Startup Blog
Blinded me with science
Anyone who took Chemistry 101 knows about phase transitions. They occur when a solid turns into a liquid or a liquid turns into a gas (vapor). They happen all around us. Take an ice cube out of the freezer, put it in a glass, and it will return to its natural...
David and Goliath
Growing up in Renton, I fondly recall going to McLendon Hardware. The original store on Second Avenue was filled with anything you could possibly imagine. Their slogan back then was, “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it,” and from my experience, that held true. The...
Prioritize Your Top 20% of Clients
Maybe you’ve heard it referred to as the Pareto Principle or the 80/20 rule. Focusing on your top 20% of clients isn’t a new concept, but it’s one that’s often forgotten or ignored. Prioritizing your top 20% of clients allows your small business to optimize revenue,...
Five Free AI Tools for Small Businesses
Artificial Intelligence certainly isn’t the death knell many predicted. If harnessed correctly, it’s much more a tool than a threat. Below I’ve outlined FREE (mostly, at least in the beginning) AI tools which I’ve tested and recommend to small businesses. 1....
5 New Year’s Resolutions for Small Businesses
Making and keeping business resolutions for the coming year is a powerful strategy that can propel your toward greater growth and success. In an ever-evolving business landscape, adaptability and innovation are key. Now is the perfect time to review 2023’s results and...
Year-end tax tips for small businesses
For the small business owner, tax season can be hair-rippingly stressful, and the prospect of shelling out a load of money to the government is not a pleasant one. To keep your hair in place, you have to be smart with how you tackle business tax preparation. Even...
Hiring and Retaining Gen Z in the Workplace
I’m solidly Gen X (who cares, whatever) and have for decades worked with various generations including some Silent Gens, many Boomers, scads of Millennials, and now, Gen Z. A few years ago, I started to work with my first clients from Gen Z who were entering the...
A Lesson in Business Building: The Spider and The Fly
Fall is upon us. I don’t even have to look outside. The scent of pumpkin spice is in the air, from craft beers and lattes to candles and tempting treats. It is a veritable bonanza for many small businesses smart enough to cash in on our seemingly insatiable appetite...
The high cost of customers
When I ran my own business, I had lots of customers. Truth be told, some were better than others, not just in terms of our working relationship, but their value to my company. Customers cost money, and while you may think that new customers are the way to build a...