Entrepreneur Magazine: September 2002

Practice Makes Perfect
Introducing the top innovators of...1989. As you would imagine, they've done a lot more innovating in the meantime.

Undefeated Seasons
It's been a year since September 11 made Americans ask how we would ever get back to business as usual. How have business owners fared? Resisting the dual forces of terror and recession proved to be a challenge entrepreneurs were able to step up to.

Through the Roof
You have two options: Find a way around skyrocketing health-care costs or start keeping more Kleenex around the office.



Be Your Own Boss Features
Keep Thinking
Follow the lead of these franchisees who took their ideas to the corporate office and changed the way their franchises did business.

Looks Like Rain
If you've thought and thought and still haven't come up with any great ideas, don't sweat. We've got the tips to turn your bone-dry brainstorming sessions into hurricane-force innovation.

Biz 101
Turning the Tables
Bigwigs are stirring up the kids' furniture market. But when the sawdust settles, entrepreneurs prove they can play, too.

Movin' on Up
Two winning teams of MBA students get a rise out of vying for investors' attentions.

Innovations
Lighting the Way
In the dark because your oddball product doesn't fit with buyers? There is success at the end of the tunnel.

Opportunities
Family Affair
Even after all these years, a franchisee still finds warmth in a chilly business.

Rescue Me
This franchisee saves homes and offices from computer viruses, crashes and other catastrophes.

What's New 09/02
Help for entrepreneurs and franchisees

Smart Ideas
Simple Pleasures
Choosing not to put her profits into one basket, an entrepreneurial gourmand is now savoring the sweet taste of success.

What's Your Problem?
Granting Your Wishes
Award money can help finance your start-up, but be careful in taking its availability for granted.

Almost Famous
Two's the Charm
Entrepreneurship is in these sisters' blood, but friendship is what has made them inseparable business partners.

Editor's Note
Forgot Your Change?


Insurance
Inner Turmoil
An employee crime spree? Make sure you're covered.

Legal
Shut Up Already!
No matter what the charges are, taking out an ad to defend yourself isn't a good idea--at least until the Supreme Court has its say.

Management Buzz
Management Buzz 09/02
Helping new employees get acclimated; why including your employees is a good thing

Smart Moves
New Perspective
Role-playing can help you see the future through someone else's eyes.

Staff Smarts
The Late Show
Does it seem like your employee's procrastination problem is in repeats? It's time to find a solution or say your goodbyes.

A+ Ads
Post With the Most
Why mailings need an additional zip

Breakthrough
King of the Mountain
He didn't let big companies snow on his parade.

Marketing Buzz
Marketing Buzz 09/02
Sell better by understanding the six different customer types; how to respond to bad press

Real Deal
Digging Up the Dirt
By scouring the public record, deal-makers can play detective, too.

Sales Force
Show Business
Learn essential lessons from the silver screen with these A-list sales movies.

Sales Success
Kick It Up
Your sales techniques can pack a punch with strategies borrowed from the martial arts.

Tactics
Get a Hue!
Clueless about colors for your fall marketing campaign? Shades affect sales more than you think.

Dollar Signs
Woe Is the CFO
These days, CFO may have more responsibility than the acronym was meant to handle. Does yours have what it takes to handle the scrutiny and the pressure?

Funds
Data Mining
There's gold in them thar numbers.

Money Buzz
Money Buzz 09/02
The end of state homestead exemptions may be in sight, credit and debit cards join forces, and more.

Raising Money
Hold On to What's Yours
Get the money you need without giving up too much of the company.

Tax Talk
All the Perks
Small businesses deserve some big-business treatment.

Biz Travel
Flying Solo
Pay more for a travel agent? Why not just go online?

Books
Lub-Dub
Change can be business CPR, but you have to do it right.

Brand Aid
Bear Market
How one company repositioned itself for a plush success story

Capitol Issues
Playing BRIDGE
Grow your business with help from your own tax dollars.

Flash
Flash 09/02
Debunking the eBay myth, making Segways legal and more

Hot Seat
Double Your Fun
Carl Prindle gives a dotcom disaster one more chance--and this time, he's in charge.

It Figures
It Figures 09/02
Who's using broadband, how men and women evaluate Web sites and more

Smarts Features
Calling Security
Are you taking advantage of the post-9/11 boom in security technology?

Been There, Done That
Growing an entrepreneurial empire? Turn to the big names in business if you need help.

Young Is Old
Maybe youthful energy can't quite top the experience that comes with age after all.

Smoke Screening
Some employees have to take workplace smoking policies home with them.

Home, Cheap Home
Looking to hit young adult consumers where they live? Try their parents' houses.

National Interests
Entrepreneurship isn't all about money--it's nothing less than the American way.

Snapshot
Steve Richardson
63, Chief Tormenter of Stave Puzzles Inc. in Norwich, Vermont

Tech Toy
Write Away
Can't type worth a darn? Not to worry. Now you can handwrite your info on your computer.

Wheels
Make It a Combo
No need for a fleet of sedans and cargo vans. One SUV will do it all.

Women
The Opposite Sex
Women in search of money still face a man's world.

Buyer's Guide
Forage for Storage
It's cheap, convenient and keeps your files secure. No wonder entrepreneurs are getting attached to NAS.

Cool Clicks
Cool Clicks 09/02
The importance of ergonomics; the latest search engine to give Google a run for its money

Digital Edge
Wreck-Ware
P2P exposes you to attack from hackers looking to filch files. Here's how to avoid a swap-and-run.

Gear
Gear 09/02
A low-cost laser printer; a PowerBook for graphic artists

Hot Disks
Hot Disks 09/02
Tinkering with your photos, protecting your PC and more

Net Profits
The Search Is On
Small-business owners are clamoring to add search functions to their Web sites. Should you join the hunt for one, too?

Tech Buzz
Tech Buzz 09/02
Cordless phones with mobile-style features; is it a deck of cards or a computer?

Wireless
Say Cheese!
A picture is worth a thousand words to cell phone carriers.

Think Before You Plan
Are you really getting the most for your buck?