Best Advice I Ever Got: Charlie Gilkey
Putting up your own shingle also means putting up a sign that you're open to advice. The CEO of Productive Flourishing explains the most useful pieces he's r... Read more
Writing a Business Plan
Recent Writing a Business Plan Articles
How We Got Smarter & Better Than the Big Guys 
Entrepreneur Dawn Halfaker talks about the advantages smaller companies have to respond to a changing economy. Watch video
Don't Be Afraid to Ditch Your Business Model
When your original business plan goes awry (and it will ...) embrace change. It may save your start-up. Read more
Why I Told Anonymous to Kiss My Ass
Dana White, President of Ultimate Fighting Championship, decided to fight back when hacker group Anonymous attacked his company. Read more
9 Most Important Elements of Every Start-up
The best businesses are based on stronger stuff than just your 'vision.' Bring together these nine ingredients and you're well on your way. Read more
Ex-Cons Relaunching Lives as Entrepreneurs
Defy Ventures offers former criminals a second shot by training them to run their own businesses. Read more
How We Took On Goliath & Won
Neil Blumenthal reveals how his company Warby Parker managed to make a dent in a billion-dollar industry. Watch video
The Myth—and the Truth—About Planning
The pace of change in today's world makes traditional planning virtually meaningless. Even as you plan for your business, be ready for change, and embrace it. Read more
5 Lessons From Your Worst Nightmare
Want to improve your business? Think of your biggest, baddest competitor and take notes. Here's how. Read more
Why You Want Your Competitors To Succeed
Cheer on your rivals (and try to beat them, of course). If they flourish, here's how they could help you win, too. Read more
What College Students Can Teach Entrepreneurs
Five ways I was recently amazed by undergrads competing in a business plan competition at Texas Christian University. Read more
The Startup Owner's Manual
Ever wished you had a startup manual? Now there is one. Read exclusive excerpts from it on Inc.com. Read more
Get Maximum Customer Info for Minimum Cost: 5 Tips
In a start-up’s early days, your most important task is to sort out the good ideas from the bad--without spending a ton of money. Here’s how. Read more
Make Good Decisions: 4 Tips
Wise decision making is not a constant, research shows. But you can set yourself up for success in these straightforward ways. Read more
So Why Haven't You Started Your Business Yet?
Let go of the belief that entrepreneurs are born, not made. Here's four steps to turning your pipe dream into an action plan. Read more
5 Secrets of a Great E-Newsletter Business
An e-newsletter has relatively low costs of entry and can quickly scale up to millions in revenues per year. Here's how to get started. Read more
Your Business Can Be More Than Just a Job
Did you fantasize about the lifestyle you would have as an entrepreneur? Surprised it hasn't turned out that way? It's not too late to turn things around. Read more
Elevator Pitch: Can Poshbrood Earn $500,000?
Poshbrood helps parents plan upscale getaways, with kids in tow. Will investors tag along for a $500,000 ride? Read more
New Concept? Ask These 3 Questions First
To rigorously evaluate a new idea, business plan, sales pitch, or product feature, be sure you ask these three simple questions. They will save you. Read more
The 9 Most Common Start-up Mistakes
Mistakes are a great way to learn. But why not skip the pain and suffering yourself--at least on these 9 mistakes. Read more
Start-up Step 1: A Culture Plan
The formula for a great company is not a business model, or financial projection. Read more
Know Thy Enemy, Befriend Rivals
Scrutinize your competitors, and become friends with them, too. You just might partner to pitch a client, buy one out (or vice versa), or grow the industry t... Read more
A Powerful (Mission) Statement
How Brooklyn-based Holstee's mission statement, which it styled into a poster, inspired millions of people. Read more
The 2 Things About Your Start-up Idea That Actually Matter
Y Combinator's Garry Tan hands you the only yardstick you need when starting a technology company. How does your idea measure up? Read more
Who Will Survive After CES?
The Consumer Electronics Show is great for getting buzz, but it's no guarantee for success for start-ups. Here's what it takes to survive after Las Vegas. Read more
3 Ways to Outwit Your Competition
Is it time to wage battle, leverage your business model, or just poke fun of your rival? Here's how to tell. Read more
Let Your Employees Pick Their Titles
Have you ever met a general counsel who goes by "Juggler of Justice" or a CFO known as "Duke of Dollars?" Why not? Read more
Five Things You Shouldn't Do When Writing a Business Plan
Don't fall prey to these common business plan no-nos. Plus, advice from Daniel Gómez, co-founder of Solben, on how to separate the practice of your business... Watch video
Elevator Pitch: Can Vayable Earn $500,000?
Vayable helps tourists get off the beaten path. Can this San Francisco start-up find its way beyond seed funding? Read more
The Season to Pitch Friends and Family
Is gathering around turkey and yams the right time to ask for a friends and family investments? The case for taking advantage of the season of giving. Read more
Meet 5 Companies Created in 3 Days
Tech entrepreneurs explain how they launched their businesses--in 54 hours--at Startup Weekend. Read more
Elevator Pitch: Verbling
Can you say $1 million? A language-learning start-up is hoping that investors can. Read more
Creating the Lean Startup
How Eric Ries developed a scientific method for launching profitable companies Read more
Elevator Pitch: Take the Interview
This HR start-up makes it easy to screen job candidates. Can it raise $1.25 million? Read more
How to Assess the Market Potential of Your Idea
Not sure if your new business idea is good enough to succeed? Here are six ways to test it. Read more
