February 2012
10 posts
5 tags
The Break Even Burger - a Lesson in Financial Management
The burger is making a comeback in Brooklyn! In the past year alone nearly half a dozen burger joints have opened in the borough, to much fanfare and acclaim. The upstarts include Moo Burger in Cobble Hill, a creation of two-time “Chopped” winner Chef Marc Anthony Bynum, the expansion of Fort Greene favorite 67 Burger to a second location...
7 tags
Restaurateurs: Get the Help to Help More
Restaurant owners are notorious for doing everything themselves – because they have to and because their way is what distinguishes them from every other restaurant.
But being the chef, CEO, bookkeeper and bottle-washer can be exhausting!
The best way to ensure the success of a restaurant is to slowly train reliable staff to take on more and more...
6 tags
3 Tips for Business Growth
For all of you entrepreneurs out there who are swamped with the day-to-day operations of your business – and we know that is almost all of you – we are passing on 3 big lessons from Strategic Steps for Growth, a nine-month executive business management education designed for minority and women-owned businesses offered in partnership between NYC Business Solutions and...
4 tags
Increase Your Startup’s Chance of Survival
Most startup businesses will not survive their first five years. The main killer is the owner underestimating the costs to start and operate a business.
Why does this happen? Early on, a lot of business owners take on unnecessarily high expenses, such as rent that can negatively impact their bottom line. Rent usually includes other line item...
Mayor Bloomberg Wants Small Businesses to Step... →
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Calling all retail owners!
NYC is rolling out a new resource to help you – and other retail entrepreneurs – get to your next store opening faster and easier.
The New Business Acceleration Team will help retail entrepreneurs get the answers and services they need from City government to open their retail store quickly and painlessly. But, first, they want your input. Tell the New Business Acceleration what it was like to...
6 tags
Consider this column a new pair of scissors to help you cut red tape
Business owners often cite complying with government oversight as a difficult and “fraught with peril” process. Multiple mistakes, overlooked obligations, scheduling snafus, and red tape wrangling can all contribute to the time and expense of obtaining the required licenses, permits, certifications, and inspections.
New...
4 tags
FOCUS: Small Business Marketing in 2012
There’s been a lot of flutter about social media over the last few years. Whether you were running quickly, or watching your competitors make a dash for the web, it’s felt like a virtual gold rush to stake a claim for your business on the cybersphere.
Now that the dust has settled a bit, what can you do to rise above the fray and market smartly?
It’s more than just choosing the right Twitter...
5 tags
Plan to Grow Your Small Business
The question below was answered as part of our “Ask an Expert” series. If you have a question about your business, ask us.
Question: I’ve been in business for five years now and I am considering expanding my product line. I know I will need approximately $100k to do it. Should I go for it? - Chugging Along in Brooklyn
Answer: Far too often business...
5 tags
Crowdfunding – a new shot at financing your business
When an entrepreneur enters a NYC Business Solutions Center with bags under their eyes and a business plan, I can bet that what they are looking for: FINANCING.
Good news: there has been a shot of innovation in the arm of business financing. It is certainly not a cure-all for every financing ill, but it is enabling a few more...