Most Popular
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hi andrew, i'm gulveen.. i have a very unique golf freestyle video which is very attractive to first time viewers but i am not sure how i can turn it into a product.... coud you guide me? :)
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I’d need more detail to guide you properly but here are a few options. 1. Sell it on your own website 2. Partner with other golf websites and give them a share of revenue for each sale they make 3. Sell it through golf equipment stores 4. Get it listed in other retail stores 5. Sell it on the shopping channel
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Hello Andrew, What do you think about <a href="http://staffnote.com">http://staffnote.com</a>? Thanks.
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Interesting
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what would be a great way to start a personal training business? I also plan on starting a fitness gym later on.
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Develop a business plan. Start marketing your services to friends and family and ask for referrals. Once you’ve established enough clients to open a gym explore that option.
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How should a Franchisor present himself in order to convince the people that the business is serious and profitable?
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If this a new franchise give your franchisees a money back guranatee
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Have any of the experts heard of a "Y Combinator" or a "Founder Institute" for restaurant start-ups?
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How do I find venture capitalists ? I have a great product of Italian made designer Sunglasses that I design, but I am running out of money to take it to the next level. This is a high return business with potential to make Millions, I just don’t have the money to take it there and need help.
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You’re probably looking for an Angel Investor rather than a VC. There are so many great resources online where you can connect with investors, find some in your city and start networking with them
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how to market my event management company with low or no marketing budget?
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Come up with reasons why people should do business with you. Pick up the phone and make appointments with your target market, meet with clients and close the deal
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I am working on starting a aviation catering business. Should I start out having someone else do my hot food for the first 6 months to a year while we find a permanent location to operate from?
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Sounds like a good idea until you have the business established as long as you can control the quality
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My name is Angela and I am starting a business to be a supplier for cleaning supplies and products. I have found wholesaler, have an EIN number and am registered with my state. However, I am "stuck" on where to go to next. I have someon to do my website for me, but I need to do marketing to get prospective customers. Any ideas/advice would be very helpful. I will answer ANY questions as well! Thank you, Angela
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Identify your target market, identify why they should buy from you, find a list of potential customers, set up an appointment and sell your stuff to them
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I have a great web service idea but I am in Pakistan and there aren't any investors here who are interested in funding it. Any suggestions?
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Start small generate some revenue and then start looking for investors. Investors don’t invest in ideas they invest in good business models
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I am trying to find a contract packager for a sweetened vegetable juice but have not had any luck. I live in San Diego and would appreciate any suggestions/advice.
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Contact your local SBDC or Chamber of Commerce they’ll probably be able to give you some guidance and direction
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For an internet startup in Africa, where is the best place to look to gain VC funding?
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Probably in Africa. It’s difficult to get funds internationally if you’re based in Africa. If I knew which country you were in I could probably advise you better
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Dear Andrew, What do you find (in short) a good start up strategy for small business starters. Where does the key success factors lie in your eyes? As a well experienced men you must have your own vision of a perfect startup. Yous sincerely, Robert
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- Come up with a solution to a problem consumers/ businesses are facing
- Do your market research
- Develop a business plan
- Find great mentors that can inspire and motivate you
- Network
- Get some business training
- Never give up
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Hello, I am looking for a financial business partner for my company. I have a solid, detailed and realistic business plan and I also have a quick video/PowerPoint presentation. I don't know how and who to approach with it. This investment should attract people that like sports, publicity and VIP status in addition to money. It's also a sponsorship since the ultimate goal beside the money is to represent Canada at the Olympics. Any suggestion on where to start to find the right people?
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Contact high profile sports people and see if they’re interested in your idea
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Hello, I am a small business owner and my company manufactures and sells exterior housing products such as aluminum gutters, vinly siding, pvc columns, ralings, posts, shutters, etc. I need to attract more customers to my warehouse, but the cost of paying a website designer is extremely high. I can make it myself but it will not met the quality that I am looking for, any suggestions?
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Not sure a website is your solution. You need to run local promotions to get people to your warehouse
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When do you think web-based applications(like SalesForce, Google Apps) will kill completely the traditional desktop applications(like Microsoft Office, Microsoft Dynamics CRM)?
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I see it happening already. I believe it’s an important decision when buying software. For me I don’t want to buy any software if it’s not cloud based
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Has anyone ever been awarded grant funds from leadershipgrants.ca?
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Not that I know of
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Is it easier to spread the word about your service by buying ads in Google/Bing/Yahoo/Other Sites or by participating in thematic conferences?
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It depends on what you’re selling. For me conferences work
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I think wholesale consumer goods/gift market has been suffering due to large retail chains pushing out the small guys. How will this trend change in the next 5 years?
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It’s probably continue to deteriorate for small business as more and more people buy stuff online
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I have a gift shop on one of the busiest tourist streets of Vancouver Downtown, but this shop has no windows, and it is not visible from street. Sandwich board and small sign doesn't really work. How can i attract people to my shop except Internet? Thank you!
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Get somebody to dress up as a rabbit and invite tourists into your store. Do a deal with tour groups and hotels to encourage their clients to visit your store.
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I have registered a wedding planning business but so confused on where to start from?
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Go out and get some customers and the detail will fall into place. Visit your local small business development center and attend some of their events that’ll teach you about the legal stuff
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When launching a social network platform what key elements must be in place to avoid anyone stealing your idea? Obviously you have to be careful in a lot of areas but what are some good examples? (ex. trademark, name, logo, terms of service, privacy policy)
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You can trademark your name and logos and take out a patent on your technology if it’s unique. More important is to get enough users
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If you plan to sell online services to residents across Canada, do you have to register with all the Provinces and Territories?
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No just register in the province you plan to operate or register your business federally instead of provincially
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A cousin of mine wants us to go into a new business together ! please advise me on what and what to watch out of before committing my funds as she is going to run it basically.
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Don’t go into business with your cousin until you have an agreement in writing detailing each person’s responsibilities,business structure, how you will be paid etc. Speak to a small business adviser and lawyer
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I have had many online business ideas, but even though I have been working in the IT sector, I am lacking the expertise in designing and programming websites. How would you acquire these skills? contractors? sell equity?
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Ideally you want to find the right partner/s that can share the risk with and that can compliment your skills
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A cousin of mine wants us to go into a new business together ! please advise me on what and what to watch out of before committing my funds as she is going to run it basically.
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Ensure that you have a written agreement stating exactly how you plan to run the business, who will be responsible for waht and if there are disputes how will you solve these.
If you can, please go see a lawyer
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Idea : regarding retrofitiing of existing two-wheelers to change them into hybrid bikes (fuel + electricity) in india there are around 50 million two-wheelers here in india. think it is better then creating a new bike as people cant just throw away their old vehicles. doing research as an 3rd year mechanical engineering student , but technological needs for this task like fc cells is out of my reach, what should i do now as i see a lot of potential in this as a venture but i am stuck .
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You should for a company you can partner. Do a joint venture and launch your idea
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I started a business approximately 6-8 mos ago. I have nailed down target market, business model, value proposition, sales process, etc. People 'get it', understand it in terms of what it can do to help improve business results and they like it. But, I have yet to make a sale. Sales is not a natural thing for me. My strength is working with a client - you can say I'm more of a "technical expert" than a business builder. What would you suggest I do to get over the hump? Thx.
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If people get it they usually buy it.
I am concerned that given what you say people don’t buy it.
Assuming all the above is true maybe you need a sales guy either an employee or partner
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Do you have any advice for someone starting a business consultant company?
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Do your research, develop a business plan, get advice from entrepreneurs and small business advisors and work very hard to market your services
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How do I even start? Is it enough to just have an idea? Or is there a set of things that I should have before even contemplating creating a business?
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You need an idea You need to do research You need to develop a business plan You need to test the viability of your idea Find good mentors and advisors
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What's your opinion on customer advisory boards for startups? What kind of value can a bootstrappng startup offer the board?
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Customer advisory boards are a good idea. Maybe you can offer them free or discounted products or services. It all depends on what business you’re in
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I have a million ideas and no idea on how to act on them (and not much money either). What is the best way to go about starting a business, and who can I talk to for guidance?
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Choose one good idea and focus on that. Depending on which city you live in you will be able to get free small business advice from your local economic development office, contact them and ask them who you should contact
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(1) Where is the best place to find a co-founder? (2) Do you recommend joining an incubator for first time entrepreneurs who know exactly what they want? (3) Does an online business really need a tech co-founder?
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Incubators are probably your best bet or startup events that are very common
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How can we engage our potential client base while we are in pre-launch stage?
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Invite them to an event give them free pizza and beer and ask them questions
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Looking for something on my own. Where or how to start? Thanks
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Identify what you’re passionate about. Find a business that you’d like to operate. Do your research, get advice, develop a business plan, find mentors and work very hard
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I make a tomato sauce, which I sell online. It will soon be in two supermarkets (three total locations), but I'd really like to amp up local distribution. Where does one go to find a distributor?
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I’d probably start off by searching online and by visiting various supermarkets and ask them to refer you to distributors that have similar products
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As a small business owner selling to other small business owners: how do you balance the price of the product and the value offered? Many of my potential clients want dirt cheap with tremendous quality.
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Selling to small business is very challenging. Don’t reduce your prices just focus on those small business owners that value your service and are prepared to pay for it
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How does one go about getting an conversation started with manufacturers to create your brands product? Thinking a long the lines of small batch manufacturing.
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Find a database of manufacturers. Contact them and set up appointments to discuss what you’d like to manufacture
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Hello, What is the best method to set rental rates for furniture and equipment?
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Check what your competitors are charging
Calculate the depreciation of the asset and add a fair margin
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Looking to write a better business plan. What program or book would you recommend?
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If you’re looking for software use http://www.bplans.com. If you’re applying to a bank for a loan use their template. If you’re looking for your own template go to http://www.bizlaunch.com sign up to the website and download a free template
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I am trying to build a list of potential sources for seed funding for a pharma information platform any suggestion? I am located in Ontario.
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Contact http://www.marsdd.com/ they probably be able to give you the advice
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I am launching a store online to sell diamond saw blades, bits, & equip. Since it is geared toward construction and trade professionals, what recommendations do you have for reaching and engaging this type of buyer? (beta launch for coupons, facebook, video testimonials, video how-to's, etc.)
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Your best bet will probably be Google ads, SEO and a presence on social media
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