The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

Networking- either you love it or you hate it. When we refer to the idea of networking, keep in mind that we aren't necessarily referring to sitting behind your computer. We mean getting up, getting out, and meeting people. With at least 70% to 80% of all employment opportunities not published, alongside the constant need for small business owners to make themselves known beyond a computer screen, networking is not optional anymore. It has become a skill that we all must master. Before you find yourself anxiety-ridden, know that networking is a process that not only has steps but nooks and crannies and tips and tricks of the trade. If you've ever wondered how to even begin networking, you've come to the right place!

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

Congratulations! You have taken the plunge into the world that many dream of but few make the leap; you are a small business owner. You are on your way to being a staple in American culture. Did you know that 2 out of every 3 new jobs in the U.S are created by small businesses? After the initial rush of launching the business, telling friends and family about your new venture, and getting everything just so, you realize that your business cannot thrive on adrenaline alone. You need customers. You need growth. While there are a plethora of ideas floating around out there, you need to mindful of your time and efficiency. After all, you are running a business! Here are some ways you can begin growing your small business:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

For some, their professional endeavors include leading others. At one time or another, most of us who strive for this have had the image of ourselves in the corner office, floor to ceiling glass windows, marveling at where we are. Do you want to know what you have in common with the people in that image right now? They were once where you are - the first time/new manager.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

Having the desire and drive to have a side business on top of a full-time job is an empowering moment. You could be at the point where you want to change your quality of life, make extra money or not have to work for anyone other than yourself. Sometimes being an entrepreneur has us stuck between the worlds of the unattainable and the whimsical. I'm here to tell you that it's not either of those things. What it is, however, is passion, dedication and a ton of work. Before you jump ship on your full-time job to become a full-time entrepreneur, there are a few things to consider to ensure the journey to your version of freedom is as smooth as possible.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

Whether you are a team of one or one hundred, once you are in the role of leadership your learning should never stop. Some may argue that your learning has just begun. So how do some of the brightest minds in today's business world stay at the cutting edge in both their personal and professional lives? The answer is so simple that it may surprise you; they read. On average, Americans will read two to three books in a year. The average CEO will read four to five books per month.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

In 2013, Stanford University conducted a study that randomly assigned employees at a call center to work from home and others to work in the office for nine months. The result was a 13% performance increase by those working from home, of which 9% was from working more hours.
People criticize remote work because they find it difficult to measure the number of hours their employees are working. What they forget is that going into the office does not equal productive work.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

When you sit and think about some of the greatest business partnerships of all time, names like Ben & Jerry or Larry & Sergey may pop into your mind.  Ben and Jerry were, and are, best friends who launched their famous ice cream line in 1978. Larry and Sergey were both attending Stanford University in the late 90's when they started Backrub, which we now know as Google. Then there are the business partnerships that certainly have notoriety but, for various reasons, fell apart- like Steve Jobs and Stephen Wozniak from Apple. So what gives? How is it that certain business partnerships weather the inevitable storms and others part ways?

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

Some might say that having the opportunity to own your own business is the epitome of the American Dream. Achieving the chance to be your boss indeed is an accomplishment, but sometimes, there are unforeseen bumps in the road. One of these bumps could be in the form of space or lack thereof. You and your business may want to lease the next building in the busiest part of town or snag the prime storefront location - until you see the price tag. The price to rent office space in America varies from city to city; $1.74 per square foot in Atlanta to $6.16 in New York City, for example. What happens when you need to find an alternative? Here are creative solutions to the problem of the need for space without the money.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

Congratulations, you're about to hire your first employee! Deciding to bring on your first employee is an exciting time. Chances are if you need to hire someone, your business has flourished to the point where you can no longer remain a one-person show, a good problem to have. But what happens now? Do you cruise over to one of the many job boards, post your opening and begin interviews? Not exactly. While there are a few boxes to check before you bring on your first employee, it gets more comfortable with each new addition. Let’s get hiring!

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

Anyone who has decided to start their own business knows that from that moment of inception, you never really stop. The building, fine-tuning, and figuring out your proof of concept is not something that happens overnight. But the moment will finally arrive when you are ready to have your official launch event. You are prepared to show the world the culmination of your long hours and hard work. Whether your business is brick and mortar or online, you should not think of a launch party as just another event; this is YOUR time to shine!