Before entering the IT business development and sales profession, I resisted working in automotive sales because of my distaste for shady sales negotiation tactics. I preferred to work for companies that were open to negotiations on price, provided the customer bought within a certain timeframe. I also worked for a company or two that held…
Confession — setting up a partnership business with my friend and (now also a business partner) Kasia was the best decision in my professional life. We’ve been working together as a content marketing duo for over five years now, and the growth opportunities we’ve seen would not have been possible if we worked solo. Not…
I walked into the bank feeling confident about getting a loan to expand my business. I had my plan, financials, and a solid pitch ready. But the loan officer shook her head — denied. The problem? My business credit score. I didn’t even know I had one. A business credit score shows lenders, vendors, and…
As someone who’s tested entrepreneurial waters, I know it can be daunting, especially when it’s your first time. There’s the adrenaline rush, yet a feeling of being lost, given so many unknowns. Something fundamental, like deciding between a sole proprietorship that requires minimal paperwork or going for a more structured LLC, can feel overwhelming. If…
Every sales leader has been there: Your inbox is seemingly flooded with leads, but your pipeline feels emptier than ever. Marketing keeps sending you “qualified” prospects, yet your sales reps are stuck wasting valuable time sifting through them, trying to figure out who’s actually ready to make a move. The issue isn’t the number of…
If you’ve been wondering about how to become a sales rep and are looking for resources to help you get started, I have wonderful news for you: You’re in the right place. Whether you’re drawn to the thrill of closing deals, the potential for high commissions, or just love the idea of chatting with people…
Every time I talk to other small business owners or hop on LinkedIn, I hear the same refrain. It’s getting harder to find new customers. I’m not sure what marketing mix will work this year. It’s a tough time to be a startup or small business — 81% of small business owners say they’re…
When I started my freelance writing business, I had no idea what I was doing. I had already been writing as a salaried employee, so I knew about the craft itself. But when it came to the ins and outs of business — like filing my tax return (cry!), negotiating rates, and signing contracts —…
I’ve always been fascinated by how some brands have become so iconic that their names replace generic terms. Band-Aid instead of bandage, Kleenex instead of tissue — it’s the ultimate example of successful branding. But how do you actually build a brand positioning strategy that sticks? I went straight to the experts to find out,…
My first job out of college was one I made up. People become entrepreneurs for lots of reasons, and for me (like most) it was the flexible hours. Armed with an English degree and a basic knowledge of marketing, I started a small agency creating written content for anyone who needed it. I built a…