How to structure for success The number of family businesses is so big that Harvard Business School offers programs, courses, research and training to help families navigate the complicated waters. John Davis, author and senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, advises starting with governance and organizational structure. Davis summarizes the model as follows: The family…
Rebranding Q&A with Dr. Matt Mastrorocco, DMD, that will make you smile. [LOCAL Biz] Dr. Mastrorocco, you have had a very successful dental practice for over 17 years. Why did you decide to make such a transformational change? [Matt Mastrorocco] In the winter of 2019, my team and I began a rebranding initiative that extended…
Six strategies for growing a financially healthy business. By Hannah Massen People start businesses for all kinds of reasons – but a love for crunching numbers usually isn’t one of them. The last thing you want is to be scrolling through spreadsheets at 4:45 p.m., so you assume that as long as your numbers are…
Many times, starting a business takes more than a great idea – it takes cash. While it’s true that most entrepreneurs have to “pay to play,” it’s not impossible to become a business owner on a budget. The key is breaking into a low-cost, high-growth industry. Consider these low-cost business ideas you can launch this…
Five steps to follow for a more creative brain By Hannah Massen When you think of the creative process, you probably picture a series of subjective steps exclusively embarked on, and understood, by gifted artists and writers. But creativity — and the actual creative process – isn’t only for those who are innately creative. In…
By Randi Busse While many will be hard pressed to express such sentiment, one local business owner has created several silver linings. Ian Duncan and his wife, Kathleen, founded The Grind, a full-service coffee supply company in Bluffton in 2016. Their goal was to provide area residents and businesses with the highest quality coffee and…
With a side of problem-solving to boot. By Sarah Clemmons The story of inventions and the inventors behind them has always captured the popular American consciousness. Matt Gulick of Pourzilla is no exception to these types of stories, but his beginnings as an entrepreneur may have grown roots (literally) a little earlier in life than…
Craig Wolfe builds rubber duck empire By Hannah Massen Everyone has a happy memory of a rubber duck, whether it’s the “Rubber Duckie” song from Sesame Street, the pink and blue bath toy set your friend gave you as a baby shower gift, or your own childhood toy floating in the bath. Rubber ducks are…
Three thought-starters to exceed their new expectations By Mary Patterson It was only a year ago that our lives and businesses were forever changed, although it does seem like a lifetime. Over the past year, consumers have created new routines, adopted new technologies and formed new expectations of the companies they do business with. At…
An organization created to provide cash relief to struggling artists grows into so much more. By Heather Bruemmer Heather Bruemmer is an author, arts advocate and consultant based in Estill. She serves as interim arts director for Hampton County and is the executive director of SLAY. The creative sector was one area of the economy…