Once upon a time, we had no smartphones or connected devices. Now, it’s hard to imagine a world without them. When companies first introduced these devices as business ideas, there was nothing quite like them. But visionary entrepreneurs still came up with a business plan for target markets that didn’t even exist. In many cases, it’s...

Moving forward in business is like planning a great trip: You know where you want to end up, but the road there isn’t always straightforward. Smart business goals help you navigate the twists and turns along the way. While a business plan and vision statement offer a “big picture” perspective about your company and what you want to accomplish,...

From Kickstarter and Indiegogo to GoFundMe and everything in between, crowdfunding platforms offer alternative ways to raise money for your small business. Successful campaigns require you to not only reach a certain funding goal but also present the underlying business idea in ways that attract angel investors and other backers. When creating your crowdfunding campaign,...

Entrepreneurs can sometimes become so enamored with their own business idea that they don’t know if it’s viable. Recent statistics from the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy show that about 20 percent of small businesses fail during their first year, and a third make it to the 10-year mark. While it’s good to be passionate...

The executive summary is a staple of every business plan. Typically, it makes the first impression on an audience and is critically important for capturing the reader’s attention. No matter how strong the rest of your business plan might be, a weak summary can dissuade a potential investor or stakeholder from reading further. So your executive...

If you’re running a business, you likely already realize the importance of choosing and registering a unique business name. Your chosen name should be memorable to your customer base. But, it also should be available online. If your business name is already in use, customers will be confused. Even worse, you may find yourself on...