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Archive of Gladys Edmunds' Articles

• When Too Much Lubrication Is Not Good Gladys gives advice on the best way to run a home-based office.... more

• Success Driving Friends Away? Often we don’t realize that the amount of time it takes to build a business can take a toll on our relationships to others.... more

• Novel Approach Helps Business If you have been trying to figure out how to turn your love of writing intiable full time operation, here a few tips to get you going.... more

• Don’t Be Scared To Connect Making connections may turn out to be one of the better things you could do for yourself and your business.... more

• Rest Gives You Needed Reboot Your work and life works much better when it is balanced between activity and non-activity.... more

• Time to Take Another Path? Business ownership is not age-specific.... more

• How To Pick a Good Training Program Gladys gives tips about training programs for oral presentations. Making oral presentations/giving seminars to your customers can help grow your business.... more

• Put Your Ears to Work How we communicate to each other is key to making life work and work well.... more

• Tidy, Messy Don’t Mix Keeping your business organized is very important to your business’s success. The accumulation of unnecessary things can cause all sorts of problems.... more

• Get Support from Within Build yourself from the inside out, and don't worry about the supporters. They will be there - when you need them.... more

• Getting Grants Learn about opportunities for small businesses to do business with the government.... more

• Build a Better Speech Making public presentation can be beneficial to all sorts of businesses. On the other hand, it can also be the kiss of death if you are not properly prepared.... more

• Goals, Meet Creativity Setting goals and getting the creative juices flowing go hand in hand. One is not used to the abandonment of the other. Both must be used together.... more

• Starting over? Use What You've Learned My husband and I ran our own plumbing business for more than 30 years. I worked hard in the business and thought that it would be able to support me in my senior years.... more

• Build Crafts Business the Smart Way The handmade marketplace has been growing significantly over the past few years. Be creative and build your business, but keep a few ideas in mind.... more

• Pursue Your Business Dreams Without Hesitation If more of us could recognize that one day we will cease to exist, more of us would pursue our dreams without hesitation.... more

• Choose a Mentor Carefully It is not always easy to maneuver through the complexities of life, so having a mentor can help you maneuver through life.... more

• Business Owners Should Make Fitness A Habit There is no asset more valuable than your health and fitness.... more

• Motivation Requires Giving Employees Room To Grow Creating an environment that helps your employees grow and develop is an ongoing process.... more

• Avoid That Urge To Micromanage How do you get employees to be self-managers?... more

• Don't Fret Over That New Mall ... more

• Want To Branch Out? Think Market Almost any small business can develop multi steams of income. Usually the investment starts more with time and talent than it does with big bucks.... more

• Workers Won’t Stay? Try This Bring more balance into your life: Make certain that you take time to play as hard as you work.... more

• Finding the Right Fit in Business There are many ways to find a business that fits.... more

• Make Sure Time Is On Your Side Don’t let time control you, instead control how you use time.... more

• Entrepreneurs, Don’t Go Crazy Trying To Anticipate Problems In business, you are not going to hit it right every time, but careful planning beforehand is better than no planning at all.... more

• Put Some Energy Behind Your Ideas A business has to start from someplace, and in many cases it starts with giving your ideas and inspirational flashes a chance to see if they can survive.... more

• You Hold the Secret To Success in Life and in Business It’s all up to you. You can decide to adopt a winning attitude.... more

• Address Partner Problems Quickly Communication between you and your business partner is the key to a successful business.... more

• If You Have To Be an English Teacher, Be an English... Training employees in whatever area you need them to function in is critical.... more

• A Small Change Can Alter Your Life For the Better it’s more the small subtle changes that can become life changing, or, in your case, lead you to developing the business that you could enjoy.... more

• Your News Release Better Impress How do I get the attention of the news media to write a story about my business?... more

• Positive Thinking Alone Can Not Grow Your Business A positive attitude and optimism are just part of the solution to increase your business income. You also need to develop a business plan.... more

• Caviar Dreams, Entrepreneurs? Mind Your Budget Along the Way One of the most important things to consider is to do something each day that adds value to your company.... more

• Better Consolidate Your Insurance One of the reasons to have insurance is to allow you to run your business without worrying about unexpected things that can level a company.... more

• Young or old, Same Rules Apply Being in your own business is a constant state of discovery. That’s what makes it interesting.... more

• Know What’s Beyond Your Control Many mistakenly think that balance means to divide your time into equal parts for the various aspects of your life. That’s impossible.... more

• Don’t Be Irked By Unwanted Advice There is no one size fits all when it comes to entrepreneurs. There are as many different types of entrepreneurs as there are enterprises.... more

• Outsourcing, Interns Can Be Handy Outsourcing and hiring interns can be helpful.... more

• You Can’t Anticipate Everything Much of the time your business will be your teacher. There are many entrepreneurial skills and tools that you will learn and gather while running your business.... more

• Making Sure Your Price Is Right Most often quality of service is associated with the cost.... more

• Start-Ups Start With a Fresh Idea Concentrate on putting your own spin and personal touch on your business idea.... more

• Children Grow Up To Be Customers, Welcome Them The big plus comes in the future when those children grow up and return to your restaurant and recall wonderful moments from their childhood.... more

• Sometimes What’s Old Is New Again Take a look at what is happening now you might get an idea or two of something that you can pull from the past to complement the present.... more

• Two Steps to New Year Resolutions that Will Bring You Joy Many people start the New Year making a resolution or two. It’s symbolic of a fresh start and a new beginning toward self-improvement.... more

• Taking a Cue from Kwanzaa There are many diverse and unique ways for celebrating the true meaning of the holiday.... more

• Here’s a Gift To Give To Yourself Your physical, mental and emotional health and well-being is the most important gift you can give to both yourself and the people around you.... more

• Add to Your Attitude of Gratitude Consider adding action to your attitude of gratitude this season and show the people who support you how truly grateful you are.... more

• Success Is Step-by-Step Process If you want to get away from your current line of work and do something completely different take a look at your skill and interests that are not work-related.... more

• Clarity Will Keep You on Track How you overcome negativity depends on how you handle your environment.... more

• Need Some Moral Support? Do This Sometimes getting the support of others is as simple as supporting and believing in yourself.... more

• Make Layoffs a Last Resort Figure out the right way of how to handle laying off employees, so you can keep everyone happy.... more

• Take a Lesson from GM Icon on Disagreement People with diverse opinions and points of view can be helpful to the success of a company.... more

• Personal Successes Count, Too Keep on keeping on and you will eventually either get the job that works for you or find your niche in your own business.... more

• Gender Shouldn’t Be an Issue In business situations, look at yourself in light of whether you are the best person for the job, rather than the best woman or the best man.... more

• Re-Light that Fire for Business Your reasons for starting a business are just as important as the business itself; make the time to get to know what works for you and why.... more

• Entrepreneurs, Leadership Is Not a Popularity Contest Leadership is about getting results and meeting goals and objectives. And most important, it’s recognizing which direction to go in for the best results.... more

• Starting a Business: You Can’t Escape Risk, So Go for It People should start looking at starting a business as an opportunity rather than a risk.... more

• Entrepreneurs, Savor Those Thank yous The next time someone compliments you, learn to accept it and bask in it for a while.... more

• Make Renewal a Priority for Your Business...and You, Too Suggestion for a child starting a business.... more

• Entrepreneurs, Stick to a System When Hiring While in the process of hiring a new employee, it is important to not only use your good judgement and intuition, but to also add an organized, diagnostic procedure.... more

• Don’t Waste Money on a Useless Strategic Plan All businesses need some type of success strategy in order to succeed.... more

• Why Travel, Retirement Plans Are Tough for Entrepreneurs There are many reasons why people choose to retire, and people all feel differently after they retire.... more

• Unruly Employees? Follow Moses' Example Your business needs to have some sort of written principles or beliefs that your staff can look to for information, motivation, and inspiration.... more

• Business Tapering Off? Better Get Customers' Feedback The most important thing to do in any relationship whether personal or business is to listen and then make necessary changes and/or adjustments.... more

• To Succeed in Small Business, You Must Lead and Manage The roles of a leader and a manager are both entirely different, yet a good entrepreneur must possess the abilities of both.... more

• Be Grateful for Wins and Losses; They Both Teach Us While running a business you have to keep faith in yourself and be grateful for both your wins and losses.... more

• Why Go for It Can Be Music To an Entrepreneur’s Ear It is important to have a support structure for your career and business development.... more

• Four Tips for a Winning Contract Presentation When giving an oral presentation, being prepared is the best way to win the contract.... more

• Better Have Everything in Order Before Firing Someone Having a manual of policies and procedures for you business can help you to save time, energy, and money in the long run.... more

• Workers, Customers Are Invested in Your Business ... more

• For a Successful Partnership: Communicate, and Be Frank Starting a business with a friend can work out, but only if you discuss in detail your strengths and weaknesses and outline your responsibilities.... more

• Entrepreneurs, Better Mind the Details ... All of Them Too often the minor details are left to chance or forgotten completely, and yet if you take care of the minor details all else can fall into place more easily.... more

• Whatever Your Career Path, Keep that Entrepreneurial Spirit Making business decisions can be tough and life changing in either direction for both you and your family, and, therefore, should be a family affair.... more

• Persevere If You Want to Succeed in Business Being persistent is a key ingredient in achieving your goals.... more

• Stressed Out Helping Others? It's Time to Start Saying 'No' It is important to keep your life balanced, therefore you need to learn how to say no... more

• Balance Doesn’t Mean Every Task in Your Life Gets Equal Treatment Balancing is finding an influence that makes the rest of your life easier to handle.... more

• Bad Manners Is Bad Business, Plain and Simple Proper manners and good behavior is of great importance in all areas of life.... more

• To Succeed, You Have to Prepare What is the formula for succeeding in business?... more

• Client Not Taking Your Advice? Office Politics May Be to Blame When you, as a consultant, offer solutions and your advice is not taken , recognize that it could be office politics at work.... more

• Casual Appearance Can Have Serious Impact on Sales Find some balance between that and dressing in a casual way that allows you to feel comfortable while presenting a professional appearance.... more

• Check References to Avoid Bad Experiences with Contractors Use caution when hiring employees. Check references and trade associations to be sure you are hiring the most qualified person for the job.... more

• Know Your Path, and Stay on It Don't let negative attitudes stop your business before it starts. Believe in your idea and the rest will follow.... more

• Gift of Gab Is Great for Sales ... But There's a... The art of conversation can generate sales if you know when to stop talking, and don't let conversation get in the way of accurately pricing your services.... more

• Home Is a Great Place to Start Starting a home-based business is a challenge, but a rewarding one if you can make it work. Gladys Edmunds offers some tips to help you be successful.... more

• There's Nothing Gender Specific in Running a Business Well Management styles transcend gender, and finding a balance between them is key to good relationships with employees.... more

• Keep Your Mind Focused on Your Successes, Big and Small Don't let fear run or ruin your business life! Develop a personal routine for success and let inspiration guide you.... more

• Don't Be Afraid to Take that Entrepreneurial Path Don't let other peoples' fears scare you away from your own business. Preparation and confidence go a long way to success.... more

• Don't Delay; Get Rid of that Procrastination Habit Now Conquering procrastination can help you keep the balance between work and home.... more

• Know the Basics of What Your Consultants Do Even if you plan to outsource some tasks to more qualified professionals, a working knowledge of those tasks is essential for every business owner.... more

• How Much You Get from Business Training Is Up to You Make a point to approach each session with an enthusiastic attitude and the intention of learning something to help you in business.... more

• Know Yourself, and You'll Find a Business That's a Great Match The first step to owning your own business is to know what you want to do. Make a list of your skills and interests and go from there.... more

• Don't Forget to Take Care of Life: It'll Pay Off at... Many human resource principles can be applied both at work and at home to achieve balance in your life.... more

• Willard Scott May Soon Be Wishing Happy Birthday to an Entrepreneur Many of today's entrepreneurs are retired, proving that you're never too old to have a good business idea!... more

• Entrepreneurs, Your Dogged Efforts Can Really Pay Off Franchising is another way to scratch that entrepreneurial itch!... more

• Boost Sales; Give Customers a Personal Touch If your goal this year is to grow your business, create a plan you can follow, as well as update and alter if necessary.... more

• Entrepreneurs,'tis the Season for Stress; Here's How to Cope The holiday rush can be stressful both at work and at home. Use these stress busters to stay balanced.... more

• Don't Be Afraid of Change; It Might Boost Profits Changes in the way you serve your customers are essential to keeping your business fresh and competitive.... more

• Hiring Young People? Be Prepared To Do a Little Teaching The season to be thankful! A list of your blessings can help you stay focused on the positive.... more

• Want New Business? Keep Your Old Clients In Mind I often conduct workshops for entrepreneurs on the subject of marketing and business development.... more

• Don't Let 'Mentors' Throw Cold Water on Your Dreams Bouncing business ideas off mentors and friends often leads to discouraging feedback. Here's how to overcome the negativity.... more

• Business May Not Make You Rich But It Offers Other Rewards What about the idea of starting and running a business as a way of carving out a good, old-fashion living for you and your family?... more

• Change Is Essential for Entrepreneurs Changes to your business, however small, can help you grow and prosper as a business owner... more

• Why You Are Not Too Young to Be taken Seriously You are never too young to be an entrepreneur! Run your business professionally and customers won't care how old you are - or aren't.... more

• Consider Your Competitors As Colleagues, Too Colleagues, competitors, whatever you call them, not one of them is you. Focus on what makes your brand unique and successful.... more

• Take Precautions Upfront When Dealing with Clients What do can you do when a client can't - or won't - pay? Learn from the experience to prevent it from happening again.... more

• How to Give Your Coffee Shop's Profits a Jolt The importance of having a business plan as a guide to success in business... more

• Is 8 Too Young To Be an Entrepreneur? Even grade school students can be entrepreneurs! All they need is a creative idea and a little encouragement.... more

• Yes, You Need a Business Plan Do I need a business plan if I'm financing my new company with my own money?... more

• Location Is Important for Your Small Business So Do Your Homework... How important is location to your new business?... more

• Hiring Young People? Be Prepared To Do a Little Teaching Why does it seem like young people today are ill-prepared for the workforce, and whose responsibility is it to prepare them?... more

• The Over-50 Crowd Is a Lively Bunch If your audience is the maturing Baby Boomer generation, it's important to remember what a diverse group you're serving, and tailor your marketing accordingly.... more

• Here's Another Way To Build on Your Business Success Can you suggest how I can get my kids to come into the family business?... more

• Not an Entrepreneur? You Can Still Market Yourself You recommend that one good way to increase business is to do public speaking.... more

• Temp Agency Can Bring Permament Peace of Mind There are many companies both large and small that are fearful of hiring permanent.... more

• Know Value of Your Services Before Setting Prices Should I try to undercut them to save my current clients?... more

• Manage Your Time, and You'll Manage Just Fine Does not use time wisely?... more

• How You Treat Workers Affects How They'll Treat Customers You should treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers.... more

• 'Do Unto Others' Is a Good Way of Handling Clients, Unless She asked me how best to get her staff to follow that age-old golden rule.... more

• About To Start Your Start-up? Three Things To Keep In Mind Hello Gladys, I enjoy reading your columns. So far I haven't seen the answer to my question. I am planning to start a nutritional consulting business.... more

• Forget The Economy; Get A Grip On Your Hours! I have an unusual business for a woman. I own an auto repair shop. I have been in this business for 12 years.... more

• Hire Someone for Your PR? Depends My husband says that paid promotion is a waste of money and that I should do my own promotion.... more

• Don't Let Bad Habits Sabotage Your Success Summer is quickly approaching. Why not use this time to take a look at your lifestyle to be sure it is beneficial to your success?... more

• What Your Business Looks Like Speaks Volumes How do I get the word out that my salon is actually the best?... more

• Don't Have Employees? You're Still an Entrepreneur What does it take to call yourself an entrepreneur?... more

• Freelancing's Fabulous, If You're Determined to Get that Ideal Job What kind of business can I start? I have no extra money to play with.... more

• Hindu Story Shows Business, Spiritual Goals Can Go Together How do I balance my spiritual and business life?... more

• Take that Call or Deal with the Customer in front of... Should you answer the phone when it?s ringing off the hook and ask the customer waiting in line to be patient while you answer the phone?E... more

• Be Careful about Judgments Regarding Your Customers I suggest you continue investing time in the people who visit your store.... more

• You, Inc. can rise above an oppressive employer One way to get ready to start your own business is to look at the business you are working in as a stepping stone.... more

• Cost-Cutting Is Important in Tough Times But Too Much Can Cause... Let's take a look at what the addiction of constant cutting within a company can do.... more

• Here's Another Way To Build on Your Business Success Business growth handled with vision and good planning can become unstoppable.... more

• Pride in Your Work is Something that Can't Be Taught Take time and do each thing completely correct. Demand the best of yourself.... more

• Getting New Customers? Make Sure Old Ones Are Happy, Too What is customer service?... more

• Entrepreneurs, Show Your Customers that You Care Do you make sure that you show your customers that they are important?... more

• Yes, Fight Against that Big Store, But Not in the Way... If you do this right you, will defend your island and win!... more

• Getting the Word Out About Your Business How can I get more people to know about and use my service without spending money that I don't have?... more

• Booker T. Washington's Words Ring True for All Entrepreneurs These words were spoken more than 100 years ago by Booker T. Washington... more

• Retirees, Put Your Experience to Work More and more seniors are entering the small business world in order to supplement their income.... more

• Are You Really Listening to Your Workers? Life is full of challenges. It can be difficult to say what is happening with your employees.... more

• Afraid of Success? You Make Failure an Easy Option If you are feeling the fear of success, it's best to deal with it immediately.... more

• Just Starting Out? Be Careful of the Advice You Get What is an entrepreneur? What kind of help and information does an entrepreneur need to get a business up and running?... more

• Don't Let Office Politics Get the Better of You There are only three things you can do when faced with any problem in life - change it, accept it completely, or walk away from it.... more

• Make Your Resolutions Work Well, folks, here we are again: Another New Year. New always gives me a feeling of getting another chance at a clean slate.... more

• Celebrate the Spirit of the Season The other day my friend in retail said the holiday season is nothing but a big hype to get people shopping and spending money that they don't have.... more

• It's All In Your Attitude From time to time I have lunch with several entrepreneurial friends. Usually a thought-provoking question arises, and we each give our opinion to the question.... more

• Look Like A Professional Several scenes I've observed over the past couple of weeks makes me think it's time to talk about dressing for success, or at least how to dress so that no mistakes are made about who you are.... more

• Things To Be Thankful For I don't know about you, but I love the holiday season. I break out the holiday music and start to decorate the house and make my shopping list.... more

• It's Time To Measure Your Priorities I have read about how you started your business at home and that you were a single mom. I'm also a single mom and I've started an event planning business in my home so that I can be here for my young son.... more

• Don't Underestimate The Impact Of A Business Plan In a few months I will be getting married to a guy who has been in business for the past 20 years. We both agree that I should work in the business with him.... more

• A Little Trust Can Go A Long Way With Your Employees I own a public relations consulting company. I have been in business for the past 15 years and I have a problem that has followed me the entire time that I have owned this company.... more

• Don't Let Corporate, Entrepreneurial Careers Merge I recently launched my own business but still have a full-time job. A few of my co-workers are interested in becoming clients of my small business, which has nothing to do with a corporate career.... more

• 'Know Thyself' And You'll Gain Business Focus I have started a home-based sales business. I know that I can make a good living at it.... more

• Sometimes You Have To Keep Things Secret I have a simple question: how do you keep family and friends from pouring cold water on your plans?... more

• Why You Can't Go By The Book With Your Start-up I have looked everywhere for a step-by-step guide to starting and running a business. So far I have found nothing.... more

• Moving out of your comfort zone can be a painful experience A comfort zone is that part of your life that is familiar. When you step outside of that space, you expand your comfort zone.... more

• Balance is about what's going on inside of you It's that time of the year when we say goodbye to the summer and move full swing back into work and school. For those in school it means hitting the books.... more

• Hiring's Not A Hassle If It Helps Your Business Grow It's that time of the year when we say goodbye to the summer and move full swing back into work and school. For those in school it means hitting the books.... more

• How Your Start-up Can Make It In A Crowded Field I am a regular reader and I get a lot of inspiration from you. However, inspiration doesn't last long when I start to think about really getting started in a business.... more

• Apply Some Basics In Building Your Business I graduated from art school last year. Several months ago a friend and I started a graphic design business.... more

• Get Creative To Bring A Higher Purpose To Business I often get e-mails and letters (yes, there are folks who still write letters) from people asking how they can bring more humanitarian principles into their enterprises. Or, some will ask, is it possible to serve a real human need and make money in the process?... more

• Let a Pro Handle Your Communication Needs? I took heed to your column about not abandoning my marketing and public relations budget. Last week I attended a business conference and met a communications consultant.... more

• Control Your Time To Avoid That Wound-up Feeling I need a few extra hours in the day - or, better yet, how about an 8-day week - that would better serve my busy life. It seems like I have more to do than time allows.... more

• Here's How To Make That Needed Getaway I haven't taken a vacation from my bar and restaurant business in 12 years. I would love to take my family on vacation.... more

• You Don't Have To Choose Between Love, Business I am a successful entrepreneur and I have been for the past 18 years. I have never been married or in a truly committed relationship.... more

• Think Twice Before Slashing Your PR Budget For the past year I have been paying close attention to my business expenses and I have been successful in reducing a lot of things without cutting pays or laying people off.... more

• Determine Your Website Needs And Then Set A Budget The online activity is running at full speed these days. I have often written about the importance of having a website for your company and keeping it updated.... more

• Look to Life's Daily Details for Great Business Ideas Almost daily I get e-mails, phone calls or meet someone who wants to be in business and can't figure out what business to get started in.... more

• Working Too Hard? Time For Some Management 101 I am doing extremely well in my travel business. But, in order to maintain my current level of success I have found myself working long and hard 12 and 14 hour days.... more

• Help The Less Fortunate, In Whatever Way You Can My brother and I have an ongoing debate about the social responsibilities of an entrepreneur. We are both in business and run our companies differently when it comes to giving back.... more

• Word-of-Mouth Only Goes So Far I will soon be 59 years old and I had to leave my job to come home to take care of my sick husband. I need to be productive both because I need the money and I need to feel like I am a part of something.... more

• Employment Manual Is A Necessity, Not A Formality For the past five years I have owned an exercise studio that I consider to be successful, and I make a good living from the business.... more

• A Business Mentor is Invaluable in the Entrepreneur's Life I have been having an argument with one of my buddies about mentors. He says having a mentor is important to running a successful business.... more

• More Lessons in Listening A couple of weeks ago I wrote a column about the importance of listening.... more

• Confront Fear and Turn Success Into a Choice You Make I would love to start my own business and I had all intentions of starting my business as a gift to myself for my 50th birthday which is coming soon.... more

• You Have To Listen To Customers, Not Just Hear Them I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. This statement is funny and can be misunderstood if we hear it without listening.... more

• Now's A Good Time To Boost Worker Training Efforts So far my grocery business has done fairly well during this recession. I haven't had to lay anyone off, and I try to keep my customers happy.... more

• Check, Check, Check Backgrounds of Would-Be Hires Periodically I feel the need to remind you about the importance of hiring people who know what they are doing.... more

• Action is the Key Ingredient in Starting a Start-up I often get e-mails from folks complaining about having trouble finding the best business to get into.... more

• Entrepreneurship; opportunity or risk ... more

• Gifted Writers Have Good Opportunities Because of the recession I am unable to find employment. I read your columns regularly, and I know that you often suggest honing a skill and using it to make a living.... more

• Honor Women's History Month with words of Truth March is Women's History Month, and it's a good time to look to the past to gather strength, courage and wisdom to forge into the future.... more

• Building Confidence Can Be A Step-by-Step Process I am desperate to make a living. I have looked every place I can think of to find a job and so far no luck. I know how to do a number of things.... more

• Now, More Than Ever, Focus On Service I am currently laid off and would like to start a business. Trying to think of a good business to get into is not easy, especially with this bad economy.... more

• Twin Towers Survivor Offers Lessons For Entrepreneurs I suppose it's natural for people to wonder if the entrepreneurial spirit can make it to the other side of the current recession.... more

• Clutter Can Clobber Your Business Of all of the promises that I make to myself, the one that is toughest to maintain is keeping my office clear of clutter.... more

• Why Knowledge Isn't The Real Power I have graduated from college with an MBA. I want to start my own business and I would like to go into business with a partner.... more

• Better Mind Those Supposedly Minor Details I have heard it said, 'Don't sweat the small stuff.' And there is a book with that title. In many ways I agree.... more

• Inspiration For Your Business May Be Close To Home I have a couple of questions. First, I have small children and would like to work from home.... more

• Plan Your Goals The Write Way A few weeks ago, I was having lunch with my friend Marie when the topic of setting goals came up.... more

• Entrepreneur's Story Shows How To Build A Business A couple of weeks ago I listed a few things entrepreneurs can do to improve their business in the New Year.... more

• Opportunity Is All Around, If You Pay Attention Many of us are so preoccupied in our busyness that we miss many opportunities. We move through our days noticing very little of our surroundings.... more

• Does Your Company Have A Mission Statement? A written statement that expresses the collective intention of your company is usually called a mission statement.... more

• Get Set For Growth In 2009 A few weeks ago I drove to Ohio to present a seminar session on business growth and development for the New Year.... more

• Make the most of the most wonderful time of the year We tend to get so caught up in day-to-day life and activities that we forget to do some of the simple things that can support success.... more

• This Season The Best Gift Is The Gift Of Believing In... This is the time of year when our thoughts turn to gift giving. Buying gifts for our friends and loved ones take on significant meaning and requires time and attention.... more

• Remember, Your Abilities Are Just That, Yours Are you worried about layoffs?... more

• How To Make The Right Hire I own a health and beauty spa. For the past few months I have been interviewing people to work in my spa.... more

• Time to Take Stock and Remember Your Strengths Thanksgiving is a time of reflection and naturally, giving thanks. This tradition was started by the Pilgrims in being grateful for their bounty in the new world.... more

• Communication Is Key In Starting A Business I wonder if you could give me some advice. I am a high school history teacher, and I enjoy my work. But, more than anything I want to have my own business.... more

• Incentives For Your Workers Are Good For You, Too I have a good staff of people working for my property management company. And, they have helped me to build a successful business. I want to show them that I appreciate them and the work they do. My problem is, I am not sure how I should do it.... more

• Survival Tips For The Coming Holiday Season We are still a couple of weeks away from the start of the holiday season, but, I'm sitting here at my desk watching the first signs of snow and cold weather which, makes me turn my thoughts to what I call the most wonderful time of the year.... more

• A Franchise Deal Can Boost Your Business Prospects Have you always dreamed of owning your own business, but think starting a business from scratch is more than you can handle?... more

• A Good Website Is A Great Asset Every now and then I feel compelled to remind you of how important maintaining a website can be to your business.... more

• Don't Advertise Until Employees Know Their Stuff Before you advertise or embark on a publicity campaign for your company, make certain that your employees are trained and ready to provide efficient, prompt and courteous service.... more

• It's A Good Time To Think About Working At Home If you've ever wondered if you could work from home - whether you could earn real money from a job that satisfies and excites you, design your own office, and work in comfortable clothes on your own schedule - you are not alone.... more

• How Company You Keep Affects The One You Own After pondering the idea of starting my own business for several years, I have finally launched a catering business that is doing very well.... more

• Don't Take Customers' Insults Personally I am a self employed salesman. I can't help but to get upset when I get a long day of rejections. And my day can become even more distressing if I get a customer who is irate or says upsetting things.... more

• Break Out Of The Spend, Spend, Spend Routine I write a column about developing your business from a point of balance and simplicity and surely my readers know that it doesn't mean shop til' you drop or until you overload yourself and run into bankruptcy.... more

• Making A Spiritual Connection With Clients I want to apply spiritual practices to my new consulting business, but I'm not sure how to approach it.... more

• How To Claim Victory Over A Defeatist Attitude I have finally received an MBA. Although the focus of my education was on entrepreneurship and I have good business sense, I somehow don't feel that I have enough of a positive outlook to run my own company.... more

• Help For Your Mid-life Move Into Business I have always wanted to have my own business. However, for the last 25 years I have devoted my life to my family.... more

• A Good Coach Can Keep You On Track Enlisting a coach can be an important part of your entrepreneurial support system.... more

• Mentors Can Help You Toward Success If you are looking to succeed, consider finding a mentor.... more

• Website: A Great Marketing and Sales Tool I still haven't put up a web site yet. I have a bricks and mortar business selling sporting goods. So far my sales are pretty good.... more

• Fit Fitness Into Your Work Routine You have heard and read that exercise reduces stress, gives you the vitality and energy that you need to bring success and happiness into your life.... more

• Businesswomen, Bookmark These Websites I want to get started in my own business. Are there any organizations or agencies that take women business owners serious?... more

• Hiring A Consultant? Remember Who Runs The Show You regularly say that small business owners should not skimp on hiring professionals to help ease the daily work load.... more

• Follow Tubman's Example To Break Barriers I want to know how to get around racial barriers.... more

• Laid Off? Now's The Time To Strike Out On Your Own As large companies steadily cut costs to enhance the bottom line, employees will be let go.... more

• More questions answered This week I will answer a couple of those questions and a question from a reader.... more

• Just Think What Your Thoughts Can Do For You I find it hard to believe that how people think means very much to their success.... more

• Your Business Deserves To Be Protected These can be tough times for entrepreneurs, and tougher yet when you have to take the fall for your client or vender's bankruptcy.... more

• Don't Be Afraid To Raise Your Prices But it's hard keeping prices low to keep customers while paying more in wages. My competitors have been in business a lot longer than I have and they can afford to charge higher prices.... more

• A Path To Your Goal I know how to set goals, what I don't know is how to reach the goals I set.... more

• Sure Signs of Overworked You said that in your busyness you recorded the date incorrectly on your calendar. This can easily happen when your plate is overloaded with stuff to do.... more

• You've Got to Work, and to Work at Avoiding Stress You often talk about the importance of maintaining a balanced life. I have found it hard to catch stressful situations before they take over.... more

• One Woman's Way To Success In order to spend more quality time with her children, this Jamaica native and Maryland resident knew she would need to take control of both her time and her destiny.... more

• Taking Chances Can Lead To Success Almost daily I get calls and e-mails asking for advice on how and where to get ideas for starting a business and what kinds of techniques to apply to existing businesses to stimulate growth.... more

• Need a Business Idea? Inspiration's All Around Many of us are so preoccupied with our busyness that we miss many opportunities. We move through our days noticing very little of our surroundings.... more

• Need Guidance? You Need a Mrs. Henderson I have noticed that you sometimes recommend an entrepreneur contact other entrepreneurs in the same or similar business to seek advice, ask for help or compare notes.... more

• Triple Check Any 'professionals' You Hire Many people are hanging out their shingles as professionals, subcontractors and consultants. Their main target is entrepreneurs.... more

• How To Get A Good Hire I have the most difficult time finding the right people to hire.... more

• Don't Let Distractions Keep You From Your Goal Last week, Renee, a long time friend, invited me to lunch to discuss a business situation that she wanted my opinion on.... more

• Work, Rest Go Together For a man who has let himself be drawn completely out of himself by his activity, nothing is more difficult than to sit still and rest, doing nothing at all.... more

• You've Got To Believe In What You're Doing I want desperately to leave a dead-end job and start my own business.... more

• Don't Let Worries About Risk Wreck Your Attitude I have become a regular reader of your column and I share your words of wisdom around the office and at home with my family.... more

• Yes, it is realistic to go after large accounts I started a janitorial company a few years ago. So far we are doing OK.... more

• Parents, Better Get A Grip On Those Long Hours I own a women's clothing store. Business has been great even through the many rough economic times that we have experienced over the years.... more

• To Be A Success, Get The Doubt Out I want to start my own business and I have plenty of experience in the business I plan to start.... more

• Bad Cellphone Etiquette Can Cost You Business Cell phone users have really given new meaning to keeping in touch.... more

• Even A Small Start Is Just That, A Start I am unemployed student in search of a business that I can start right away.... more

• Bad Customer? Get Over It, and Get Back Up I read your column regularly and I enjoy it. Your often write about bringing balance to life and reducing stress.... more

• Group Think Doesn't Have To Be A Bad Thing I have heard people talk about bringing together a Mastermind group to help with business development.... more

• Jump Your Own Hurdles, Not Others I am a sensitive person, and I don't take criticism well. I have everything ready to launch my first business; my business and marketing plan are complete.... more

• Simplify Your Life To Maximize Your Potential I started my IT business while in college four years ago.... more

• Focus Gives You, Your Business Perspective I'm not an entrepreneur, but I read your columns and would love to have my own business.... more

• Getting Partners? Get More Than A Handshake Two of my long time buddies and I will be starting a business in a few months.... more

• Be true to your dreams Your writings have encouraged me to take that first step in starting my own business.... more

• Does Your Life's Story Merit A Closer Read? It's that time of year, this month and next, when we send cards, notes and emails filled with good cheer and well wishes, exchange gifts and think of the things that we are thankful for.... more

• Self-confidence Is A Prime Ingredient In Sales I recently opened a gourmet food and catering shop. I love cooking, and it shows, because people come from all over for my food.... more

• Tightrope: Juggling A Business And Friends Can Be Hard I am in the communications business and I'm having a great time and profits are good.... more

• Customer Service Is Vital Last fall I attended a conference where you were the speaker. Your talk was about how entrepreneurs should prepare for the future.... more

• A Day of Rest for Entrepreneurs I have a successful online business that is five years old. This is the second time that I have owned an online business.... more

• Keeping Your Employees Enthusiastic I know that you have written in the past about how important it is to hire enthusiastic people.... more

• Take Ancient Advice For A Sense Of Renewal I am a professional writer for executives and I am increasingly finding myself in a funk about my business.... more

• Retirement’s Ripe For Entrepreneurial Plans I am an investment banker and will be retiring in a few years.... more

• Establish Your Work Schedule I am a stay-at-home dad and I have a profitable medical supply home-based business.... more

• Find a Friend Who's 'Got Your Back' How important is it to have the support of family and friends when you are starting a business?... more

• Spiritual Living Means Doing For Others and Providing Service A few years ago, a food-service company where I worked for 15 years was sold.... more

• Understand What Giving and Getting Means I have been very successful with my cleaning company. Over the past 17 years we have grown from a two-man operation into a staff of 37.... more

• Becoming a 'real entrepreneur?' I have had a home-based business for a few years and I am getting tired of working from home.... more

• Get In Synch With Your Partner My college roommate and I opened a business together ten years ago.... more

• Reviewing Your Past Can Help You Move Forward I read your column a few weeks ago about changing your routine in order to identify what kind of business to go into.... more

• Taking On All Sorts Of Roles I own an employment agency. Much of our work is transacted via e-mail.... more

• Give Someone Something That They Appreciate I do all kinds of wonderful things for my employees; however, I don't think they appreciate my generosity.... more

• Don't Over Do Planning Sessions I am in business with two other guys. We own a dog grooming and training company.... more

• Attitude Matters I read you column about changing your routine in order to find more joy in your work.... more

• No Company Wants To Lose A Good Customer I don't own a business, but, I grew up in a family of small business owners and was always taught to support small business owners.... more

• The Slightest Change Makes A Difference I hear and read everywhere that when you start a business it should be in something you love and have a passion for.... more

• Entrepreneurs, Your Health Is Top Priority During a lunch with my friend Marta, she told me about an article she read stating that the life span in America might actually shrink if we continue our unhealthy ways.... more

• Be A Leader For Your Employees What do you recommend I do about motivating my employees? I have no problem attracting good candidates.... more

• Put News In Your News Release I send news releases to my local paper all the time and they never respond to them.... more

• Don't Let Burnout Creep In Do you believe that an entrepreneur can suffer from burn out? For 23 years I have owned a successful health and fitness center.... more

• Secret to Success I have been very successful in my commercial real estate business.... more

• Small And Steady Changes Brings Success How often should the owner of a small business make changes to maintain a level of success?... more

• Talk Your Way To Success I plan to start making speeches to increase my business.... more

• You Need To Develop A Plan For Increasing Your Business Income I know that you have written about overcoming adversity, but what about the situations that seem impossible to overcome.... more

• There Is No "One Size Fits All" When It Comes To... How do you get people to stop giving advice? I own a used car lot and I also lease and rent heavy equipment.... more

• Finding and Holding on to Employees I'm finding that it is becoming cost prohibitive to hire and hold on to good employees.... more

• When You Have Distractions Going On Around You I enjoyed your column on how to keep thoughts moving in a positive direction.... more

• Feeling Successful Helps You Get There I am in my own business and I love it. I would like some ideas on how to keep my expenses in check.... more

• Advice For New Business Owner I will be starting my own business in a few months.... more

• Keeping Your Small Business Customers Flowing Repeat customers are very important to my accounting and tax preparation business.... more

• 'Do unto others' Applies To Customers, Too Over the weekend I got in the mood for soul food and found a great southern cuisine restaurant to satisfy my taste buds.... more

• A Broker To The Rescue I am becoming cash poor from all the different business insurance that I pay.... more

• It's Alright To Learn As You Go Two years ago I started a production company. I had studied every aspect of business and taken every business workshop and program that I could find.... more

• Experience Is A Great Teacher My mother has shown me some of your columns explaining to parents how to encourage and deal with young entrepreneurs.... more

• Buy It, and Apply It I don't actually own a business. I sell women's personal romantic products at home parties and I think of it as my own business.... more

• Lift Women Up For A Better Tomorrow It's February, Black History Month, that time of the year when we recognize and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions to the development of this country by African Americans.... more

• Your Time - is Vital Although I have been in business for the past 15 years, I have only been married for the past three.... more

• Growing Concerns My father has owned a medical supply company for over 30 years.... more

• A Coach Can Help You Win Thanks for the column on mentors. I have had several friends to suggest that my business and personal life would benefit if I hired a coach.... more

• In Search Of A Sage I have a mentor who rarely says things to get me motivated and moving in the right direction.... more

• Here's looking at you, kids. I am an entrepreneur as well and have owned a successful software company for the last three years.... more

• Don't Let Fear Sabotage Your Success I have read you previous columns about overcoming fear; somehow I think it's easier said than done.... more

• It's All About You I have been in business for 18 months. I have high hopes for my marketing and public relations business.... more

• It's All Up To You I enjoyed your column last week about starting over. My situation is a little different.... more

• Starting Over? You Can Do It My husband and I worked hard for years to build our successful bakery business only to have it destroyed by Hurricane Katrina flooding.... more

• Heed The Power Of The Internet I am planning to move my business to the next level in 2007.... more

• Giving The Ultimate Gift Tis' the season for gift-giving.... more

• Don't Let Holiday Stress Get You Down It's that time of the year when things get really busy. We find ourselves juggling both our overloaded business schedules as well as our personal calendars.... more

• Don't Put Up With Troublemaker Employees I read your column on practicing the golden rule with employees.... more

• Large Or Small Doesn't Matter - Success Matters I opened an exercise and fitness studio eight years ago and it is doing well.... more

• A Personal Touch Makes The Difference I have always wanted to own my own business. However, every time I come up with an idea I learn that someone else has already put that idea into motion.... more

• Be Creative To Reach Your Goals I have always been a goal setter. Unfortunately I have not had the success I had hoped for.... more

• Your employees are part of your dream team - respect them I received an e-mail about last week's column that got my attention.... more

• The golden rule works with layoffs Due to a slow down in business I had to lay off several people from my company.... more

• Allow different ideas to flow You often say that it's best to have regular staff meetings. I have been doing this. The problem that I run into is disagreements.... more

• Customer Service begins with kindness Did you know that the first week of October is National Customer Service Week?... more

• Keep trying until you find what works My husband and two other guys opened a company that provides onsite technology services for companies that outsource their field service requirements.... more

• Your Area Of Expertise Will Only Carry Your Business So Far I read your previous column where you wrote that you didn't think there were risks involved in owning your own business.... more

• Workplace theft: A possible solution Last week, while I was at the gym, I listen as several entrepreneurs discussed workplace stealing.... more

• Do you know your customer? I have a retail grocery store. Every where I turn there are news reports about the rise of people buying organic foods.... more

• Business is more than a good idea I have always wanted to go into business for myself. I have come into some money unexpectedly, and I want to use a part of it to start my own business.... more

• Success Takes Many Forms I have tried several businesses and so far I have failed at each.... more

• Self-renewal important to business What advice would you suggest I give my daughter who is about to start her own business?... more

• Compliments are gifts Why is it that folks have such a difficult time accepting a compliment?... more

• Gender not a factor I am a woman who owns a commercial paint company and always find myself competing with men who own painting companies.... more

• Self-analysis leads to success I have my heart set on making a business work. So far I have tried twice and failed.... more

• Business Ethics I am concerned about getting my staff to do the right thing.... more

• Hiring the right people takes more than intuition And good judgment I have always prided myself on being a good judge of people and yet I often end up hiring the wrong people.... more

• Leadership is no popularity contest My medium-size construction company has grown significantly over the past few years.... more

• We can't escape risk; so manage it Several weeks ago I wrote a column stating entrepreneurs should be viewed as opportunity takers not risk takers.... more

• Do-it-yourself strategic planning I appreciate your simplified way of answering beginners in business.... more

• Infinite possibilities on the Net I enjoyed your column about seeing the future in the present.... more

• Strategic Planning For Success Three years ago I opened a day spa and hair salon.... more

• Entrepreneurship; opportunity or risk Recently while being interviewed for a small business journal, the interviewer asked if I thought anyone could own and operate a business.... more

• The Future Is Now I am a third generation real estate developer.... more

• Today’s children are tomorrow’s customers My husband and I restored an old three-story mansion and turned it into a small, intimate dining facility.... more