Author Archives: Gary Barzel

Ever since the concept of crowdfunding began to gain momentum three years ago, there has been no shortage of crowdfunding platforms matching individual investors with those looking to raise money for their projects and causes. But, a few of these solutions have got some pretty creative and promising angles, and they pose a serious threat […]

Remember a few years ago when social media marketing was being touted as a cheap promotional strategy that would level the playing field for small business? How times have changed! Today, using the Internet and social media to promote your business has become a necessity that typically turns into a costly draw on your time, […]

Earlier this month, Google officially opened the doors on a Helpouts page specifically for Small Businesses. Though Google launched the service in November 2013, it is still a relatively unknown platform, and that means there’s a lot of opportunity. The possibilities that this new service offers for small businesses owners is something that shouldn’t be […]

For the past few years, there have been plenty of signals from Washington supported by an assortment of economic experts, that the economic recovery within the U.S. is moving along. But completely detached from the optimistic headlines the media keeps feeding us, the story on the street is totally different. On the surface, the contradiction […]

According to the most recent results of the Biz2Credit Small Business Lending Index, small business loan approval rates at the nation’s biggest banks rose to 19.4% in April 2014. This is up from 18.8% in March, and it represents a record high since the start of the recession. While this is certainly good news, is it […]

Last week, a bill that would have raised the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 failed to pass in the Senate. While many small business groups were quick to applaud the move, the question remains: does this really help the economy or are we once again witnesses to the greatest political show on earth? […]

As the summer approaches, major conference events will start cropping up everywhere. Conferences can be as productive and fun as they can be overwhelming and draining. The investment of time, energy, and money required to go to a conference, makes it all the more vital that the experience be rewarding. One of the best ways to […]

Aside from the opportunities that they offer, SBA backed loans are known for their challenging approval process which includes long waits, lots of paper work, and strict requirements. But, recent legislation has made that application process a bit easier for small business borrowers while giving banks more flexibility in the way they structure their loans. […]

A new survey released last month from Brother International Corporation and SCORE shows that when it comes to new technologies, small business owners are still ambivalent. According to the Brother Small Business Survey 2014, 72% of small business respondents claimed that new technologies will offer a bigger return on investment than taking on new employees in […]

Do you know what the lifetime value of your customers is? If you haven’t heard of it, then it’s time to start learning. Knowing how to manipulate and increase this value can make all the difference between the ultimate success or failure of your business. According to a recent Marketing Metrics study, the probability of […]