Shoes…A Great Business, and One Inspiring Story

In the spirit of spotlighting businesses I have heard about this company before and read about it on INC.com  But those of you who are not aware about it, I want to make you aware of it because it is one awesome business and story. 

It’s called Tom’s Shoes.  If you have not seen or heard about this before you have got to visit the site and check it out.  Blake, the one who founded this company wanted to do something and make a difference after visiting Argentina and seeing how many kids didn’t have shoes… So he now has this company called Tom’s Shoes, where when you buy a pair of shoes, he gives a pair away.  It’s such a great concept and great thing being done for these people he is helping and it’s just inspiring.  I wanted to take the time to point out this great business so you can know about it too.  Check them out at www.tomsshoes.com

Hope you check it out and see what it’s all about!

The Amazing Things That Customers Say…

How many of you when dealing with customers sometimes go, “I can’t believe they really just said that.”  Whether it was when they didn’t want to pay a bill, were unhappy, etc.?  We have all heard some good ones that are just too good not to share with others. So now we are letting you tell everyone the best customer saying you have heard or been told…

It doesn’t matter what it was or related to, if it’s good enough for others to know about so they can get a laugh then send it our way!  We are bringing you a new customer saying each week from businesses all over the US and Canada.  So make sure to check it out at http://www.businessbeware.biz/customersayings.html

And if you have one you want to submit, just send it to contactus@businessbeware.biz

CoverSmart.biz — Mills Canvas on our spotlight page!

Our new business spotlight section is up!   Check out our current spotlighted business– Mills Canvas in Minnesota!

Kurt Kytonen shares his businesses bio and how his business got started along with info about his company, so check it out! http://www.businessbeware.biz/busspotlight.html

Visit their website at www.coversmart.biz

Know of a business that deserves the spotlight for once?? Tell Us!

www.businessbeware.biz

Not Just Contractors, Business Beware is for ANY Business

Business Beware is for ANY business to use.  Contractors are not the only ones who collect payments, every business deals with ‘hard to please’ customers.  Whether your business is florist shop, bakery, catering, weddings, design, etc. you still are able to use Business Beware.  Any and every business should have an outlet to communicate with each other, especially if it’s a tool that can help their business keep moving forward. 

So if you are not a contractor, you can still use Business Beware so go for it!

www.businessbeware.biz

Small Businesses Deserve the Spotlight For Once

It’s been said that small businesses are the backbone of America but they don’t always get the credit they deserve.  So many times large corporations get the spotlight over our small businesses because they have the big names.  I think of small businesses as being a small town, where they greet you with a smile and do anything they can to make you at home.  I love hearing about how small businesses got their name and how they came along.  Most of the stories are inspirational and things we need to hear in these stressful times we are dealing with right now.  So we are bringing you small businesses from all over that we think deserve the spotlight and have a great story to tell. 

If you have a business that you think should be on there or know of one that should, contact us.  We are looking for any kind of business that is proud of what they do and work hard for a living.  Even when we put up a new business, those that were there will be placed on another page so others can see every business that we spotlight.  Hope you get a chance to check it out here soon!

www.businessbeware.biz

Taking an Idea and Making it into a BIGGER Idea

So you have a good idea that you think would make a great business or product?   Only one thing to say to you… GO FOR IT! Let’s face it, any idea that you come up, not everyone is going to like it or think it will work.  BUT also don’t always trust others with telling them your idea. Why? simply because they may tell you to your face that it’s not a good idea and then run the other way with it as their own, and yes this can happen don’t be naive. 

Those who say the idea won’t work or is a waste of time, you have to ignore.  If you truly believe in your idea and the potential in it, then that’s all you need to drive you.  Sure it’s going to be a long road and more than likely a bumpy one but the reward of starting something great from something as small as an idea, that is pretty awesome.  A lot of people may tell you in order to have a successful idea pursued or developed you will need alot of money and higher people to move you along the way… this is not true.  Yes, we all know in life that 90% of the time it’s all in who you know, but if you work hard, you can and will come out on top.  Sometimes when you get too many of those fancy suited/tie people who try and tell you what you need to do in order to succeed, they will want a part in it or expect something from it.  If you include too many people with your great idea, some may want to ride that train with you if they see the potential as well.  Which is why I said earlier, be careful who you tell all your information to. 

If you show others that you believe and see the potential in your idea, it may take a little bit but others will see what you see in it and follow you.   Don’t worry about the naysayers, they’re all out there mainly ones who are just jealous they didn’t think of the next big thing…  So my advice to you is if you have a great idea and believe in it, don’t hold back just go for it.  Just think what a great feeling it will be when those who said it couldn’t be done, got it shoved back in their face?? Yeah exactly….

www.businessbeware.biz

Applying for a Job and Experience

Okay something that I really have yet to understand about the work and job environment is why is it so hard to get an entry level job if you need experience for it but that is where you are suppose to start?  As I went through college, I got some great advice but at the same time I don’t think that it prepared me as well as I thought it would when I got to the real world. 

Professors and others would tell you, oh if you have this, this and this you will get that job you want.  So you think okay I am going in the right direction but then you soon realize that when you get out, it’s definitely not like that at all.  I applied for so many jobs that were entry level positions in my field, but almost all of them turned me down.  I sat there wondering what is wrong with what I have to offer?  I had all the internships, portfolios and experience I was applying for but still not getting the jobs.   I played college volleyball and sports all my life as well as part of numerous groups that I lead, that shows leadership and teamwork in my resume as well, which is a key role in many jobs.  I asked one time, well what is it about me that you don’t see fit for your company?  And they replied, well you need more experience… The job was for an entry level with 0-1 years experience, now you tell me how that makes sense?  I have no problem starting at the bottom to work to the top, that is how it’s suppose to be. 

I can’t tell you how many others wonder this same question, how do you get experience when you can’t  get experience from a  base level job?  Right now, our economy is in the dumps and it’s tough to get anything out there, but there are still some jobs out there, it’s an employers market most definitely.  But I don’t think this question will disappear anytime soon, especially with few jobs out there you need to get to that career you strive for. 

www.businessbeware.biz

Small Business Collecting Vintage Shirts Along the West Coast

I have to give a shout out to a small company that I can’t believe doesn’t have more coverage than they do, it’s called Destee-Nation (www.desteenation.com)  I cam across this site when I was browsing the internet and after taking a look at it, I thought wow, what a great concept. 

They sell vintage t-shirts from local surf, brewery, fishing, pubs, etc. of small businesses that are up and down the west coast of the US.  Most of the shirts are based from Hawaii, CA and WA. 

I would definitely check out this site and even order a shirt from them.  I just had to throw that out there because I thought it was one great small business concept that is waiting to go boom.  My hat is off to you Destee-Nation!  Good luck!

www.businessbeware.biz

DeadBeat Customers and Clients

How many times have you dealt with a client or customer that made your day miserable, cheated your company or didn’t pay you?  Yeah I can see you knodding your head as you read that…

Deadbeat customers put a damper on businesses and a bad taste in their mouths about customers in general.  It’s already bad enough that customers take advantage of businesses, but for it to happen with the way our economy is at the moment, definitely does not help businesses situations with money. 

I can’t tell you how many people and friends I have talked to who have been dealing with deadbeat clients even more so with the economy.  It’s a drag to put alot of time and money into a project for someone and then not get paid or have to go through hell to complete the job. 

Customer service is a good thing for business but it’s also a two way street, where the customer should hold up their agreement they made with you.  If you have deadbeat clients or customers you want to warn others about, please visit our site at www.businessbeware.biz

With the economy being down, and when you DO get a job, make sure you get paid!

Careful What You Post on Twitter

If you have’nt heard, Twitter is just about the best new little thing for a business, news station or even a star.   This new tool caught on pretty quickly with all kinds of people. In 140 characters you can update people where you are, what you’re doing or even talk about your next move. 

At first when I heard about this social network tool, I signed up for it and was of course scratching my  head thinking, “now what the heck am I going to do with this?”  I let my account sit there at first because I didn’t quite get what I would use it for but as time went on, I noticed how many businesses were using it to update and connect with people in the same field and areas they were in.  It’s a great concept if you think about it.  If you blog, you can link your new posts to it, let others know what’s going on with your business and even articles you come across that you think others should read. 

As it’s a great tool and becoming oh so popular with everyone even Ashton Kutcher is using it, but you might not realize that whatever you put on your update could be seen in the search engines.   I read an article about a guy that updated his twitter status when he flew into Memphis that said “just landed in Memphis, but if I live here I would have to shoot myself..”  Well Memphis fans and people saw this and were not too happy about it and took action.  If you notice when you do a search in Google for your company or twitter username, you will see in the results that some things get pulled from Twitter feeds. 

As with good things, always come bad things.  Twitter is a great tool that can definitely give your company an edge and stay up to date but just be careful what you post to it, it may come back on you if you are not careful.  So enjoy it but make sure you revise it before you hit that update button!

 

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