Inspiration

When you need a spark of hope or a nugget of inspirational gold, this collection of wisdom from Joel Weldon and our other writers will refresh your entrepreneurial spirit.
6 Apps That Can Help You Reach Your Goals

6 Apps That Can Help You Reach Your Goals

Setting goals can provide direction, create accountability and encourage progress. However, many people identify what they want to accomplish without creating deadlines, developing an action plan or consistently measuring their results. Adding your goals to the...

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9 Reasons You Still Haven’t Reached Your Goal

9 Reasons You Still Haven’t Reached Your Goal

Many people carry the same dream from year to year without ever making meaningful progress toward it. The goal may sound exciting, but it remains vague, hidden or constantly pushed into the future. Sometimes people avoid discussing their ambitions because they fear...

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7 Practical Ways to Recover and Move Forward After Failure

7 Practical Ways to Recover and Move Forward After Failure

Failure can be discouraging, especially when you have invested time, energy and hope into reaching a goal. In business and life, plans do not always work out the way we expect. When that happens, people usually respond in one of two ways. They either become...

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How Changing Direction Saved My Business

How Changing Direction Saved My Business

When my original plan ran into an unexpected cultural obstacle, adjusting the business model gave the company a second chance and opened the door to a more successful market. Key Takeaways Understanding local culture is essential when introducing a new product or...

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How to Set Business Goals Your Team Can Actually Reach

How to Set Business Goals Your Team Can Actually Reach

Business leaders often begin a new year with ambitious goals designed to inspire growth. However, many of those goals are abandoned within weeks because they are too vague, unrealistic or disconnected from the company’s daily operations. Strong business goals should...

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4 Inspiring Entrepreneurial Comeback Stories

4 Inspiring Entrepreneurial Comeback Stories

Everyone loves a great comeback story, and the business world is filled with entrepreneurs who overcame rejection, failure and uncertainty before achieving extraordinary success. Building a company is rarely a smooth journey. Even the most recognizable founders have...

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4 Entrepreneurs Who Turned Failure Into Opportunity

4 Entrepreneurs Who Turned Failure Into Opportunity

Success in entrepreneurship rarely follows a predictable path. Behind many well-known companies are stories of rejected ideas, failed ventures, financial struggles, unexpected competition and difficult pivots. It is easy to look at a successful founder and assume they...

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How Managers Can Set Goals That Build Real Accountability

How Managers Can Set Goals That Build Real Accountability

Setting a goal involves much more than writing down a target and hoping your team achieves it. Successful goal-setting requires clarity, collaboration and a reliable system for tracking progress. Without accountability, even the most ambitious goals can quickly become...

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Why Self-Belief Keeps Entrepreneurs Moving Forward

Why Self-Belief Keeps Entrepreneurs Moving Forward

Entrepreneurship Requires Belief Entrepreneurship requires more than a good idea. It requires belief. Business owners have to believe in their vision, their ability to grow, and their capacity to handle challenges. Without self-belief, motivation can disappear...

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How Entrepreneurs Can Recover When Motivation Runs Low

How Entrepreneurs Can Recover When Motivation Runs Low

Every Entrepreneur Hits a Wall Every entrepreneur experiences seasons where motivation fades. Even people who love their work can hit emotional walls. Long hours, slow results, stress, disappointment, and uncertainty can drain the excitement that once made the...

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Daily Habits That Help Entrepreneurs Stay Motivated

Daily Habits That Help Entrepreneurs Stay Motivated

Entrepreneurship Takes Daily Motivation Entrepreneurship is exciting, but it can also be exhausting. Business owners often carry the weight of their company every hour of the day. They think about sales, customers, goals, problems, growth, and uncertainty all at once....

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The Importance of Continuous Learning for Entrepreneurs

The Importance of Continuous Learning for Entrepreneurs

The business world is constantly evolving. New technologies emerge, consumer preferences change, industries shift, and economic conditions fluctuate. For entrepreneurs, one of the most important skills is the ability to continue learning and adapting throughout their...

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The Hidden Advantage of Starting Before You Feel Ready

The Hidden Advantage of Starting Before You Feel Ready

One of the most common reasons people delay pursuing a business idea is the belief that they are not ready. They think they need more experience, more money, more knowledge, or a more detailed plan before taking action. While preparation is important, waiting for the...

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Five Habits of Solopreneurs Who Actually Make It

Five Habits of Solopreneurs Who Actually Make It

Most solopreneur success is focused on tactics — which platform to use, how to price your services, what to post on social media. Those things matter. But the solopreneurs who build something lasting share a deeper set of habits that have nothing to do with tactics....

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How LEGO Rebuilt Its Brand Brick by Brick

How LEGO Rebuilt Its Brand Brick by Brick

LEGO’s comeback is a powerful example of a brand returning to its roots. In the early 2000s, the company was close to bankruptcy after expanding too far beyond its core product. LEGO had moved into theme parks, clothing, video games, movies, and overly complicated toy...

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The Most Dangerous Word in Entrepreneurship is “Try”

The Most Dangerous Word in Entrepreneurship is “Try”

In entrepreneurship, the word “try” can sound harmless, but it often creates room for hesitation, excuses, and unfinished goals. Many people say they will “try” to start the business, “try” to stay consistent, or “try” to follow through. The problem is that trying...

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50 Inspirational Quotes to Motivate You Going

50 Inspirational Quotes to Motivate You Going

Powerful quotes can inspire, encourage, and help shape the way you think. They can offer guidance for choices in your personal life, career, and relationships. Here are 50 inspirational quotes to help motivate you:   Nothing is impossible, the word itself says...

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How Alo Founders Built A Billion-Dollar Brand

How Alo Founders Built A Billion-Dollar Brand

Alo Yoga became a billion-dollar brand by blending fashion, wellness, and community into a cohesive lifestyle. Founded by longtime friends Danny Harris and Marco DeGeorge, the company built on their earlier success in apparel manufacturing and a personal connection to...

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The Measure of Intelligence Is the Ability to Change

The Measure of Intelligence Is the Ability to Change

Someone once said and it’s often attributed to Einstein, although we don’t really know for sure; “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.’” I just read an article about a Reddit thread where someone asked - What’s a subtle sign that someone is really...

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You Are The Most Important Equalizer

You Are The Most Important Equalizer

We are living in a new economy whereas technology impacts everything we do in our daily living and working. The work possibilities for those who seek flexibility and freedom in how work can be accomplished have never been greater. The possibilities to become an...

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Using Conflict to Drive Positive Change

Using Conflict to Drive Positive Change

Conflict is a natural part of life, whether in personal relationships, at work, or even within ourselves. But not all conflicts are created equal. Amanda Ripley, journalist and author of High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out, distinguishes between two...

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Your Business Should Serve Your Life

Your Business Should Serve Your Life

You became an entrepreneur for a reason — freedom, focus, and a life of deep satisfaction. You were created for a full, vibrant life. There’s a deep wisdom in you, always guiding you toward your true desires — meant to be expressed and lived. Thriving isn’t about...

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5 Insights To Support Growth

5 Insights To Support Growth

Motivation Follows Action, Not the Other Way Around For a long time, we believed dopamine—the brain's "feel-good" chemical—was a reward we got after completing a task . But recent groundbreaking research flipped the script. Dopamine spikes before we take action, not...

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Growth: The Most Important Key Performance Indicator

Growth: The Most Important Key Performance Indicator

The desire to grow is inherently within most of us. Most kids want to grow. Students typically want to grow and learn. Most adults want to learn more and experience more. As we take on various responsibilities in life and career, we learn to set goals and support them...

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AFE Testimonial

AFE Testimonial

From time to time we receive testimonials regarding the value of AFE Membership to members. AFE Members represent all forms of entrepreneurship, even students and those who are leading projects to create entrepreneurial possibilities. The following is an excerpt from...

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The Importance of Thinking Differently

The Importance of Thinking Differently

We might agree that we are always living in the most amazing times, which can also be challenging times depending upon circumstances. History basically reveals that everything evolves in spite of what happens. Our lives are amazing gifts and what we do with them makes...

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Employment is Dead

Employment is Dead

One of the latest and most interesting books I have been advised to read is titled: Employment is Dead: How Disruptive Technologies Are Revolutionizing the Way We Work. Deborah Perry Piscione and Josh Drean bring to life the seismic shifts occurring in the workforce,...

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Adding Value to What You or Your Business Offers

Adding Value to What You or Your Business Offers

There are many different business models and opportunities for the Individual Entrepreneur.  A few business models and opportunities are based upon a “knock your socks off” product or service that is quite unique however, these are actually very rare. Some businesses...

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Identity Leadership

Identity Leadership

Identity leadership is very important to me. It’s a topic that is relevant to the 7.7 billion people living today. Identity leadership is self-leadership, and it is based on the philosophy that if you can’t lead yourself, you can’t lead anyone else. Leadership, or...

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Simplicity is a Strategy

Simplicity is a Strategy

Simplicity is a strategy, however, as easy as the four words are to repeat, execution is always very challenging. This article introduces the reader to the most powerful and executable strategy for sharing with others the main ingredients of your business, venture, or...

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Now Is The Time!

Now Is The Time!

The calendar is moving toward the last few months of the year! The calendar does not stop or pause, it continues forward at the same consistent pace as always. Assuming that you are an independent contractor, micro entrepreneur, or even a traditional entrepreneur, now...

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7 Ways for Micro-Entrepreneurs to Thrive in a Garden of Growth

7 Ways for Micro-Entrepreneurs to Thrive in a Garden of Growth

Every so often, we pause to absorb not just the visible blossoms but the entire garden—the unseen roots and the soil that sustains them. Such was my reflection when a subscriber to my newsletter shared their solitude amidst a world teeming with seemingly flourishing...

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The 4 C’s of Entrepreneurial Leadership

The 4 C’s of Entrepreneurial Leadership

Charisma. Communication. Common sense. Continuous Learning What core competencies attribute a successful entrepreneurial leader? In the realm of entrepreneurship, achieving success is difficult to say the least. New ideas are emerging, innovation is rapidly evolving,...

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Can I Step Away And Still Have My Business Run Smoothly?

Can I Step Away And Still Have My Business Run Smoothly?

It's essential that business owners feel confident when stepping out, whether that be for a day, a week, or even a month. And at some point, eventually, it will have to happen. You might be in business meetings all day or away with vendors. Your absence might be due...

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Is Your Business Prepared For The Next Recession?

Is Your Business Prepared For The Next Recession?

As the business cycle ebbs and flows, there are periods of economic growth and stability, as well as periods of recession and uncertainty. While it is impossible to predict with certainty when the next recession will hit, it is essential for businesses to be prepared...

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Technology- Your Friend Or Foe?

Technology- Your Friend Or Foe?

Have you ever asked yourself: Is technology my friend or foe? You may find yourself on one side or the other, or maybe somewhere in between, similar to that of a love/hate relationship. We've all been there. There comes a level of excitement when the newest trends in...

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Make Money In The Gig Economy During Inflation And Recession

Make Money In The Gig Economy During Inflation And Recession

The rising cost of living, coupled with the possibility of an impending recession, has made it essential for people to look for new ways to earn money. With many traditional jobs offering limited flexibility and stability, the gig economy has emerged as a viable...

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Should I Quit My Full-Time Job To Pursue My Dream Business?

Should I Quit My Full-Time Job To Pursue My Dream Business?

Businesses take time and energy to grow. The more you have to invest in your company, the faster it will take off. So, just how do you know when it’s a good time to make a move and fully commit to your dream? Consider these important factors first to gain a more...

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Employee Appreciation Day- How You Can Show Your Appreciation

Employee Appreciation Day- How You Can Show Your Appreciation

March 3rd marks the annual Employee Appreciation Day! And while it is great to use this day as a reminder of how much you value your employee’s hard work and dedication, it doesn’t have to stop here. Ideally, it would be best if you regularly express your gratitude....

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How Will Knowing My Strengths Improve My Business?

How Will Knowing My Strengths Improve My Business?

Successful small business owners know their strengths and weaknesses. By recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, you, too, can effectively build a more substantial business. It was once thought that focusing on your weaknesses and learning to build them up was...

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Being A Gen Z Leader: Youth Leadership Month

Being A Gen Z Leader: Youth Leadership Month

February is Youth Leadership Month, and it's the perfect time to focus on the next generation of leaders in the workforce: Gen Z. As the youngest generation to enter the workforce, Gen Z is poised to make a significant impact in the business world. However, they also...

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Americans With Side Hustles-Making A Rise

Americans With Side Hustles-Making A Rise

According to a recent survey by Lending Tree Financial, 44% of Americans have a side hustle, which adds to their regular 9-5 job. In the last two years, the percentage of Americans earning additional income from a side gig has risen by 13% and the numbers aren’t...

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Is Your Brand Expandable?

Is Your Brand Expandable?

Ask any entrepreneur or small business owner; there is always a certain amount of risk associated when owning your own business. Though the struggles can be different, the outcome desired is usually the same. They desire success. To build a brand that flourishes and...

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The Keys to Unlocking Influencer Status

The Keys to Unlocking Influencer Status

In today's digital world, being an influencer has become a highly sought-after career path. But what does it take to be an influencer? Here are a few key qualities that successful influencers tend to possess. First, influencers are typically experts in their field....

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New Year, New Goals: Setting Resolutions for Your Business

New Year, New Goals: Setting Resolutions for Your Business

As the year comes to a close, many people are starting to think about their New Year's resolutions. For businesses, setting goals and making resolutions can be just as important as it is for individuals. Here are a few reasons why your business should consider making...

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Reputation Management 101: A Beginner’s Guide

Reputation Management 101: A Beginner’s Guide

Reputation management is becoming increasingly important for businesses in the digital age. With the proliferation of review sites and social media platforms, it's easier than ever for customers to leave feedback about their experiences with a company. And with more...

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The Power of a Fresh Start: Redesigning Your Business

The Power of a Fresh Start: Redesigning Your Business

Redesigning can be an effective way to improve your product or process and make it more efficient and effective. By taking the time to review and redesign your product or process, you can identify opportunities for improvement, implement changes, and ultimately...

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Earn Money As An Amazon Affiliate

Earn Money As An Amazon Affiliate

As the online marketing industry gains momentum, more and more consumers are looking in the direction of influencers before making purchases. People find it easier to trust the reviews and recommendations of like-minded individuals who are comparable to themselves....

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The Importance Of Networking For Small Business Owners

The Importance Of Networking For Small Business Owners

Networking is a valuable tool for business owners who are either in the infancy of starting a new business or for those who are hoping to grow their business. There are numerous benefits to gain from networking. Among them, I’ll fill you in with just some examples of...

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What Makes An Innovator Great?

What Makes An Innovator Great?

Innovation can be a game changer. It has allowed success to many people throughout history. But what has led some innovators to success when others have completely sunk? Well, first off, a great innovator needs to be able to stay current, understand what's going on in...

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The Key To Preparing In Any Economy

The Key To Preparing In Any Economy

Unlike typical weather forecasts the economy does not have a set trajectory or definitive fluctuation. Because of this the economy can grow and collapse in faster than usual shifts at potentially very rapid rates. Trusting instinct or news outlets to provide timely...

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What Makes A Leader Successful?

What Makes A Leader Successful?

Finding yourself in a management position doesn't necessarily that you will have skills necessary to lead a team. You may just see yourself as only being good at running the day-to-day operations, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to develop them over time. To...

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Team Building- How Will This Bring Success To Your Business?

Team Building- How Will This Bring Success To Your Business?

The goal of team building is to bring co-workers together and provide opportunities for them to build more meaningful relationships. People who include this into their business plan have found the results to be quite rewarding. Here are some reasons why you should...

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Gig Jobs With High Pay 

Gig Jobs With High Pay 

The gig economy has a reputation of short-term tasks done in volume to obtain the desired income of their worker. This, however, is not always the case as some gigs may break this stereotype with higher paying opportunities with comparable volume. The typical gig...

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What Is Digital Accessibility And Why It Matters

What Is Digital Accessibility And Why It Matters

The term digital accessibility is the practice of designing digital products and their environment so that they can be accessed by those living with various disabilities. Most of us are aware of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates public spaces...

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Daily Habits of the Successful Entrepreneur

Daily Habits of the Successful Entrepreneur

Practically anyone can become an entrepreneur with the right mindset. It starts with an idea. After some hard work and dedication, that idea has become a reality. But what makes the successful ones stand out from the rest? Is it luck? Or are some just destined for...

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Are You Ready For The Shark Tank?

Are You Ready For The Shark Tank?

Shark Tank is one of the most popular TV shows in history, continuing to gather millions of viewers for each new season as companies of any size continue to give their pitches to the world. There have been a number a majorly successful businesses that grew soon after...

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How To Succeed In The Vacation Rental Business

How To Succeed In The Vacation Rental Business

There’s no doubt that getting into the vacation rental business can be a great way to earn some cash. And whether you’ve chosen to make this your side hustle or it’s going to be your main source of income, this market has proven to be a very competitive one. With new...

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The Art of Negotiating

The Art of Negotiating

As a small business owner, building strong business relationships is a crucial component to the overall success of your company. Not only is developing connections with both your customers and employees important, it’s also just as important to have strong...

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Definition Of An Entrepreneur

Definition Of An Entrepreneur

Oxford Languages defines an entrepreneur as “a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so”. Entrepreneurs are often seen as innovators. Risk takers. But not all entrepreneurs are the same....

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5 Easy Freelance From Home Gigs

5 Easy Freelance From Home Gigs

Freelancers can pretty much work on anything, and from anywhere. With the limit of restrictions a freelancer has it’s no wonder the popularity in this field has risen considerably. And finding work with little to no experience doesn’t have to prevent you. Here are 5...

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Entrepreneurship Can Start At Any Age

Entrepreneurship Can Start At Any Age

Close your eyes and think of the word “entrepreneur”. What image crosses your mind? More times than not, people will say a young millennial, someone in their early 20’s. Maybe someone who appears quick witted and intelligent? Someone who is tech savvy and trendy? But...

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Program in Arizona Helps Mexican Women Pursue Entrepreneurship

Program in Arizona Helps Mexican Women Pursue Entrepreneurship

For all you Hispanic women out there with wishes of owning your own business, here's some exciting news! El Consulado General de Mexico en Phoenix is kicking off their third annual Consular Entrepreneurship Program. This program was strictly designed for women, more...

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The Importance Of Having A Growth Track For Your Employees 

The Importance Of Having A Growth Track For Your Employees 

Although employees are merely a means for a business to accomplish a goal, they should never be devalued to appear as individuals without potential. Driven and passionate employees have made small companies massively successful without any extensive corporate...

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Advice For Cyber Monday – How To Plan Ahead 

Advice For Cyber Monday – How To Plan Ahead 

Cyber Monday is the biggest day for online sales out of the year. Amazing deals and focused marketing prove highly effective for businesses with both physical and digital products. Since most businesses have online platforms, Cyber Monday has only grown in popularity...

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How To Prepare Your E-Commerce Shop For The Holiday Season

How To Prepare Your E-Commerce Shop For The Holiday Season

The Christmas holiday season is notorious for having the highest rate of sales for most business practices out of the year. Optimizing your e-commerce shop can have exponentially positive benefits to not only beat your monthly averages but also encourage a substantial...

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How To Prepare For The Holiday Season As A Business Owner Now

How To Prepare For The Holiday Season As A Business Owner Now

There are only a few more months until the holiday season. Hopefully you have already begun preparing for this holiday rush but if not that's okay. I'll breakdown some ways you can prepare so that operations run as smoothly as possible during this time. Planning is...

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Tips For Family-Owned Businesses – How To Promote Yourself 

Tips For Family-Owned Businesses – How To Promote Yourself 

Family-owned businesses are ones that have a unique story and environment that no other business relationship can have. While being with its benefits it too can be a very difficult endeavor, especially when having to work with your relatives. The hardest thing these...

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