Archive for January, 2008

Startup skills for a t-shirt company

Dear FSB: I am just getting started with my t-shirt company. I need help finding manufacturers or a t-shirt press.

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EBay fee hike sparks seller rebellion

If eBay's fee changes were meant to shore up market share at a time when sellers are increasingly migrating to competitors such as Amazon, initial response suggests it may do the opposite: eBay's veteran sellers are furious, with some forecasting ruin for their businesses.

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Rhinos and maxed credit: Ecko’s start

Fortune Small Business recently sat down with fashion designer Marc Ecko, founder and CEO of Marc Ecko Enterprises, at his Batcave-like headquarters in lower Manhattan. Ecko, 36, told us how he got his burgeoning streetwear empire off the ground. Below are edited highlights from Ecko's conversation with FSB contributor Jessica Harris; for more, see our video of the interview.

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An entrepreneur’s shot at Miss America

Fortune Small Business first met Diana Reed when she was a senior at the University of Iowa, double-majoring in business and dance, starring at football games as one of the Big Ten's top baton twirlers, and running her own for-profit twirling studio on the side. This week, the rest of the world got a look at Reed's talents, as the reigning Miss Iowa twirled her way down the red carpet at the Miss America pageant in Las Vegas.

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SBA set-asides fight goes to Senate

Women's business groups will be rallying at a U.S. Senate hearing today to fight a proposal by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that would limit federal contract set-asides to four, fairly obscure industrial sectors.

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Senate stimulus looks better for biz

The Senate version of an economic stimulus bill, which could come to a vote as soon as this evening, contains several tax provisions intended to benefit small businesses, including some not present in the House bill passed last week.

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Try your luck with these 13 stocks

I'm tapping IQ Trends' Lucky 13 and our other aggressive portfolios for this diverse list of names with a few things in common, including relatively low prices and a track record of raising dividends.

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Follow the new market leaders

Financials may be falling hard, but other segments of the market are healthy. Once the hysteria subsides, a new group of S&P 500 leaders will emerge, and I think these eight stocks will be among them.

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8 ‘doomed’ stocks to bet against

A rough market seems like the right time to hunt for stocks to short -- or at least to run from. My screen turned up some big names with big trouble.

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Where’s a safe harbor now?

With prices and fears on the rise, even investing in providers of staples like food, medicine and utilities hasn't been a good bet. Your next move depends on where you think the economy is going.

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A home buyer’s market? Hardly

Buyers have a tougher time getting loans these days, but there are several ways to improve your chances.

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Stocks sell off, face a difficult open

A late-day rout in financial stocks guts a big rally after the Federal Reserve cuts two key rates. The problem is a downgrade of a big bond insurer. Amazon.com and Starbucks earnings disappoint, and shares move lower. Crude oil moves higher.

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Online Storage Options

As more startups and established companies enter the market for online storage, users can reap the numerous free benefits.

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10 HR Resolutions for 2008

This year, make it your goal to become a better manager. Here's how.

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6 Technology Rules to Thrive

This year, consider implementing these rules that can give your business a boost.

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