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A how-to blog for Chicago business
How Your Startup Can Give Back
As the founder of a Chicago public relations firm that has worked with many startups and small businesses, I know that gaining traction, users and interest from potential investors are all top priorities. But it... Read »
How to Find the Right Support System for Your Startup
A support system is critical to the success of a startup. In meeting with early- and late-stage startups over the past several months, I’ve realized that the most successful startups have a solid foundation and... Read »
Why You Should Embrace 'Summer Brain'
Whether you have kids or know summer around the corner-- it is fast approaching anyway. It’s the time of year when people you do business with transform into beings you don’t recognize -- especially those... Read »
Can Writing a Book Enhance Your Marketing Plan?
Whether it’s a fast-paced thriller, a science-fiction novel, a family memoir or a how-to manual, most people have dreamed of writing a book at some point in their lives. For entrepreneurs, writing a book is more... Read »
Prepping Your Business for Marketing Success
So your business is going to be featured on TV or in a print article. It's very exciting, but are you, and your business, really prepped and ready for the increased sales and attention? Read »
Avoid the Pitfalls of AdWords: Tips for a First-Time User
If you’re a small business owner, chances are you’ve received a Google AdWords coupon for “free” advertising. Google makes it very easy to get started, but many of the default settings are disadvantageous and... Read »
Social Media Lessons Learned from Kickstarter
Has your Facebook or Google+ page stalled because of lackluster engagement? As an SEO analyst and social media expert at OpticsPlanet.com, I’d love to tell you that posting 5 percent more often or with a perfect... Read »
Is PR Right for Your Business?
Sometimes I feel like a doctor. It never fails that whenever someone asks what I do and they hear “public relations,” they suddenly say “I want to be on TV." “Really? What’s your story?” They give me a quizzical... Read »
Why Startups Shouldn't Have a VC Mentality
Some friends in college invented a beer tap. It poured beer faster with less foam. If your business involves pouring beer, you'd make more money using this device. They won $10,000 in an inventor contest,... Read »
How to Create Wealth Through Your Entrepreneurship
If you’re like most business owners, you probably started your enterprise out of a heartfelt belief that you could provide a better product or service. Wealth creation most likely was not the objective. You... 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?
Most Popular
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- What to Consider When Applying for a Small Business Loan
- How to Create a Social Media Campaign
- How to Write a Snappy, Tight Professional Bio
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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