Start-Ups Articles

Cheat Sheet / Updated 05-03-2023

If you're looking to channel your passion for crafting and artful creation into a business, consider selling your work on Etsy. Countless crafters have ditched their day jobs to start their own Etsy craft business or have supplemented their existing income by selling their own crafts, vintage items, or crafting supplies. If your dream is to "make a living making things," then Etsy is for you! For this Cheat Sheet, we’ve assembled some of our favorite cheats to highlight some key practices for running a successful Etsy shop.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-22-2023

So you've decided to start running your own business but are at a bit of a loss when it comes to some of the basics? Here, you find useful breakdowns of everything from how to plan, run and most importantly profit from your new and exciting venture.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 12-09-2022

Prepared entrepreneurs learn as much as possible about their marketplace and what customers want. This cheat sheet helps you test new ideas and weed out the keepers from the also-rans. It poses key questions about your concept, the marketplace, the industry, and your team. It even shows you how to create a marketing plan, and more!

Cheat Sheet / Updated 05-12-2022

A well-developed business plan is critical for any start-up business. To develop a thorough business plan, research your customers and competition; avoid mistakes that lead to business failure; and know how to implement a business plan and make it work. Your business plan should include a basic financial statement, all major pieces of a business plan, and information from your business-planning checklist.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-15-2022

A side hustle is usually a sort of business that you’re running in addition to whatever you do for your full-time job or career. Or, you can pull together two or more side hustles and, taken all together, that’s how you earn a living. If you’re not sure whether a side hustle is right for you, getting clear on the reasons you may want to start one is a good place to start. You may also find it helpful to think about different categories of side hustles, in order to find the one that’s best for you. Finally, if you’re trying to juggle a full-time job with a side hustle, you need to know how to keep all those balls in the air. This Cheat Sheet has you covered on all of these fronts.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-09-2022

Getting a business off the ground may not be easy but it can be great fun, especially if it gets off to a flying start. This cheat sheet serves up key ways to make sure that your business gets the initial boost that it deserves.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-18-2022

Starting an online business or growing an existing e-commerce business doesn’t have to be hard. Lots of resources are available to help you do everything from creating content for your website to building a long list of loyal customers. Being a savvy online entrepreneur also means learning to use social media to promote your business. Try these suggestions and quick tips for launching your website and engaging your customers.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-08-2022

Starting and running your own business can be one of the greatest joys in life. It can also be the hardest thing you ever do. The fact that no one is going to be standing over your shoulder telling you what to do can be simultaneously exhilarating and frightening. Finding sources of inspiration for great business ideas can keep you going in the absence of that voice over your shoulder. Nailing down a handful of basic, fundamental practices can keep you on the right track. And getting a grip on the money constantly flowing in and out of your business is one of the big keys to success.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 12-09-2021

The thought of building and launching a brand can send any budding entrepreneur into a panic. Where do you begin with such a formidable task? How do you build marketplace momentum? How do you extend your brand’s reach and increase awareness of it? How do you protect it from threats — external and internal? And when you finally achieve some degree of success, how do you reach the next level? In Launching and Building a Brand For Dummies, I answer all of those questions and more. This Cheat Sheet highlights a small sample of what’s included in the book while getting you up to speed in a hurry on a few key branding topics.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-11-2021

Starting and running a small business is an exciting — and often frightening — adventure. Who knows where you may end up? To keep from getting lost on your journey exploring business opportunities, you need help setting up your business — including choosing a name, creating a business plan, gathering equipment, and finding financing.