Reality Check | Page 2

Business Accounting

The Barter Kings’ Guide to Building a Business Without Cash

More business owners are looking to barter for what they need. Here are seven tips for negotiating favorable trades.

By Carol Tice

Building a Business

Shark Tank vs. KickStarter: How One Startup Used Both to Launch

By Carol Tice

Human Resources

Tabatha’s Take-No-Prisoners Guide to Business Culture

By Carol Tice

Business Accounting

Angels, Equity and a Shark of One’s Own

By Carol Tice

Marketing

An Inside Look at How Teams Create Great Business Ideas When Subway Meets ‘Mad Men’ in AMC’s ‘The Pitch’

Subway takes a star turn in a reality TV series about ad agencies competing for a big account. Viewers get a peek at how creatives brainstorm and what makes big companies tick.

By Carol Tice

Building a Business

Could You Charge 70% More With a Better Business Name?

Is your small business stuck charging low prices for your products or services? The problem might not be what you're selling. Here's how one business raised prices by changing its name.

By Carol Tice

Business Accounting

Do You Know What Your Business Is Really Worth?

If you found an investor for your business right now, would you know how to value a stake in your business? A recent 'Shark Tank' episode highlighted how important it is to be realistic about valuation.

By Carol Tice

Building a Business

Could You Fix Your Failing Business With Just $10,000?

On 'Restaurant Impossible,' top chef Robert Irvine swoops into town with a $10,000 materials budget and remakes failing restaurants. Here's why sometimes, even this splash of TV publicity and a quick fix-up isn't enough.

By Carol Tice

Business Accounting

Are You Ready to Pitch Your Product to Investors?

Inventors and entrepreneurs made their case on the debut episode of PBS's "Everyday Edisons" new season, but not all of them seemed quite ready to do so.

By Carol Tice

Building a Business

Do You Know the Best Way to Grow Your Business?

Once your business launches, it's time to grow. But it's important to grow smart. Here's a look at why the Shark Tank investors passed on one great company after taking a look at its growth plan.

By Carol Tice

Tech

The ‘Fashion Star’ Guide to Connecting the Dots for Customers

The new shopping reality-TV hybrid shows designers and retailers the right way to get customers jazzed about products.

By Carol Tice

Building a Business

Investor Lori Greiner on Her Swim in the ‘Shark Tank’

Guest "Shark" and QVC Queen dishes about her time on the reality TV show and what she likes to hear in an entrepreneur's pitch.

By Carol Tice

Business Operations & Logistics

The Five Things Employees Really Want

The recent 'Undercover Boss' episode on Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen showed exactly what workers really want from their employer. Here's a hint: It's not a raise.

By Carol Tice

Business Accounting

How Do You Define Business Success?

After five grueling months mining for gold, Hoffman's crew from 'Gold Rush Alaska' fell short. Here's why setting business goals -- even small ones -- can leave you feeling like a winner.

By Carol Tice

Business Accounting

Want to Wow Investors? Bring Your Kids to the Pitch Meeting

See how two inventors fared when they brought their children along to pitch the 'Sharks.'

By Carol Tice

Business Accounting

Would You Sell Your Startup Right Now If I Gave You $600,000?

Few business owners expect to get a fat buyout offer while their startup is still on the launch pad. Here's what one business owner did when confronted with an offer.

By Carol Tice

Marketing

Baristas, the Hooters of Coffee, Tries Reality TV

The Seattle coffee chain is holdings auditions to cast "hot young girls as servers" for a new reality show. A recent Tampa casting call, however, came up short.

By Dinah Wisenberg Brin

Marketing

How One Entrepreneur Used the Law of Publicity to Get Investors

Getting turned down by the 'Sharks' was the best thing to happen to one contestant.

By Carol Tice

Building a Business

Does Your Business Know When to Stop Selling?

This week's upcoming 'Shark Tank' episode spotlights the importance of learning one often-overlooked overlooked skill: When to stop selling and close the deal.

By Carol Tice

Building a Business

Shark Tank vs. Undercover Boss: Which Are You Tivo-ing?

See what's coming up on both shows this season, which kicks off this week.

By Carol Tice

Business Accounting

Are You Really in Charge of Your Business?

Business ownership is all about being your own boss and getting to call the shots, except when investors, partners, your spouse or even your mom butt in. How do you stay in control?

By Carol Tice

Brick & Mortar

Will 2012 Be the Year You Start a New Business?

There are some advantages to starting a new business in a downturn. On the reality-TV show Jump Shipp, host Josh Shipp helps would-be entrepreneurs take the plunge.

By Carol Tice

Business Accounting

Entrepreneurs: Is Your Idea Ready for Prime Time?

When you've got a business idea, it's easy to get excited and start talking it up to possible investors. But if it's too soon, that can mean missed opportunities.

By Carol Tice

Building a Business

The Key Question Inventors Don’t Ask Before Seeking Funding

Wondering what makes investors back an invention? The new History Channel show 'Invention USA' points out a key factor that can make the difference in landing funding.

By Carol Tice

Marketing

What One Startup Got Out of Starring in Webisodes

Dell just aired a six-part series of Webisodes on the winner of its America's Favorite Small Business contest. Here's what the company got out of starring in the series.

By Carol Tice

Building a Business

Entrepreneurs Risk All On ‘Gold Rush Alaska.’ Would You?

If you'd like to see other entrepreneurs take high-stakes business gambles, nothing beats Discovery Channel's hit Friday-night show 'Gold Rush Alaska.'

By Carol Tice

Building a Business

Masterminding With ‘Turnaround King’ Grant Cardone

'Turnaround King' reality-TV star Grant Cardone broadcasts his mastermind group meetings on Ustream. Here are some entrepreneurship lessons from one of his recent discussions.

By Carol Tice

Marketing

‘Cake Boss’ Asks: Are You Judging Your Customers?

'Cake Boss' Buddy Valastro of Carlo's Bakery shows why his business is a success. No matter how weird the request, his customers are always right.

By Carol Tice

Building a Business

Startup Lessons from David Cohen and the TechStars

Though the TechStars program lasts three months, participants say the entrepreneurship lessons will stick with them forever. Here's a snapshot of what they learned.

By Carol Tice

Building a Business

Not All Entrepreneurs Are Cut Out to be ‘TechStars’

On tonight's season finale of Bloomberg TV's reality series 'Techstars,' the show reveals the outcome for the program's entrepreneurs.

By Carol Tice