I tend to avoid the relatively new trend of LinkedIn “collaborative articles” where you’re asked to chime in as an expert to answer a question. These AI-generated questions tend to attract AI-generated answers, and, in my opinion, are ruining the genuine connections that made LinkedIn interesting. By Jack Monson
What are the biggest challenges for opening a new business in 2025? Many say the hurdles include real estate and borrowing money. I had the privilege of moderating a webinar last month with three professionals whose expertise is helping new small-business owners get their doors open faster. By Jack Monson
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays. That sounds ridiculous right now but guess what… the holidays will be here before you can blink. By starting your business’s holiday preparations now, you will have the best chance to thrive during the busiest time of the year. By Jack Monson
Want to move your business forward this year? This may be the year to look backward. Nostalgia marketing is tapping into powerful emotions and sentiments that customers associate with positive experiences from their own past. By Jack Monson
The government does not want you to own a house or own a car. It doesn’t even want you to travel too much. But it especially does not want you to own a business. Want proof? Anything federal, state or local governments want to discourage is highly taxed and regulated. By Jack Monson
This summer I had the good fortunate to hit episode 1,000 with the Social Geek Podcast. Many episodes over the past 14 years have featured entrepreneurs and franchising professionals talking about leadership. So, I thought it might be fun to talk to some of the best in the business about leadership. By Jack Monson
Building your own successful business is demanding and challenging. It’s easy to get off-track and unmotivated. But as an entrepreneur, staying motivated throughout the journey is critical! By Jack Monson
For small businesses, video has emerged as the dominant force in storytelling and branding. If you’re not currently using video to engage your customers and compel new prospects to engage with you, it’s time to consider it as part of your content strategy. By Jack Monson
Sergio came to America from Europe 21 years ago to take a logistics position at a Fortune 100 company in the Northwest. Several years later, cutbacks and layoffs occurred, and he needed to make a change. There were no similar corporations in the region and very few good job opportunities. Furthermore, Sergio saw that starting over with another company would probably lead to more of the same. By Jack Monson
Franchising is a highly competitive and dynamic business environment. With so many brands and concepts vying for entrepreneurs’ attention and so many local business owners competing for consumers’ attention, it’s essential for all of us to establish our own personal brands to stand out and succeed. By Jack Monson