A Roadmap for Success

September 8, 2017 Brittany Lorenzi

There is a fresh feeling in the air that rolls in with the month of September: a new academic year commences, and the crispness of autumn hovers on the horizon. In the business and financial world, September represents the final lap – the homestretch, if you will. It’s time to assess your business’s performance over the past year, and to begin preparing your budget for the year ahead.

The budget is a key component of your business’s success. As the operational and financial roadmap for your strategic plan, it deserves a generous amount of thought and precision to both prepare and review it. See our tips below on making the most of budget season.

The Power of Mentorship

July 21, 2017 Brittany Lorenzi

What do top business executives, acclaimed five-star chefs, and Grammy-award-winning musicians have in common? For one, their achievements didn’t happen overnight. The level of success they achieved was obtained gradually through a complex web of time, effort, and determination. But there is another piece: more than likely, these celebrated individuals didn’t become successful on their own.

Oftentimes, the most successful individuals are the ones who have enlisted the guidance of a mentor. Sometimes it happens unconsciously, when a person meets another individual who unexpectedly bestows a major influence on their life and career path. Other times, people will consciously seek out a mentor who is the right fit for them. Whatever the case, the fact is the same: a mentor helps individuals discover their true potential, assists in molding the shape of their future vision, and provides practical guidance on how to make that vision a reality.

Financial Literacy for Business Owners: What Does It Actually Mean?

April 20, 2017 Brittany Lorenzi

Financial literacy: it’s a broad term that covers a wide range of topics, and trying to decide where to begin the learning process can be confusing. In honor of Financial Literacy Month, we are focusing on the importance of financial literacy for business owners specifically, and the key components that make up financial literacy. Of course, this month is also a great time to make sure your personal finances are in order. For a helpful overview of managing personal finances, we recommend this guide.

She Can Do It: The Rise of the Woman Entrepreneur

March 16, 2017 Brittany Lorenzi

In conjunction with Nashville Startup Week, it would be remiss to not shed a light on women entrepreneurs and their presence in Nashville. We’ve been seeing a steady increase in women-owned businesses over the years, and a sizable one at that: women-owned companies increased by 51% from 1997 to 2015. This progress isn’t showing any sign of slowing down, and it’s safe to assume that we will witness the launching of several new women-owned businesses this year, as well as the expansion of several existing businesses. So, what’s the cause for all this growth?

Nashville Startup Week: Celebrating Entrepreneurs

March 13, 2017 Brittany Lorenzi

Today marks the beginning of Nashville Startup Week 2017, an exciting opportunity to bring Nashville's community of entrepreneurs together for a week of collaboration and education. Several panels, pitch events, and networking opportunities will be taking place around the city, so be sure to check out the schedule and add a few to your calendar.

This week serves as a chance to celebrate Nashville's unique role as a thriving hub for entrepreneurs. The city is comprised of all the essential ingredients that individuals look for when launching a new business, resulting in an ecosystem that is ideal for startups. For those in the music industry or the medical field, Nashville is a natural choice: music is the language here, and the city’s top medical schools and its role as a pivotal center for health-care innovation is widely known. But there are other aspects that make Nashville an appealing city for an entrepreneur in just about any field.

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