Franchise Trends & News
Attributes of standout entrepreneurs
Outwardly, you have all the elements in place to launch a successful startup: the capital, the product, the team, the location and the market. But what about inwardly? Do you have what it takes to alchemize all those elements into a business to be reckoned with? For many small business owners, the secret sauce is…
Read MoreTips for post-pandemic reopening
Few small business owners have ever experienced a summer like the one just ended, with its lockdowns, phased reopenings, re-closings and associated uncertainty. But one thing is certain: When you get an all-clear signal (and if you haven’t yet, you will), you can’t just crank the engine and re-start the business as if nothing happened.…
Read MoreEncouraging PPP results
The federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ended on August 8, marking a milestone in the nation’s small business sector. As we step back to assess results, we’ve learned a lot. We’re proud of our client businesses, who stepped up under extraordinary and difficult circumstances to secure available resources to weather the ongoing crisis. All…
Read MoreGet to Know your Target Market(s)
You already know your products and services, but how well do you know your customers and prospects? Marketers have a name for them: your target(s). They’re the people you sell to—or plan to. They’re the people you think about first when designing your offers, your marketing and advertising campaigns, your entire business, really. So it…
Read MoreReopening your business post-pandemic closure
All 50 states have started allowing some businesses to reopen, with limitations, after the coronavirus pandemic. For most businesses, particularly those that serve the public and have a physical presence, reopening will be a slow and careful process. Local and state requirements vary widely, so it’s essential to check in with those authorities for guidance.…
Read MoreSmall Business COVID-19 relief is here – Pango CARES to help
On Friday, March 27, the president signed the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act into law, providing a wide range of urgently needed financial relief across many vulnerable economic sectors. Most notably for small business owners, the package includes low-interest loans (4 percent or less) to help small businesses (those with…
Read MoreCybersecurity best practices
If you think cybersecurity is a concern for other people, think again. The FBI’s Internet Crime Report estimated the total cost of cyberattacks at $2.7 billion in 2018, the most recent year for which data is available. That represents a lot of damage to a lot of bottom lines. Meanwhile, a recent Small Business Administration…
Read MoreControlling for risk of failure
If you’re uncomfortable with risk, entrepreneurship might not be for you. Building a business from scratch based on nothing but a good idea is inherently risky. Despite extensive planning, there’s so much that can go wrong. You can minimize risks but cannot eliminate them. Whether you’re investing in a brand-name franchise or developing a unique…
Read MoreQualities you’ll need to succeed as an entrepreneur
If you’re looking to do well in a small business venture, three types of qualities can help you. One type is beyond your control, including your age and level of experience in the relevant fields. Another type takes years, maybe decades, to acquire. An education or a support network would fall into this category. But…
Read MoreHow should you structure your business?
It’s the same question faced by all entrepreneurs when they first start out: How should the business be structured? And if you’re thinking about forming a business entity, it’s one of the first decisions you’ll face too.At the state and federal levels, businesses are subject to regulations that affect how they are formed, how they…
Read MoreSettle basic issues before starting a business
How much money will you need to go into business for yourself? That depends on a whole decision-tree full of variables about your plans. There’s no magic number, of course, and initial startup costs for some businesses are vastly steeper than for others. All budding businesses have one spending goal in common: to minimize startup…
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