Posts for the ‘Money & Equity’ Category

Pilot episode "An Ice Cream Fix" of Bailout! with host Mike Michalowicz. Michalowicz uses an ice cream truck to fix a cash strapped business.  Read more »

Picking the price for your service isn't as easy as picking a number out of the air. Go to low and you might lose money. Go to high and you might lose (or never get) customers. Here are 12 ways to get your pricing right!  Read more »

Of course you want to make the first million with your business. Every entrepreneur does, but few make it. Instead of me rambling on what differentiates the wanna-be's from the achievers, I thought it best to get the varying opinions of the TPE community. You want to achieve your first million, right? Here's how...  Read more »

Here is an informal directory of Web Resources for Women Entrepreneurs. Here you will find ways to receive financing, coaching, and excellent networking opportunities:  Read more »

Struggling to figure out the return you get from conferences and trade booths? In this On A Roll video, Mike Michalowicz, shares his technique for measuring return on investment for conferences and trade shows…  Read more »

Working with you at the office or not, the significant other has a lot of influence on how you operate your business. So I asked the TPE community, if their significant other could make one unfettered business decision for them, what would it be?  Read more »

There are a growing number of indicators of a recovering economy. I recognize that it could simply be the eye of storm... but either way you need to be pushing your small business forward. I reached out to the TPE community to get their feedback on the pending recovery and on things small businesses can do about it. Here is what they said...  Read more »

Before you get all up in my face sayin' that you can read the pictures above, know this: When it comes to guerrilla marketing you first must catch the viewers eye from the distance (yes that is the reason for the distant shots - did they catch your eye?). To check em' out close up, just scroll down through the article and peppered along with these amazing tips are close up shots of guerrilla marketing moves. And more importantly MAKE SURE you are using guerrilla marketing for your business. Being status-quo for another day won't get any more attention to your business.  Read more »

Some experts are saying this is the best time in recent history to buy a business. If you have the means... or maybe just the guts (you can buy businesses without paying a dime), then here are strategies from the TPE community on how to get the deal done:  Read more »

The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur came out one year ago this week, and since then I’ve traveled the world talking to entrepreneurs both successful and soon-to-be, and it’s been quite a ride. Along the way I’ve discovered some TPE-style frugal travel tips. Here are a few of my fave tips about saving big at hotels:  Read more »

As a business owner things go wrong. I have been there and the view isn't so pretty. The good news is an ounce of prevention can be worth a pound (or a ton) of cure. Here are the 5 most unplanned for "surprises" that can destroy a business, along with my 3 most recommend "ounce of cure" solutions:  Read more »

You are not alone. Every entrepreneur has dark days. I mean days of complete despair. I asked the TPE community to share their "dark day" experiences, and how they navigated through them:  Read more »

Wrap your brain around these lovely stats:
• In 2010, U.S. employers are expected to see a 9% jump in their health-care costs
• 48 million Americans have no health benefits & 100+ million more Americans are underinsured
• 7 out of 10 people have no dental benefits

What does this mean to you? Your employees are starving for benefits, so you must provide them. That also means you will be slaughtered by even more costs. But wait, there is some good news: There is a mix of options to choose from when picking an individual health plan for your family or a plan for your employees.  Read more »

Recurring monthly fees are the secret to predictable, profitable businesses. It works for Chris, and it works for me. Now, you need to do the same.

It doesn’t matter if you sell a service or a product; there is a way to implement a Recurring Monthly Fee immediately. And, when done right it will benefit BOTH you and your customer. Here are some examples:  Read more »

I don't care if the economy is rip-snorting strong (which clearly it ain't)... collections are always an issue. Here are 23 tips contributed by members of the TPE community on how to get your collections up to snuff, and get the money you deserve in your pocket now!  Read more »

Metrics are a powerful tool for measuring progress, evaluating decisions, and when done right, are an early warning system for problems. There is one problem though… too many metrics cause indecision. You know; analysis paralysis.

What if there was one metric that could do it all? Well, I have good news and bad news. While there isn’t a single metric that can answer all your business questions, there is one that indicates your company’s core health. By measuring cash flow, you are measuring the blood flow of your business. And by tracking it through a metric called the Operating Cash Ratio (OCR), you will have your thumb on the company’s pulse. Yo, V.I.P. let’s kick it… Ice, Ice Baby. If you recognize the 1990 Vanilla Ice blockbuster hit, don’t be embarrassed. If you hummed the little bass line jingle in your head after you read the title, then be VERY embarrassed.  Read more »

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. This famous saying couldn't be any truer then when it comes to successfully building a business. If you want to become an entrepreneur, listen to what these "been-there done-that's" have to say about getting ready:  Read more »

Unfortunately business partnerships are a little too much like marriage... about 50% (or more) end in divorce. Here is what you need to do before, during and after a business partnership breaks up.  Read more »

Think running a business is hard? Try it while being a mom! It is possible, though, and the TPE community has these 100+ tips on how to succeed as a mom entrepreneur.  Read more »

Have a crazy idea? So did these entrepreneurs, and the results have been millions. Here's to the crazy ones!  Read more »

Money is the root of all evil. NOT! It's time to break this myth wide open. In fact, money enables you to be yourself to your fullest (for better or for worse). Check out these stories of 25 millionaires who set out to do good. They made money and used it in the best ways possible. These are some admirable folks:  Read more »

If you’ve read my book you know I’ve learned to be thrifty. It’s the TPE way, man. But it hasn’t been the popular way, until now. Thanks to the rip-roaring economy, everyone wants to find ways to save money. Penny pinching is downright sexy. (Okay, maybe that’s a stretch. You use what you’ve got, right?)  Read more »

For a brand-new business, purchasing decisions can be tough. You know how to do the math- you can plan your budget, crunch the numbers, and compare price quotes- and still end up making purchases that don’t work out as planned. Making decisions about equipment or service purchases isn’t just about the numbers that matter right now- in order to make your choices pay off, you need to consider future needs, too. Here are a few ways to save now…without paying the price later:  Read more »

Here’s a quick, one-sentence pop quiz to test your entrepreneurial noggin (no cheating!): Micro-enterprise makes up _______ of all businesses in the U.S.  Read more »

It's that time of year again -- TAX SEASON! I'm sure you aren't ringing the bells of excitement. I doubt you are all giddy about filling out the forms and paying the government taxes. Nonetheless, if you follow these simple business tax tips you may in fact have something to celebrate. One note of caution, always seek the assistance of a professional accountant before determining these (or any other) tips are appropriate for your business.  Read more »