What a difference a year makes. Going into Labor Day weekend 2019, many small businesses in South Florida were looking to close out the year strong and budget for a growth year ahead. They were hiring in a tight labor market, with the unemployment rate hovering below 4%, and they […]
Operations
In the hardest-hit restaurant industry, survival isn’t open and shut
This week, Michael McCann will be throwing open the doors of his popular Vacillate Wine and Beer Bar and welcoming customers in, adhering to the county’s list of Covid-19 guidelines as well as his own high safety standards. “We are so happy to be opening up,” said McCann, as he […]
Surveys take the pulse of small businesses and outlook is worrisome
More than one in five small business owners – 21% – say they will have to close permanently if economic conditions do not improve within six months, according to a survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business this month to assess the financial health of small businesses. About […]
Finding the right fit is the key to franchise success. Here are some tips.
Franchising is one pathway to entrepreneurship that many people find attractive, but the first step is finding the best franchise fit. In recessionary times, interest in franchising typically sees an uptick and that is true now, amid the global COVID-19 crisis. However, choosing the right franchise is one of the […]
Keys to a brewery’s success: Creativity, community and a solid growth plan
Down at Mile Marker 81½ in Islamorada, Florida Keys Brewing Company is quite the gathering spot, with dozens of hand-crafted beers, Cornhole contests and live music on tap at its colorful tasting room and beer garden. The craft microbrewery serves up a unique Keys-y vibe, where you can hoist a […]
5 tips on managing your remote workforce
We’re not sure yet that the newly remote workforce is here to stay in a big way after the pandemic is behind us. Yet, recent surveys and studies point out that the trend not going away anytime soon. A survey by Harvard Business School economists found that one in six […]
Anny’s Bread Factory finds recipe for success by strengthening sales channels and cash flow
To grow a successful food business, start with the right ingredients but be prepared to make adjustments to the recipe for best results. Count on Yaeli Merenfeld, owner of Anny’s Bread Factory, to do just that. Yaeli Merenfeld is a serial entrepreneur in the food business, with a passion for […]
Here we go again: With a hurricane swirling out there, is your business continuity plan up to date?
While South Florida may hopefully be spared from the worst of Hurricane Isaias if current projections hold, it’s a good reminder about the importance of disaster planning. And remember, disaster planning is to prepare your business for any kind of disaster, including pandemics. In addition to fighting COVID-19 wrath on […]
From adding revenue streams to pivoting hard, small businesses take action to survive – and thrive again. Learn from their stories
For small business owners fighting for survival in the pandemic economy, “we’re holding our own” is the new “we’re doing great.” That’s what it’s all about — doing what you can to survive this crisis and setting your business up for better times on the other side, whatever that may […]
10 tools that keep small business owners organized and productive
By Gerri Detweiler – Guest Contributor We’ve all got our own favorite tips, tricks, and tools that help us organize our task lists, assign projects, and manage deliverables. Today, there are more apps and software programs geared toward business owners than ever. I interviewed 10 entrepreneurs to find out what […]