way to prevent many problems before they occur. Here are some things needed to put into the family budget to ensure that it has the ability to keep on track – and keep debt far away. Read more…

Creating a Family Budget to Become Debt Free
Budget Your Way Out of Debt
Mar 1, 2010 Mike Valles
Developing a family budget can be one of the best things for the family. It can quickly enable more money to be available each month, and can lead to debt elimination.

Waiting until there is a large amount of debt is not the time to start learning how to get the best use of money in the home. Consistent financial budgeting of the family’s money is a great way to prevent many problems before they occur. Here are some things needed to put into the family budget to ensure that it has the ability to keep on track – and keep debt far away. Read more…

Being a Disciplined Home Business Boss
by: Lawrence Roth

Leaving the corporate world for a home business is exciting. Being one’s own boss and making one’s own decisions is a great feeling. However, one still needs to have discipline to be effective at being a home business boss. In my home business I have found at least two things that one must be persistently disciplined about in order to achieve success.

First is the work schedule. A home business like any business requires work and often a lot of work. While it is true you do not have to get up at daybreak and put on a suit and tie to drive to work, one does need to set a work schedule and stick to it. Read more…