Discounts and referrals: What works now
How to stand out in a crowded field without spending loads of money on advertising.
Jenny, Deer Park, N.Y.
I own a small beauty shop in a mid-sized town on Long Island, New York. The problem for me is the competition: In the past five years, three more beauty shops opened around the five-mile area, and my business started to sink two years ago. How do I stand out from a crowded field without spending tons of money on advertising?
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DiggTake your business on the road
Tech advice for a mobile chiropractor who wants to take his business to his clients.
Edgar Facuseh, Miami, Fla.
I have a mobile chiropractor business. Recently, I came across an electronic medical records program that does everything I need, from notetaking to billing to patient scheduling. Best of all, it’s Web-based. I have a list of all the portable equipment I need for the chiropractic part. The only equipment I’m not sure of is the technical communications equipment required: What do I need to be able to carry around my laptop and be able to get online from any location, be it a patient’s home, an office or at an athletic event? Also, what cell phone brand and service can I purchase that can work alongside my laptop? Read more…
Exemption from overtime
Anonymous, Alburn, Ala.
My wife is a registered dietician, which is a professional degree. Does this make her exempt from overtime per Section 13(a)(1) of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act? I ask this because her boss recently put her on mandatory nine-hour days for five days a week. I don’t feel this is right, but after reading your September 24, 2007, article by Anne Fisher (”Do salaried workers get overtime?“), I fear she may be exempt by the FLSA exemption of employees “employed in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity.” She isn’t an administrative figure (i.e. anybody’s boss), but her professional degree makes her fall into the same category as a doctor or pharmacist. I feel her boss is wrong in doing this, but I’m not sure enough to say anything. Can you please help clarify the situation for me?
Profiting from your unused office space
To rent out empty rooms, turn to local media and Craigslist.
Sherri Birdsall, Gensis Medical Education Consultants, Orange, Calif.
I work for a business that teaches continuing-education courses for nurses in Orange, Calif. Most of our classes are conducted on weekends, which means two beautiful classrooms sit completely unused most of the week. I’d like to rent them out to bring in extra money. Any suggestions on where to start?
Getting your message across
Ask FSB’s expert tips for publicizing your products to the national media.
Andrew, Agel Enterprises, Provo, Utah
We’re a young company with distribution in more than 40 countries. We are winning numerous national and local awards and feel our innovative gel nutritional supplements tell a great story. However, we’re having a difficult time getting our message placed in the media. How do companies utilize national media? We have everything in place for a great story – innovative products, hyper-growth, overcoming the impossible, redefining an industry – but do not necessarily know the best way to get national publications interested. What can we do better?
Picking the least-taxing business structure
Forming a corporate entity can be financially and legally advantageous, but check out tax and insurance considerations first, the experts advise.
Jennifer, Flagler Beach, Fla.
I am a licensed professional (a mental-health counselor) doing contract work paid under a 1099, for tax purposes. Can I remain self-employed, or do I need to set up as a professional association, an LLC or a corporation? Are the tax rates different? Read more…
Increasing fees and keeping customers happy
Gala Ufim, Bergenfield, N.J.
Our dental lab is a small family business. We try not to increase our customers’ fees because of the weak economy, but our minimal annual fee increase does not cover the rising cost of production. How can a small dental laboratory face increasing costs of materials and labor while keeping the customers happy at the same time? Read more…
Devising a winning package for your product
It’s both a science and an art, experts say.
Ibiam, Nigeria
How can I create an attractive package for my soap and deodorant product?
Finding insurance for your business
Evan asked FSB about insurance for his small business. What kind of insurance do you use for your small business? Do you have any tips for Evan as he shops around for the best insurance?
Sports marketing 101
Victor needs help marketing his athletic scholarship business. Do you have any marketing strategies to share?
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