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I have a number of prospective clients email me, asking whether I’d be a good consulting fit for their small business. Some of them say something like, “I’m just not sure where to get started with social media.” And I tell them, “you don’t need a consultant. You need an intro course.” And a good […]

For many of us, it’s the hardest part of running a business: managing an unhappy customer. It may be a customer (rightfully) pointing out a problem with your product. Or it may be a customer who is stark-raving-mad… and you’re not quite sure why. In any case, responding with a calm, cool head is crucial. […]

I read the book Pivot: The Art and Science of Reinventing your Life with great interest, given that I recently pivoted myself from a consumer-based business to client-based marketing consulting. The pivot seemed to be a common theme. Among my peers who began business in the mid-2000s, many were shifting gears and moving onto something […]

When you were in high school, a lot of people probably asked you what you wanted to be. Maybe you wanted to be a lawyer because they make a lot of money. Or a landscaper because you love being outside. Or a teacher because you liked kids. Maybe that job worked out. Maybe it didn’t. […]

I probably didn’t need to add ‘busy’ to the title. We’re all busy, right? Here’s the thing: the more I talk to (and read about) successful business owners, the more it seems clear that being successful relies on creating efficient systems that allow you to step away from your business and have downtime. Being busy isn’t […]

This week, I’ve written an article for Craft Industry Alliance on Tips to Prepare, Value and Sell your Craft Business. It’s a members-only article. If you aren’t already a member, the articles and forums on the site are well worth the annual fee. Sign up! Below is an expansion of an excerpt from the article. The […]

Discussion of the Customer Acquisition Cost has come up several times within my earshot recently. It’s one of the latest buzzwords going around… and (semi)-justifiably so. If you don’t know your acquisition cost (and average customer lifetime value) , it can be difficult to make decisions about your marketing campaigns. But here’s the thing that […]

Are you a giver? Or a taker? Do you freely share information? Or keep your ‘secrets’ close to your chest? What if I told you that being a giver was also the best path to success in business? Would you be surprised? We’re always told, ‘nice guys finish last’, but what if that isn’t true? Abundance vs. […]

This post contains a affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I will receive a percentage as a referral commission. This is not a sponsored post and the opinions expressed are fully are my own.  A short while ago, I came up with a great idea for one of my clients, and emailed off my […]

You’ve probably heard about facebook’s announcement to change up their algorithm. Again. Articles rapidly started appearing saying that small businesses are doomed. (This article even refers to the change as ‘News Feed Armageddon’.) As a small business owner with a presence on facebook, should you be freaking out? No. At least, you shouldn’t be freaking […]