Challenges and Solutions for Veteran Entrepreneurs: Part 1
By Kim Folsom This is Part 1 of a two-part article on veterans and entrepreneurship. This time we take a look at the state of entrepreneurialism for veterans in the U.S. and discuss some of the problems with financing. Next time we’ll cover networking, mentorship, and more. Helping veteran entrepreneurs succeed is personal for me. I […]
How Certifications Can Help Businesses Owned by Minorities, Women, and Veterans
By Kim Folsom Getting certified as a minority-owned, woman-owned, or veteran-owned business can be difficult. It takes some persistence, but the benefits can be well worth it. Getting certified can open the door to faster, more lucrative sales and government contracts. Plus, once you’re in a certification group, you typically get access to resources, networking […]
How to Choose the Right Accelerator for Your Business
With so many business accelerators out there, how do you know which one is right for you? Founders First takes a closer look. This is part two of our two-part series on business accelerators. Last time, we covered the basics: What accelerators are and why they might be worthwhile for your business to consider. We talked […]
Why Join a Business Accelerator?
This is part one of a two-part series on business accelerators. Today we’ll look at what business accelerators are and the benefits of joining one. Next time, we’ll take a closer look at the best practices for the most successful accelerators. With approximately 170 start-up accelerators active across the U.S., you might be asking what […]
How to Attract, Develop, and Retain Diverse STEM Talent
Attracting and maintaining diverse science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) candidates is key to any business’ success. Here’s how to make it easier. When I began my career 30 years ago as a software engineer, there was a significant gap when it came to diverse science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) talent in companies across […]
Best Practices for Reopening Your Business in the COVID-19 Reality
These are tough times. We’re all experiencing whiplash with businesses being reopened in some parts of the country and then being shut down again with the looming spectre of COVID-19 gripping the United States. Our new normal is not normal at all. Navigating our new business environment takes courage, patience, and above all, flexibility. Given […]
6 Ways to Execute a COVID-19 Pivot
Being able to adapt in the COVID-19 environment could make or break your business. The power of the pivot has never been more important. Surviving in the COVID-19 business environment takes a lot of fortitude and a little creative thinking. Doing things the same way you always did them may not work at all — […]
PPP Loans: How, What, When, & Where
Get an overview of how the PPP loan process works with small business owners who have gone through it. Founders First Capital Partners has been holding webinars to help small business owners sustain their businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. I recently moderated a panel that took a closer look at the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans offered by […]
Navigating the New Normal: Leading Remote Teams During COVID-19
Founders First Capital Partners holds regular webinars to help small business owners sustain their businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently we held a webinar on leading remote teams in the “new normal” of the pandemic with a panel of small business experts: Ron Smartwood, President of HR Prime, Greg Decker, CFO Consultant for Optima Office, and […]
Kitty Fund Launches to Help Mom Business Owners
Even during good times, women in the United States earn an average of 82 cents for every dollar that a man earns. Now, with COVID-19 and an ongoing global pandemic, those inequities are likely to be exacerbated. Sectors that tend to employ more women — restaurants, the travel industry, beauty salons — are being hit […]