Helping Businesses Grow & Succeed
By Dileep Rao – Guest Contributor What is common among the following billion-dollar entrepreneurs? What is their gift that separates them from the rest of us? Sam Walton, who came out of nowhere (actually rural Arkansas) – to grab the pole position in American retail. Bill Gates, who dropped out […]
By Dileep Rao – Guest Contributor Has Airbnb succeeded because of its terrific idea? Or is it because of the entrepreneur’s ability to encapsulate his idea in a fantastic pitch and attract VCs? Or is it because of the entrepreneur’s skills in finding the right strategy and executing it to […]
With her indoor restaurant closed, Cheesburger Baby’s owner Stephanie Vitori sought out partnerships to help keep her business afloat. In addition to pivoting to takeout and delivery only at her location, she partnered with a bar to run their commercial kitchen, serving up Cheeseburger Baby’s delicious burgers and fries to […]
By Dileep Rao – Guest Contributor I know the word you are thinking of. But, actually, the word is ‘exit.’ Many have tried to explain venture capital (VC). For entrepreneurs, VC is hope in a check. They hope that VCs like their idea (hence the fascination with Shark Tank) and […]
Leila Blacking is the senior strategy team leader for innovation at Publix Supermarkets, a Fortune 100 grocery retailer. She has been on the receiving end of hundreds of pitches by small businesses seeking Publix’s business, including food businesses, logistics companies and tech startups. Her advice can help a small business […]
The year 2020 kicked off like a winner for Cheeseburger Baby. The Super Bowl, the Miami International Boat Show and the South Beach Wine and Food Festival were huge for the small Miami Beach business known for its tasty classic-style burgers and accompaniments that have served celebrities, residents, workers and […]
In the challenging capital-raising environment that we are in, entrepreneurs have been increasingly tapping their own crowds. That crowdfunding appears to be trending now perhaps shouldn’t be surprising. In survey after survey – even before the coronavirus crisis – access to capital is always one of the biggest challenges cited […]
OBE Power was on a roll. In February, the energy startup had been installing its electric vehicle charging stations at a fast clip, it had just hired a CTO from Apple, and was in the middle of a capital raise. The company had enjoyed 36 straight months of revenue growth. […]
The COVID-19 crisis is just one more reminder about the importance of a succession plan. A smart succession plan is just good business, protecting your legacy, company. Customers, employees, and relatives when a family business is impacted. Most large companies have them, but many small and mid-size business owners avoid […]
In launching or growing a startup, there’s one tool every entrepreneur needs in their startup toolbox: A knowledgeable, honest and trusted advisory board. Startup expert Ricardo Weizs, a consultant at Florida SBDC at FIU that specializes in startup growth and access to capital, believes many startups lack industry expertise – […]