Starting a business is one of the most optimistic things a person can do. It's also one of the riskiest. According to recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data, 20.4% of businesses fail in their first year and nearly half don't make it to five years. The good news: most of the mistakes that sink new ventures are avoidable — if you know what to watch for before they catch up with you.Launching Without a Written Plan
It's tempting to skip the business plan when you're eager to get moving. But a written plan
Starting a sustainable business is one of the strongest positioning moves available to a first-time founder today. Ecopreneurship — building a business that treats environmental responsibility as a core operating principle, not an afterthought — is no longer a niche angle. Even amid inflation, consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable goods, spending an average of 9.7% more for sustainably produced or sourced products, according to PwC's 2024 survey of over 20,000 consumers across 31 countries.
49.4% of businesses don't survive five years, according to 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data — and the ones that make it aren't luckier, they're better prepared. In Jackson, where the regional economy runs on manufacturing, healthcare, and independent business, that preparation starts with a handful of decisions most new owners delay until they're in trouble.Your Legal Structure Determines Your Federal Tax Return
Entity selection feels like paperwork. It isn't. The legal form you choose — sole
In the digital age, first impressions often come in pixels, not handshakes. An online portfolio is the handshake, the suit, the office lobby, and the coffee all in one. It doesn’t just display work; it signals a standard, a tone, and a promise. When potential clients bounce in under thirty seconds, it’s rarely because the work isn’t good—it’s because something between the scroll and the silence felt off.
Your Work Isn't the Problem—Your Storytelling Is
A portfolio can showcase beautiful visuals or
What New Jackson-Area Business Owners Get Wrong — And How to Fix It
Your Greenprint: How Jackson County Entrepreneurs Can Build a Profitable Eco-Friendly Business
The Early Investments That Decide Whether Your Jackson Business Lasts Five Years
Looks Great, But No One’s Clicking: The Cost of a Bad Online Portfolio
