We’ve all had one. Remember that time you smacked your forehead and yelled “Ah-Ha!” That was the moment inspiration struck and you found yourself mulling over a great business idea. You’re sure this idea is a great one. One in which you’ll make money and change your life. Your certain things will work out because … Continue reading “Turn Your Idea into a Business”

Do you have what it takes to run a successful internet based business? If your new year’s resolution was to finally take the plunge and start your company, then chances are you’ve thought about this. When I left my job as a marketing manager I had no idea all the hats I would need to … Continue reading “My Journey from Working for the Man to Being the Man”

My New Year’s resolution is to not make any resolutions. I read an article recently about a business owner who said setting goals and benchmarks for his business was doing more harm than good to his business. Naturally this idea intrigued me. I was of the school of thought that setting goals and planning a … Continue reading “A Contrarian Take On Setting Goals”

Most of us have heard of the 80/20 Rule. In life the rule means that 20 percent of your activities result in 80 percent of your happiness. At work the rule says that only 20 percent of employees produce 80 percent of a company’s earnings.   Economists will tell you that the top 20 percent of … Continue reading “The 80/20 Rule”

There are exactly two weeks left in the year. Unless you are a retail business, your business is probably in a bit of a lull right now. Sales have slowed, there is less to do around the office and a lot of your employees and co-workers are out of the office traveling for the holidays. … Continue reading “What You Should Be Doing Right Now”

Long time readers know I’ve run multiple online businesses for years. I’ve been involved with dozens over the years; some my own and some were for clients. Over the years I’ve picked up on the fact that EVERYONE and I do mean everyone wants to own and run their own online business. Let’s face it … Continue reading “How Businesses Make Money From Their Website…And You Can Too”

Have you ever wondered why some businesses take off and succeed while others flounder and fail? I’d bet my life savings that both successful and failed entrepreneurs had passion for their ventures. And that they both had some expertise in their industry.  If it’s not those things, what is it that makes successful businesses different? … Continue reading “Your Personalized Roadmap to Success”

Yesterday I was driving down the freeway to my doctor’s office and I noticed the insane amount of billboards littering my drive. The further I drove I got a little bored so I turned on the radio and wouldn’t you know it, an ad for some local store was the first thing I heard. When … Continue reading “How to Write a Successful Advertisement”

A few months ago I was hanging out with some of my friends having a couple of beers and shooting the breeze.  I’m not quite sure how this happened, it certainly wasn’t intentional, but I have a lot of friends who are small business owners. So like usual our conversation turned to business, with each … Continue reading “Expanding Your Small Business…Good Idea or Bad Idea”

When I was getting my first online business up and running I was very giddy. I was excited and talked about how successful I was going to be incessantly. One night at dinner when I was in the middle of another gleeful rant about the new business my wife asked me a question that stopped … Continue reading “Defining Success”

Last week I spoke to you about recessions being one of the BEST times to start that online business you’ve always dreamed of.  Many of today’s most successful businesses were started during recessions and depressions. I hoped my article showed you how you can be successful by taking advantage of these economic rough times. If … Continue reading “How to Create Products Customers Love”

My wife Jessica and I are considering having a baby. We have been thinking about it for a few years now, but the timing never seems to be just right. At first it was because we didn’t feel we could afford one, and then it was because we didn’t own a home, next it was … Continue reading “Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Start a Business”

Some of you have had the pleasure of speaking with Wealth Authority’s trusty customer service representative T Harmon. He’s a smart guy who we hired about a year ago to help us answer your questions and return calls. When I first met Tribbey at the Wealth Authority offices I was struck by his good attitude … Continue reading “Common Rookie Mistakes in E-Mail Marketing”

When Christopher Columbus landed in America he declared himself the first to ever set foot in this new land. The truth is the first people to discover America came here hundreds if not thousands of years before him. If you do a search on Google you’ll find articles stating everyone from the Vikings to the … Continue reading “It Doesn't Always Pay To Be the First”

My wife gets a ton of catalogs delivered to our house. They litter the kitchen countertops, our coffee table, the back of our toilet, the side tables next to our couch…they’re everywhere. She was reading Ballard Design yesterday and the first few pages featured Christmas trees, garland and lights. As I sat next to her … Continue reading “Increase Sales Harnessing the Power of the Holidays”

In the early days of Wealth Authority I had trouble keeping us afloat. Money was tight. It seemed like no matter what I did, I needed more money. Cash flow is a common problem for new businesses. In the early days there isn’t always enough money coming in to sustain growth and manage the business … Continue reading “Accounting Tips to Help Small Businesses”

Any Marketing 101 class will teach you that customers only buy from companies and people they like and trust. No customer gives their hard earned money to a store that doesn’t meet their needs.  So if you want to make more money and do more business you’ve got to be likeable and trustworthy. This is … Continue reading “Creating Connections with Customers”