We need a website but we don’t have the budget for what we need. What can we do? We hear you. New business. Small marketing budget. It’s a dilemma for small business owners or startups.  But you need to be able to market your business. And the most efficient way to do that is with […]
Can you build your own website? Read More »
When you started your business, you filled out the requisite paperwork (type of business, tax forms, etc), and opened accounts (bank, credit cards, shipping, etc.). You followed the rules for setting everything up. But did you think about whether or not your website was ADA-compliant?  Was it accessible for people with disabilities who wouldn’t be able
Is your small business website ADA-compliant and why else you might be sued. Read More »
Photo by Daria Nepriakhina on Unsplash Americans spend one-third of their lives working – often more for entrepreneurs – and the distinction between our work and personal lives becomes more difficult to separate. You may not realize what you learn as a business owner may also apply to other aspects of your life, whether it’s
Guest Post: Shouldn’t Business & Life Skills Complement Each Other? by Julie Morris Read More »
Recently, we’ve been privy to a lot of conversation from small business owners who are trying to come up with new products or services…. some even considering startups. No surprise. Â The ongoing disruption small businesses are experiencing (Thanks, Covid) has left owners looking for new income streams to replace those that haven’t come back. An
Should you offer new products or services? Read More »
Many thanks to Lum3n for use of this Pexels image. A recent headline in the Wall Street Journal jumped out: Target Posts Record Quarter. Really? Month 6 of a pandemic. Life is anything but normal. Shops still closed. Restaurants going out of business. And Target can’t get out of their own way. What’s Target doing
Smart small businesses come up with solutions. Read More »
Super Small Business Service Providers Last month, we shouted about some fun things to do during this odd Chicago summer. This month, we’re focusing on three small businesses offering services that can help you grow your business. Video Production Robb Emmett is the owner of WinWin Productions, Inc. and an excellent small business pivot story.
Small Business Shoutouts #2 Read More »
Every once in a while, I like to look back to what we were doing a year ago. In July 2019, life was radically different. We were busily blogging about branding. We also roamed freely in our cities and networked face-to-face. Summer was filled with beach time, boat rides, biking and concerts and festivals. A
Supporting Our Small Business Colleagues & Friends Read More »
When the world does a 360, everything you thought you knew becomes questionable. In the grips of a frightening pandemic, advertising might be the last thing you’re thinking about. But businesses still need to be on their toes. You simply can’t ignore campaigns you’ve been running because, odds are, the messaging needs adjusting. And if
Small Business Marketing in the Throes of a Pandemic Read More »
Building a business is challenging enough when the economy is strong. But we’re currently in the throes of a pandemic and on the brink of a recession and this is something none of us have ever seen before. Small business owners don’t know if they’ll be able to survive the next few months. So what
How to Market During Troubling Times Read More »
The coronavirus has impacted how we live and work. Schools are closed. Restaurants and bars, too, except for delivery or pickup (at least in Illinois). Appointments that aren’t critical are being postponed. Our world is getting much smaller. It seems the entire country is working from home for the next few weeks. Savvy companies like
Our small business community can beat this! Read More »
