Smart Advice is our community-driven Q&A section. Each issue we solicit our favorite reader-submitted questions and ask one of our Smart Hustle Mentors, all of which are esteemed subject matter experts. Have a question you’d like to field to the Smart Hustle Mentors? Click HERE.

Fake It Til You Make It: Where’s the Line?

[content field="callout1" format="true" class="calloutwide"] As entrepreneurs, we are often faced with the concept of 'Fake It Til You Make It', or portraying yourself as something a little larger or more impressive than you are to gain credibility within your market. While it is a common practice, and somewhat accepted and expected, there is a fine...

Ignition Video Series: Stacey Harris on Developing a Social Media Plan That Works

  [content field="callout1" format="true" class="calloutwide"] As many entrepreneurs know, social media plays such an important role when it comes to marketing for your business. With so many different platforms to choose from and a limitless amount of audiences to target, the number of possibilities on social media are endless. So how do entrepreneurs know where to start? ...

Six Shark Principles That Are Key to Unlocking Infusionsoft Success

Ever wonder what technologies Daymond John, from ABC’s “Shark Tank” uses to grow his Shark Tank companies? While there are many technologies out there to grow small businesses, one of our premiere software partners, the one that outshine the rest, is Infusionsoft. Infusionsoft allows us to get organized, grow sales and, ultimately, save time....

Ignition Video Series: Joe Courtney on How to Balance Work and Your Personal Life

[content field="callout1" format="true" class="calloutwide"] Most entrepreneurs can understand what it's like to try to balance the scale between work and their personal life.  That's why on this weeks episode of Ignition, former NBA player, and author of "Life Above and Beyond the Rim", Joe Courtney will be appearing as a guest in the success lab to share...

Ignition Video Series: Pamela Slim on How to Turn Writing Into a Business

[content field="callout1" format="true" class="calloutwide"] Infusionsoft just recently launched their new video series, Ignition, a fun and informative way to answer small business owner's questions about running and growing a small business. Each week, the show tackles one question from their viewership and brings a successful entrepreneur / business expert into their "success lab" to help answer. In this episode,...

plan for the new year

How to Plan For The New Year Without Becoming Overwhelmed

[content field="callout1" format="true" class="calloutwide"]Community Q: I've been trying to put a plan together for 2015 but I'm finding it so overwhelming! Where do I start? Lisa Rehurek: My recommendation for business owners is to always start with the money. It’s a simple place to start, and it’s also the most logical. That makes some people...

What Legal Considerations Do I Need To Think About As A Start-Up?

What Legal Considerations Do I Need To Think About As A Start-Up? Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. Applicability of any legal principles discussed have not been verified for compliance with the law of any particular state and may differ substantially in individual situations....

Is Content Really King When It Comes to Social Media?

Is Content Really King When It Comes to Social Media? Our expert this issue is Bryan Kramer, a Social Business Strategist and CEO of PureMatter, where he’s led his agency to consistent growth over the last 10 years, ranking as one of Silicon Valley’s fastest-growing private companies by the Silicon Valley Business Journal. Community Q: Everyone says when it...

I’ve long dreamed of starting my own business. How do I make the leap?

I've long dreamed of starting my own business. How do I make the leap? This issue our expert mentor is Michael Alden, business guru and author of the best-selling book Ask More, Get More. Michael overcame a traumatic childhood (born into poverty, his father, step-father and brother all were drug addicts, and his mother was...