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Saturday, September 4, 2010 As of 12:58 PM EDT
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New York's Tech Start-Up Scene Comes of Age
Over the last decade, New York has been building a real tech center, where software, media, and ad-related startups are thriving, a venture capital community is growing and serial entrepreneurs are commonplace.

Partners Can Help, or Hinder
For start-ups lacking sufficient cash to survive, a partner with deep pockets may be a more attainable lifeline than traditional sources of funding.
Entrepreneurs Cater to Campaigns
As campaign season ramps up, entrepreneurs that make products designed to help office-seekers and incumbents win votes are bracing for business.
Three Best Ways to Convert Online Prospects Into Clients
You've got a killer website that potential clients are visiting. But how do you turn those visitors into paying customers?
10 Mistakes That Start-Up Entrepreneurs Make
Ready to take the plunge? While there's no guarantee of success, entrepreneurs can at least avoid these common missteps.
- Reaction: Readers post their own top 10 lists
White House Juggles Mideast, Economy
Obama is walking a tightrope between pressing his Mideast foreign-policy priorities and keeping an eye on the economy.
- Capital Journal: Underlying Iraq Strategy Is Iran
What's in a Name? Potential Pitfalls.
Kori Stanton's cookie business seemed to be off to a promising start after it was featured on the "Rachael Ray Show." But the publicity had one unexpected consequence: a company with a different but similar name threatened to sue.
Taking City Dwellers to the Hamptons in Style
For 36 years, the Jitney has maintained a near monopoly on express transportation to the popular summer retreat, drawing passengers with newspapers, snacks and beverages.
Putting Cleveland on Entrepreneurs' Map
Nonprofit business accelerator Jumpstart is working to make Northeast Ohio, once a center of industrial innovation, a good place to start companies again.
Copycat Furniture Makers Thrive
Small furniture makers are shaking up the furniture industry in the Bay Area by copying popular chain store designs for a big discount.
Enterprise Dispatch
This week: Google's Schmidt, BlackBerry maker Research In Motion and others join forces to challenge Apple, and it may be the last chance for small businesses to get an ARC loan.
Small Businesses Fear Hit From Rise in Tax Rates
Some entrepreneurs say the increase in personal tax rates could hurt their ability to make new investments or hire workers.
Need a Lawyer? A Route to Free Legal Advice
As an entrepreneur, you'll inevitably need help to fend off a lawsuit or avoid a legal mess. Here's a way to avoid the bills.
On a Tight Budget? How to Land a Client
To get more customers, you need to market and advertise. But when cash is sparse, it's tough to allocate dollars toward promotional efforts. Here's how 12 creative entrepreneurs do it.
- Start-Ups on a Shoestring
Small Business Casts Hopeful Eye on Lending Bill
Small-business legislation pending in the Senate would aid some profitable firms with tax breaks, but opinions are mixed on the extent to which it would help get credit flowing again.
Enterprise Dispatch
A new robotic lawnmower can detect darting gophers, and a decline in business bankruptcies isn't necessarily good for small businesses.

Journal Reports

Start-Ups on a Shoestring
For many would-be entrepreneurs, money is the insurmountable hurdle. Here's a look at three entrepreneurs who launched companies for less than $150.
- Podcast: Starting Your Endeavor on a Budget
- Read the full Small Business report.
This Week's Tip
Technology Basics for Business
It's tough for any entrepreneur to make it—let alone succeed—without a heavy dose of tech. Here's a primer on what you need.
The Money Hunt
Cash Only, Please
Many cash-only businesses say financial reform doesn't go far enough to encourage them to accept credit cards, as "swipe fees" will likely remain too high.
- Vote: Will your payment policies change?
Small-Business Boss
Chutes & Beers: When Quitters Make Dramatic Exits
Bosses say outrageous or angry resignations can wreak havoc, especially in small workplaces.

Venture Capital Dispatch

Vote and Discuss

Management Headlines

Wall Street's New Power Broker
A former numbers-cruncher at Ford Motor is now one of the most powerful people on Wall Street, whose opinion can sway fortunes and scuttle empires.
Subscriber Content Read Preview

HCL's Extreme Management Makeover
Subscriber Content Read Preview

BK's Strategy: Play Catch-Up

Small Business How-To Guide

How to Decide if Entrepreneurship is Right for You
Starting a business is a lot like becoming a parent. Not only do you have to prepare for your start-up emotionally and financially, but you have to be committed to its constant needs until it's mature enough to hum along on its own. And even then (much like a child) it will always need you in some capacity, no matter how old it gets.
How to Create a Disaster Plan
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Building Your Business

When You're Most Vulnerable to Fraud
Small companies are at their most vulnerable when things are going well—and owners tend to take their eye off the ball. These two entrepreneurs learned that the hard way.
Turning Mess Into Success
Brewing Honest Tea

Technology

Getting Customers to 'Check In' With Foursquare
Small-business owners try the latest free marketing tools: location-based social networks such as Foursquare, Brightkite, Gowalla, Loopt, Whrrl and review heavyweight Yelp.
Baidu's CEO Pursues Growth
Social Media Draws a Crowd

Financing

Slow Gains In Credit For Small Business
The worst may be over for small businesses struggling to obtain credit, but they don't show signs of recovering very quickly, according to officials and business leaders at a one-day Fed conference.
The Art (and Journey) of Raising Funds
Risky 'Search Funds' Draw Dollars

Franchising

Curves Loses Stamina, Closes Clubs
Curves, whose 30-minute workout for women once made it among the world's fastest-growing franchises, seems to be running out of steam.
Sam's Club to Offer Loans Up to $25,000
Have It Whose Way?

Columns

Small talk
By Colleen DeBaise
Small Talk
On franchising
By Richard Gibson
Curves Loses Stamina, Closes Clubs

WSJ Startup Calculator

Starting a business is more expensive than you might think. Have you thought through the assets you need? How about monthly expenses?

Use this startup calculator to figure out the true costs of launching a company. How much do you think it will take to open your business?

From Palo Alto Software, the makers of Business Plan Pro

With inspiration from the Better Business Bureau

Offers

Highlights

U.S. Falls Short in Awarding Small-Business Contracts
A record number of federal dollars went to small businesses in 2009, although the federal government once again missed its annual goal, according to the Small Business Administration's annual scorecard.
'Custom' Is Customary
Demand for customized goods—from specially made toilet paper to one-of-a-kind pet food—is on the rise, business-trend experts say.
- Photos: Entrepreneurs Get Personal
Dot-Jobs Draws Worry
Job-site operators are bracing for an influx of competitors as the dot-jobs domain widens its reach.
Small Firms Lagging, With Bulk of Job Losses
Most of the job losses at the end of last year were concentrated in the smallest firms, underscoring how small businesses are lagging in the economic recovery.
SBA's 7(a) Program in Limbo
The SBA's 7(a) program has been used by nearly 3,000 lenders' loans in the current fiscal year. But the program's extension is in limbo as Congress debates broader small-business legislation.
This Tweet Requires Pen and Ink
Stationery makers have had a consumer insight: People who email, tweet, and update Facebook a lot, like to write. The paper-peddlers are trying to woo these stationery buyers, fans of the cute impulse purchase.
Partisan Clashes Stall Legislation
Partisan feuding dealt setbacks to bills that would help small businesses and address the Gulf oil spill as Congress pushed to wrap up business ahead of its August recess.

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Small Business How-To Guide
Visit our How-To Guide for Small Business to get tips from The Wall Street Journal's reporters and columnists on everything from "How to Pick a Credit Card for Your Business" to "How to Attract Talent to a Small Company."
PODCAST
The Wall Street Journal on Small Business
Insights for starting and running a small business. Tuesdays
THIS WEEK: Hear what motivates a small business owner; the surprising number of companies having trouble filling job openings; and new software that allows small businesses to keep track of what staffers are doing on their work computers.

Top Groups In Small Business

Journal Community

Venture Capital
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This group discusses topics that interest venture capitalists, limited partners, attorneys and venture backed entrepreneurs. The industry is in transition, and many changes taking place in Wall Street, will affect the core VC firm business model.

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WSJ Editor SOHO Business
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This group is about all things SOHO -- single-owner, home-office businesses. We'll talk about setting up a home office and making the home-office business and lifestyle work.

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Creative Freelancers
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For writers, editors, graphic designers, web designers, photographers, PR specialists, and any other independent contractors in a creative field.