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A how-to blog for Chicago business
App of the Week: myPantone
Spanish artist Joan Miro once said, "I try to apply colors like words that shape poems, like notes that shape music.” To elaborate on that thought, how can you apply colors to shape your business' success?... Read »
How One Designer is Using Chicago to Grow His Brand
Steve Shanabruch has a day job. Someday he'd like to do something different, so, unlike most people who gripe about their jobs, he's doing something about it: he's being proactive. Read »
How to Create Your Own Product
This week we are taking a behind the scenes look at the preliminary steps of creating your own product and placement in the marketplace. We had the opportunity to meet with Kulfi & Company Co-Founders Abed... Read »
Pump You Up: YouTube Resolutions for 2012
Every January, millions resolve to lose weight and get in shape. Undoubtedly, many of those resolutions will be broken soon after they’re made. Fitness brands know this and ramp up their marketing efforts in the... Read »
Just One Drink: Ian Schrager
Legendary entreprenuer discusses a formula for success that will work whether you're in Paris or Madison, Wisconsin. Read »
YouTube, Your Biz, and 5 Myths of Viral Video
Think YouTube is just a place for funny videos? Think again. More small businesses than ever are using YouTube to drive sales and build customers loyalty. In a new monthly series from Baljeet Singh, group... Read »
Chicago Aims for Tourists
Chicago wants to drop its "Second City" moniker in favor of projecting something a little more ... confident. In what's being pegged as the city's "first true branding effort," locally based firms were hired to... Read »
McDonald's Fry Billboards Sizzle
Well, that was quick. This week Christian Bale announced he'd be stepping down as Batman after The Dark Knight Rises, and it's already clear who will be stepping in to fill the bat signal-gap he's leaving... Read »
Brand Watch: Next Door Chi
When is the last time you visited a local community center? Possibly never. But one company is out to change that. Next Door Chi is a State Farm-sponsored community space that opened in Lincoln Park in... Read »
Playboy Consolidates LA Offices, Chicago Headquarters Figurehead-esque
Like many other pre-Internet companies, Playboy has been, to put it diplomatically, struggling to remain relevant as business has gone online. It makes sense that Playboy, which is headquartered in Chicago, has... Read »
About
NBC Chicago's "How-To" start up blog aims to help your entrepreneurial idea germinate and grow into a fully functioning business. Lean on our experts, ask questions and find out best practices to take your passion project professional.
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Photos & Videos
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Spotlight: Guaranteed Rate
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CEO Spotlight: Enova's David Fisher
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Rahm Lauds Tech Incubator 1871
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Spring Clean Your Career
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Spotlight: Redbox Instant's Amy Gibby
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Ask an Owner: Work on Business, Not in Business
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Ask an Owner: Keep an Eye on the Money
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Ask an Owner: Have a Clear Branding, Marketing Strategy
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Ask an Owner: Why You Need to Delegate Tasks
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Ask An Owner: The Biggest Lesson Learned
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Ask an Owner: Share Your Idea
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Just One Drink: Chef Stephanie Izard
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Spotlight: Baird Capital Venture Partners
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Spotlight: Discover Card's Mike Boush
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CEO Spotlight: Threadless Founder Jake Nickell
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CEO Spotlight: kCura's Andrew Sieja
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Spotlight: Sertifi's John and Nick Stojka
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Just One Drink: Chef Fabio Viviani
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'Salsa Truck' Gets City's First License for Onboard Cooking
What We Cover
See more What We Cover
Pets
Some officials have estimated the City of Chicago's dog population to be somewhere around 500,000. Add in all the cats, fish and birds and you've got yourself an industry just begging -- and barking -- to be...
Fashion
There are plenty of questions for a fledgling fashionista to answer. Never fear: We've got the goods.
Marketing
Good luck making a dent in the public conscience if you don't have marketing and branding plan to get your message out.
Food Business
Experts say 90 percent of new restaurants fail in their first year of operation. You want to be the 10 percent that makes it. But how?
Authors
David Wolinsky
David Wolinsky is a freelance writer, lifelong Chicagoan, and reasonably handsome business-study scion.
Kim Vatis
Kim Vatis joined NBC5 News in 1997. She currently Anchors the weekend morning newscasts, is general assignment reporter and special projects reporter for the 10 PM newscasts.
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