Entrepreneur Magazine: December 2003

Driven to Success
With incentives, tax breaks and price wars sweetening the pot, there's never been a better time to shop for new business vehicles. Let our guide to commercial vehicles get you started.



Be Your Own Boss Features
New in Town
Get geared up for 2004 with today's freshest franchising concepts.

Great Escape
All wound up about what kind of business to start? Then take a hint from the millions of Americans looking to break away from the daily grind--head to a day spa.

Biz 101
Growing Up
Want to start an artistic business? A creative incubator could be just what you need to come out of your shell.

Roast of the Town
Fed up with working for others, one couple decided to take a stand—a barbecue stand, that is.

Two in One
Finding an investor is great. But finding an investor who's also a mentor? Now you're talking.

Youthful Optimism
Need a dose of inspiration? These stories about young, successful entrepreneurs will fire you up.

Innovations
Warm Reception
How you can revolutionize a stagnant product on a limited budget and still win over your target market

Opportunities
Perfect Timing
What do you do when your company decides to go the franchising route? Join in on the fun, of course.

Ultimate Makeover
Appearances aren't everything at this skin-care salon.

What's New 12/03
Healthy meals make a splash.

Real Life
Speed Bumps
Jack and Diane find a few surprises waiting for them as they move closer to realizing their goal.

Smart Ideas
Smells Like School Spirit
When it comes to designing quality collegiate purses, it looks like these sisters-in-law have bagged a winner.

Success Coach
Take a Breather
Can't seem to cut that monstrous to-do list down to size? Maybe it's time to relax, step back and regroup.

What's Your Problem?
Treasure Hunt
Hit the mark when you're hunting for products to sell.

Almost Famous
Mint Condition
With a fresh, funky twist on a familiar product, one candyman gets a taste of small-business success.

Editor's Note
Best of Times


Feedback
Feedback 12/03
Letters from our readers

Resources
Resources 12/03
Web sites, organizations, events and more to grow your business

Creative Zone
Fuel the Fire
Seven tips to keep your company's creativity sizzling

Insurance
A Closer Look
Will your agent need to visit your business before writing a policy?

Legal
Losing Battle?
It may be tempting to sue when someone bashes your company online, but free speech has the upper hand.

Management Buzz
Management Buzz 12/03
Determining who's an employee and who's not; hiring vets might be your best bet

Real Deal
Don't Cry Over . . .
Everyone strikes a bad deal at one time or another. The key is to learn from your mistakes.

Smart Moves
A Tight Ship
Profitability management helped PC maker Dell pull off a turnaround. Can it help you do the same?

Staff Smarts
An Art in Itself
Managing your creative employees can be a challenge, but doing it well is crucial to your business.

A+ Ads
Measuring Up
Side-by-side comparison ads can persuade prospects to buy in the blink of an eye.

Ask the Expert
To the Letter
How to really reach out with a newsletter

Marketing Buzz
Marketing Buzz 12/03
The golden state bans unsolicited e-mail.

Net Sales
What a Deal!
Attract customers with online coupons.

Retail Register
In the Spotlight
Choosing products for ad campaigns

Sales Force
End Game
The year's almost over, but it's no time to let your guard down. What can you do to keep sales from going into hibernation?

Sales Success
Star Power
Want to pump up sales? Then think like a stellar sales champion, and watch your business shoot through the roof.

Tactics
No Regrets
Didn't get the results you wanted from your marketing this year? You can get a fresh start in 2004.

Dollar Signs
Going Private?
For companies tired of taking a beating in the market, deregistration may be a temporary shelter in the storm.

Funds
Anything Goes
Here's a top-performing fund that's got flexibility on its side.

Money Buzz
Money Buzz 12/03
The state of VC investments in minority-owned firms, the rising cost of audits and accounting, and more

Personal Finance
How Low?
With new tax brackets, now's the time to lower your withholding.

Raising Money
New or Used?
Buying an existing business may get lenders on your side faster than building from scratch.

Tax Talk
For a Limited Time
Want to take advantage of the cut in dividend taxes? You'll need to strike while the iron's hot.

Biz Travel
Spacing Out
How to avoid the big squeeze on your next business flight

Books
Silver Lining
How looking on the bright side can help you run your business

Capitol Issues
Taking Credit
Washington shields businesses from identity theft losses.

Hot Seat
Charity Begins at Work
Here's one entrepreneur with divine inspiration.

It Figures
It Figures 12/03
The popularity of e-mail, complaining customers and more

Point/Counterpoint
Washington Watch
Congressional representatives discuss the state of small business in today's economy.

Smarts Features
A Happy New Year?
Experts weigh in on whether 2004 will be the year the economy turns around.

Easy Read
Build business relationships with a company blog.

Overtime Overhaul?
Congress challenges proposed changes to overtime eligibility.

Show of Good Faith
It's more important than ever to show customers you'll keep their information private.

Who's Next?
Strategies for prepping the next generation of employees

No Options
The big guys may be letting stock options go, but should you?

Office Space
The office of tomorrow might look the same, but it sure acts different.

On Location
Making your business the star of the big screen could mean big bucks and local exposure.

Spin City
How do you weather a PR crisis—and come out on top?

Snapshot
George Antoniadis
42, founder of Alpha Flying Inc. in Manchester, New Hampshire

Tech Toy
Tee Time
A high-tech way to improve your golf swing

What's the Point?
Family Circle
Make the most of your family business by managing these five resources.

Wheels
Road Rewards
Ready to treat yourself? Here are three luxury roadsters to choose from.

Women
Teaching by Example
Mothers and daughters discuss the impact of entrepreneurship on their relationships.

Buyer's Guide
Crystal Clear
Sure, they're a little pricey. But it's plain to see that oversize flat-panel displays can be great investments for your business.

Digital Edge
Powering Up
Is Linux really ready to be plugged in to the desktop? The answer is at your fingertips.

Gear
Gear 12/03
A professional-looking digital camera, the most versatile DVD recorder and more

Hot Disks
Hot Disks 12/03
Eliminating your paper trail, a mobile phonebook and more

Hot Topic
Ahead of the Pack
Small businesses are zipping past bigger companies on the tech-investment track.

Net Profits
A World of Goods
In spite of the risks, there are lots of great reasons to start thinking about going global.

Solutions
Eye on the Prize
Keep your business secure even when you're away—try a wireless surveillance device on for size.

Spotlight
Magic Touch
With a few tricks up their sleeves, two brothers take PC design to a whole new level.

Tech Buzz
Tech Buzz 12/03
Improving your business's Web search status; a full office suite for next-to-nothing

Wireless
To the WiMAX
A new protocol spices up the 802.x alphabet soup.

Let's Chat
Instant messaging hits the road.