March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
I opened Craft, Inc. over a year ago because I am interested in business and marketing. I wasn’t expecting what I found inside! I love arts and crafts, but have always hesitated to try them out as a business because … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
I am inspired and amazed by the things that people accomplish in their lives. From the creation of a lightbulb to the creation of a business, people have brought themselves up from nothing. Here’s my little tribute to some incredibly … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
In a perfect world, businesses who operate ethically should be allowed to grow without restrictions. The people who own those businesses would buy things from you, me, and that guy around the corner who owns the bicycle shop. They would hire us … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
It isn’t actually a lemonade stand. I call it Lemonade Stand Management because its actual name sounds awfully intimidating and funky. Strategic entrepreneurship. Say what? Strategic entrepreneurship sounds sort of funky. Like calling the garbage man a “waste engineer.” Strategic … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
When you’re starting a business, especially if you’re starting it from nothing, it definitely pays to do your homework! Here are my top ten resources: 1. A Girl’s Guide to Starting Your Own Business by Kim Yorio This was the … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
2 Comments
It’s kind of a long story. I’ve always wanted to own a business. Not just any business. Not a get rich quick scheme, but a serious business that helps people improve the quality of their lives. You see, there’s one thing … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
2 Comments
Successful marketers are creative. They do things differently. They are not run of the mill. This is good news and bad news. The good news is, you can put your own personal twist on your marketing. The bad news is, … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
A lot of people are punching clocks at jobs that they wish they didn’t need. That makes me sad. There are ways to build a small business, starting with nothing in economic downturn, that can start to bring you and … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
Image via Wikipedia Branding is one of the most misunderstood aspects of business and marketing, and yet it is the secret ingredient in the formula for success. Branding doesn’t involve hot irons, it isn’t exclusively represented in a logo, and … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
1 Comment
In bygone days of business, business men “sized up” their competitors, looking for ways to squash them and take a bigger share of the market. (Remember Mr. Macy and Mr. Gimble on Miracle on 34th Street?) That is partially true … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
Viral marketing sounds like some kind of disease or bad computer hack. It is neither, and the results are a whole lot more positive than either of those things. A simple example of a typical, non-viral marketing piece is an advertisement. … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
Henry Ford is one of the most amazing entrepreneurs I know of. He not only oversaw the invention of the first automobiles in America, but he also oversaw one of the most successful and prosperous businesses. I think that entrepreneurs everywhere … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
The phrase all things to all people never had any truth in it, and business is no exception. Until your message is clear, you do not have a viable business. It’s the ugly truth. Before you think about how to … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
“Vision without action is a daydream; action without vision is a nightmare.” -Chinese Proverb Many people have a cubicle-inspired dream. That dream includes breaking out of the nine-to-five, tailoring their lives and incomes to their highest potential. Many people dream … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
The first things any good marketing class will tell you is to have a quality product, offer a reasonable price, be in the right place, and strategize your promotion. In Seth Godin’s highly acclaimed book, Purple Cow, he adds another … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
Out of all extraordinary people in the world, it is hard to narrow it down to just 36 Great Americans. America, the land of opportunity and innovation, has such a rich history of innovators and opportunity creaters. I am very … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
I once designed a sign for an organization that helps small businesses get their kick-start. The sign said, “Launch Your Dreams, Launch Your Business, Launch Your Life.” I wish I could take credit for writing that phrase. If I had … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things that escape people who only dream by night. -Edgar Allan Poe I have a ton of respect for people who create their own opportunities. When faced with a challenge, they … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
It goes without saying that nobody likes to waste money. Entrepreneurs are concerned with Return on Investment, positioning themselves to multiply the dollars they spend operating their business. Our current economy has forced entrepreneurs to fight harder to stretch their … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
What if you’re not a creative person, but still want to open a business and make your own way in the world? Think again: you want to start a business and become self sufficient. That spells creativity to me! Maybe you … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
One of the things that overwhelmed me when I was doing marketing consulting was the competition. It was like swimming in a sea of sharks. They would either push their business onto you, or they would be friendly. (Then you … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
0 comments
Public Relations is a major buzzword in modern industry. The only problem is, most of us (and by us, I mean “we”) don’t really know what it is! We look at it as something for celebrities (Paris Hilton’s fame is … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Angie
1 Comment
In my opinion, marketing is one of the most important success factors in growing your business. Marketing is everything and everything is marketing. Marketing is the way you talk about your business, the way others talk about your business, and the … Continue reading
June 7, 2011
by Angie
0 comments
I just discovered Pinterest today. It is a website where you can clip (or “pin”) any snippets from other websites that you happen to like. Pinterest shows you little thumbnail images of the clippings that you save. It can be anything … Continue reading
April 5, 2011
by Angie
44 Comments
… Having a dryer that works, even if you have to go to the grocery for a new fuse cartridge. …On that note, clean laundry and clean curtains, even if the first rinse cycle looks something like chocolate milk. I … Continue reading