What is a good business proposition? That is a tough question to answer. I am sure that many people thought that two old hippies were crazy when they started an ice cream company in Vermont, where summers last only a few months and the temperature can drop to near freezing in August. But those that saw promise … More Bright ideas for business
Business incubators can provide start-up enterprises with professional space for reasonable rents – but they can play a much larger role as well. They can connect new entrepreneurs to the technical assistance and training that will provide them with a running start. In addition, business incubators can provide a network of entrepreneurially minded cohorts in close proximity to foster the type … More New approaches to business incubation
There is a lot of new information that indicates that the economy may be nearing recovery. Although layoffs continue, home sales are increasing, construction is up ever so slightly and energy prices are rising, too. All three are indications that people have adjusted to the recent changes and there is some pent up demand. Add to … More What you can (and should) do now
Norm Brodsky is a writer for Inc. Magazine. He is the co-writer of: The Knack: How Street Smart Entrepreneurs Learn to Handle Whatever Comes Up. He also has started six businesses. Lets call him an entrepreneur. In the April issue of Inc, Brodsky writes in his Street Smarts Column about lessons to use when your original plan goes … More Making lemonade
For a little fun, check out Inc. Magazine’s online slide show on the top 30 fictional entrepreneurs from TV, film and books. I missed a few of these, but I’d argue that Willie Wonka is in the top three, rather than number six. He knew his market, had great promotions, excellent staff management skills, pursued quality control … More A little entrepreneurial fun
The Sunday, April 5 edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch had several articles of note about Virginia Main Street communities. First was an article about Abingdon’s latest downtown promotion, then an article about Page County’s (including Luray) attempt to be designated as the “Cabin Capital of Virginia.” Then yet another article, this one talking about the … More Virginia’s Main Street in the news
Want to be sure your small business never becomes a big business? A surefire method to ensure a lack of success is to have shoddy accounting practices. Knowing where your money is, how much of it there is, and when you can expect more are key to proper business planning. Without a plan, your endeavor is … More Keep your books in order
Think the talk of “green jobs” is malarkey? This article on RichmondBizSense.com provides an example of how targeted incentives help promote growth in designated industries, such as home solar power, especially in the early stages of an industry’s growth when the economies of scale have not yet kicked in. Another article from The News Leader reviews the growth of the … More Home grown business
Over the past two decades, communities across the country have begun fostering economic growth from within using a technique called economic gardening. This technique is a response designed to reduce dependence on the traditional targets of economic development – large industry. The benefits of an entreprenuerial society are immense. Number one among them – profits from … More Economic gardening: Part I
Helping the downtown merchants is one of the most important functions of a Main Street organization. At the recent Virginia Main Street (VMS) Designated Community Managers’ Retreat, several VMS communities reported that their retailers had a successful 2008 holiday season with increases in sales over 2007. While much of the increase was because the downtown merchants … More 23 ideas for tough times
Virginia Main Street 