Ordinary People, Extraordinary Creativity
Innovation isn't beyond the ability of everyday companies. You just need to know how to go about it. Read more
Writing a Business Plan
Recent Writing a Business Plan Articles
Make the Most of Fall
Small-business columnist Rhonda Abrams offers her tips for getting revved up for business this fall. Read more
60-Second Business Plan: Berries Jubilee
Say it with a plum. Edible Arrangements has high hopes of becoming the FTD of fruit baskets. Find out whether the experts think this start-up's founder can d... Read more
The Innovation Factor: Your Brain on Innovation
Want to know what makes a creative genius tick? Neuroscience gives us some clues. Read more
The Innovation Factor: What's Your Innovation Quotient?
So you think you're inventive? Take our 20 question quiz and see how you rate. Read more
The Innovation Factor: Innovative Minds
Who innovates? A look at the personalities (and brains) behind America's most creative businesses. Read more
Celebrating Our Victories
Small companies often ignore the powerful tool of setting -- and celebrating -- milestones. But by setting goals, a business owner can get everyone pulling i... Read more
The Bipolar CEO
Duncan Harrison runs one company in Alaska and another in Hawaii -- and divides his existence in half, every single month, between the two. Here's what it's ... Read more
A Few Good Competitors
Every company needs a few good competitors. Not only do they keep you on your toes, but they can help you set high industry standards. Read more
60-Second Business Plan: Blot-Com
Psychological testing over the Internet: does it allay employers' misgivings or merely make them worse? Read more
Swipe These Strategies
The best practices of America's 50 most innovative companies. Read more
The Controversial Career and Stunning Success of Martha Stewart
The story of the richest self-made businesswoman in America. Read more
60-Second Business Plan: Circular Logic
You've got to be either crazy or brave to think you could make a buck in Internet advertising these days. But that's just what John Strisower has in mind. Read more
Abrahams' Kosher Cakeland: Forest Hills, N.Y.
Inc Managing Editor Evelyn Roth fondly remembers her favorite hometown business -- a kosher bakery she frequented as a little girl. Read more
Beverly Hills Café: Los Angeles, Calif.
Inc Reporter Tahl Raz remembers his old haunt -- a quirky café where life lessons and laughter were the orders of the day. Read more
The Corner Store
Inc writers and editors share their favorite hometown businesses. Read more
Rein's New York Style Deli Restaurant: Vernon, Conn.
In this editor's pick for favorite hometown business, Inc Senior Staff Writer Mike Hofman praises the cuisine at his favorite pit stop in Vernon, Conn. Read more
Kings Super Market: Short Hills, N.J.
Inc Staff Writer Jill Hecht Maxwell offers her editor's pick for favorite hometown business -- an upscale grocery store where what you're wearing is... Read more
KidsNShoes: North Hampton, N.H.
Inc.com Senior Editor Carole Matthews offers her editor's pick for best hometown business -- a shoe store where a frazzled mother with toddler in tow can act... Read more
Dairy Fresh Candies: Boston, Mass.
Inc Reporter Kate O'Sullivan's pick for best hometown business is an irresistible candy shop in Boston's North End. Read more
Directory of Inventors Groups
Are you an inventor looking for advice or resources? This directory lists inventors groups across the country, organized by state. Read more
60-Second Business Plan: Ground Strategy
Too many nights sleeping outside on the hard ground inspired a new camp classic: a sleeping bag with a built-in padding system that makes life in the great o... Read more
More Than a Feeling
Jim Robbins feels good these days. But that's only because once upon a time he didn't, so he reinvented his professional life to do something about it. Read more
Marketing: Slipstreaming
Do extraordinary levels of niche-altering success create competitive opportunities in their wake? Chris Mottern is betting the answer is yes. Read more
Getting an Idea to Market
To succeed at her new venture, an entrepreneur realized she needed more than money and a great idea. She needed the timing of the market as well. Here she of... Read more
FYI: My Son, the Downsizer
Lessons learned from watching a seven-year-old entrepreneur at the helm of a hot start-up. Read more
60-Second Business Plan: Space Man
Marc Shuman wants to straighten up your garage. And not just your garage. Shuman plans to make his storage system a nationally recognized brand. Read more
60-Second Business Plan: Bye-Bye, Bogey
Geared toward those new to the fairways, here's a national franchise of golf training centers. Read more
Making Your Financials Add Up
No business plan is complete until it contains a set of financial projections that are not only inspiring but also logical and defensible. Read more
Market Research
With effective market research, you can determine the need for your service, a product's likelihood to sell, target-market demographics, and desirable store ... Read more
Market Research
A guide to effective market research, from online research to focus groups to counting customers. Read more
60-Second Business Plan: The Butts Stop Here
How's this for a breathtaking market? The 35-million Americans who try to stop smoking every year. Read more
Zero-Defect Decision Making
These days any bad decision could devastate your company. So how do you decide which opportunities to bet on? Read more
Getting the Dirt on Your Market
New location? Get market information, including population density, demographics, and the number and type of local businesses. Read more
Business Income Defined
There are many different kinds of business income, and almost all of them are taxable. Read more
