Entrepreneurs - By Category
Becoming an Entrepreneur
Making the choice on becoming an entrepeneur can be a challenge unto itself. Start here for information on the entrepeneurial lifestyle, types of businesses you can start, and other information you'll need to help you decide if the life of an entrepeneur is right for you.
Business Ideas & Business Opportunities
Entrepreneurial businesses come in all shapes and sizes. With only a few exceptions, if a big company can do it, so can a small one. Come explore the wide world of possibilities, including retail, direct sales, and a wide range of service businesses.
Business Legal Organizational Structures
Explore the variety of business organizational structures available to entrepreneurs, learn which may be best for your venture, and find tips and resources on setting it up.
Business Plans
A well-thought business plan is an essential must-do for startup ventures. It'll be required for any credit or other financing, but even if you're flying solo on a shoestring, a business plan will help keep you focused on what you know will create success. Explore these guidelines and samples to create your own top-notch business plan.
Starting a Business
Once you've made the decision to become an entrepreneur, how do you get started?
Buying a Business
Entrepreneurship is a risky business. One way to reduce your risk is to buy an existing business that's already demonstrated an ability to successfully operate (hopefully at a profit). That confidence does come at a price, though, as you'll generally spend far more to buy a business than to start one from scratch. If you've got the funds, though, it's an excellent option.
Intellectual Property: Patents, Trademarks, Servicemarks and Copyright
Not every successful business is built around an original idea, and not every good idea ends up with a business built around it. But when you do have an innovative idea, patents, trademarks, servicemarks and copyright protect your idea and give you time to develop it into a business.
Business Networking for Entrepreneurs
Networking is an essential skill for most business people, but especially for entrepreneurs. The strong association between the entrepreneur as a person and his or her business demands that entrepreneurs get out into the world and create and maintain business relationships. Here are some tips and resources to help you improve your networking skills and extend your reach.
Financing & Funding
Explore a variety of funding alternatives, including self-funding, angel funding, venture capital, grants, conventional loans, and special loan programs spsecifically for small businesses.
Sales & Marketing
Many people confuse marketing, sales, advertising, public relations, and publicity. "Marketing" actually covers all of these, but I've broken out some of these into sub-topics. Also, read down past the sub-topics to find some general marketing articles.
Running a Business
Once your business becomes established, there's a whole new set of challenges you'll face to turn it into something sustainable that's bigger than your personal efforts. Learn more about hiring and managing staff, obtaining second-round funding for growth, and other issues you'll face.
Entrepreneurial Lifestyle
The entrepreneurial lifestyle is one of the major factors that drives many entrepreneurs to the decision to start their own business. It usually involves long hours, especially when starting out, but a great deal of flexibility as well. Juggling work and personal life can be a daunting challenge.
Entrepreneurs in Action - Case Studies, Success Stories and Interviews
There's nothing like a good example to motivate and inspire you! See case studies, interviews, testimonials, success stories, and other examples of entrepreneurs in action.
Famous Entrepreneurs
From Benjamin Franklin to Ben & Jerry, William Penn to Bill Gates, Eli Whitney to Oprah Winfrey, famous entrepreneurs, both historical and contemporary, offer insight and inspiration through their stories.
General Resources for Entrepreneurs
Miscellaneous resources, including a glossary and a guide on using this site.