Archive for October 2010
The Wall Street Journal says hiring momentum among small businesses reversed course last month following eight months of modest growth, a national report released Wednesday shows. Businesses that employ fewer than 50 workers cut 14,000 jobs, as did businesses with between 50 and 499 workers, according to payroll company Automatic Data Processing Inc. and consultancy [...]
That’s My Business!: Deskelf.com
In this edition of That’s My Business! we’re talking to Avi Zuber, co-founder of Deskelf.com. Listen Now: Popout Or download: That’s My Business!: Deskelf.com Deskelf.com website
SaySo Clips Inventor’s Journal (With Transcript)
Here’s a transcript of today’s Inventor’s Journal talk between Rich Whittle and Konny Caploon, inventor of the SaySo voice recording binder clip. What do you think? Is a written interview better than a video? If not, is it worth the effort? The transcript is below and the video is here. Rich Whittle: In this episode [...]
EFF Sues Newspaper Chain’s Copyright Troll
David Kravets over at Wired reports that Righthaven, the Las Vegas-based copyright troll, may have sued one website too many. The Electronic Frontier Foundation hit the company with a lawsuit Monday alleging Righthaven is abusing copyright law by suing for excerpting or posting newspaper articles without permission. Law firm Righthaven was formed earlier this year [...]
Entrepreneur’s Bottom Line Finally Popping
You know that you’ve got trouble when the best news you’ve heard in a while is that the IRS wants to audit your business. However, that is the news that Andy MacPhail faced right after having his concession truck stolen reports StarTribune.com. But let’s focus on the brighter side, starting with the IRS audit, which [...]
Caps Seal in Soda-Can Freshness
According to IndependentRetailer.com, it’s a common problem when you mix kids with cans of soda; they take a sip or two, then leave the can open to either go flat or attract bugs. Either way, the product is ruined and it’s money wasted. That’s what led Russell Reed of Tupelo, MS, and his wife Donna, [...]
Family Biz Teaches Kids Work Ethic, Responsibility
David and Dawnna Berndt have been watching their business grow for almost 10 years. It was only 9 years ago when they felt the need to do something that could involve the whole family. They didn’t want it to be all “play” reports the Brookings Register. So the couple came up with a plan that [...]
Biz Cards Thrive In Digital Age
According to Washington Post writer Michael S. Rosenwald paper is in peril. Hardcover book sales, down; e-book sales, soaring. Magazine and newspaper circulation are in decline. When was the last time you let your fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages? But one paper tool is thriving. It is 3.5 inches long and 2 [...]
Denise Portillo describes the food she makes as food for your soul reports Pasadena Star-News. As the eatery’s owner and executive chef, Portillo gets to put her stamp on a variety of dishes, ranging from grilled prosciutto-wrapped shrimp skewers to spicy orange chicken wings. “The creativity is the part I like best,” the 40-year-old Whittier [...]
Engadget just happened to catch ABC Nightline’s Google TV special last night, and lo and behold, there’s a sneak preview of Sony’s Google TV… and with it, a never-before-seen controller.
Inventor’s Journal: SaySo Clips
In this episode, Rich Whittle talks with Konny Caploon, Inventor of the SaySo voice recording binder clip. Listen Now: Or download: Inventor’s Journal: SaySo Clips SaySo Clips Homepage
Inventors Killed By Their Own Inventions
This week Jimi Heselden, owner of the British company Hesco Bastion that produces Segways, died in a tragic Segway accident. Police report that Heselden apparently fell off a cliff and into a river while out on a ride. Although Heselden was not the inventor of the Segway, (Dean Kamen was; Heselden was merely the owner [...]
Lively Entrepreneurs Ring Up Sales
In the ’80s Rosalind Resnick was a business writer. Part of her job was to interview local business owners and share their triumphs or downfalls with her readers. Over the years she came across plenty of interesting stories, including one about a man that practically made a fool of himself in commercials to later sell [...]
Dogs Tag Lets Them Trigger Tweets
So your dog follows your every move around the house. Now, when you leave home, you can follow your dog. USA TODAY reports that Puppy Tweets is an electronic dog tag with a sensor that you attach to your dog’s collar. It detects your pet’s movements and sounds and sends a variety of tweets to [...]
When Christopher Hillios sat down to create a new type of syringe, his purpose was very personal reports The Republican. The Southampton resident was first diagnosed with diabetes in 2000, and his doctor told him he would need to start injecting himself with insulin at home every day. But Hillios, now 65, said his fear [...]
A Must See Home Biz Resource For Women
If you’re in the process of starting your first home business, it can be a little daunting. It takes work, patience, and dedication. However, it doesn’t hurt to have a resource that can also give you a good idea of what to expect. If you’re a woman interested in starting your own home business, Home [...]
Have A Journalism Startup Idea?
The ingredient list for a journalism startup once began with ink, presses and trucks. Now the recipe often starts with a domain, a niche and a strategy. The decline in launch costs has helped inspire a boom in journo startups. But just because it’s easier to start something doesn’t mean it’s easier to succeed. What [...]
When it comes to business communication, Skype is an invaluable tool. Its impressive array of features make it ideal for sending files, checking in on business partners, holding video conferences and making international calls. Open Forum has these tips for utilizing skype for your business. 1. Screen Sharing may be Skype’s best feature: It amazes [...]
The Family Biz: Goats, Soap, Hard Work and God
Christian Post: If you live in America, you’ve more than likely heard of “Jon & Kate Plus 8.” Less likely is the chance that you’ve heard of “Jim & P.J. Plus 8” (for one, because there is no such reality TV show). While notably less dramatic than the Gosselins, however, the Jonases of Charleston, Ind., [...]
New Bizop Classified Ads This Week
New listings this week on the Business Opportunities Weblog Classifieds. How To Buy And Sell Cars For Profit! How To Start A Home Solar Power Business How To Start A Hot Dog Cart Business Shoemoney System Secret Blog Weapon High School Dropout Banks $94k From Banner Ads! The Affiliate Code Start Your Own Business Nationwide [...]
Groupon has been touted as one of the fastest growing businesses ever on the Internet, but has received backlash from merchants who were not satisfied with the outcome of offers on the site. The owner of Posies Café in Portland said in a blog post that Groupon is the “single worst decision I have ever [...]
It’s too late for Oktoberfest, but the world’s first space beer will soon be available, if tests by Astronauts4Hire prove it has the right stuff. The beer, produced as a joint venture between Saber Astronautics Australia and the 4-Pines Brewing Company, is a recipe designed for easy drinking in both in microgravity and on Earth. [...]
Marketers Get Creative Targeting Hard-To-Reach College Students
According to USA TODAY, it may have seemed like just another freshman move-in day at West Virginia University. But for American Eagle Outfitters, it was D-Day. The company placed updates on Facebook that promoted free car-to-dorm room help with heavy stuff on move-in day — not to mention free flip-flops. College students are wary of [...]
Students “Teach The Teachers” At Entrepreneurship Forum
Want to know what it takes to become and entrepreneur? You can ask the three kids that will be presenting at the 28th Annual Entrepreneurship Forum in Columbus, Ohio on November 12 – 16, 2010. Student entrepreneurs have a special invitation to attend the 28th Annual Entrepreneurship FORUM on Sunday, November 14, 2010 at the [...]
According to a story at YoungEntrepreneur.com, the U.S. Government offers many resources for business owners. The Small Business Administration administers great programs like 8a business development, which helps small businesses owned by minorities to compete in the marketplace. But whether you want to start a franchise, an online business, a home-based business, or a non-profit [...]
Used Clothing Shop And Parenting Hub
According to The SOP, one mom was nearing the end of her maternity leave and on the look out for daycare when she found her opportunity as an entrepreneur. With her year long maternity drawing to a close and the remote possibility of finding a day care that could tailor its working hours to her [...]
Mining For Gold In Old Tax Returns
Your old tax returns still have value according to The Wall Street Journal. Small-business owners looking for tax relief would be wise to review the past years’ filings, for a number of reasons. For one, there may be opportunities to amend your returns to receive tax refunds, which could provide some much-needed cash. And for [...]
When Company Failed, She Took Over
As the vice president of business at Premier Logistics, Robin Sauve could tell that the time would be coming when her employer would go under. Although the end was nearing, she saw an opportunity reports the Hartford Business Journal Online. The bank swooped in and seized the company’s assets in May, leaving Sauve and 30 [...]
New Seed Fund Offers Startups Up To $10,000
Fast Company reports that starting today, startups that use CrowdFlower’s crowdsourced labor service will have the chance to receive investments of up to $10,000 each, courtesy of startup accelerator and seed fund 500 Startups. The Crowdflower Fund, a $250,000 platform micro-fund, will offer investments in up to 10 companies for a one percent stake. A [...]
Third Of Bizs Don’t Profit From Groupon Deal
A third of businesses don’t make money from promotions on socially charged buying site Groupon, says a new study reported by Inc.com. Consumers who use the deal-of-the-day web site don’t make return visits to the businesses offering discounts, don’t spend much and don’t tip well, says the study from Rice University’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate [...]
Story links: House OKs Small Biz Jobs Bill How To Research A Franchise Opportunity Missing Posters Move To Facebook Press Your Cremated Ashes Into A Vinyl Record Federal Regulations Costly For Small Bizs Segway Owner Dies In Segway Accident Political Masks Are So Last Year! 20 Under 20 It’s A Bra And Gas Mask Listen [...]
Daughter Of Plastic Bag Inventor Debuts Eco-Friendly Reusable Bags
Kristen Brown is very familiar with plastic bags. She has been packing them and dealing with them since she was 15 years old reports WBTV.com. “I have some experience in that, because my father invented the first plastic grocery bag in 1977,” Brown said. Now in her professional life she works with the Environmental Protection [...]
Bill Rigopoulos tells Inventors Digest the story of when he was vacationing in the Bahamas and was afraid to leave his cash, cell phone, credit cards and passport in his hotel room or hide them under his towel while he hit the beach. So he invented the Shark Pack – a way to keep his [...]
Mom Finds Success In Mom’s Group
If you were to ask Ann-Marie Burton how she would describe herself, she would say that she’s a stay-at-home mom that stumbled into social media reports itbusiness.ca. The Burlington, Ont. woman left a career in consumer packaged goods to stay at home with her first daughter more than three years ago. But she soon found [...]
If you’ve been to Times Square in New York, you might have noticed an Old West-style showdown going on. On one side: The Naked Cowboy, aka Robert Burck, who has been a mainstay on the square since he started strumming his guitar in the (near) buff in 1997. On the other: Sandy Kane, a former [...]
Socialpreneur Creates Wellspring Of Support
When Dan Morrison saw a woman in India hauling water for miles, he decided to do something about it reports Reuters. He committed to spending $5000 to build a well. That philanthropic effort turned into Citizen Effect, a website Morrison launched last year to help others complete similar projects. “I went home, wrote a Christmas [...]
You Can Learn About Entrepreneurship From SpongeBob Squarepants
According to Entrepreneur, there’s an episode of SpongeBob Squarepants, “Chocolate With Nuts,” that’s all about starting a business. Here’s the plot, and what real entrepreneurs can learn from it: In the episode, SpongeBob is struck with the idea that he’d like to get rich after receiving a high-end luxury magazine in the mail by mistake. [...]
Jack Abraham never enjoyed shopping online. One thing he disliked even more was calling retailers to see if an item was in stock, only to be put on hold for what seemed an eternity. Abraham came up with the idea for a website that would let users search for products in stock at local stores [...]
