The rise of the gig economy over the last several years has opened up a lot of doors, both for employees who are tired of being tied down to underpaying and unfulfilling 9-5 jobs, as well as the employers who enjoy access to a wide range of talented professionals they can outsource work to.

When done well, the arrangement benefits both parties.

When it’s not - well, that’s a whole other kettle of fish. 

Small business owners often face the challenge of needing to get things done but not having the resources or personnel to do so. This is where the gig economy comes in. By tapping into the vast network of freelancers and independent contractors, small business owners can leverage the skills and expertise of professionals from various fields without hiring full-time employees. From graphic designers to web developers to social media experts, you can outsource nearly everything.

But not all freelancers are created equal. And not all of them are going to...

Most small business owners aim to scale operations and increase revenue and profitability. But getting from Point A to Point B…and then to Point C…and then Point to D…and then, well - you get the picture. (There are a lot of letters in the alphabet, and there are a lot of opportunities for a savvy small biz owner to grow.) However, making those jumps can be intimidating and overwhelming. That's why you need a strategic approach and a thorough understanding of the challenges that will be nipping at your heels along the way.

Here are five key strategies you can use to scale your operations. 

Develop a growth strategy: You need an action plan outlining how your business intends to grow. Consider all areas that have room for improvement, like marketing, operations, finances, and sales. Then take those areas and create objectives, timelines, and metrics to measure success. Don't treat this like a wishlist or vision board. There's a time and place for...

Incorporating new technologies into your small business operations can be both a blessing and a curse. In theory, it should make our lives easier. In reality, it feels like the tech gods are playing a game of whack-a-mole with our sanity. It’s sort of like trying to teach an old dog new tricks, except the dog is your entire business, and the trick is just using a new software program. Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, you discover a whole new set of features you haven’t even touched yet. And don’t get us started on the never-ending updates and upgrades. 

Tough though it may be, adapting to new technology is essential for small businesses to thrive in today’s world. We can’t stubbornly dig our heels in and expect to keep up with the competition. 

If you’re feeling the pressure of bringing new tech into your business, but it’s got you feeling overwhelmed, here are four things...

Owning a business can be a fulfilling and exciting experience, but it's not all smooth sailing. Sometimes it's more akin to a trip aboard the Titanic. Or it is being stuck on one of those cruise ships where everybody gets food poisoning. It can be beautiful sunsets and neverending Pina Coladas on the upper deck. It can also be dysentery and an unfortunate starboard encounter with an iceberg. And more often than not, it's a little bit of both.

Still, no risk, no reward, right? 

There are plenty of highs and lows when it comes to owning your own business. And even knowing what we know (and what we've seen), we'd throw ourselves onto that ship every single time. But it's a decision everyone has to make for themselves. If you're just starting out or thinking about buying or starting a business of your own, keep in mind some of the high points and the low points you will encounter on the way. 

High - Independence and freedom: One of the biggest perks of owning a business...

Social Media. Love it or hate it, its presence in our personal and professional lives is not going anywhere anytime soon. And for business owners who hope to leverage its power to grow their customer base and reach a larger audience, it can be both rewarding and an absolute nightmare.

The first thing we need to remember is that these platforms are in continuous flux. What worked two months ago may not hold true today. Algorithms change, updates are made, new rules and regulations are created, and restrictions are imposed. 

And all of that falls completely outside of our control. 

That’s why most marketing experts (and us) recommend not putting all your eggs in the social media basket. However, just like an adult-sized bib at a Lobster House, everything has its benefits; you just need to learn how to use it to your advantage. You can’t throw up a handful of posts and then walk away and expect to see any results. It takes consistency, creativity, a lot of trial...