Forget philosophy. As the owner of a growing business, you can’t afford it. One man’s deeply-held principles are another man’s hang-ups. People with mental agility can accept and make use of data from any direction. That does not mean break the law or act without regard to harm you may cause. People with mental agility don’t Read More

There are certainly no “undefeated” records in business. Whether it’s being rejected by an established business, messing up prototypes, dropping out of school, getting fired from a job, or going bankrupt, everybody stumbles.  In fact, not failing is a sign that you aren’t doing anything of consequence.  I have failed, you have failed, and it’s good. Read More

Good planning is for both business and life, as the two are normally intertwined. Good planning is block scheduling for success routines, work, and life. It also means making your health a priority, so that you can lead and take care of others. Good business planning for owners of startups and small businesses consists of three Read More

Nobody can define your success routine; only you can do that based on your own habits. But balance is necessary in all things business and life. All of the following are part of success routines: –Sleep. The amount of sleep needed depends on many things, but seven or more hours is ideal for adults 18 years Read More

To be respected by customers, employees, and your community, lead from the front by example. Conversely, to be regarded in contempt by people, just issue orders that you personally don’t follow. To build a following, be a person of action.  Think like a man of action, but act like a man of thought. Mark Zuckerberg Read More

It is easy to focus on tasks instead of generating revenue. Focus on the high-value activities. People are often reluctant to delegate, but at some point, you must. Businesses normally have a CEO, chief financial officer, chief marketing officer, chief operating officer, and other key people. However, a small business owner often must be all Read More

While cheerleaders have an important place in your life, great mentors are far more valuable. A cheerleader is rarely a mentor and a mentor is rarely a cheerleader.  A cheerleader loves you just the way you are. However, a mentor loves you too much to let you stay the way you are. All business owners Read More

It isn’t just a habit. Most entrepreneurs have no choice but to be a perpetual student. If you cannot hire help, you have to use search engines to get the answers and do it yourself. If you had to do that today, you were a student today. Congratulations! Advantages of being a perpetual student Read Read More

There is a lot to be said about “going with your gut”, or “winging it”. And that’s fine, until your decisions are clouded by emotions or other factors. A data-driven approach can save your business. Top entrepreneurs know when to rely on data. Where should data come from? It comes from all different directions, but Read More

By James Chittenden and Renata Castro, Esq. You have decided you want to start your own business. Now you need the best small business services and professionals to accomplish your goal.  All business owners need a “brain trust”; a team of specialized advisors and helpers. Small Business Service #1: CPA or Accountant Who is it Read More