Raising Equity and Venture Capital on Main Street

The entrepreneur who thinks they have all the answers is an entrepreneur doomed to fail.  No one has all the answers.  Not to get religious on you, but even the Bible repeatedly states there is "wisdom" and "safety"and even "victory" in a multitude of counselors" in regards to waging war.
Well, business is a lot like war.
There are many ways to learn new business tricks, philosophies, and strategies.  This can be done through networking and exchanging ideas with other business professionals.  But it can also be done while you work or even putter by listening to online webinars and seminars.
If you are interested in opening up your mind to other business approaches, here are three resources to get you started:

GlobalTeleClass.com offers free online professional (and personal) development seminars.
101 iTunes Feeds to Boost Your Business Savvy:  The list includes everything business from ethics and law to management and financial matters. Listen to […]

Question: What do these three things all have in common?

A thesaurus;
A writing pad and pen;
Friends for feedback.

Answer: They are all valuable tools to help you decide on a name for your business.
Your company name is a critical part of your overall corporate identity. It should reflect something important about who you are, or what you do. The name of your business will appear on your letterhead, your promotional materials, and website. Choosing the right name is an important factor in communicating the right message about you and your business.
With new businesses being launched at near record highs I thought it would be a great time to offer advice on how to name your business:

How to Create a Great Business Name
8 Tips to Naming Your Business
10 Commandments of a Great Business Name
Doing Business As (DBA) A Fictitious Name
Four Steps to Legally Establish the Name of Your Business

How to Create a […]

If you follow HARO (Help a Reporter Out) you may have recently read a listing for an opening for a senior PR account manager at Boston company (due to HARO rules I cannot tell you the name of the company or risk getting booted off HARO's list myself.)
The listing queried for prospects with flair: "You must have sick consumer experience, consider yourself a social media junkie and kick-butt at getting media coverage (traditional and social). "Company Name Removed" has a culture that rocks the house — from Sam Adams on tap in the office (for after hours) to "Bring Your Parents To Work Day" to smart, fun and accountable employees, they got it all goin' on. Their hip new crib overlooks Bostons sky-line, harbor and airport…"
A little unconventional?  Yes.  Effective?  Only "Company Name Removed" can tell you for certain.  But if you are not already using HARO you should.  It […]

It's open enrollment season for choosing a health insurance plan for next year.  Because the cost of health insurance premiums continue to rise, and insurance companies are working harder to find ways to exclude coverage for you, it is important to compare your options before changing health insurance.  But reading insurance policies can be tricky so attorney, Jeffrey I. Ehrlich, an insurance appellate specialist, offers consumer-friendly advice on how to read an insurance policy.
If you need to develop a basic understanding of the health insurance system, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a free, downloadable .pdf document that answers common questions about health insurance.  Included in the document is an insurance glossary and information about network-based plans, non-network based coverage, and consumer-directed health plans.
For more in-depth information about open enrollment and health insurance options, I recommend:

Expert Advice on Reviewing Your Health Care Options During Open Enrollment
[…]

If you are not using Twitter for your business yet, ask yourself why not?  Lack of time (Twitter is fast and can be mastered in minutes)?  You think it's silly (it is, but it works)?  You have not heard of Twitter (hard to believe)?
In 2008, Twitter only had about 6 million active users (per month) and it has a high user drop out rate (60% of people abandon Twitter accounts after one month). But Mashable projects by year-end 2009, 18 million people will be using Twitter each month and further projects that 26 million people will be Tweeting in 2010.  See the mass-marketing potential now?  Plus, presently, Twitter remains free to users.
Here are some great articles to help you decide if Twitter is right for your business, what Twitter is, and how to get started.

Why Your Business Should Use Twitter
Should I Use Twitter to Promote My Business?
4 […]

GlobalTeleClass.com offers free online professional (and personal) development seminars. This month, you can attend online to learn more about teleseminars, social networking, prospect building, and tax issues.
Another free upcoming…

Banks are still not lending enough to help businesses grow. And, no matter where you live it seems like "for lease" signs are still all too common. Businesses…

Seems like a growing trend - business owners who cannot sell their businesses are offering them up in contests. Typically, a business owner sets an entry fee and asks…