Right now success for small business owners may feel particularly elusive.

It goes without saying that a lot of people are in the midst of financial struggle. The stock market is running at a 12 year low, unemployment is close to 8%, and many are predicting the recession to run at least into 2010. This means less income, greater levels of debt, and a tightening of belts across all levels of careers, from bank executives to McDonald’s employees.

For us, as entrepreneurs, it can mean all those things, except that we have the additional need to continue growing towards success as small business owners, and finding the money it takes to do that. Sometimes, that can feel overwhelming. We go through periods where we make good money, and periods where there isn’t enough. Often the down times are subsidized with credit cards, which then increase our expenses when we are making money again, and only add to the financial pressure we feel.

So what are we to do? Read more »

I have to admit that I sometimes get concerned with the amount of information out there about the “power of positive thinking.” I worry that many entrepreneurs who want to be financially successful, spend a great deal of time focused on this area of mindset, while ignoring many of the practical action steps that must be taken to create success in any small business. This lack of balance will rarely lead to real forward movement and lasting results. Read more »