• 800-232-LOWE (5693)
  • info@lowe.org
  • 58220 Decatur Road Cassopolis, MI 49031

Don’t Be a Pawn of Perception

“Don’t Be a Pawn of Perception” Alvin Bell Jr., president of Big Pawn Inc. and Freeman Jewelers Inc., wants to grow his Chicago-based businesses further, but licensing and public-relations obstacles stand in his way. Alvin Bell Jr., president of Big Pawn Inc. and Freeman Jewelers Inc., wants to grow his Chicago-based businesses further, but licensing and public-relations obstacles stand in…

Using His Noodle: Pasta pro Richard Thompson pushes the American Italian Pasta Company to number two with clever cost-cutting measures

“Using His Noodle: Pasta pro Richard Thompson pushes the American Italian Pasta Company to number two with clever cost-cutting measures” American Italian Pasta Company went from zero to $371 million market value in ten years by making inexpensive pasta using production efficiencies learned in Italy. This description of the company’s rise is based on a discussion with its founder, Richard…

Plain Talk from Ed Lowe — ‘Sometimes you have to work with an idea to realize its potential. I doubt whether the prehistoric entrepreneur dashed into his cave yelling, ‘I’ve just discovered fire; let’s grill some ribs!” — Ed Lowe

[vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=””][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Our panel of entrepreneurs responds …Better, faster, smarter When I read this quote, I immediately recalled the beginnings of my business (which trains people to become professional coaches). I began with five individuals, training one at a time over the phone. After using this tedious, extremely labor-intensive process for awhile, it dawned on me that I…

An Ear to the Ground

“An Ear to the Ground” It’s easy to become consumed by internal operations, but staying in touch with customers and distributors is key for innovation. A two-part story on innovation, entrepreneurs share their methods for gleaning feedback this month. In November they discuss how to analyze those ideas.Innovation in a vacuum is a recipe for frustration. Fred Lisy learned that…

Delivering Passion, Dedication … and Profits

“Delivering Passion, Dedication … and Profits” Dan Maginn, Douglas Stockman, Jamie Darnell and David Dowell started architectural firm El Dorado Inc., Kansas City, Mo., in 1996 to create smaller-scale projects from schematic design through construction. The firm wildly exceeded revenue goals in 2000 — $894,000 — more than double what they anticipated. Revenue goals for 2001 exceed $1 million, but…

It’s a Small World After All

“It’s a Small World After All” Getting started: a primer on international trade. When you boil it down, international trade is merely another form of market expansion. Yet selling products and services abroad gets dicey because you’re playing under a new set of rules. (See “When in Rome” in the July [2001] issue.)Choosing a path There are numerous ways to…

Join the E-Commerce Revolution — Free

“Join the E-Commerce Revolution — Free” Many small businesses view the Internet as a place to level the playing field against larger competitors. Yet less than 5% of U.S.-based small businesses currently have an e-commerce Web site.If the cost or complexity has stalled your online plans, here’s good news:Bigstep.com offers free e-business Web sites to small businesses. The do-it-yourself site…