Los Angeles Times
The credit crunch looks like an espresso machine.
At least it does to Michael McDonald, who is trying to open a coffee shop near UC Santa Barbara next month but just heard that his funding had evaporated for an equipment leasing deal. McDonald needs the espresso maker and other gear in place in two weeks so he can train the first employees for the Zizzo's Coffee franchise.
"If I don't get my funding, those are 15 or 20 people who are not going to have work," said the Goleta resident, recounting his third brush with the credit crisis.
McDonald was squeezed this year when his bank cut off the home equity credit line he was using to help fund his start-up. He had looked into a conventional business loan but found most banks weren't interested in new businesses, requiring at least two years of operations. And the cost of the money was too high, he said, despite his good credit.
Wire Service CanadaWith the country focused on the hard choices that Sarah Palin is making as a mother, women are more uncertain than ever on whether they can have it all. In fact, many women figure it’s impossible to have a truly fulfilling career and enough time to be a hands-on mom. Kim DeYoung says you can do both—if you’re willing to be a metromom.
So what is a metromom? She is a highly-motivated mom with an entrepreneurial spirit, looking to be successful in all aspects of life…on her own terms. A driven, evolving woman committed to her family, her career and to managing her own home-based business with class. Kim says that by running your own home-based business you can become the CEO of your own life.
Let's face it, with the recent trends in the economy—especially at the gas pump—many women need something to provide financial breathing room. A home-based business gives them the ability to meet and establish their own financial goals, whether that's a few hundred dollars a month or a more substantial income. For example, direct sales—like Avon, Tupperware, Melaleuca etc.—usually require just a small investment to get started. Plus women get tax write-offs from running a home-based business.
American ChronicleWith the whole free world talking about the current state of the US economy, you can actually feel the tension in the air – everywhere. Nobody is excluded from this because the United States´ financial well-being has an impact on the entire continent of North America and beyond.
If you´ve been considering starting a home staging business and have put the brakes on that plan, don´t be so quick to squash your dream. A home staging business is surprisingly inexpensive to start and it´s very easy to recover your initial investment.
In regards to the US economy - the media´s job is to do what it takes to glue you to their papers and news stations. They are going to publish/air whatever they can to keep you reading/watching and feeling strong emotions so you want to keep coming back. In this case, the most prevalent emotion we´re feeling is fear.
Batesville Daily GuardFifteen years ago Joyce Campbell’s sister mailed her a gourd with a note attached saying, “See what you can do with this.”
Now Campbell — who claims to have “gourd fever” — has started her own home-based business and sells in a dozen different locations.
Campbell’s business is called Gourd Art by Joyce Campbell, and she has produced award-winning gourds. One of her large creations — a lidded bushel gourd finished with wood burning, leather dyes, carving and gemstones — was chosen as one of the 20 finalists in the 2008 Featured Artist Contest open to all Arkansans. It will be on exhibit this month at the Fine Arts Center in Hot Springs and will be part of the Gallery Walk.
Ready To Be RichA business card is an essential tool for any professional and entrepreneur. Aside from providing contact information, it can also serve as a mini portfolio to showcase your work and products. Moreover, business cards also function as a marketing tool that helps create brand awareness.
For these reasons, one should never take for granted the design of one’s business card. It may be tempting to simply use business card templates that are available online or use the sample layouts provided in business card making softwares. But be aware that by doing so, you are undermining the real power of an effective business card.
The Home Business ArchiveBlogging has turned into a vital piece for entrepreneurs to add to their online businesses.While it is essential to make a post every day to keep a blog going, many small business owners simply do not have the time to do this.Because of this, there is always the demand for guest blogging jobs.
As a guest blogger, there are several benefits. You get to expose your knowledge and content to a new readership that you may have never found yet.And if you work out a deal with the person you are blogging for, you may be able to link back to your blog generating more content.
As the owner of a blog, they benefit from having a guest blogger for a number of reasons as well.It gives the owner a break from posting so they can focus on other facets of their business.In addition, it can be beneficial to get a different writer’s perspective on things and freshen up the site.
MetroThose starting up their own home business could use these tips.
• Desk: To sit perchance to file. Every entrepreneur needs a place to operate his or her business — a place for billing, filing, copying, writing and e-mailing. For many homepreneurs, their desk becomes their office, so it has to be great. Ideally, the desk has a lot of drawers for storage, at least two or three full sides so that there is a lot of desk space and a high wall on one side so you can block out other rooms and activities.
• Headphones: Listen up — working from home can be noisy — being able to plug in your headphones and ignore everything around you is a crucial part of staying focused and achieving what you have to in order to build your business.
