Small-business-owning Marketplace listeners and experts share the challenges of dealing with success and failure. A special report by Steve Tripoli at the Entrepreneurship Desk.
THE SERIES
Nuts & Bolts: Perils of success
Many entrepreneurs told us they didn't know how to handle their own success. What should they do next? Steve Tripoli looks at what went wrong for two startups, and what they could have done differently.
Nuts & Bolts: Lessons of failure
Lots of small-business owners say they never would have succeeded if they hadn't failed first. Steve Tripoli brings us the common lessons of some failed entrepreneurs.
Nuts & Bolts: Pulling the plug
Business isn't going so well, but how do you know when to cut your losses? It's a difficult decision, and the serial entrepreneurs among our listeners have some smart advice for the first-timers. Steve Tripoli reports.
Nuts & Bolts: Small-time capital
When you're not up for venture capital but still need cash, where do you go? Steve Tripoli talks to small business-owners about how they approached the money chase... and how they'd do it differently if they could start again.
Nuts & Bolts: Accidental boss
Our business-owning listeners tell us they're not always eager to jump into hiring. Becoming a boss can dilute the attractions that lead people to self-employment in the first place, but it can also enhance the experience. Steve Tripoli reports.
Nuts & Bolts: Smart networking
As we wrap our series on the basics of starting a small business, Patti Greene offers this parting advice: You don't have to do it all alone. Talk to your fellow entrepreneurs and seek out networks of people who can help.
WEB EXTRAS
THE EXPERT: Getting started, hot ideas, common blunders
Entrepreneurship expert Patti Greene offers her thoughts on new opportunities and common mistakes in starting a small business.
THE ENTREPRENEURS: The best, the worst and other basics
Small-business owners share what they like most and least about running their own businesses. Plus, other lessons they've learned along the way.
About This Series
Nuts & Bolts was built with the assistance of American Public Media's Public Insight Network. The network consists of thousands of people who help us find and cover stories.
You, too, can participate:
» Are you a social entrepreneur?
» Have you started a business?
Nuts & Bolts is a special six-part series airing Tuesdays on Marketplace Morning Report, June 5 to July 10. Find out when Marketplace Morning Report airs on your local public radio station.
OUR PARTICIPANTS' WISDOM . . .
'As a self-starter, you must be open to constructive criticism, but also seek it out on a constant basis.'
'The reward of flexibility and time on the home front far outweighs the lack of 'glamorous' perks associated with a city office, travel, etc.'
'I think the troubles would be all about managing to scrape by when the money runs out and your clients tell you that they can't pay you right away.'
'Most of my failures have come through shortchanging the research process, shortchanging the effort process, or shortchanging the learning process.'
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