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Small Biz Survival
  • Small Biz 100 | success

    Finding a Small-business Niche

    February 8, 2017January 31, 2017

    “What business should I start?” is a common question asked to those of us supporting small-business owners. Sometimes the question is modified as people want a business that “will make lots of money” or will be a success. We, by our position, are assumed to have some special understanding of what the market wants. Okay,…

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  • rural | Small Biz 100 | success

    Trends and Fads – Opportunities for Small Businesses

    July 20, 2016July 13, 2016

    Do you ever look at the news and ask yourself how what you see might impact your business? If you are like me, the chances are you don’t do a great deal of this.  Yes, we watch the news and may read the paper, a magazine and maybe a trade journal. Plus, we may spend…

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  • Yield sign with "Opportunity Ahead"
    entrepreneurship | Small Biz 100 | success

    Know Why You Want to Start a Business

    February 12, 2015March 15, 2015

    If starting a business is in your plans, determining your primary reason for such an effort is vital. You may think that is an odd comment to make because people obviously start a business to make money. That’s true for some, but people start businesses for lots of reasons. Money is not always the primary…

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  • rural | Small Biz 100 | success

    Moving From Idea to Being in Business Not Easy

    January 29, 2015January 27, 2015

      A common assumption among people wanting to start a business is that coming up with the idea is the hardest part. When you talk with people already in business, though, they often comment that the business idea was the easiest step to take. Small-business owners mention that they didn’t realize how hard it would…

    Read More Moving From Idea to Being in Business Not EasyContinue

  • entrepreneurship | rural | Small Biz 100

    Do Your Homework Before Buying a Business

    January 15, 2015December 31, 2014

    Buying a business can be a great way to get started. You already know if the business can make it, plus you already have an existing market base who know you exist. Before going too far into examining the business, you, as the prospective owner, need to consider what is prompting this decision to buy….

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  • Farmers market vendors
    economic development | entrepreneurship | rural | Small Biz 100

    Agritourism: People Will Come

    May 22, 2014August 27, 2014

    I am a farm boy. Grew up on a what today would be a small farm. My summers and after-school hours were spent working on the farm. Days were long and there was always something to do. Putting up hay always happened around July 4th. For most of my farming friends, this was a way…

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