7-Figure Small

Startup, raise money, cash out, repeat. That’s the narrative that Silicon Valley feeds you. Problem is, that approach is not only statistically rare, it’s rarely successful. Most venture-backed companies fail, plain and simple. On the other hand, we have the narrative of the typical small business owner. Long hours for long years in order to …

Of all the components of a holistic online marketing strategy, search engine optimization (“SEO”) seems to mystify many the most. And it’s true that years back, the key to ranking well in Google was a form of dark art. That’s changed in recent years. Google’s algorithm has gotten smarter, and is more distinctly tuned in …

As the leader of a virtual company of over 65 people located around the world, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Of course, I had a lot of help from my partners getting to this point over the last 6 years.

We’re all familiar with the stereotyping of Millennials. Like my own once-denigrated Generation X, “these kids today” are lazy and entitled, right?

Entrepreneurs and independent business people are always working on the next thing, often on the side while we maintain our current income. And as your mind begins to see the world in a more entrepreneurial way, you’ll spot opportunity everywhere.

Henry Rollins is an actor, author, spoken-word artist, and musician. You likely know him as the iconic lead singer of seminal punk band Black Flag, which kicked off his enduring career.

Back in 2006, Gary Vaynerchuk started a daily video show that turned wine criticism on its head. More importantly, it took his family wine business from $3 million-a-year to a $60 million-a-year ecommerce juggernaut.

Whenever we get a heavy snow in Boulder and I share a photo of my buried patio, you’ll see an ornate, flame-carved fire pit in the shot (filled with snow, naturally). It’s a custom design crafted out of recycled propane tanks by artist John T. Unger.

Jadah Sellner and her husband had a simple dream – to own their own business while spending as much time as possible with their young daughter. The couple’s child center on the Hawaiian island of Kauai seemed ideal … until it wasn’t.

When it comes to creating digital products, software, ebooks, and online courses are what come to mind. But have you ever considered turning how you do what you do for clients into a product?

There are a lot of artistically-inclined people in the world of freelancing and creative entrepreneurship. Writers and designers come immediately to mind. Hugh MacLeod of Gaping Void is certainly an example of a literal entrepreneurial artist.

A month or so ago, we discussed the idea that entrepreneurs may have to be a little crazy to succeed. That perhaps the ability to execute on innovative ideas might come from a mental illness or psychological baggage that is turned into a positive.