Category: Starting a Business

Why Businesses Are Choosing LLCs Over Corporations

Why Businesses Are Choosing LLCs Over Corporations

In the past, when people thought about starting a business, they often imagined a big corporation with lots of employees, strict rules, and a board of directors. Today, however, a lot of small businesses and startups are choosing a different business structure called an LLC, or Limited Liability Company. There are several reasons why they prefer LLCs over corporations, from simpler management to tax flexibility and better personal liability protection. Let's explore in greater detail why LLCs have become so… Read More
Start and Fund a Pressure Washing Business This Year

Start and Fund a Pressure Washing Business This Year

Mause Ramirez, owner of MCS Cleaning Services in San Francisco is known as Señor Ramirez to his customers and community. He’s passionate about cleaning windows, and it shows.  “What I like most is the transformation of dirty surfaces, like fences or walls,” he enthuses.  “Many times, owners don’t realize that letting dirt accumulate on these surfaces can lead to deterioration, which can be much more costly to repair or replace,” he says. “Seeing the owner’s smile when they see the… Read More
Why Now is a Great Time to Start a Home Services Business (And Which Ones are Trending)

Why Now is a Great Time to Start a Home Services Business (And Which Ones are Trending)

The best path to entrepreneurship isn’t always by coming up with a unique business idea. “Follow the money,” the saying goes.  Right now, home services businesses are outpacing all other industries in new business openings growth, according to Yelp data.  Entrepreneurs can often get started with relatively low startup costs, depending on the specialty they choose. Many successful home service businesses begin with just one person and basic equipment, then expand as they gain customers. If you’re thinking about creating… Read More
Do You Need a Business Coach or Mentor To Get to the Next Level?

Do You Need a Business Coach or Mentor To Get to the Next Level?

“Initially I never thought I wanted or needed a business coach,” says Barbie Clemons, a licensed massage therapist and Gentle Scar Therapy Specialist, who owns Calming Waters Massage in Yarmouth, MA. “My business was going ok, no issues or problems and I seemed happy with the way things were.”  But a chance email led her to eventually work with three business coaches, who have helped her breathe new life into her business. “My income from teaching clients has increased 40%”… Read More
These Are the Cheapest Franchise To Open and How to Finance Them in 2024

These Are the Cheapest Franchise To Open and How to Finance Them in 2024

If you want to start a business but don’t want to start completely from scratch, a franchise can be an appeal option. Franchises offer a structured business model with established systems and support. With a franchise, you can step into an existing brand and benefit from proven strategies, training, and ongoing assistance. Some franchises can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars or more to open, which puts them out of reach of many entrepreneurs.  But there are low-cost franchise options,… Read More
EBITDA Margin: What is Means, How to Calculate and Why You Should Know This Term

EBITDA Margin: What is Means, How to Calculate and Why You Should Know This Term

Scroll financial headlines and you’ll likely see the term EBITDA mentioned more than once. Like this headline on Yahoo Finance: “Tap These 5 Bargain Stocks With Impressive EV-to-EBITDA Ratio”.  If you aren’t interested in financial analysis, you may wonder what that means to your small business. EBITDA doesn’t just measure the performance of a big business: small businesses can also benefit from knowing what this financial metric says about their business, too.  Why Small Businesses Should Know What EBITDA Means… Read More