I’m always amazed when I talk to people from other businesses and they’re complaining about some of their customers. I think to myself: “Whoa! Have you ever thought where you’d be without clients? You wouldn’t even have a business.”

What’s your small business brand identity? Sure, you’ve got a logo, a website, business cards, signage and perhaps even a storefront – but your brand is so much more than the “look” of your business. While all these can help you project a carefully crafted image to your customers, true branding runs a lot deeper.

The more technology develops, the less necessary it is for us to be at specific locations to get things done. Now we can work on the train, in an Uber, from a restaurant and, of course, from the comfort of our living room couches.

If you think marketing is just for the big players, think again. Businesses of all shapes and sizes can use the power of marketing to enhance their brand, connect with their customers and improve their bottom line.

In a fast-moving digital age it can be difficult to draw breath let alone keep an eye on the startups that appear to be trail blazing their way to success.

Whether you’re in your first few years as an entrepreneur or have been running your own company for decades, the chances are you’ll have seen a lot of things change. 

As a small business owner, I know it can sometimes be daunting to try and go up against the big boys, especially when it comes to hiring the right people.

I am constantly looking to other businesses for inspiration. Who better to learn from than companies which have faced the same challenges as you and overcome them to become real success stories?

 Collins dictionary describes management skills as, “skills regarding the technique, practice, or science of managing a company, business, etc”. But what management skills do you need to run a small business? And do all small business owners have them?

Football, Basketball, Ice Hockey, you name it and I'll probably watch it. So it goes without saying that I'm a huge fan of the Olympics. The U.S. has a great record and I'm always proud to watch our Olympians battle for the ultimate glory of winning a gold medal. I know it must take some serious work and more than a little talent to get to the podium.