When I launched my catering business in 1997, I was starved for work. While I had a clear mission of the kind of events I wanted to do, I also needed to pay the bills. So when a prospective client …
Who doesn’t love a good spreadsheet? Beautiful and clean formats with elegant formulas and cell references, they are the epitome of grace in business. They not only look great but they can help business owners test assumptions and better understand …
Food is personal. Small businesses are, too. Entrepreneurs share their passion and drive with their customers; I am continually inspired by the heart and effort that my clients commit to their ventures. It takes a lot of guts to put …
There are many reasons why New Year’s resolutions don’t work. They are things we think we “should” do and therefore don’t have the vested interest; and we try to make too many changes at once. They also tend to be …
I’m sure it seems like I blather on about the importance of good bookkeeping, and my clients don’t believe me until they get into a cash crisis. If you remember last month’s story from Laura Meister, the struggle of getting …
By Steve Holt Thanks to Steve Holt for interviewing me for this piece. His article was originally published on TakePart. With a little planning and some creativity, you can say good-bye to spoiled, unused local produce. It’s happened to all …
We’re now at the height of farming season, and all the work of helping clients manage cash flow has paid off. Not only do they have lots of produce to sell, but they’re far enough into the season that they …
Fifteen years ago, my friend Brett quit his restaurant job and bought 100 acres in Southern Maryland to pursue his dream of organic farming. He’s a skilled farmer: growing the most flavorful tomato varieties, breeding winter-hardy greens and creating a …
One of the lessons I’m reminded of time and time again is that the skills that make a great entrepreneur in a start-up company are not necessarily the skills needed to grow a business. Starting a business requires a lot …
We’re sick of New Year’s resolutions, too, don’t worry. But January is as good a time as any to take a step back and review your approach to growing your business in the coming year. That empty calendar is just …