3 easy and inexpensive ways to look more professional when you’re starting out

For bootstrapping young businesses, making a professional first impression as you build your brand is key. Although hiring a branding expert may be too large an expense in the early days, you can still help your business stand out in the best possible way without breaking the bank. Just follow these simple marketing moves that will help people to know, like, and trust you. 1. Build credibility with your own…  Read more

Is Bitcoin worth considering as a payment method?

For many small business owners, the offer of low payment fees is a very attractive proposition. Bitcoin – a digital currency that allows low-cost peer to peer payments – offers an interesting alternative to traditional payment methods. When you buy or sell with bitcoins, fees are set by bitcoin users. Typically those fees are much lower than the 2-3% transaction fees incurred in a typical credit card transaction. Before you…  Read more

Does “mindfulness” have a place in business?

According to Google, which offers employees a course on mindfulness meditation, and Lululemon, a company that keeps a Director of Mindfulness on staff, the answer is a resounding yes. Mindfulness, as American scientist Jon Kabat-Zinn defines it, is simply “paying attention in a sustained and particular way – on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally.” Research has shown that practicing mindful meditation can lead to reduced stress, lowered blood…  Read more

Ideas for business goals this year

The start of the year is the perfect time to dust off last year’s business plan and set some new goals for the future. While some entrepreneurs love planning, others feel overwhelmed by the process. How do you decide on just a handful of goals that take priority, with so many moving parts that make up a business? These tips can help you get started brainstorming how your company can…  Read more

Tips for managing contractors

For small businesses, working with independent contractors can be a life saver. You can hand over tasks you don’t have time for – at a fraction of the cost of an employee. Unlike staff, you won’t owe a contractor payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, health insurance, or other employee benefits. Because contractors aren’t employees, however, they do need to be managed differently. They’re accustomed to being their own bosses, for one…  Read more

Money Saving Tips – 5 Times When Buying Used Makes Sense

If you are trying to save money, switching from brand new goods to used items can make a lot of sense. Buying used does not always make sense, but exploring the pre-owned market is one of the best ways to save on many different classes of products. These 5 types of consumer goods are particularly good candidates for the used market. Cars Buying a brand new car rarely makes financial…  Read more

3 Truths to Quell Fear

It is easy to become inundated with information in our modern society. Reports of death and disease, economies on the brink of collapse, and political infighting lend us to feelings of fear and overwhelm. There is no doubt the struggles we face today will require agility and will most likely reduce or contract any goals and projections we had our sights set on as the new year and new decade began.…  Read more

17 Stimulus Package (CARES act) Resources

You likely have questions regarding the stimulus package (CARES act), passed late last week, and how it affects your family and/or your business. We are hearing from many clients, friends, and family about the overwhelming details coming out of this bill. The measures enacted to date are evolving in regards to implementation. We are continuing to monitor ways in which you can act now in order to protect yourself and those around you financially.…  Read more

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