Unconventional Inventions

Quirky creations led to success for these entrepreneurs.

Necessity is the mother of invention! Learn how Shawna Ellsworth, Michelle Watters and Brooks Lambert found a need and filled it with their quirky, but profitable, creations.

10 Ways to Make More Money

Easy strategies for improving sales.

Consider this handy list the beginning of a field guide of sorts. In future issues, we’ll stop and discuss each of these methods for improving your business in depth, one at a time, issue by issue. This issue, with the introduction of myABCspace, we demonstrate the benefits of having a website for your business in today’s booming Internet based world. In ten issues, if you follow our advice, you should have all the tools you need to be well on your way to being one of America’s best companies!

Cutting the Fat - Just the fat

Although it may seem impossible to reduce operating expenses without reducing quality, the two can coexist.

There are ways to cut operating expenses without decreasing product quality, customer service or marketing.

Affordable Ad Design

These companies make it easy for small businesses to advertise.

Rather than hiring an ad agency, which typically costs thousands of dollars upfront for creative design, companies like AdReady and MediaBids are making it easier for small businesses to stay competitive in the advertising arena.

A League of Her Own

Couch showed incredible passion, creativity and determination when it came to finding balance between work and family.

Couch showed incredible passion, creativity and determination when it came to finding balance between work and family.

A Virtual Back Office Can Help Your Business to Succeed

One of the most time consuming aspects of running your own small business is the day-to-day task of office management. Learn how the Internet can help turn this around.

Business Plan Checklist

Business plans are written in sections, each offering new and vital information. By following this outline, you will have a framework with all the sections you will need to complete a basic business plan.

Accelerate Into the Fast Lane

Sooner or later, the recession will end and when that happens speed will give you a huge head start over your competitors who have been hiding, with their heads down in the trenches.

Sooner or later, the recession will end and when that happens speed will give you a huge head start over your competitors who have been hiding, with their heads down in the trenches.

E-Retail Blunders

Here are four common online retailing misconceptions and how to fix them.

Gunning for Success

Utah small business owner prospers by finding his niche and offering personal service and an unforgettable hunting experience.

Utah small business owner prospers by finding his niche and offering personal service and an unforgettable hunting experience.

Choosing the Right Logo Can Give Your Business a Jumpstart

By having a professional logo, your company can make that all-important first impression.

In the business world, first impressions are important. Companies spend millions designing their showrooms to be comfortable, clean, and eye-appealing for customers. They have training and dress codes for employees to make sure customers have a good experience with the company. Even websites and advertisements are designed to make the company look good—all to make a good first impression.

Small Budget Big Results

You don’t have to break the bank to make your business stand out from the competition.

You may have a small wallet, but you can still advertise big. Our experts provide you with tips to get your name out there and surpass your competition.

Learn Something New

Whatever you do, your business's industry is constantly changing and evolving. By learning something new about your field, you can stay ahead of your competition.

Whatever you do, your business's industry is constantly changing and evolving. By learning something new about your field, you can stay ahead of your competition.

Putting Your Business on the Internet can be as Easy as 1...2...3

Create a Website in 15 minutes or less.

This June, ABC launched myABCspace, which offers all members of ABC the opportunity to build a custom website for only $10 per month. No programming skills are necessary; if you can fill in a straightforward step-by-step form, you can create your own website with just a few easy clicks of your mouse.

Internet Marketing on a Budget

Savvy business owners know that success depends on exploring the variety of marketing opportunities offered. In order to maximize promotional budgets, business owners must increasingly choose the right marketing opportunity based on their skill and knowledge level as well as their promotional budgets. While you may already be reaping the rewards of print advertising, marketing your products and services on the Web provides greater reach into your prospective audience and a more

myABCspace Profile: Play Smooth Piano

Jeremy Banning is but one of the thousands of business owners who are experiencing success with myABCspace

On July 12, 2007, Jeremy Banning of La Jolla, California created a site on myABCspace.com for his tiny business, PlaySmoothPiano. Today, more than 30,000 people have visited his site and he continues to receive an average of 8,000 visits per month.

My Generation

Knowing the demographics, influences, and ways to reach each generation within your target market could prove beneficial to your bottom line.

Do you serve ALL of your customers? Knowing how to market to various generations could be key to your success.

Give Your Business a Makeover

Toss out those old signs and 1970s decor. With a few simple touches, you could completely reinvent your business in 2008.

Toss out those old signs and 1970s decor. With a few simple touches, you could completely reinvent your business in 2008.

Setting a Strategy

Need to write a business plan? We offer comprehensive guidelines to creating a plan that will organize your company and convince potential lenders.

Need to write a business plan? We offer comprehensive guidelines to creating a plan that will organize your company and convince potential lenders.

Market Your Business on the Web

Web marketing isn't just about buying ads anymore. Learn how social networking and blogging can bring the world to your doorstep.

Web marketing isn't just about buying ads anymore. Learn how social networking and blogging can bring the world to your doorstep.

If You Build It, They Will Come

For most businesses, the Internet is a place to communicate with customers, advertise with banner or text ads, and a place to sell products and services. With the rise of Web 2.0 and the growth of social media, however, many companies are discovering whole new ways of taking advantage of what the Internet has to offer. One strategy is to use online communities to maximize the Web’s potential benefit for your business.

In order to fully tap into your customer base, you need to combine community and commerce. Creating an online community can bring more visitors to your website.