By Mark Combs, Cre8iveDept.com I understand, running a business is tough. Tons to do. Even more to think about. But, have you thought about how you ar...
8 Ways to Perfect Your Message
By Mark Combs, Cre8iveDept.com With every ad, brochure or email you send, you should be conveying, restating, or polishing your message. Yes! You, in ...
8 Trade Show Mistakes That Cost Exhibitors
By Mark Combs, Cre8iveDept.com What do you invest in your trade show? There are booth cost, training, shipping to the show, giveaways, promotions, and...
Where do I file my d/b/a?
If you own a business and are using a trade name (doing business under an assumed name, commonly known as “d/b/a” or sole proprietorship) or if yo...
Discovering the “ideal client”
My business coach Tom Chapple recommended The Sandler Rules by David Mattson. This book is an easy read and is suited for business owners and employee...
Publicity on a shoe string budget
Start-up businesses and small companies have limited resources for publicity. While social media and blogs are the newest ways publicity can be genera...
Fifty shades of a business relationship
Curiosity got the better of me and I had to see what everyone was talking about: who was Christian Grey? What draws everyone to Fifty Shades? Rich, po...
The Flavors of Rochester
The Democrat & Chronicle has a wonderful website called Flavors of Rochester (www.flavorsofrochester.com). The website provides valuable, useful a...
A tequila “brand”?
When it comes to tequila, there are the purists and there is everyone else. (This could be said of any liquor, I suppose.) The purists of this Mexican...
Inspiration from and gratitude to my business clients
I make a point of spending my time with creative and successful people. I watch people take a risk to turn what they love into a business. Passion mus...