Brick and Mortar Business in These States Are Rebounding from the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause pains for the nation’s brick-and-mortar locations. While some areas of the country are seeing a glimmer of hope, others are still struggling through the recovery.

A new study from Zenreach, a retail marketing technology company, found that foot traffic to the nation’s retail and other locations has remained steady throughout most of the pandemic, although at roughly half of the pre-pandemic levels. Read more.

Remember, there are many that cannot go home for Thanksgiving. Let’s be sure to keep them and their families in our prayers throughout the holiday season and that they at least get to come home at some point, safe and sound. To all serving our country, including their families, thank you for your service and sacrifice that allows each and every one of us to enjoy the freedoms we typically take for granted. Thank you! – Acceler8Success Cafe

How to Check That DEI Efforts Are Working at Your Company

Introducing and monitoring diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts can sometimes seem like a daunting task for small businesses. While owners are often already stretched thin by being forced to wear several hats, there are steps small businesses can take to set up DEI programs and measure the progress of new or existing initiatives. Read more.

“Find a customer with a true need then build your business plan around solving this gap. Developing a business and then trying to find a customer is the wrong way around and will make an entrepreneur destined to fail.”

Robert Herjavec, Entrepreneur, Shark Tank Celebrity

55% of Entrepreneurs Worry About Fraud Due to COVID. Here’s the Solution

When the pandemic pushed everyone remote, suddenly freelancers and small businesses used to doing business in cash started accepting digital payment options. According to one study, this shift caused a surge in fraud concerns. New data just released by Paysafe found that 55% of entrepreneurs say fraudulent transactions is one of their top worries since the pandemic started. As cybersecurity for freelancers becomes a more critical topic, one area people should pay attention is to payments. Read more.

Why Partner With Benetrends For Your Small Business Loan Needs?

You’re ready to begin your entrepreneurial journey, and you want to know: “What are some of my options for funding a business?”

To find the right solution, one that is absolutely right for your business and its growth, Benetrends Financial helps you customize a funding option that best meets your current and future needs – a service that other funding companies don’t provide. Learn more.

Kevin O’Leary: Why young people should start a side hustle right now

According to investor Kevin O’Leary, you’re never too young to start a side hustle and grow a business – and now, while social distancing due to Covid-19, O’Leary says it’s the perfect time to do so.

“Say you’re in high school … why don’t you start a business while you’re sitting around the house? Barriers to entry are very low,” he tells CNBC Make It. “Why wait?”

The pandemic shouldn’t be a deterrent, as “some of the greatest businesses are founded in times of extreme stress,” he says, using the example of crowdfunding platforms Indiegogo and Kickstarter, which both started during the Great Recession, in 2008 and 2009 respectively. “These were businesses started out of necessity that are now global.” Super successful companies, like Airbnb, Uber, NerdWallet, Venmo and Square, also came out of the Great Recession. Read more.

This Is An Entrepreneurs Surefire Weapon Against Burnout

Entrepreneurs are responsible for forging their paths forward in business, but that can lead to burnout, fast.

The best way for entrepreneurs to fight against burnout is by developing emotional intelligence. Here are a few ways this commonly misunderstood soft skill will help protect your mental health and transform your day-to-day. Developing emotional intelligence will help you… Read more.

Seeking guest blog posts about or related to entrepreneurship and small business ownership for Acceler8Success Cafe. First paragraph or two will be posted on our site with direct link to the post on your site. Please contact us via email to info@Acceler8Success.com. Thank you!

Meet the small business owners who pivoted to digital-first offerings – and thrived during lockdown

When the pandemic first hit, small businesses had to quickly come to terms with the “new normal,” be it social distancing regulations, implemented capacity limits, or forced lockdowns. While 2020 was a challenging time for all, some small business owners found ways to show their creativity, resilience and adaptability in the midst of the pandemic. Read more.

Please remember that many small businesses and restaurants are franchises owned by a single person. So, please keep that in mind during the upcoming #SmallBusinessSaturday which is put on annually by American Express the day after Black Friday. And, if AMEX hasn’t allowed a particular franchise into the program (yes, there are still limitations for franchises in Small Business Saturday rules) please shop or dine there anyway. It’s important we support small business and franchising at all levels and everywhere as we continue to fight through the effects of COVID. #shopsmall #dinesmall #shoplocal #shopfranchise #dinelocal #dinefranchise

SCORE topics: Is the time right for business ownership?

In the midst of all the uncertainties that have characterized the business and finance world in 2020, one of my biggest surprises has been the increasing number of people seeking out advice on franchised business ownership as a career option.

In addition to their desire to explore creative business opportunities, many of my clients have been motivated by a wish for greater control of their financial security in their work and professional lives but they are also concerned about the inherent risks of business ownership. As I explore the risk/opportunity balance with prospective franchisees, these are some of the factors we discuss regarding how to minimize the risk side of the opportunity equation. Read more.

How to Support the Woman Entrepreneur in Your Life

Women entrepreneurs are all around you, despite facing a myriad of challenges.

Challenges such as pay inequity or having a tougher time receiving traditional loans, 40 percent of new entrepreneurs each year are women. In fact, it’s often the fact that women want the chance for better income the serves as the impetus for starting a small business.

How can you provide small business support to support these scrappy entrepreneurs seeking to beat the odds? This article enumerates ways to offer real support to female entrepreneurs, be they family members, friends, or owners of small businesses you frequent. Read more.

3 Tips for Solopreneurs to Stay Ahead in a Constantly Changing World

Sodan Selva was on the fast track early in his career. He went to grad school, studied economic development and landed a job in investment banking.

But his dream wasn’t to be an investment banker. His dream, from the time he was 9, was to be a musician. So he saved up his money as an investment banker, then quit his job and struck out on his own. It’s the stuff legends are made of—the young and passionate dreamer turning his back on the cushy and safe but also stuffy and boring desk job to carve his own path, to follow the road less traveled, to chase the muse that had grown in his heart since he was a young boy.  

Two decades later, Selva’s analysis of this first bold move of his career is succinct: “That was my first majorly failed entrepreneurial adventure. It was all passion, no product market fit.” Read more.

10 Business Skills for 2021 That You Can Master on Weekends

In business, you should always be growing. And part of that is learning new skills and trends that are happening in your industry. It’s hard to find time for professional development but with early Black Friday deals on courses in the Entrepreneur Store, you might be able to work something out. Learn more.

Are you ready to own your own business?

Small business and restaurant resales are on the rise making it an excellent time to consider owning your own business brokerage office. National broker firm offers:- Executive business opportunity- Low initial investment from $25k- Various profit centers- Excellent commissions- Growing database of buyers, businesses & franchises- Initial training, marketing assistance and on-going support- Network of 70+ offices throughout the U.S. and abroad- Brand founded in 1981. Learn more.

Bilingualism in Business: 6 Ways To Improve Your Spanish Proficiency

Being bilingual offers many professional advantages. Regardless of your native language, learning another language can give you a competitive edge in the business world.

Spanish, in particular, is useful. For instance, with more than 52 million native and Spanish-language speakers, America is now the second-largest Spanish-speaking population in the world after Mexico.

U.S. based organizations that don’t communicate in Spanish are overlooking a significant audience of multicultural consumers. How significant? U.S. Hispanic buying power is now greater than the gross domestic product of Mexico. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that a growing number of professionals are eager to learn Spanish for business purposes. Learn more.

Acceler8Success Group has achieved success in many aspects of small business and franchising. Widely recognized as industry leaders and influencers, Acceler8Success Group leadership have extensive experience as entrepreneurs in small business and restaurants, as senior-level executives within nationally recognized brands, and as franchisees within successful franchise systems. Learn more.

How Being An Entrepreneur Outside of Your Business Life Creates Success

You can find entrepreneurs in everyday people, the kind of people you see at the grocery store, and in your neighborhoods. Everyone has entrepreneurship inside of them; it’s just how they use it. Some of these people create opportunities for their business, and others create opportunities for their life. Very few people can do both.  

David Baker is one of the people who live an equally exciting business and personal life. An author, speaker, and advisor of entrepreneurial experts, this guest on Making Bank is a successful man who launched a 25-year career of advising experts in their fields. Being called the “experts’ expert,” Baker is here to discuss how his life is just as exciting outside of his work life, how when you get caught up in current success it can cause damage. Read more.

Here’s why you should teach kids entrepreneurship early in life

We’ll always need doctors, lawyers, accountants, but entrepreneurs have always been an imperative breed required to bring innovation and impact the way the world shapes. The last 50 years have witnessed some of the most important innovations from entrepreneurs from companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Google.

Today the world is changing at a dynamic pace, and advancement in innovation is happening across all sectors. This ever-evolving environment calls for coaching our kids with certain entrepreneurial or problem-solving skills early in life to stay abreast of their chosen career path in the future. Read more.

About Global Entrepreneurship Week – November 16-22

Global Entrepreneurship Week is a collection of tens of thousands of events, activities and competitions each November that inspire millions to explore their potential as an entrepreneur while fostering connections and increasing collaboration within their ecosystems.

Diversity is a driver of innovation and economies suffer if a nation or group of people are underrepresented or face structural barriers – the world needs more entrepreneurs. Powered by the Kauffman Foundation, Global Entrepreneurship Week has expanded to 170+ nations since its launch in 2008 with 20,000 partner organizations now serving as GEN’s community-building backbone.

Through GEW, GEN seeks universality, striving to be inclusive of individuals and communities who have traditionally faced barriers to entrepreneurship whether minority groups, cumbersome traditional institutions or those pushed to the side by strong competition. Learn more.

7 Tips for Emerging Creative Entrepreneurs

In many ways, it’s easier than ever to become a successful creator. Ideas can potentially spread virally thanks to social media and online platforms. As an entrepreneurial artist, you can create an amazing life for yourself. However, it may require you to take your focus off of superstardom and shift it toward monetizing what makes you happy. Having realistic expectations and clear, attainable goals, will go a long way in helping pave the path towards your future. Read more.

Why entrepreneurs need to stop glorifying persistence

Let’s talk about one of the most popular terms in entrepreneurship: persistence. It has an excellent reputation and is often spoken about with reverence and respect. But I don’t care for it too much. I think persistence is overrated.

A lack of persistence is a problem, but too much of it might be worse. See, I’ve seen my fair share of entrepreneurs who kept barking up the same tree and kept pushing the same shit. They lived through pivot after pivot while congratulating themselves on their persistence. Read more.

Research: The Average Age of a Successful Startup Founder Is 45

It’s widely believed that the most successful entrepreneurs are young. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg were in their early twenties when they launched what would become world-changing companies. Do these famous cases reflect a generalizable pattern? VC and media accounts seem to suggest so. When we analyzed founders who have won TechCrunch awards over the last decade, the average age at the time of founding was just 31. For the people selected by Inc. magazine as the founders of the fastest-growing startups in 2015, the average age at founding was only 29. Consistent with these findings, Paul Graham, a cofounder of Y Combinator, once quipped that “the cutoff in investors’ heads is 32… After 32, they start to be a little skeptical.” But is this view correct? Read more.

Our goal is to help current and aspiring entrepreneurs architect a plan of continuous accelerated movement toward a pinnacle of desired success, even if and when previously thought to be unattainable. This process has been developed around our proven e-IDEA (explore, identify, develop, execute & analyze) methodology. Deployed effectively, it is key to sustainability and ultimately, to success… Acceler8Success! Learn more.

Today’s edition of Acceler8Success Cafe for Sunday 11.15.20 is our Weekly Recap where we share links to each day’s newsletter from the previous week and a preview of that day’s most popular shared article. We’re pleased to report that the relaunch of Acceler8Success Cafe has been a success as evident by the increasing numbers in views on and shares from our site, across social media and from the many messages received. Thank you to all our readers and previous and new subscribers for helping to put Acceler8Success Cafe on the road to success!

Monday 11.9.20

120 Absolute Must-Read Blogs for Entrepreneurs

The most important key to serious accomplishment as an entrepreneur is, by far, your own internal drive and passion. That’s not something that you can learn. What you can learn, however, is pretty much everything else that is related to business ownership.

Countless investors, marketing geniuses, and wildly successful entrepreneurs have written about their personal experiences — what has worked for them and, often more importantly, what hasn’t. No matter your age, niche, industry, or phase in the entrepreneurial game, this list will help to direct you to the right blogs for your specific needs. Read more.

Tuesday 11.10.20

Why we need to bring the entrepreneurship narrative back to small-business owners

Minority-owned businesses have been hit the hardest by the virus outbreak. In April 2020, during the height of pandemic lockdowns, more than 40% of Black small-business owners reported that they weren’t able to keep working, compared to just 17% of white small-business owners. This disparity may stem from the fact that Black-owned businesses are less likely to have a traditional banking partner, so they have less access to public loans or public resources like the Paycheck Protection Program.

Small business entrepreneurs are often women and people of color, and I doubt it’s a coincidence that those are also the groups who least often receive venture capital funding. When we widen the lens on entrepreneurship, we see that these groups aren’t waiting on VC investments to start being entrepreneurial. In fact, women of color start new businesses at a far faster rate than any other demographic group. Read more.

Wednesday 11.11.20 (Veterans Day)

Veteran Entrepreneur Portal

The Veteran Entrepreneur Portal (VEP) is designed to save time with direct access to the resources necessary to guide every step of entrepreneurship. It also makes it easier for small businesses to access federal services, regardless of its source—and quickly connects Veteran entrepreneurs to relevant ‘best-practices’ and information. Learn more.

Thursday 11.12.20

Dark Truths About Entrepreneurship: What To Do When The Love Is Gone

So you’ve decided you want to be an entrepreneur, huh? City slicking between meetings at the pace of a cheetah and hunting to close the next deal, secure the next partnership, make the next sale. There was an allure to this life that drew you in. Or perhaps, you started simply because you wanted to support your family and being self-sufficient made sense. 

If you’re reading this, it’s highly probable that you’re already living the entrepreneurial “dream.” Yet, it can fast become a nightmare for some. There’s a dark side to this path — and plenty of struggle for those who choose to walk down it. Read more.

Friday 11.13.20

SBA Loans: What Is an SBA Loan?

When a small business owner needs financing, the first option to come to mind is usually a loan through the Small Business Administration (SBA). While many people are familiar with the term “SBA loan,” they often aren’t clear on what these loans are, or even how to get them. We’ve provided a general overview of the common SBA loan programs to help you decide which programs may fit your business needs best.

The SBA provides several small business financing options. The six most common loans offered by the SBA are 7(a) loans, 504 loans, CAPLines, export loans, microloans, and disaster loans. We have summarized the basic requirements, costs, terms, and application process for each of these SBA loans. Read more.

Saturday 11.14.20

Why Family Entrepreneurship is the New Family Business

Many think of family businesses as old-fashioned companies, passed down from one generation to the next, sometimes across three or more generations. Findings from the first ever Family Entrepreneurship Report by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) debunk that assumption. Read more.

Our goal is to help current and aspiring entrepreneurs architect a plan of continuous accelerated movement toward a pinnacle of desired success, even if and when previously thought to be unattainable. This process has been developed around our proven e-IDEA (explore, identify, develop, execute & analyze) methodology. Deployed effectively, it is key to sustainability and ultimately, to success… Acceler8Success! Learn more.

How to Overcome First-Time Entrepreneurial Fear

Everyone is trying to make a name for themselves. If anything, other people will envy the pride you take in your work. Being an entrepreneur is an admirable thing, even if you’re taking baby steps… Read more.

How Entrepreneurship Can Thrive In Small Communities

Entrepreneurship is something we traditionally associate with large cities. Indeed, a few years ago, entrepreneur James Liang argued in his latest book The Demographics of Innovation, that as cities grow, they enjoy numerous advantages. Read more.

Why Family Entrepreneurship is the New Family Business

Many think of family businesses as old-fashioned companies, passed down from one generation to the next, sometimes across three or more generations. Findings from the first ever Family Entrepreneurship Report by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) debunk that assumption. Read more.

Small Business Lending for Veteran Entrepreneurs

The facts are in; veteran-owned businesses make a big contribution, hiring more than 5.8 million Americans every year and contributing more than a trillion to the national economy.

At Benetrends Financial, we understand the importance of helping veteran entrepreneurs realize their dreams of business ownership. We’ve been working with veterans on small business funding for decades, specializing in small business lending strategies that pay off big in business. 

If you are a veteran looking to launch a business, let us help you with your funding.  You can turn your Thrift Saving Plan or Blended Retirement System without incurring upfront taxes or early withdrawal penalties. To learn more, schedule a consultation.

3 Strategies to Help You Pivot Gracefully

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted nearly every industry in the world. As many of us seek to realign ourselves and our businesses, being able to pivot with grace is crucial. 

What do you value? What do you prioritize? What is the biggest dream you have for your life? Answering these questions and noticing what your answers have in common is a great place to start. Read more.

The key is to continue working towards goals, improving while awaiting the “right” time. Patience certainly does not mean just sitting back while waiting, expecting the ideal opportunity to pop up out of nowhere. #Acceler8Success #goals #patience

Acceler8Success Cafe is production of Acceler8Success Group.

How Entrepreneurs Can Spark Innovation And Digital Literacy

The economic and social impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic have hindered opportunities for countless individuals across the globe. The current state of the global economy suggests that today is not the time nor place to start a business or to pursue an entrepreneurial ambition. However, a group of young and innovative would-be entrepreneurs have found new opportunities to redefine success. Using the power of digitization and digital literacy, these new entrepreneurs are participating in the recovery of the global economy. Read more.

6 Things Remarkably Successful Entrepreneurs Do

While at Harvard, Mark Zuckerberg founded Facebook and made his first billion before reaching 30. The 35-year-old is worth $71.3 billion, $20 billion more than at the beginning of 2019. Sergey Brin and Larry Page founded Google when they were both 25. The list of successful entrepreneurs goes on and on.

Well, each entrepreneurial success story is different. It’s a constant roller coaster and there are many ups and downs. It’s impressive to think of how they got their start. These are the ones who didn’t give up instead and kept on hustling. But, what exactly are these entrepreneurs doing that make them wildly successful. Read more.

Big Hops Craft Beer Taproom was designed from inception to provide a premium craft beer experience. Big Hops franchising combines America’s rapidly growing obsession in craft beer with the power of franchising. As a business model it has a relatively low financial entry level, can be a perfect transition into franchising for new operators, and an easy addition to multi-unit portfolios. Learn more.

Why we need to bring the entrepreneurship narrative back to small-business owners

Minority-owned businesses have been hit the hardest by the virus outbreak. In April 2020, during the height of pandemic lockdowns, more than 40% of Black small-business owners reported that they weren’t able to keep working, compared to just 17% of white small-business owners. This disparity may stem from the fact that Black-owned businesses are less likely to have a traditional banking partner, so they have less access to public loans or public resources like the Paycheck Protection Program.

Small business entrepreneurs are often women and people of color, and I doubt it’s a coincidence that those are also the groups who least often receive venture capital funding. When we widen the lens on entrepreneurship, we see that these groups aren’t waiting on VC investments to start being entrepreneurial. In fact, women of color start new businesses at a far faster rate than any other demographic group. Read more.

Over the next few weeks leading up to #SmallBusinessSaturday we’ll be posting photos like the one below to continue to create awareness that franchises are small business just like Mom & Pop businesses on Any Street, USA. And, just like those independent business owners, franchise owners take entrepreneurial risk, invest their life savings, work long hours, give back to their local communities, compete with big box retailers and much more. Please help in this cause by sharing these posts across social media. #ShopSmall #ShopLocal #ShopFranchise

Funding Help Provided by Pioneers in The Industry

Benetrends pioneered The Rainmaker Plan^®, a funding solution that makes it easy to finance your small business.  While it is our flagship product, we also offer a comprehensive suite of funding vehicles that can be used individually or in conjunction with the Rainmaker.

These offerings include: SBA Loans (97%+ loan approval success rate), Securities-Backed Lines of Credit, Equipment Leasing and conventional business loans. Learn more.

7 Common Entrepreneurial Traps

Being an entrepreneur is actually quite dangerous. No, I’m not saying it’s at the level of danger first responders or medical workers on the front lines have to deal with, but hear me out: There are certain pitfalls and traps entrepreneurs can easily fall into that can ruin your health, your relationships, as well as your overall happiness.

Since the best offense is a good defense, I’ve outlined the top seven traps or pitfalls I see entrepreneurs fall into (and a few I’ve fallen prey to myself), listed in descending order, as well as some knowledge that will equip you with what to do if you do fall into one of these traps mistakenly. Read more.

120 Absolute Must-Read Blogs for Entrepreneurs

The most important key to serious accomplishment as an entrepreneur is, by far, your own internal drive and passion. That’s not something that you can learn. What you can learn, however, is pretty much everything else that is related to business ownership.

Countless investors, marketing geniuses, and wildly successful entrepreneurs have written about their personal experiences — what has worked for them and, often more importantly, what hasn’t. No matter your age, niche, industry, or phase in the entrepreneurial game, this list will help to direct you to the right blogs for your specific needs. Read more.

Small Business Owners Looking For Second Round Of PPP Loans

75% of eligible small businesses say they would apply or consider applying for a second Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, and about half (52%) of small business owners anticipate needing additional financial support over the next 12 months. The findings are part of a new survey conducted by the NFIB Research Center. The group’s been regularly studying the impact of Covid-19 on small businesses and this marks their 13th survey since early March.

“This has been a difficult year for small businesses and many of them are still struggling to survive,” said Holly Wade, executive director of NFIB’s Research Center. “It’s clear that the small business community, nearly half of the GDP, need additional financial assistance to keep their doors open. Small business owners are working hard to manage the health and safety of their employees, customers, and themselves while operating their business and complying with local mandates and regulations.” Read more.

Small Business Start-Up Funding Options

Over 17,000 entrepreneurs just like you have received $4+ billion in start-up funding through Benetrends Financial. With multiple small business funding options available – from tax-deferred and penalty-free financing through 401(k)/IRA accounts to SBA and conventional business loans – your dream of owning a small business is now a realistic goal. Learn more.

How Will Covid-19 Impact the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs?

Covid-19 has fostered a wave of innovation, both positive and negative, in the world of entrepreneurship. Researchers and entrepreneurs dedicate their lives to create a future for consumers and organizations. Scientific studies, along with considerable risks that entrepreneurs take, are essential for ending the Covid-19 crisis and designing new techniques to adapt to a post-pandemic world.

While entrepreneurs are optimistic and resilient, the pandemic will require them to shift their business approach for decades to come. Although some businesses may have plummeted, other elements surrounding the pandemic will build the next generation of entrepreneurs. Read more.

Recessions Push Some Entrepreneurs To Launch Too Soon

Entrepreneurial success may depend on more than a great idea, plenty of connections, and financial backing, new research suggests. The entrepreneur’s job security may also play a significant role.

Uncertain job prospects, such as those caused in financial downturns, sometimes convince entrepreneurs to improve their financial situation by rushing new ventures to market. In doing so, they sacrifice quality standards and ultimately underperform their peers. Read more.

10 Writing Resources I Wish I Knew About Earlier as a Freelancer

When I was little, I wrote mystery stories in a SpongeBob notebook. I’ve been writing ever since. However, throughout my freelance writing endeavors as a recent college graduate, I’ve learned that no matter how long I write, my writing can always improve. As someone just starting out as a freelance writer, I basically need all the help I can get. With the help of online writing resources, however, I’ve strengthened my grammar, headline strength, and more. I’m making over twice as much money as I did last month. I also wrote a story in Medium’s featured section and am a top writer in Writing, Business, and Leadership. In hopes I can help others in their writing journey, here are 10 writing tools I use often and wish I knew about sooner. Read more.