501-LLC: Declaration of stealing your money
Last month, 43,090 new businesses were formed in California. I registered my own LLC early last year to protect me legally and financially. The paperwork...
Ask Mr. Marketing
Laughing at my blue jeans
In 2002, shortly after moving to San Diego, I met with Costco’s regional VP to discuss potentially lucrative ideas for the company. Reasoning he’s vice-president...
Customers: Problems or opportunities?
I just ordered business cards from VistaPrint. The last time I worked with them, they sent along a 20% discount coupon for my next order....
Ask customers what they think
There’s a funny YouTube video going around of a guy complaining about every business taking customer surveys. He objects that he’s not just allowed to...
Don’t put cement in the kitchen sink
Monday night we learned that combining pasta and sourdough starter in the kitchen sink disposal makes cement. In hindsight, this inadvertent chemistry experiment seems like...
Ask Mr. Marketing: I’m giving away free stuff
That powerful word FREE undoubtedly caught your attention. This column is about free marketing ideas, strategies, and advice. The marketing process bores most people. Business...