First published on Entrepreneur.com on 7/22/2017 Like most startups, we started out undercapitalized. The only “office” we could afford was our laundry room. We had extra space there because we couldn’t afford a washer and a dryer. Our first desk was an old door we supported on two sawhorses. We were scrambling for sales, every […]

It’s not about the data. It’s about what questions you have that can be answered by the data. Startups especially must ask the right questions, and ask them often, just to survive. We have seen many businesses fail because they didn’t know what questions to ask, or didn’t ask often enough, or they were paralyzed […]

We met a student who said he couldn’t see the purpose in discovering solutions for himself with all the information technology he had at his fingertips. If the answer was there, why waste the time to go through the discovery process? In these days of Googling and You Tubing, it’s easier than ever to find […]

Michael & Bonnie were interviewed on “Up or Out” by host, Connie Pheiff. To listen to the interview, please visit Up or Out         

Often the best ideas to solve problems, cut costs and improve sales come from your own people — but they never get to you. Why? Because you have inadvertently allowed your company’s structure to prevent them from doing so. Employees, vendors and customers are loaded with good ideas to help you succeed. But are you […]

A small business owner recently asked us if we thought Washington’s indecision over the health care issue could affect her business. Our answer was not the one she wanted to hear. It has been the public’s willingness to commit to the purchases of new cars, refrigerators, and houses that has greatly determined the state of […]

Michael was interviewed on Schools for Startups, by host, Jim Beach. To listen to the interview, please visit Schools for Startups (the interview goes from 8:09 to 28:50)      

“Ingenious marketing tricks at a low cost price tag will make you see how to create a story and buzz around your brand. Fabulous and real, Michael and Bonnie inspire others to win and have fun doing it!” –Martha O’Gorman, Chief Marketing Officer, Liberty Tax Service

Susan Goldberg, Editor in Chief of National Geographic, recently felt compelled to speak out on the matter of truth, trust, and facts. In the June publication, her letter from the editor laments the widening of the trust gap between the public and the experts. She says, “As ‘certified’ experts decline in stature, ‘self-declared’ experts ascend.” […]

We were honored to be invited to the Stanford University 126th Commencement. Our friend Zach Steward has done it again! Two years ago, we saw him get his Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering. This year he was awarded a Masters. Quite a feat! Just trying to imagine all the technical information he had to master is […]