Q: I have a great idea for an amazing new product. There is nothing like it on the market and no competition that I can find. I think it will be a huge success and so does everyone I tell the idea to. I’m willing to bet the farm on this one. What do you [...]
If your business doesn’t stand out in today’s hyper-competitive market place there’s a good chance that you won’t be in business very long. There are countless others vying for the same slice of the pie that you are.
There are dozens of competitors just up the road doing all they can to get the attention of [...]
I’m often asked: what is the best way to finance a new business venture. This question is usually followed by “So, do you ever invest in new business ventures?”
The answers, respectively, are: 1. there is no “best” way to fund a new business; and 2. I do invest in new business ventures, but darn it [...]
I had the honor of speaking this week at a women’s business association luncheon on the topic of entrepreneurship. When I mentioned to my wife the day before that I was speaking to group of women entrepreneurs she asked, “Why on earth would they ask you to speak?”
In her defense my dear wife has no [...]
Q: I am thinking about starting my own business, but statistics show that most new businesses fail. Why do you think most businesses fail?
A: This is the column that probably gets me kicked out of the entrepreneurial chapter of the Priory of Scion. I look silly in those long robes anyway, so here goes.
A thousand [...]
I’ve been expanding my entrepreneurial horizons lately by meeting entrepreneurs in businesses I’d never been exposed to before. I learned that there are many kinds of entrepreneurs and each dances to his own drummer. Some do it the right way while others do it however they dang well please. I have found that their attitude [...]
I’ve never been much of a fisherman. Sitting in a small boat for hours watching a red and white bobber float atop the water holds about as much interest for me as watching paint dry. My old man, on the other hand, would have rather fished than breathe. In fact, his favorite Bible quote was: [...]
Earlier this year I was convinced by my loving wife and adoring kids that if I truly loved them I would have a swimming pool installed in our back yard. Now, I personally believe that if God had meant for humans to spend time in the water he would have given us gills instead of [...]
Q: I’m so sick of you so-called business experts always saying the customer is always right. This is my business, not the customer’s, so I’m the one who’s always right. Sure, they can have an opinion, but in the end it’s up to me to decide who’s right and who’s not. And if the customer [...]
Last week’s question from Anthony R. on how to choose the franchise that would best fulfill his life-long dream of owning his own business sparked a number of emails from other readers wanting to offer their two cents on the subject.
Some folks offered helpful insights and suggestions on how to pick a franchise and a [...]
