Home Business Magazine Spring 2021

In December 2020, Attorney Generals from 38 states filed suit against Google, claiming that Google illegally maintains monopoly power over search engines and related advertising. Other legal actions have been filed against Google worldwide. Breaking up “Big Tech'' monopolies is a rare bi-partisan issue in Washington, D.C., today. But these legal maneuvers only scratch the surface of the potential harm that Google’s search monopoly poses to small and home-based businesses, particularly those dependent on their online presence — which is now just about every business. “As a result of Google’s dysfunctional market regulation, the search engine tail now wags the Internet dog.” Through its dominating search engine and website content indexing, Google underpins the entire online economy. Google can threaten the survival of any small business through content de-indexing or by downgrading its…

Let’s face it: starting a small business these days is daunting. Where do you even start? How do you build on a business idea? Though the pandemic caused many in-person businesses to downsize or shut down, small businesses can continue to grow even in the online world we now live in. Our Spring 2021 cover story features tips from a wide variety of business professionals and owners across various industries. They will help you grow a business from the inside-out with tips on advertising, SEO, stronger business connections, outsourcing and more. These tips will help you feel more confident and motivated to start and/ or grow your small business in 2021. Entrepreneurs Thrive with Mentorship “ The beauty of using social media and influencer marketing to generate sales is that they can…

Kathy Ireland is a supermodel turned super-mogul who founded kathy ire-land® Worldwide (kiWW), a world renowned lifestyle brand, listed as the 26th most powerful brand in the world according to License Global magazine. kiWW’s collections range from furniture, fine jewelry, and fashion to intimate apparel, skincare, office essentials, and more. Founded in 1993 from Ireland’s kitchen table with just a line of socks, the kiWW® brand now has around 19,000 product SKU’s. Ireland's conglomerate also owns entertainment companies, including EE1/BMG, which is part of a multi-effort contract with Ireland's subsidiaries and the entertainment giant BMG, the seventh-largest music company in the world. At the moment, Ireland is Executive Producer of Blackbird Lennon-McCartney Icons, the album. Ms. Ireland's artist management group has represented and maintains a roster of icons, including Elizabeth Taylor,…

If you're considering starting your own business in 2021, you're in good company. Many people are looking to pivot and try something new in light of the recent economic climate. Self-employment can be a great way to design your working style and develop a satisfying relationship with work. Regardless of whether you're taking on a new business full-time or as a side gig, the concepts of work and money are inseparable. Work is so much more than just a means of earning money. When your work works for you, you can fulfill many of your needs beyond a salary, and you can gain satisfaction, confidence, and self-worth. If you're thinking about starting your own business this year, begin by considering what really resonates with your values and interests. Successful entrepreneurs will…

Jack Schrupp is a high school teacher, coach, and the founder of Drink Wholesome. Drink Wholesome is a new small business from New Hampshire that has taken a better-for-you, better-tasting approach to protein powder by using only real food ingredients — ingredients you can pronounce and find in your kitchen. Their new vanilla protein powder, for example, is made with just 6 real foods: egg whites, coconut, chickpeas, vanilla, monk fruit, and sea salt. They list these ingredients in a big, bold font on the front of the packages. The idea for Drink Wholesome came to Jack as a college athlete. At the time, he could not find a protein powder made with only real foods that actually tastes good, so he made his own. Two years and many iterations later,…

After finding out Thomas had to leave Madison, Wisconsin, two months before graduation and move back in with his mom, he was lost. All of his job leads fell silent or would suggest touching base “once this is over” — a vague plan for his future. After his 5th week of feeling no closer to a career, he decided it was time to take matters into his own hands. One morning, in what felt like a fever dream, it popped into his head to make extremely soft clothing for people. Thomas’ concept centered around the idea that many people, like himself, were sitting at home and in need of comfort. He started his journey with a simple Google search, “how to start a clothing line?”. After reading almost every article there was,…