Small Business Blog

You hear people all the time talking about “giving back” to their communities, their customers, their professions. Giving back makes you...

Believe it or not there are many, many businesses in Southwest Iowa without websites. They are probably not reading this because, well,...

We know what the economic downturn has done to our 401K’s.  But how is it affecting the decisions of our commercial lenders/banks in...

In the midst of everyday tasks of general business housekeeping and putting out fires, business owners always have those “big picture”...

My immediate advice is to FOCUS ON CURRENT CUSTOMERS! They know you, are comfortable with you and will feel comfortable referring you to...

I co-own a small business and have for 9 years. Over the course of those years, my business partner and I have agreed on most issues,...

If you don’t care about the economy, if you don’t care about making sure everyone has health care, if you don’t care about the war or...

Here’s a given: Congress will figure out some sort of a bailout plan for our financial institutions and Wall Street. But here’s another...

The October 2008 issue of Entrepreneur Magazine has a great article on the 2008 presidential election.  The article takes a look at past...

Here are a few of our “go to” websites at the Iowa Western Entrepreneurial Center and SBDC: www.entrepreneur.com – I have always been a...

Perservance and just plain hard work are the hallmarks of small business owners. Sometimes it helps to have a little bit of luck thrown...

For some, this question is simple.  You will either vote democratic or republican.  These party lines have defined how we vote for most...

Whether you are starting a new business, or just trying to survive in the business that you have owned and ran for years, market research...

posted by Julie Mierau, September 3, 2008 As business owners, we all want to be experts in offering outstanding customer service. Every...

One of my favorite daily marketing fixes on the web is Marketingprofs.com.  Here you will find blogs, articles and tips about marketing...

Entrepreneur Magazine has announced their nominees for the 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards at http://www.entrepreneur.com/eoy/index....

Yesterday, my kids and I took our annual “last hurrah” summer trip to the Iowa State Fair.  I grew up in Minnesota and spent many a...

The National Grants Coference is coming to Omaha for two conferences this week and next. The basic premise to NDC is that they bring...

One of my favorite business books is “Duct Tape Marketing” by John Jantsch.  In fact this has become my marketing bible.  Mr. Jantsch has...