makerssystem Holiday Marketing Tactics: Your Retailer's Guide to a Profitable Season The holiday season is fast approaching, and for retailers, this represents the most critical sales period of the year. Whether you're a brick-and-mortar store, an online shop, or a hybrid operation, the strategies you implement now will determine your success through the end of the year.
AUTHORGROWTHLAB Building Financial Power, and Jobs, Right Here in Louisiana When I first created the Lark & Mimi™ Learn to Save series, my goal was to teach children the language of money early - through storytelling, culture, and creativity. What began as a single coloring book has evolved into Louisiana’s first comprehensive, STEM-integrated financial literacy pipeline, Financial Power for
AUTHORGROWTHLAB How to Start a Drone Business: From Hobby Flyer to FAA-Certified Entrepreneur Drones are no longer just for hobbyists - they’ve become powerful tools across industries like real estate, construction, agriculture, and media. Whether you want to create a side hustle or launch a full-scale business, starting with the right foundation can help you take flight, literally and financially. This guide
makerssystem How to Ship Candles Safely and Keep Your Costs Down Shipping candles looks simple until one arrives melted or broken. Candles are heavy, heat-sensitive, and fragile, so how you package and ship them matters. Here’s a clear step-by-step guide based on what works best for candle makers. 1. Choose the Right Carrier UPS is the most
AUTHORGROWTHLAB GRANT OPPORTUNITIES - UPDATED OCTOBER 2025 Amazon App Store Small Business Accelerator - The Small Business Accelerator Program allows developers that earn less than 1 million USD in total annual revenue in the previous calendar year to access additional benefits up to or equivalent to 20% of Appstore revenue. If eligible, you'll receive a 10%
Small Business Resources Major Changes to DBE/ACDBE Certification: What You Need to Know If your business holds Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) or Airport Concessions DBE (ACDBE) certification, you need to be aware of significant changes that took effect on October 3, 2025. The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued an interim final rule that fundamentally changes how these certifications are evaluated. What&
makerssystem SEO Optimization for Candle Businesses: A Practical Guide Search engines drive high-intent buyers to candle businesses. Strong SEO helps your products rank on Google, increases traffic, and builds long-term sales. This guide breaks down what matters most. 1. Start with Keyword Research Your SEO strategy starts with knowing what people search for. Focus on commercial and
Small Business Resources What Does It Mean to Be EDI Compliant? When you start placing products into retail stores, one of the first requirements you’ll hear is “you must be EDI compliant.” This is not optional. It’s the standard retailers use to manage inventory, orders, and payments efficiently. What is EDI? EDI stands for Electronic Data Interchange. It’s
AUTHORGROWTHLAB How Government Shutdowns Affect Small Businesses: A Complete Guide A government shutdown creates more than political headlines. It slows or halts federal operations, and the effects quickly reach small businesses. Owners often face delays in funding, stalled contracts, reduced demand, and operational disruptions. Understanding these impacts helps you prepare and protect your business during uncertain periods. The Cash Flow
AUTHORGROWTHLAB The Publix-Black Book Bash Controversy: When Corporate Sponsorship Meets Political Climate A Literary Celebration Caught in a Sponsorship Dispute The Black Book Bash, a three-day literary festival celebrating Black authors and culture, was set to open this weekend in Jacksonville, Florida, with much anticipation. Instead, the event found itself at the center of a heated controversy after organizers alleged that
AUTHORGROWTHLAB My VIP Experience at HKTDC Trade Fairs: A Game-Changer for Global Sourcing After attending numerous Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) trade fairs over the years, I can confidently say these events have transformed how I do business internationally. The combination of world-class exhibitions, generous sponsorship programs, and white-glove VIP treatment has consistently delivered exceptional results for my sourcing needs.
logistics The Complete Guide to Placing Your Products in Hotel Gift Shops: A Strategic Approach to Hospitality Retail Hotel gift shops represent one of the most overlooked yet profitable retail channels for product placement. With millions of travelers passing through hotels daily, these retail spaces offer unique opportunities for brands to reach captive audiences with disposable income and a desire for convenience, local experiences, and memorable souvenirs. Unlike
makerssystem Why Candle Makers Should Avoid Buying Wax From Amazon If you run a candle business, the quality and consistency of your materials directly impact your product and your reputation. Wax and wicks are the foundation of every candle you pour. While Amazon might seem convenient, relying on it for your core supplies can create serious risks. The Problem With
makerssystem ECRM: Your Complete Guide to Efficient Retail Partnerships and Business Growth ECRM is a trade support institution with over 24 years of experience connecting suppliers with US + International Retail Buyers. Unlike traditional trade shows where you hope the right buyers will find you, ECRM puts the right brands with the right buyers at the right time for seamless product discovery, cultivating
makerssystem How to Properly Test the Melt Pool of a Wick Testing your wick's melt pool performance is one of the most critical steps in candle making. The right wick creates a complete melt pool that reaches the container edges, ensuring even burning and optimal fragrance throw. This guide will show you the proper method for testing whether your
AUTHORGROWTHLAB Evans Cutchmore: Where Publishing Meets Strategy For too long, indie authors have been left to navigate a broken system. Traditional publishers handle the printing but reserve real marketing power for their biggest names. Marketing agencies promise visibility, but often price out the very authors who need them most. And self-publishing platforms? They’ll upload your
News TikTok Uncertainty: The Good, The Bad, and What I Learned as a Business Owner If you’re a small business owner, you’ve probably seen the headlines: President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have reached a framework agreement to keep TikTok running in the U.S. The deal aims to address U.S. national security concerns while allowing TikTok to continue operating, but
News Building a Resilient Brand in Uncertain Times Every week, headlines remind us just how unpredictable our world can be. Whether it’s a political controversy, public figures dominating the news cycle, or shifting cultural debates, like those currently surrounding Charlie Kirk, business owners are left asking: How do I protect my brand during moments like this? The
makerssystem How ThomasNet Helped Me Scale Fleurty Wick - And How It Can Help Your Business Too When I first launched Fleurty Wick, my focus was on creating products people loved. But as any entrepreneur knows, passion alone doesn’t scale a company. You need visibility, credibility, and consistent demand. That’s where ThomasNet came in. What Exactly Is ThomasNet? ThomasNet is a B2B (business-to-business)
Small Business Resources Amazon FBM vs FBA vs Arbitrage: Understanding Your Selling Options Watch my latest YouTube video below, then dive into this complete breakdown of Amazon's selling methods If you're considering selling on Amazon, you've probably come across the terms FBM, FBA, and arbitrage. While these concepts are related to the Amazon marketplace, they serve different
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 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
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
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
