“The big thing is a lot of people think you have to spend a ton of money to get started, and you really don’t,” says Kevin Wyas, founder of ECRI. Wyas says you’re better off starting small …

Alisa Lawler, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development with Multipli Credit Union, says many employees ask their human resources director about borrowing money from their 401(k) plan. …

Thor and Catherine Bersted started Lavender Falls Farm without a business loan. In this candid conversation four years into the venture, they share their personal ups, downs, doubts, and the lessons …

“The diversification of our company, not just geographically, but also in those vertical markets that we serve is huge,” says Gregg Scholtens, Executive Vice President for Nabholz Construction in …

Katie Baker, owner of The Gracious Plate, says the biggest challenge for a new business is making sure the money you have coming in covers your expenses. While renting a kitchen lessened expenses and …

“I think it’s really important when you’re starting a business to create good quality relationships. You want to find someone who has experienced starting a business,” says Debra Horn, Senior …

Debra Horn, Senior Associate with BKD, LLP, says it’s critical to keep track of cash flow in your startup. “Don’t mix your personal cash with your business cash. So you’re going to want to …

Trevor Croley, President of Croley Insurance and Financial, says one of the first business books he read was Donald Trump’s “The Art of the Deal.” Croley says while he didn’t think it was …

“What we’ve tried to accomplish is more of an experience,” says David Burnett, Mt. Vernon Community Bank President, Mid-Missouri Bank. Burnett says customers should feel free to come in and use …

Ultimately, I was trying to do everything myself — owner, chef, grocery shopper, all of the titles that generally small business owners have — I was trying to do it all,” says Katie Baker, …

“I had some money that was left from my inheritance from my father, and the rest of the financing I got through a home equity loan,” says John Twomey, owner of Bits of Britain Cafe. Twomey says …

“When we talk about open book management, all we’re doing is teaching people about money and specifically in business,” says Steve Baker, Vice President at The Great Game of Business. Baker …

Protect your company against fraud. Summer Massey, Loan Manager at Arvest Bank and Kala Forehand, Treasury Management Adviser at Arvest Bank, have tips to guard against internal and external fraud in …

“I’ve always been an open book management type person when it comes to running events,” says Nate Reed, Associate Director of Events with the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Missouri Chapter. …

“Surprisingly, many of them do not live a lavish lifestyle,” says Scott Hutson, Senior Commercial Account Executive with Mediacom. “Reminded me of Sam Walton driving the old truck.” Hutson …

“He continues to give me advice today,” says Shane Cowger, Sales Manager at Arvest Bank. “I’ve seen him when he was in that workforce. I saw some of the things that he did, didn’t fully …

“Always ask the right questions to uncover the need,” says Melissa Sorah, who works in sales at Youngblood Nissan. “Nine times out of ten people don’t like anyone in sales because the top …

Andrew Denney, President and CEO of Prosperity Financial Group says you need to have a clear goal and a clear vision when starting a business. “I think so much when people start their own business, …

“I think they have the big dream of the pie in the sky — of wanting to own their own business and work for themselves,” says Scott Tennison, Vice President of Guaranty Bank. “What they …

“We received our initial investment, which was a great start up investment. Any founder would have loved to have had that,” says Charity McGill, CEO and Co-founder of Deep Water Software. “At …