Column tackles small business questions
July 09, 2003 - Syracuse Post Standard
Do you have questions about starting a small business--and keeping it going? We're launching a new column in the Business section to answer your questions.The column, called "Ask the Entrepreneurs", will appear every other Wednesday starting today. You'll find it on Page C-2.The authors are three local entrepreneurs who will approach your questions from different perspectives.
Tracy Higginbotham is owner of Five Star Events, an event planning business based in downtown Syracuse. Higginbotham used to run her business out of her home, but now has an office. She is also president of the Women's Business Owners Connection, a volunteer group that supports women in business.
Julie Briggs owns the Syracuse Gift Basket Company in the State Tower Building. It is a retail service business with employees. It sells gift baskets and products made locally.
Ann Marie Stonecypher owns AMS Models, Inc., a modelling agency, staffing company and fashion show coordinator. She employs several people. The business, based in her Brewerton home, relies heavily on the Internet, where clients can view photos of more than 350 models.
The column is written by women, but will address issues pertinent to men, too.
"By writing this column, we are hoping to share real advice about entrepreneurship with other business owners", Higginbotham said. "We have discovered the benefits of talking about entrepreneurial issues among each other, and we know the value it has brought to running our own businesses. We want to share these entrepreneurial issues with other business owners so we can all be more successful."
July 09, 2003 -I just started a business and I don't have a lot of money for traditional advertising. What inexpensive marketing tools would you suggest to promote my business?
October 15, 2003 -What do you do when you sense you have reached a plateau and want to break through to the next level?
October 28, 2003 -I'm the owner of a convenience store, I've been in business for 2 years and my question is: You've been running your businesses for a number of years, can you tell me when and how you got out of debt and started turning a profit?
November 12, 2003 -What would you do if you competition opened a store across the street from your business?
November 26, 2003 -How do you keep your business profile high when you are a small business?
December 10, 2003 -As the new year approaches, do you recap your business successes and failures when looking ahead to the next year? What methods would you suggest to an entrepeneur planning for business in the new year?
December 24, 2003 -I've been running my business for about one year and at times I get overwhelmed by it. Have you felt this way too and do you have any suggestions on how to handle stressful times?
January 06, 2004 -It's a new year and I'm thinking of starting my own business. What books would you recommend for a person interested in starting their own business?
January 21, 2004 -My partner and I just bought a local business and we?ve been operating it for six months. What are some good ways, other than monetarily, to incentivize a small business staff, many of whom are part-time?
February 01, 2004 -How do you maintain balance between running your business and managing your responsibilities to your family?
February 04, 2004 -As a small business owner, I'm always looking for cost cutting measures. Do you have any suggestions on ways to save money?
February 18, 2004 -Recently a friend lost his office and its contents in a fire and another associate had a sudden death in her family which kept her from running her business. Do you have suggestions for emergency planning for entrepreneurs?
March 03, 2004 -Are there monies or grants available for entrepreneurial endeavors?
March 17, 2004 -Have you had to deal with any intellectual property issues as an entrepreneur? If so, what have you learned and what advice do you have for small businesses?
March 31, 2004 -I've been in business for a couple years and would like advice from other entrepreneurs on specific business issues. How do you find entrepreneurial advice?
April 14, 2004 -I get a lot of requests for donations. I feel like I should, but I
don't always have the money. The requests always seem to come at the worst time, what should I do?
April 28, 2004 -I just started my business and have been making cold calls to generate sales. I hate making cold calls and wondered if you have any other suggestions for getting through this process and securing new clients?
May 12, 2004 -What do you do when a client asks too much?
May 24, 2004 -I recently made a mistake on a client's order. Have you ever made a mistake with a client? How did you handle it and did you lose the client?
June 09, 2004 -How do you determine a price for your product or service?
June 23, 2004 -This is the first time I'm taking a vacation since starting my business two years ago. Do you have some tips on how to take time off and not worry about business while I'm gone?
July 07, 2004 -What kinds of business or professional development courses would you recommend for someone getting started in business?
September 01, 2004 -I've been in business for three years, and I'm struggling with staying motivated. Do you have any tips to keep me going?
September 15, 2004 -How do you balance servicing your clients while finding time to market your new business?
November 10, 2004 -I would like to come up with a way to thank my clients for their ongoing support and business. Any ideas?
November 24, 2004 -I have been in business for just a few years and have hit a plateau, any ideas on how to get beyond it?
December 08, 2004 -How did you know that you wanted to start your own business?
December 22, 2004 -What's the one piece of advice you would give to someone starting a new business in 2005?
January 05, 2005 -I've owned a photo developing business for ten years and added a higher end custom framing business to my company a year ago. The framing business is doing well but I'm still primarily known for photo developing. How can I change my image and obtain more framing clients?
January 19, 2005 -I'm at the point in my business where I really need to hire some part time help. Do you have any suggestions on how to make this go smoothly?
February 02, 2005 -Because of circumstances beyond my control, I was forced to relocate my salon twice in one year. I'm in a great location now, but we lost many of our old clients while we were closed. Do you have any ideas on how I can get the word out about our new location and build business back up?
February 16, 2005 -What do I need to know about accounting and bookkeeping for my new business venture?
March 02, 2005 -I'm interested in starting an entrepreneurial venture, what business should I choose?
March 16, 2005 -I've been in business fifteen years and haven't grown my business because I feel my clients hire me for my creativity. I'm starting to turn down business because I'm so busy and don't know how to grow. Do you have suggestions?
August 03, 2005 -I've started planning for Fall business and see opportunities to participate in a number of trade events. Do you have suggestions for participating, selling, or benefiting from trade shows?
August 17, 2005 -As an entrepreneur do you feel it's important to be a part of a board of directors for other companies/organizations or to have your own board to help with business growth?
August 31, 2005 -I started a business recently and wondered where I could meet and get advice from other entrepreneurs.
September 13, 2005 -What do you do when business has leveled off and you need to increase your bottom line?
September 28, 2005 -How do you turn a sales lead into a sale?
February 01, 2006 -Have you adapted or changed your business since you started? What
advice do you have for making changes?"
March 01, 2006 -I own a beauty shop and another beauty shop is opening up right next to me.
Do you have any suggestions on how I can make my business standout as people drive or walk by?
April 12, 2006 -Do you have suggestions on branding?
April 26, 2006 -We are a small company that receives a lot requests for donations and sponsorships. How can we decide which opportunities will give us the best exposure?
May 11, 2006 -I love my business but I know I don't want to do it forever. Any suggestions
on what I should be doing now to plan for the future?
May 24, 2006 -What’s the best sales advice you’ve received that you can pass on to other entrepreneurs?
June 08, 2006 -Do you have any suggestions for ways to cut costs or save money?
June 22, 2006 -How do you stay motivated when you’re feeling burned out?
January 01, 2008 -"With the new year beginning, what one piece of advice do you have to help entrepreneurs become more successful this year?"
January 15, 2008 -"As an entrepreneur, I know it's vital to recruit, train and manage a good team to be successful. Do you have advice on how to do one, two or all of these well?"
January 29, 2008 -"In the beginning stages of my business, customer service is what set my organization apart from my competition. Now that we're going through a period of rapid growth, how do I keep that same level of service?"
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