Start a Small Business

invoice

6 Things to Include in a Contractor Invoice

By MBO Partners

An invoice may be the last thing that comes to mind when you think of powerful communication tools for your small business, but an invoice that is put together well can enhance your professionalism, make a good impression, and lay the groundwork for a continuing business relationship. An invoice is a permanent record of the…

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consultant

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Small Business?

By MBO Partners

The many administrative and support tasks that must be done to effectively run a business is a big part of every small business owner’s job. Without an organized and well-managed back office, your business can suffer. While larger companies have teams of employees and individual departments to handle these types of tasks, when you run your…

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consultant

Independent Contractor vs Consultant: What’s the Difference?

By MBO Partners

There are 64.6 million independent workers in 2022 self-employed Americans today working as consultants, freelancers, contractors and more. This independent workforce touches all segments of the economy—from on-demand drivers and freelance writers to marketing professionals and website designers serving major companies. With so many types of independent workers, what do the terms independent consultant and…

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consultant

How to Build a Million Dollar Small Business: 4 Steps

By MBO Partners

Whether your goals for pursuing self-employment are financial, lifestyle, or interest based, choosing to go independent means just that—you have the choice to build a business that allows you to live your life the way you want to live it. Today, more people than ever are pursuing an independent career and year after year, more…

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consultant working

How to Write a Business Plan for Small Business: 8 Steps

By MBO Partners

There is a lot of planning and preparation required to start your own business. One of the most important steps of this process is creating a business plan. Below, we review eight steps to help you create a simple business plan as you begin your small business. 1. Outline Your Offerings Focus your initial business…

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consultant

How to Become a Self Employed Consultant: 5 Steps to Starting Right

By MBO Partners

While becoming an independent contractor may sound great, you might not feel 100% ready. Being confident in your decision is important, and luckily there’s a lot you can do to prepare for self-employment so you feel completely informed in your choice. Building a strong networking base, preparing financially, and establishing the unique services you bring…

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consultant with paper work

When to Transition to Independent Consulting from a Full Time Job

By MBO Partners

If you are considering quitting full-time employment for a career as an independent consultant, here are several key factors that can help you determine if (and when) this transition is right for you. 1. You are financially ready There’s no magic number needed to quit one’s job and make the leap to self-employment, but typically…

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consultant

How to Break Away from the Corporate Employment Model as an Independent Professional

By MBO Partners

Going out on your own and starting a solo business can be both intimidating and daunting. When transitioning to self-employment, you’re leaving behind the safety net you had as an employee—healthcare and retirement benefits, a boss who directs your work, and an employer who pays half of your Social Security and Medicare taxes. But as…

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consultants

10 Self Employment Myths

By MBO Partners

Why is self-employment appealing? Being your own boss, working when and where you like, and turning your passion into a career are just a few of the perks. But people are often hesitant to make the leap due to concerns about job security, experience level needed, or income potential. However, many of these fears lack…

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linkedin

How to Get Your Small Business Set Up on LinkedIn

By MBO Partners

While LinkedIn is well known as the largest social media network for professionals, it’s not just for creating personal pages. Currently, more than 58 million companies have a company page on LinkedIn. A company page on LinkedIn can be a great way for independent consultant to promote their services and network with clients and industry peers. Add Your…

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