Startup
We&Co: Attracting Venture Capital
Startup businesses have many options for funding; We&Co co-founders TJ Muehleman and Jared Malan thought from the very beginning that the right thing for them would be venture capital and angel investment. It’s a very different model from what many small businesses need. Typically, a small business will get a loan and pay interest on…
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NOWaccount – Don’t Fall In Love With Your Startup Idea
Like all entrepreneurs, the path to startup for Lara Hodgson and NOWaccount was not a clear cut one. There were many potential dangers to navigate along the way — after all, more than 3 of 4 new startups fail. It’s easy to become overwhelmed when trying to get a new business off the ground. Lara…
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Types of Business Entities
Selecting a business entity is one of the most important decisions you will make when starting your business. There are many types of business entities that you can choose from, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Go over this general overview of the different kinds of business entities, in increasing complexity, and see which…
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New Small Business Services from GoSmallBiz
Customer feedback is vital for any business. Whether you’re walking the aisle in your store, talking to people in the parking lot, or asking for reviews from clients, that customer response is what drives small business owners to find new ways to help people and solve problems. GoSmallBiz.com is no different. Based on feedback from…
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Business Mentoring Series – Finding Funding to Launch a Startup
Last week, on the Business Mentoring Show, Jesse Maddox talked with Fran how persistence and determination led him to the “lucky” breaks that helped him launch his company. This week, he walks Fran through TripLingo’s first year of existence. Getting a check for $100,000 in seed money might sound like a lot—but it doesn’t go…
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Business Mentoring Series – Setting Yourself Up for Success
By the time Jesse Maddox quit his corporate job he had the idea for what would eventually become TripLingo close to finalized, but success wasn’t a foregone conclusion. Now, the question was how would he fund it? Jesse says, “I had about $200 to my name.” His friends set him up with a potential investor…
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The Best Way to Bounce Back from Crushing Defeat
I was watching the tail-end of the 2014 World Cup and happened to catch Germany’s route of the host nation Brazil. I believe I have a special take on the benefits of defeat, and the lessons you can take from a crushing loss. You may already know this, but I led the Minnesota Vikings to…
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Business Mentoring Series – From Corporate Job to Small Business Ownership
On this week’s Business Mentoring Show, Jesse Maddox talks with Fran Tarkenton about the transition from a big company job to the ownership of a small business. For Jesse Maddox, CEO of TripLingo, entrepreneurship is not just an approach to business; it’s an approach to life. “I didn’t want to just start a business to…
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Business Mentoring Series – From Concept to Customer
Jesse Maddox is the Co-Founder and CEO of TripLingo and the guest on this month’s Business Mentoring Show, From Concept to Customer. TripLingo is an award-winning app to help travelers with communication and cultural fluency in countries all over the world. TripLingo was named the Business Travel Innovation of the Year in 2013 by the…
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The “Forbidden Industries”
As a consumer, if you have a job, a consistent bank balance, and a decent credit score, you can usually work with a number of financial institutions and receive financing for a car. However, your cash-flow positive, profitable business with the same credit score can easily be turned down for a much smaller loan amount.…
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