Startup Spark

Starting a Business isn’t Easy

ShannonCherry — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:27:37 +0000

With a recession in full swing, I’m getting a TON of spam about how easy it is to start a busy and make tons of money.

Perhaps you are getting more than a few too?

It makes sense, as jobs dwindle and people become fearful, many preditors are jumping on board saying how easy it is to make money as a small business owner.

I’m here to tell you, it’s not.

I lnow people will say that you can get a loan or even an angel investor. But most people get their initial nest egg from F & F, that is, friends and family. Then, and only then, do a few angel investors step up.

But unlike most F & Fs, they will want to see the goods: you need to have a strong profile, show that your company is viable - and have an exit strategy all in place. (Read: you need to start your startup before an angel will take a look!)

Tags: , angel investors, cash flow in business, Starting a Business, startups

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Forget GM… Small Businesses Should Get Bailout

ShannonCherry — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:59:28 +0000

I understand why the car companies need want a bailout. And certainly their new video is compelling. (How much did that one cost ya’ GM? Could you have saved a few hundred thousand dollars by not having a PR firm whip it up for you? Take a look at the video below and tell me what you think!)

But does that money really make a difference to a large corporation that will probably go under anyway? Or would the money be better spent elsewhere?

Perhaps by providing a small business stimulus package to millions of small businesses that employ the majority of people in the US? Perhaps give some money for the SBA to guarantee more small business loans? Perhaps help them provide affordable health care to staff?

Tags: , bail out, bailout, car manufacturers, health care, small-business, stimulus

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Juggling holidays and start up needs

ShannonCherry — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:59:26 +0000

It’s always a big problem. You’re in start up mode and the few staff you have are vying to have time off for the holidays.

But now, with the recession here, every hour means $$. Combined with the usual productivity slack off, it can lead to a lack of a festival mood for some business owners.

But you’ve got to be careful and not wear your own nervousness as a holiday decoration.

My suggestion, however, is to be honest of wear your business is at with your employees - and what you expect from them. Tell them if you can’t afford a holiday party or a year-end bonus.

If you need staff to work during busy holiday times, perhaps you can work out a flex schedule or even a work-at-home option. That way, it’s a win-win for everyone.

Tags: bonuses, holidays, small-business, staff, start-up, startup

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Monday Media Marketing Minute: Being Helpful

ShannonCherry — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:34:32 +0000

In this week’s Monday Media Marketing Minute, I share the technique that can help you get media coverage: being helpful.

Listen in and in less time than it takes to grab a cup of coffee, you’ll learn something that will help you really get a buzz!

Image credit: Shannon Cherry of Be Heard Solutions

Tags: Be Heard Solutions, marketing, Monday Media Marketing Minute, Podcast, PR, Publicity, Shannon Cherry

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Cash flow issues starting to hurt small businesses

ShannonCherry — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 19:20:55 +0000

More than half of current small business owners are having some cash flow problems. That’s according to the most recent American Express small business survey of 768 owners of small businesses, defined by companies with fewer than 100 employees.

And unlike other surveys, more than a third are feeling the pinch of a tightening economy. So what are they going to do about it?

Those responding to the survey said they will be accepting lower margins on sales, work longer hours, as well as cut capital and marketing expenses in the near future.

Maintaining current business and sources of revenue (35 percent of respondents) has replaced growth (29 percent) as the number one priority of business owners.

Tags: American Express, cash flow, economy, marketing, small-business

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Monday Media Marketing Minute: Stop This to Stand OUT

ShannonCherry — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:50:28 +0000

In this week’s Monday Media Marketing Minute, I share why your press release most likely isn’t seeing the light of day.

And if you are looking for more tips and info on publicity and marketing check out my newest blog with Bizzia: Common Sense PR - and of course, The Power Publicist.

(image courtesy of Shannon Cherry of Be Heard Solutions.com)

Tags: marketing, media-relations, Monday Media Marketing Minute, news release, Podcast, PR, press release, Publicity, small-business

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Small business owners optimistic

ShannonCherry — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:57:14 +0000

A new survey shows that small business owners are optimistic - but realistic - about business growth during this economic downturn.

Intuit’s lastest Small Business and the Economy survey found that more than 80 percent of the business owners surveyed see opportunities for their businesses. And 64 percent expect to grow.

More than 67 percent are worrying, however, about how they will get new customers and clients. And more than half (60 percent) are planning to reduce costs.

And for the second month in a row, the Small Business Optimism Index has actually gone up, signifying that small business owners are feeling more optimistic.

I’ll admit, I am probably with these folks. I think things will be fine, but know that getting new customers is going to be tougher than ever.

So what do you think?

Tags: economy, getting clients, optimism, revenue, small-business

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Stimulus package for small business?

ShannonCherry — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:57:08 +0000

We have help for banks now. Why not help for small businesses and startups?

The senior senator of NY, Charles Schumer, has proposed a $700 million small-business stimulus plan.

The proposed program would help businesses in several ways including:

waive bank service fees on loans
give the Small Business Administration (SBA) more money for staff and loans
raise the limits on SBA and let the SBA offer loans for refinancing.

According to the Senator, the program would allow the SBA to help with up to $25 billion in “affordable” loans and generate about 700,000 jobs nationwide. The SBA doesn’t make loans but guarantees payment to a bank if a business defaults.

Schumer will be pushing his stimulus package in the Senate, after elections on November 4.

Do you think Senator Schumer is doing the right thing? Is a stimulus package needed? Should it involve the SBA?

Tags: SBA, Schumer, senate, Small Business Administration, small-business, stimulus package

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Great video from the ultimate entrepreneur: Guy Kawasaki

ShannonCherry — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:35:13 +0000

I love Guy Kawasaki, and am excited to read his new book.

But what I really love about Guy is that he offers so much information to help entrepreneurs and startups.

Take a look at this new video. Yes, it does promote his new book, but his tips are so good, I needed you to see this.

Tags: Business, entrepreneurs, guy-kawasaki, marketing, small-business, start-up, Starting a Business

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What happens when you change your name and brand?

ShannonCherry — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:24:14 +0000

Sometimes it’s inevitable. You have a brand that’s known, but because of certain reasons, you need to change your business name.

And it’s happened at the b5 media Business Channel (the host of this and many other great blogs). They’ve got a new name: Bizzia - and a new portal look.

So what’s in a name? Everything - especially when it’s your business.

Many think that branding is merely getting name recognition or a great logo. But that’s when a rebranding effort fails - because branding is the feeling people get when they THINK of the company name or logo.

Here’s some things to think about if you need to go through a name change:

1) Think about all the ramifications - espcially legal and marketing - before jumping into the process.

2) If you’ve decided to explore a name change, can you reestablish your brand? Will people accept it?

3) Will your new name reflect what you do? Is the domain available?

4) How will you communicate any change to staff, customers and potential customers?

Remember the hard part of a brand change is to get your stakeholders to ‘unlearn’ what they already know about you.

Tags: b5, bizzia, branding, Business, marketing, name change, small-business

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