Recent Articles Published by Lisa Furgison
What I Learned From My Appearance on Shark Tank
It’s not everyday that a television producer handpicks you to appear on ABC’s hit show “Shark Tank,” but that’s what happened to entrepreneur Kelly Costello. Costello is the founder of Puppy Cake, a company that sells boxed cake mix for dogs. It’s a lot like the do-it-yourself Betty Crocker cake mix, except the ingredients are changed... Read more »
Before I Started My Business I Wish I’d Known…
If you’re about to start a business, you’ve probably read several how-to books looking for advice on how to be successful. While researching is a great first step, there are some lessons that you won’t find in a book. You need to hear from business owners who have been in your position, who started a... Read more »
14 Business Resources Every Entrepreneur Should Know About
There are a ton of great resources available for entrepreneurs, but most of the time you don’t hear about them unless a fellow business owner mentions one. So, we asked dozens of entrepreneurs to tell us the one business resource that helped them the most. From their feedback, we’ve compiled a list for you. You’ll... Read more »
4 Things Game of Thrones Can Teach You About Business [SPOILER ALERT]
The hit HBO show “Game of Thrones,” which has fans enthralled over the fight for the Iron Throne, averages 14.2 million viewers per episode, and has been lauded as the network’s most popular show ever. With a cast of 250+ actors, “Game of Thrones” costs about $50-60 million to produce each season, and is now... Read more »
4 Social Media Mistakes Your Business Should Avoid
When it comes to social media, many entrepreneurs are self-taught. You’ve learned your way around Facebook and Twitter with personal accounts, so you figure you’re good to go when it comes to a business account. Your experience will help, but there are some unspoken rules in the social media world that you might have missed... Read more »
Starting a Business? Don’t Bid on Every Project
When Garry Polmateer started a consulting firm in 2010, he and his small team of employees were hungry and eager to make it in the business world. Their business, Red Argyle, helps small businesses utilize a cloud-based sales program called SalesForce. In the beginning, Polmateer was bidding on every project he could find just to... Read more »
Can I Expense This? An Accountant Explains the World of Write-Offs
If you get a cup of coffee on your way to work, can you write it off as a business expense? Good question. A lot of business owners don’t have the time (or interest) to decipher tax code. Yet, business expenses are a vital part of your financial picture. A lot of your day-to-day business... Read more »
You’ve Got an Idea for a Business, Now What?
We’ve put together a to-do list for all the hopeful entrepreneurs out there. When you’re ready, this list will guide you through the planning stage. Read more »
8 Tips to Make Peer-to-Peer Borrowing Successful
Plan to ask a friend for a business loan? Check out our peer-to-peer borrowing tips first. Read more »
My Biggest Business Mistake: Not Listening to My Team
When Laura Cleminson became a mom, her baby girl inspired her to create a fun line of baby clothes. She thought clothes should be as creative as kids, so she held drawing competitions and featured the winning artwork on her clothing line. She wrote a business plan, got a bank loan, set up a board... Read more »
Lessons Learned: Why My Kickstarter Campaign Failed
Plan to do some fundraising on Kickstarter? Hear what tanked one entrepreneur's campaign before you set up a fundraising page. Read more »
Lessons Learned: Lack of Market Research Sank My Business
This article is part of our “Business Startup Guide” – a curated list of our articles that will get you up and running in no time! Zanade Mann has always had an entrepreneurial streak. It all started when she was 8 years old: The young entrepreneur started selling candy bars door-to-door, and never lost the bug.... Read more »
4 Things You Might Not Think to Investigate Before Buying a Business
If you’ve got your eye on a new business, you’ve got a lot of research to do. We know you’ll ask for financial records, look into the economic stability of the area, and be critical of the asking price, but it’s hard to uncover everything there is to know about a company. To make an... Read more »
How to Secure a Business Loan: Tips From a Banking Executive
If you need to secure a loan for your business, you'll want to be prepared. Check out these tips from the head of business banking at Fifth Third Bank. Read more »
Looking for Money? These 4 Things Will Scare Investors Away
Whether you’re trying to borrow money from a colleague or land the financial backing of a venture capitalist, there are certain traits that can scare even the hardiest of investors away. Finding startup funds may be one of the toughest things you’ll do as an entrepreneur, so if you have an interested investor you should... Read more »
4 Steps to Finding the Right Accountant for Your Business
You might not have a full list of employees on the payroll yet, but many small business owners find they have a need to turn to an accountant for financial help from their very beginning of their new venture. Whether you need assistance filing taxes, want someone to act as a financial advisor, or need... Read more »
How I Made 2,000 Jewelry Sales on Etsy
Thinking about selling on Etsy? Stephanie Maslow talks about the lessons she learned getting her jewelry shop off the ground and earning money. Read more »
4 Accounting Practices You Don’t Want to Screw Up
Put plainly, there are certain accounting practices you don't want to screw up. If you don't get your finances in order, you could find yourself in trouble down the road. Read more »
6 Tips for a Killer eCommerce Site
Looking to cash in online? Check out these tips for a successful e-commerce site. Read more »
What’s in a Name? 4 Tips to Name Your New Business
Trying to come up with a catchy business name? Check out our advice first. Read more »
