Have you thought about starting your own passion project but feel like it isn’t possible because of limited resources? Maybe it’s time you look into crowdfunding and how it can turn your project into reality by having the support of like-minded people. A successful crowdfunding campaign is all about community and how well you communicate your story to get people behind your cause. Through crowdfunding, I was able…
We have all these plans for projects, and dreams of things that we want to accomplish — but it’s SO hard to see them through to completion, isn’t it? How many of us have goals, and in our hearts, we’re just not sure if we’ll ever accomplish them? I know I’ve been there. However, there’s also something very special and unique about our generation. Check out this email…
Going International: 5 Tips for Meeting KYC Requirements
by / ⠀Entrepreneurship• Funding• Personal Finance• Startup Advice• Travel / December 28, 2013Since the implementation of Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations, international business has been forever changed. Governments, banks, and businesses must comply with tightened security measures to combat money laundering, identity theft, and possible terrorist funding. Navigating different nations’ specific requirements can be tricky, but doing so will enable your business to expand. Here are five ways to manage the process: 1. Know Your World For many industries, following…
The Dating Game: Preparing Your Investor Pitch
by / ⠀Entrepreneurship• Funding• Startup Advice / November 24, 2013Maybe you’re still immersed in the dating scene. Perhaps you haven’t ventured into that realm for more than 20 years. Either way, if you’re getting ready to pitch investors on your company, you need to practice your wooing skills. Linking up with investors requires you to impress, and there isn’t much difference between a bad pickup line and a poorly formulated investment pitch. Here’s how to make your…
Make Solicitation a Company Value (in a PG-13 Way)
by / ⠀Entrepreneurship• Funding / November 10, 2013Policies shift dramatically in the wake of an economic disaster. Four years after the stock market crash of 1929, regulations were enacted which barred privately owned companies from publicly seeking investment. This ban on general solicitation essentially decreed that all fundraising had to occur behind closed doors. Then, in 2012 — once again, roughly four years following the onset of recession — President Obama instituted the Jumpstart Our…
Ten Ways for Bootstrapped Students to Finance Their Business Ideas
by / ⠀Entrepreneurship• Funding / August 9, 2013You’ve learned it the hard way: college is your wallet’s biggest nightmare. You juggle student loans, housing payments, meal plans, textbooks, and all of the expenses that go along with the college experience. How can you possibly stake any money into that brilliant venture you’ve always wanted to launch? Unless you have one of those legendary rich uncles, you’ll need some of your own cash to get things…
Strange But Inspirational Crowdfunding Projects
by / ⠀Entrepreneurship• Finding Customers• Funding / August 2, 2013Banks deal in financing real businesses – retail businesses, manufacturing businesses, educational institutions – things that make profits. In the Carrey movie Yes Man, the bank that Carrey works for doesn’t even like to fund tiny home businesses – little home birthday cake bakers and the like. What do you do if your idea is even more off-the-wall then home bakeries? What if you wanted money for something…
Crowdfunding has taken the startup world by storm and has given business owners another choice at raising capital for their cash stricken business. Most start-ups are suitable for websites like Kickstarter or Indiegogo but some should be cautious! Outside investment can be hard and challenging but having an unsuccessful Crowdfund campaign could not only waste time and money, but also kill your drive. Ask yourself the questions below…
From Concept to Sale: How a Video Launched Mailbox — and Helped Them Exit
by / ⠀Entrepreneurship• Funding• Startup Advice / May 16, 2013Each year, a variety of tactics appear that promise instant success if included in your inbound marketing strategy. First, there was tagging, and then keyword placement, which was followed by infographics and long content. For a few years, some of these strategies worked well, but they weren’t designed with a changing economy in mind — or the notion that Google would make serious changes to its algorithm. The…
Depending on your point of view, your company’s internal costs can be a minor nuisance or the bane of your existence. It’s a real balancing act to figure out just how to maintain a high level of service that’s also financially sustainable. Luckily, there are a number of ways to cut costs while maintaining the quality your client base deserves. The Prime Cut What some business owners don’t…