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Why Your Business Will Fail Before It Begins (The Real Reasons No One Tells You)
Learn why most new businesses fail before they start. Practical, honest guidance for pre-venture owners on motives, money, customers, and market readiness.

Rick Slark
Nov 283 min read
Outgrow Your Peers: How Smart Businesses Measure Growth
Growth only matters when you know what you're growing against.
Benchmarking helps you move from isolated improvement to industry-leading performance. Don't just grow, outgrow your peers.

Rick Slark
Jun 231 min read
The Truth About Company Culture: When It Matters and When It Doesn’t
Most business owners have a culture—even if they never designed one. But as your company grows, what once worked by instinct can become a liability. In this article, I cut through the noise and explore when company culture really matters, how it forms (with or without your permission), and what practical steps leaders can take to shape it into a strategic advantage.

Rick Slark
Jun 204 min read


What Can I Learn from the Home Improvement Slowdown? Consider These Actionable Strategies
Introduction In a world where 60% of homeowners are delaying renovations, understanding consumer behavior has never been more crucial for...

Rick Slark
Aug 23, 20244 min read
Is Your Manufacturing Business Prepared for the Future?
"The manufacturing sector is a cornerstone of the American economy, but it’s currently standing on shaky ground," says Timothy Fiore,...

Rick Slark
Aug 5, 20243 min read
Boosting Small Business: How Local Governments Support Growth in Small Cities
This article is from our “Start-up Business Series.” Starting a new business in a small city can be both exciting and challenging. As a...

Rick Slark
Jul 12, 20243 min read
Business Academy: Lesson 2 - Identifying the Biggest Challenges in Your Company Right Now
The Business Academy classes are held via Zoom and Facebook Live on the second Tuesday of the month. I hope you enjoy lesson 2....

Rick Slark
Jul 13, 20221 min read
My Guiding Principle
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to help others. This desire has been a thread that motivated my choices and decisions....

Rick Slark
Jun 27, 20221 min read
The Four Questions Every Potential Client Is Asking
Potential clients are often skeptical of you, your company, and your product or service. As a result, most are seeking the answers to...

Rick Slark
Jun 1, 20221 min read
8 Ways to Increase Your Business's Bottom Line
With rising costs and a nervous customer base, many business owners are considering ways to increase profits. Today I will share a simple...

Rick Slark
May 25, 20221 min read
“Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving".— Oliver Wendell Holmes
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