Collaborating with other businesses is a great idea when it comes to finding new audiences and spreading the word about your business. When choosing a collaboration partner to work with, it’s smart to be strategic. Small businesses should consider the following key aspects: Alignment of Values and Audience: Make sure the business you’re going to partner with shares similar values and has an audience that aligns with your target market. This alignment enhances the likelihood of a successful partnership.  This kind of alignment can be as simple as you’re both small businesses interest ..read more

If you’re doing research on what kind of Point of Sale system is best for your business, we’ve got a rundown for you below the headlines. Choosing your POS system is key not only in helping you make transactions, but certain ones can also track your inventory, manage employees, and more!  No, not that kind of POS! (Sorry, the joke was right there!)  Your Point-of-Sale (POS) system is key to running your business smoothly - it can take payments, monitor inventory, and so much more. Here’s a rundown of the most common systems so you can compare and contrast.  Square: Suitab ..read more

Hiring for a small business can be tough, but not impossible. While it’s commonly thought that “no one wants to work anymore,” that’s simply not true - with the right job description, the right support system in place, you can hire talented people for your business and keep them!  Define Clear Job Descriptions When Hiring For Your Small Business Clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of the position, along with specifying required qualifications. This will set the foundation for a successful hiring process. Check your local laws on putting salary / wage range on your descrip ..read more

So, your business is doing something pretty cool - maybe you’re opening a new location, or you’ve got a huge event coming up that you want to spread the word about! Well, social media only goes so far, and there’ll probably come the time when it’s time to start reaching out to the media. Writing a press release can be a valuable tool for small businesses to share news and attract media attention. And, you don’t need to be an expert in PR to do it! Here are steps you can follow to create an effective press release: Identify the News Angle for Your Press Release You don’t want to send out a pre ..read more

Did you move into a space for your business and decide the grass is greener elsewhere? It happens! Sometimes the foot traffic isn’t what you thought it would be where you are, or maybe you have a less-than-sweet relationship with your landlord and would prefer to work elsewhere.  Hey we get it - sometimes there’s no place like another home. If you’re in a bad lease - or it’s just not the right fit for your business, here are a few tips about how to get out of a bad lease.  Understand Your Lease’s Terms Make sure you read the fine print. Thoroughly review the lease agreement to compr ..read more

Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to get eyes on your business. Check out some of these tips to help you set up your email marketing strategy to grow your audience and build engagement!  Marketing is about more than just advertising and social media - email is one of the best ways to engage your current customers and get them interested in your business’s offerings all year round.  First, Build Your Content Pillars Come up with several key themes that resonate with your business, your brand, and your customer base. This can be everything from product features, employ ..read more

Have you decided recently it may be time to start hiring for your small business? But, what kind of roles do you need for your team? We have some common positions for small businesses for you to check out below the headlines.  As much as we know small business owners would love to oversee everything themselves, the reality is that there just isn’t time in the day for that to be possible! Plus, hiring people for their skill set allows you to focus on what you’re good at so you can grow your business. Here are some positions to consider hiring for when you’re ready!  Operations Manage ..read more

Building brand awareness is key for small businesses, but often something that people jump into without a lot of forethought. Defining your brand requires a bit of introspection and also awareness of who your target customer is and what they’re looking for in your product. Here’s a quick guide to how to set yourself up for success with your brand.  Define your brand What makes you unique? Clearly define your brand's values, mission, and unique selling proposition (USP) to create a distinct identity that resonates with your target audience. Once you have this in mind, then you can start t ..read more

Have you ever opened a new space and then had all your progress halted by some permit office telling you to stop until you have the right piece of paper to continue? It happens to us all.  The hardest part about opening a new location shouldn't be getting permits, and more permits. Or even more permits. Here's how to ask the right questions so you don't get "new" permit requirements by surprise.  Ask, “What other permits do you see us needing before we open?"  When it comes to permits, often you may not know what you don’t know. Be up front with the office when you’re opening u ..read more

We're all setting goals for the new year - are there any for your business you should be looking into? Keep an Eye on Market Trends and Industry Shifts What has changed most for your business in the past year? Stay updated on market trends, changes in consumer behavior, and shifts in your industry. Consider how these changes might impact your business and factor them into your goal-setting process. Take a Hard Look at Your Business Finances and Metrics  This is your first benchmark to take a hard look at before setting goals. Review financial performance, cash flow, profitability, and ot ..read more