AUTHORGROWTHLAB The Self-Published Author's Complete Guide to Selling Books with Print-on-Demand Print-on-demand has eliminated publishing barriers, but success isn't automatic. The difference between authors selling dozens vs thousands of books isn't luck, it's strategy. You can start small, test concepts, and scale with zero upfront costs.
Small Business Resources Live Workshop: How to Create Labels That Sell! Your candle might smell amazing, but does your label make customers stop, look, and buy? Labels are often the very first impression shoppers get of your brand, and the right design can mean the difference between a candle that sits on the shelf and one that flies into their cart.
Small Business Resources Success Stories: How Minority Certification Transformed These Businesses Part 3 of our Complete Guide to Minority Business Certification Series The statistics and opportunities we covered in Parts 1 and 2 are compelling, but nothing beats real-world success stories. Today, we're sharing how actual minority-certified businesses have leveraged their certification to unlock new revenue streams,
Small Business Resources The Business Case for Minority Certification: Opportunities & Advantages Part 2 of our Complete Guide to Minority Business Certification Series Now that you understand the certification landscape from Part 1, let's dive into what really matters: how minority business certification can transform your bottom line. The numbers don't lie, certified businesses consistently outperform their non-
Small Business Resources Understanding Minority Certification: Types, Requirements & Getting Started Part 1 of our Complete Guide to Minority Business Certification Series If you're a minority business owner looking to unlock new opportunities and level the playing field in government and corporate contracting, certification could be your gateway to significant growth. But navigating the world of minority business certifications
logistics Breaking Back In: How to Build Your Future in the Courier Industry as a Reentry Entrepreneur Reentering the business world after incarceration presents unique challenges, but the courier industry offers one of the most accessible pathways to entrepreneurial success. With relatively low startup costs, flexible scheduling, and growing demand, courier services provide an opportunity to build both immediate income and long-term business equity. Why the
Small Business Resources Watch Out for Annual Registration Scams Every year, business owners receive renewal notices for their company registration. It’s a routine part of staying compliant. But not every notice that lands in your mailbox is legitimate. What You Should Know Annual registration requests must come from the Corporations Division of your state (sometimes called the Secretary
logistics What You Need to Know About the Truckers Bathroom Access Act Access to basic facilities is an everyday challenge for truck drivers. Long hours on the road, strict schedules, and limited rest stops make finding a clean and safe bathroom a real issue. The Truckers Bathroom Access Act aims to fix that. What Is the Truckers Bathroom Access Act? The Truckers
Small Business Resources Featured FOUNDING MEMBER PRE-LAUNCH OFFICIAL LAUNCH: SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 I've been quietly building something for the last few months, something I wish existed when I started my businesses. It's our Business Resource Library, and it's for people who are looking to build and scale, whether you're
Small Business Resources Is Your NAICS Code Blocking Your Funding? A Guide for Candle Makers and Logistics Owner-Operators If you're running a candle business or operating as a logistics owner-operator, you've probably encountered the six-digit NAICS code when applying for loans, contracts, or business licenses. Many entrepreneurs choose these codes quickly without realizing they're making a decision that could dramatically
AUTHORGROWTHLAB Beyond Amazon: The Best Alternatives to KDP for Independent Authors While Amazon KDP dominates the self-publishing landscape, putting all your eggs in one basket, even Amazon's, can be risky. What happens if Amazon changes their algorithms, adjusts royalty rates, or your account faces issues? Smart authors are increasingly looking beyond the Amazon ecosystem to diversify their publishing
makerssystem Troubleshooting Common Candle Making Problems: Tunneling, Frosting, and More There's nothing quite as frustrating as spending hours crafting what you thought would be the perfect candle, only to discover tunneling, unsightly frosting, or poor scent throw. If you've been making candles for any length of time, you've probably encountered at least one of
Small Business Resources C Corp vs. S Corp: Which Is Right for Your Business? Choosing the right business structure is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a business owner. Two of the most popular corporate structures in the U.S. are C Corporations (C Corps) and S Corporations (S Corps). Both offer limited liability protection, meaning your personal assets are
Small Business Resources FOUNDING MEMBER PRE-LAUNCH OFFICIAL LAUNCH: SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 I've been quietly building something for the last few months, something I wish existed when I started my businesses. It's our Business Resource Library, and it's for people who are looking to build and scale, whether you're
Small Business Resources Small Business Survival Guide: How to Keep Your Doors Open When 1 in 5 Businesses Fear They Won't Make It to 2026 If you're a small business owner feeling like you're barely keeping your head above water, you're not alone. The statistics are sobering: nearly 1 in 5 small businesses are pessimistic about surviving the next five years, and 13% of businesses without access to financing
AUTHORGROWTHLAB Amazon KDP vs. Other Publishing Platforms: Which Should You Choose? So you've finished your manuscript and you're ready to share it with the world. Congratulations! But now comes the crucial decision: where should you publish? With so many platforms available, Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Lulu, Draft2Digital, how do you choose the right one for your book and
logistics How to Do Courier Work Through Professional Gig Apps: Your Complete Guide to Logistics Success The gig economy has evolved far beyond food delivery, creating exciting opportunities for professional courier work through specialized logistics platforms. Unlike traditional food delivery apps, these professional courier platforms focus on business-to-business deliveries, specialized transport, and high-value logistics services that offer better pay and more professional working
logistics How to Secure Contracts for Your Box Truck Business: A Complete Guide Starting a box truck business can be a lucrative venture, but success depends heavily on your ability to secure steady, profitable contracts. Whether you're just getting started or looking to expand your existing operation, this comprehensive guide will walk you through proven strategies to land contracts that keep
makerssystem How Pietra Transformed My Candle Business - The Complete Platform Guide When I first started my candle business, I was stuck in the classic maker trap: spending more time hustling for sales than actually making candles. Then I discovered Pietra, and everything changed. This platform became my bridge from small-batch creator to legitimate private label manufacturer, connecting me with brands
AUTHORGROWTHLAB Building Your BookTok Presence: A Guide for New Authors So you've just published your first book and you're seeing advice everywhere about building a "BookTok presence" to promote it. If you're feeling overwhelmed by this advice or unsure where to start, you're not alone. Let's break down
News When Success Isn't Enough: What Small Businesses Can Learn from the Uncle Nearest Receivership The business world was shocked when Uncle Nearest, the celebrated Black-owned whiskey brand that had become a poster child for entrepreneurial success, was placed under court-ordered receivership in 2024. Founded by Fawn Weaver and named after Nathan "Nearest" Green, the enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel
logistics Forklift Hit Your Van? Here's What to Do When Loading Goes Wrong Just had my worst nightmare happen at a loading dock today – a forklift operator managed to damage both my bumper and roof while loading cargo. If you're reading this because something similar happened to you, take a deep breath. I've been through this process, and I&
logistics What is BOC-3 and Do I Need It for My Motor Carrier Authority? If you're starting a trucking company or expanding your transportation business into interstate commerce, you've probably encountered the term "BOC-3" during your research. This federal requirement is often misunderstood but is absolutely essential for obtaining and maintaining your motor carrier authority. Let'
makerssystem Festival & Fair Profit Optimization Guide for Product Businesses Pre-Event Planning & Selection Choose the Right Events * Research event demographics and match them to your target customer profile * Prioritize events with high foot traffic and spending power over just large crowds * Consider event timing (avoid competing with major holidays or local conflicts) * Factor in booth fees, travel costs,
News From Buy-Backs to Breakdowns: Business Lessons from Slutty Vegan & Uncle Nearest In the unforgiving arena of American business, two brands have captured attention not just for their products, but for the remarkable journeys of their founders. Slutty Vegan and Uncle Nearest represent two very different paths in entrepreneurship, one marked by spectacular growth followed by near-collapse and recovery, the other