Virtual Entrepreneur

KOMO: To insure success in a recession, here’s a rule checklist: 1. Pick the right niche. You’ll need to enjoy your work and be passionate about it in order to succeed. 2. Take baby steps. Strategize now while working at your present job. Don’t quit or wait for a layoff. 3. Develop your vision.... More

AZ Central: 1. LinkedIn – If you can join just one business-networking site, this is it. LinkedIn is an online network of some 19 million business people worldwide, representing 150 industries. When you join, you create a professional profile that helps you find and be found by former colleagues,... More

Earthtimes: Small businesses generate slightly over half of the nonfarm private gross domestic product in North America. The United States is home to more than 26 million small businesses, accounting for $9 trillion in revenues and over $2 trillion in assets. A new report from Packaged Facts, Financial... More

Springwise: Aiming to invigorate a stagnating housing market, Dutch ING Bank is helping potential buyers bid on houses that aren’t yet for sale. The bank’s WoonWaarUWilt (‘LiveWhereYouWant’) initiative, which launched yesterday, lets clients make an offer on the house they’d... More

By Brian Solomon – TMCnet: 1. Demonstrate your Professionalism – Put your business plan online. Minority business loans are granted to those who are perceived as being winners – and at this time, that means having a great web site. And when you are looking for funding, it means having... More

U.S. News & World Report: 1. Know the fair-market valuation for a healthy business of the type you’re buying in that particular geographic location. 2. Do your due diligence: Scrutinize the seller’s financials and tax returns. Understand clearly what it costs to run the business: Ask... More

Bytestart: Running a business from home is smart and fashionable. 2.1 million businesses are run from home according to research and 60% of new businesses are started at home – that’s 1,400 a week. And no wonder. Starting a business is hard enough; when you do it from home you immediately remove... More

How long could you keep paying the bills if you had a serious accident? Income protection insurance is a cost to business that entrepreneurs probably can’t afford to do without. Smart Company: 4 years ago, Stefan Kazakis decided to get serious about income protection insurance. His business coaching... More

eMoms At Home: … whether you’re just dreaming of business plans or have years of experience under your belt, the following links can help you run a better business: 1. Free Web-Based Business Courses from the SBA 2. Small Business Association Podcast also from the SBA 3. Interactive Business Planner... More

Joplin Globe: Although Sharon Camp has seen firsthand the devastation a tornado can leave in its wake, the Pea Ridge, Ark., resident said she isn’t afraid of the swirling funnels; she just respects them. It’s that respect that motivated Camp to insist on a tornado safe room for her home. She went... More