December 2009/January 2010

COVER STORY

Entrepreneur of the Year 2009: Kevin Surace of Serious Materials

Kevin Surace of Serious Materials wants to save the world and make a billion dollars. And he just might pull it off.


FEATURES

Case Study: Lining Up Investors for a Turnaround

Dogswell had run out of cash. Would its new investors give the company another chance? A case study in bouncing back.

5 Ways to Actually Make Money on Twitter

Here is a look at how five different companies were able to boost their bottom lines—in 140 characters or fewer.

How I Did It: Ralph Braun of BraunAbility

Bound to a wheelchair but not confined by it, the founder of BraunAbility built a $200 million empire helping the disabled.

Saving Broadway Books

Just in time for the holidays: A feel-good story about blogs, books, burritos--and a son who wouldn't let his mother's struggling business fail

The Start-up From Hell

You think your industry is tough? Philip Walker decided to break into life insurance.

The Way I Work: Kathy Ireland

She set out to make products for “busy moms” like herself. Now with $1.4 billion in sales, she’s busier than ever.

COLUMNS

Street Smarts |  Norm Brodsky

The Days of Cheap Capital Are Gone for Good

The deal you put together in 2007 is no longer feasible today. Here's why.

How Hard Could It Be ? |  Joel Spolsky

When and How to Micromanage

There comes a time in every business when you need to step in and master the details.

Balancing Acts |  Meg Cadoux Hirshberg

10 Tips for a Happy Marriage

Business owners who want to keep their spouses happy would do well to manage their marriages as carefully as they manage their companies, writes columnist Meg Cadoux Hirshberg.

THE GOODS

The Best Smartphone Apps for Business Owners

Working on your phone just got a little easier, thanks to a slew of cool new apps for business users.

Three New Bluetooth Headsets

These low-profile Bluetooth headsets are small--but still sound great

Storing Data in the Cloud

The best online backup services for business data

Switchboard in a Bottle

A new automated phone answering system for businesses

Four Great Trip-Planning Websites

These free Web-based services will help you organize your business travel plans

Your Guide to Executive Club Floors

How to get star treatment on the club floors at Ritz-Carlton, InterContinental, and Sheraton hotels

A Hassle-Free Digital Frame

The new Vizit by Isabella Products makes getting the picture on the screen easier.

The Best New Wi-Fi Radios

Wi-Fi radios have caught flak for getting spotty reception and being tricky to set up. Here are four new-and-improved models.

Review: The New Flip MinoHD Camcorder

How the new MinoHD Flip camcorder compares with the original

How One CEO Uses Open-Source CRM

Entrepreneur Bryce McDonnell describes the benefits of using free open-source CRM software

PASSIONS

CEO Passions: Knife Throwing

Hollywood caterer Tonya Kay, CEO of Happy Mandible, loves playing with knives outside the kitchen.

INNOVATION

Innovation: Giving Sight to the Blind

A retinal implant that uses video to let the blind see

How to Guides

How to Protect Your Trade Secrets

Advice for the small-business owner on protecting trademarks, writing nondisclosure agreements, and other tools for protecting intellectual property.