3 tips for creating branded merch your customers will love, from small-business owners and marketing experts who have used it to build vibrant brand communities

Tech Insider
Headshot of Danielle Reid who wearing a black top and pearl necklace, in front of a gray computer.
Danielle Reid, a marketing consultant.

Britney Kelsey

'The greatest advertising you can get': Small-business founders explain how to build and grow your company with referrals

Tech Insider
Headshot of Michael Nova, left, wearing a black suit and black tie and a headshot of Kirby Wilkerson, right, wearing a white top and blazer in front of green plants.
Michael Nova, the CEO of Nova Custom Printing, and Kirby Wilkerson, the founder of The Impact Kind.

Kevin Frest @FrestStudio and Kirby Wilkerson

Family-owned small businesses blend family and the workplace 24/7 — here are 3 tips for navigating brewing conflict

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Headshot of Matilda Reuter Engle in a polka dot black and white blouse.
Matilda Reuter Engle is the third-generation proprietor of Middleburg Hospitality.

Jodi and Kurt Photography

Cofounders of a grassroots tequila company share how storytelling earned them loyal and engaged customers

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Headshot of Carlos Soto wearing a black long-sleeve shirt with his arms crossed, in front of a gray wall.
Carlos Soto, a cofounder of Nosotros Tequila & Mezcal.

Nosotros Tequila & Mezcal

3 cold-email strategies from small-business founders who used them to show off their work, land clients, and grow company profits

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Headshot of Erin Derby in front of a computer looking to the left, wearing a black top and gold earrings.
Erin Derby, a commercial photographer.

Erin Derby

5 critical steps entrepreneurs can't afford to skip when starting a business

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woman shipping packages using computer

Getty Images

When looking to start a business, don't overlook the value of solid planning. Great strategy and execution are what set successful businesses apart and give them a competitive edge.

Here are five key steps to bringing your business idea to life and set up for success:

SMS marketing may cost more to set up than email, but 2 small-business founders say it's worth it

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Headshot of Bryan Clayton, left, wearing a navy shirt and wristwatch and a headshot of Barbara Casey, right, wearing an ivory blouse and navy blazer.
Bryan Clayton, left, a cofounder and the CEO of GreenPal, and Barbara Casey, the CEO of Mobile High 5.

GreenPal

Modeling the clothes I sell on Poshmark helped me make over $100,000 in sales last year

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Sandra Wyer poses on the floor with packages stacked beside and behind her
Sandra Wyer started selling on Poshmark as a side hustle.

Sandra Wyer

3 small-business owners share the unconventional ways they funded their companies, from credit cards to tax credits

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Headshot of Elizabeth Gore sitting behind a desk with pencils and a computer in the background
Elizabeth Gore, president and cofounder of Hello Alice.

Cayce Clifford

3 ChatGPT tips that have helped small-business owners nail their marketing copy — and still keep the 'human touch'

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Headshot of Haley Spade wearing a pink blouse and a gold necklace
Haley Slade, the founder and CEO of Slade Copy House.

Eastern Ray Collective

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