Starting Out

Deciding whether you have a business, and what to do first.

49 articles

Phone screen displays ChatGPT prompt 'What can I help with?' on a desk, with a blurred gear icon in the background at left.

Starting OutApril 23, 20266 min read

The 10 AI Prompts Every Entrepreneur Should Have Saved

You didn’t start a business to stare at a blank screen. But here you are — 10 p.m., trying to write a follow-up email, update your website copy, or prep for tomorrow’s pitch. Sound familiar? AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude aren’t just for big tech companies. They’re built for exactly this moment — the…

Tiffany Anton

Starting OutMarch 23, 20265 min read

What Is The Biz Foundry’s Online Start Up Program?

What Is The Biz Foundry’s Online Start Up Program? Starting a business is exciting until the questions start stacking up. Is the idea actually good? Who is it for? How do you talk about it? What do you sell first? What do you charge? What matters right now, and what can wait? That early stage…

Tiffany Anton

Starting OutJanuary 30, 20265 min read

Should You Quit Your Day Job?

Every new entrepreneur eventually asks the same question. It usually sounds like this:“So… when do I quit my job?” to which I respond “should you quit your day job?” And I get it. You want to go all in. You want to burn the ships. You want that dramatic movie moment where you toss your…

Luke Ramey

Starting-a-business-in-the-upper-cumberland

Starting OutJanuary 9, 20263 min read

Why The Upper Cumberland Is A Great Place To Start A Business

Starting a business is terrifying. There is excitement. There is risk. There is the steady hum of an existential crisis asking if you really know what you are doing. I know the feeling well. But here in the Upper Cumberland, when you start a business, it comes with some very real advantages that make the…

Privy Clear

Starting OutNovember 20, 20255 min read

A Small Business Guide to Finding Affordable Coworking and Office Spaces

How to Find Affordable Office Space for Rent as a Small Business Owner If you’re a small business owner, you don’t need an office that impresses people on Instagram. You need a coworking space or office that helps you do better work and make more money. That means a space you can actually afford, that…

Tiffany Anton

Starting OutSeptember 23, 20252 min read

What’s Going On Across the Upper Cumberland — From Jeff Brown

By Jeff Brown, President and CEO at The Biz Foundry. Jeff Brown here from The Biz Foundry. We’ve been busy in Livingston and Overton County lately, and I want to share what’s happening, because the work we’re doing there is just one piece of the bigger picture across all 14 counties we serve. Listening in…

Jeff Brown

Starting OutAugust 26, 20252 min read

Looking Ahead: How Good Is Your Crystal Ball?

By Jeff Brown, President and CEO at The Biz Foundry. When the team asked me to write about the future of small businesses and startups, my first thought was, “Well, my crystal ball isn’t all that clear.” In fact, if anyone out there has figured out how to perfectly predict tariffs, interest rates, or regulatory…

Jeff Brown

Starting OutJuly 1, 20253 min read

Celebrating Independence: What It Really Means to Be a Business Owner

By Tiffany Anton, fireworks fan and founder cheerleader. If you’ve followed me on social media or ever stopped by the office between May and July, you already know that I love the Fourth of July. From the stars and stripes to the grilled hot dogs, fireworks, and warm summer nights, it’s hands-down my favorite time…

Tiffany Anton

Starting OutJanuary 20, 20252 min read

How to Turn Your Weekend Passion Into a Profitable Business

Turning your side hustle into a thriving business isn’t just a dream—it’s totally doable, and I’m here to cheer you on (and give you some solid steps to make it happen). So grab your coffee, get comfy, and let’s talk about taking that passion project of yours to the next level! 1. Make Sure Your…

Kaylin Campbell

Starting OutOctober 30, 20243 min read

How to Have Stress-Free Holidays for Small Business Owners

Stress-Free Holidays for Small Business Owners: Practical Tips for a Smooth Season The holiday season can be an exciting yet overwhelming time for small business owners. Balancing business demands with holiday celebrations often feels like walking a tightrope. With potential for growth (hello, holiday sales!) and a final push to finish the year strong, it’s…

Kaylin Campbell

Starting OutOctober 24, 20244 min read

What is ChatGPT? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

What is ChatGPT? So, you’ve probably heard about the AI (artificial intelligence) ChatGPT, but maybe you’ve also found yourself wondering, “What is it exactly?” Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Just last week, I was talking to a group of people about it, and they looked at me like I was speaking another language. They had no…

Kaylin Campbell

Starting OutOctober 18, 20244 min read

The Fear of Unpaid Invoices: How to Survive This Entrepreneur’s Nightmare

The Fear of Unpaid Invoices October brings spooky things—ghosts, goblins, and if you’re an entrepreneur… unpaid invoices! One of the scariest situations for small business owners is doing the work, delivering the product or service, and then watching payments disappear like a ghost into the night. But just like in any good horror movie, there’s…

Kaylin Campbell

Starting OutSeptember 6, 20242 min read

How to Overcome Common Entrepreneurial Challenges

Overcoming Common Challenges Starting a business is an exciting yet challenging endeavor. Entrepreneurs often face a myriad of obstacles on their journey to success. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just starting out, understanding and overcoming these challenges is crucial. Here’s a guide to navigating some of the most common hurdles entrepreneurs encounter. 1.…

Kaylin Campbell

Starting OutSeptember 3, 20242 min read

What is The Great Lemonade Stand-Off?

Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs Get ready, Cookeville! The Great Lemonade Stand-Off is here, and it’s time for 5th-8th graders to showcase their entrepreneurial spirit. This exciting competition is designed to teach young participants the basics of running a business while having fun. Here’s everything you need to know about this empowering event. Event…

Kaylin Campbell

Starting OutAugust 26, 20241 min read

3 Unique Strategies to Boost Your Resilience

Boosting Your Entrepreneurial Resilience: 3 Unique Strategies Entrepreneurship is tough, but with the right mindset, you can turn challenges into opportunities. Here are three unique ways to boost your resilience and stay motivated. 1. Antifragility: Growing Stronger Through Challenges Antifragility means not just surviving challenges but growing stronger from them. Start by identifying a small…

Kaylin Campbell

Starting OutMay 14, 20243 min read

So You Have a Brilliant Idea… Now What?

From Idea to Business: A Guide for Entrepreneurs So, you have a brilliant idea that you believe can be turned into a successful business. Congratulations! Now comes the exciting part – turning that idea into a start up. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the journey from idea to business: 1. Validate Your…

Kaylin Campbell

Starting OutApril 24, 20242 min read

Why Made Here Market Matters: The Heart Behind it All

The 5th Annual Made Here Market! Made Here Market is about to happen for the 5th year. It is a beloved event in our community. Most people love the chance to wander down Cedar Ave, check out all the inspiring local makers, listen to great music, and grab a bite to eat. But the reason…

Tiffany Anton

Starting OutApril 1, 20242 min read

Don’t Get Fooled: Common Mistakes Made by New Entrepreneurs

April Fool’s Day Mistakes As an entrepreneur or small business owner, starting your own venture can be both exhilarating and challenging. However, in the spirit of April Fool’s Day, let’s take a light-hearted look at some easy mistakes that new entrepreneurs often make, and how to avoid them. Common Mistakes Ignoring Market Research It’s easy…

Kaylin Campbell

Starting OutJanuary 10, 20242 min read

Operating Alone in the Business World

What is an Entrepreneur? Entrepreneur: a person attempting to make a profit by starting a company or operating alone in the business world, especially when it involves taking risks. Cambridge Dictionary Typical. We are defined as operating alone. Why is that? Could it be because we were strong enough to trailblaze our way through life?…

Kaylin Campbell

photo of hands holding 2 sticky notes and one reads employee and the other self-employed

Starting OutNovember 16, 20232 min read

Celebrating Entrepreneurs: Turning Dreams into Reality

Welcome to Entrepreneurs Week, a time to celebrate the visionaries, risk-takers, and dreamers who bring innovation to life. This week, we honor the spirit of entrepreneurship and the individuals who turn ideas into thriving businesses. The Journey BeginsEvery successful business starts with an idea. Entrepreneurs are those brave souls who dare to dream, envision a…

Matt Copeland

Starting Out

Starting OutNovember 1, 20232 min read

Productivity Hacks for Busy Entrepreneurs

As a busy entrepreneur, you juggle multiple roles, tasks, and responsibilities, often feeling like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. The ability to master time management and boost your productivity is a skill that can make or break your entrepreneurial journey. Let’s explore some tips to increase productivity through better…

Matt Copeland

picture of back of woman looking at wall with question marks

Starting OutSeptember 4, 20233 min read

Good Businesses Solve a Problem

Successful businesses have one major thing in common…they solve a problem! So before you go running to a lawyer to form an LLC, let’s figure out if you have the solution to a problem worth solving and how to turn it into a successful business. Complete a Business Model Canvas After noticing a problem in…

Jess Lewis

Starting OutAugust 21, 20234 min read

Employee versus Entrepreneur Mindset: What you need to know

Employee versus entrepreneur mindset – knowing the difference will help you succeed as a business owner. If you’re in the beginning phases of exploring entrepreneurship, it’s vital you take time to get to know yourself a bit better and assess if entrepreneurship is the right path for you. And if you’re already a full blown…

Jess Lewis

photo of man and woman's hands pulling rope in a tug of war game

Starting OutAugust 7, 20233 min read

Why competition is a good thing

What if I told you having business competition is a good thing? It’s true! Why? Well, as the saying goes, “Cream always rises to the top ”. In business, having competition nudges you to simply be better. Yes competition can be scary, but it’s also something that you should value and leverage to boost your…

Jess Lewis

Blue cloudy sky with a yellow street sign that read exit strategy

Starting OutMay 20, 20234 min read

Business Exit Plan: Starting With The End in Mind

Starting a business is exciting and incredibly overwhelming. There are countless things to figure out, check off your list and put in place to turn your idea into a reality. But there is one thing new entrepreneurs often forget to consider thinking through in the midst of the excitement. The end of your business journey…

Jess Lewis

photo of desktop with graph drawn on a piece of paper indicating business growth

Starting OutMarch 10, 20234 min read

Business Growth: Are you ready?

After you get your business launched and operating, growth is typically the next phase. Business growth is a necessary part of your entrepreneurial journey if you want to survive and thrive. And while business growth is exciting, it’s essential that you have some key things in place and have a clear understanding of when your…

Jess Lewis

Starting OutFebruary 17, 20233 min read

The 7 Business Support Services You Need

The Biz Foundry is the hub of entrepreneurship in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee. As a non-profit organization, we offer the entrepreneur community a centralized place to get access to free and affordable business support services needed to succeed. We’ve found that entrepreneurs often struggle with finding the right answers to their questions and…

Jess Lewis

screenshot of the definition of the word FOMO

Starting OutFebruary 10, 20233 min read

Why You Need to Say No to Entrepreneur FOMO

I recently stumbled onto an interesting Forbes article titled, “FOMO May Be A True Liability for Millennial Entrepreneurs. It highlighted why millennials tend to struggle with focus during their entrepreneurial journey. And while the article cited research on this phenomenon largely occurring with millennials, in my experience entrepreneur FOMO occurs often with entrepreneurs of all…

Jess Lewis

Beach shore with words take some time off write in the sand

Starting OutDecember 13, 20223 min read

Entrepreneurs Need Time Off

With the holidays coming next week, now’s a perfect time to talk about taking time off. Most entrepreneurs, myself included, suck at taking time off. We are uber commited to our businesses and customers. We struggle with the anxieties related to stepping away even for a few days. And we rationalize that not taking time…

Jess Lewis

Starting OutNovember 29, 20223 min read

Would You Buy Your Business?

If your business was for sale, would you buy it? Asking yourself that question, definitely makes you analyze the state and health of your business. But most importantly it forces you to understand your “why”. Knowing your why determines all the decisions you make while running your business. And ultimately it dictates if you have…

Jess Lewis

Starting OutNovember 7, 20224 min read

How to Grow Your Business

Starting your business wasn’t easy, and growing it is just as challenging. Some version of growth is necessary for success, but it won’t happen overnight. So today we are diving into the planning, strategy and mindset necessary to reach your growth goals. Defining Success First things first, you need to define what success means to…

Jess Lewis

Starting OutOctober 28, 20224 min read

7 Tips for Becoming a Successful Solopreneur

As a solopreneur myself, I know a thing or two about owning and operating a company of one. It can be the most freeing and rewarding experience of your life. But it isn’t easy and it’s definitely not for everyone. The number one thing solopreneurs need to understand is doing your thing and running a…

Jess Lewis

Starting OutOctober 10, 20223 min read

Tenacity: A Critical Entrepreneurial Skill

Us entrepreneurs are risk-taking, passionate humans on a mission to manifest our dreams and make things happen. We tend to be filled with courage and a willingness to try new things. This is great and absolutely essential to our growth, but an often overlooked skill we must cultivate to be successful is tenacity. What is…

Jess Lewis

Starting OutSeptember 26, 20222 min read

Product-Market Fit: Do you have what people want?

This fancy business concept “Product-Market Fit” means building the right product or service to solve the customer needs. While the concept is simple, nailing it takes a lot of research and effort. Achieving product-market fit might be a lot of work, but if you want a solid customer base and business success don’t skip this…

Jess Lewis

Starting OutAugust 5, 20222 min read

Entrepreneurship and Risk

As the saying goes, No Risk, No Reward––but not everyone handles risk the same. We know entrepreneurship and risk go hand in hand, so let’s dive into the details of this correlation. Entrepreneurs take risks Entrepreneurs tend to gravitate towards higher risk opportunities in hopes of achieving higher rewards (Xu & Ruef, 2004). This means…

Daniel Sukowski

Starting OutJuly 25, 20223 min read

Why you Need to do Customer Discovery

Do you have a business idea, but you’re scared to share it because you fear someone will steal it? Well if you’re serious about your concept, you need to let go of that fear and get to work. First things first, you need to figure out if you even have a viable idea. Will someone…

Tiffany Anton

Starting OutJuly 11, 20222 min read

Entrepreneur Personality Traits – 3 Unique Differentiators

If you’re an entrepreneur, you may wonder why you feel different from non-entrepreneurs? Entrepreneurs tend to be interesting and unique characters. Although they are everyday people, they often differ in expressing personality traits when compared to other people. Kerr et al. (2017) compiled literature pertaining to entrepreneurs’ personality traits and how they differ from the…

Daniel Sukowski

Starting OutJuly 4, 20223 min read

Start Small. Dream Big. – The Power of Beta Testing

If there is one major thing all entrepreneurs have in common it’s that we dream big and get excited easily! Both of these characteristics are great, but if we don’t reign those in we can get into trouble. Successful entrepreneurs embrace the “start small, dream big” mentality and know the power of beta testing. As…

Jess Lewis

Starting OutJune 27, 20222 min read

Entrepreneurship Realities

Most business owners start their ventures because they’re passionate about their craft or concept. That passion fuels their desire to risk it all and launch their business. And while passion plays a role in entrepreneurship, the reality is your passion alone won’t create a successful business. In fact, successful entrepreneurs typically end up doing less…

Jess Lewis

Castaway Picture to symbolize Entrepreneur loneliness

Starting OutApril 5, 20222 min read

Dealing with Entrepreneur Loneliness

Being an entrepreneur often feels like you are living on an island. At first you are super excited – it’s beautiful, the weather is great and things are going smoothly. Then you realize you are all alone and the island is a deserted lonely place. Things are still going well, but the social isolation, lack…

Jess Lewis

Starting OutFebruary 2, 20225 min read

Business Model Canvas 101

Whether you are in the idea phase or currently own a business, the Business Model Canvas is an essential tool for success. It is designed to help you gain clarity on the purpose of your business, uncover your target customer, hone your marketing and ensure you are set up financially and logistically. Testing Your Idea…

Jess Lewis

Starting OutJanuary 18, 20222 min read

Why You Need to Know Your Why

We all start businesses for different reasons and knowing that reason is crucial to your success and longevity as an entrepreneur. Knowing your ‘why’ will help you stay committed to your dream and give you the push you need to overcome the inevitable obstacles on your journey. Whether you want to change the world, have…

Jess Lewis

Global Entrepreneurship Week Founders Spotlight

Starting OutNovember 4, 20211 min read

Celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week

Celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week with us! We are thrilled to partner with the local non-profit Flint Global to bring you our Founder Spotlight event. You will have the opportunity to hear the founders of The Biz Foundry, Flint Global, GoKnee (a local company with a global scale) and eMoney Center (a Tanzanian company) share their…

Jess Lewis

Starting OutOctober 26, 20212 min read

You Don’t Have To Be Amazing To Start

I promise I do have original ideas, but I must admit that I hear a lot of good quotes concerning innovation and entrepreneurship from a lot of different sources. Once again, I am repeating one I heard during television commercials from the Olympics. I believe it was a Toyota commercial that said: “You Don’t Have…

Jeff Brown

Starting OutOctober 19, 20212 min read

Entrepreneurs Need to Know The Enneagram

You may think the enneagram is gimmicky, but the truth is companies are using this popular personal growth tool to grow their businesses. The enneagram is a simple & effective tool that can help you improve yourself and your business. Here are three reasons why entrepreneurs need to know the enneagram: Use Self-Awareness to Boost…

Ashley Michael

Starting OutOctober 5, 20213 min read

Preventing & Dealing with Entrepreneur Burnout

In honor of World Mental Health Day on October 10th, 2021, we are talking about the importance of preventing and dealing with entrepreneur burnout. According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, 25% of entrepreneurs feel moderately burned out at some point in their careers. It’s not uncommon for business owners to suffer from…

Jess Lewis

Starting OutSeptember 20, 20211 min read

10 Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs

Do you have what it takes? Embarking on a journey to open a business is no easy task! Not only does it take a viable, strong business concept and funding, it also takes an individual or group of individuals with a certain set of characteristics. According to Harvard Business School Online there are 10 Characteristics…

Jess Lewis

Starting OutSeptember 13, 20213 min read

Why you need a project manager

Being a successful business owner depends largely on how well you manage all the moving parts of your business. And as you know there are a LOT of moving parts! Let’s explore why a project manager might be the solution to business success. It’s important to realize that every little TASK you have to get…

Jess Lewis

Starting OutAugust 2, 20213 min read

Finally Start Your Business

Do you have an awesome business idea, but you’re hesitating turning into a reality? You aren’t alone! Most starters struggle with launching for one reason… simply not knowing where to start. Yes, there are countless things you need to do and know to start a business, but we are here to show you three ways to overcome that obstacle and launch your business once and for all.

Jess Lewis