Comments on: Small is Not an Excuse

By: Becky McCray

Becky McCray — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 13:00:41 +0000

In reply to Peter La Fond. I'll add that it isn't just California. The US Department of Labor takes a dim view of using volunteer labor anywhere in the USA. For some other ways to find help without hiring, consider these 10 suggestions from 2008. Just be sure everyone is legally compensated.

By: Glenn Muske

Glenn Muske — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 17:08:47 +0000

In reply to Peter La Fond. Thanks for your insight Peter. It reinforces why you need a team of professionals, including an attorney, to help you chart a course for your business.

By: Peter La Fond

Peter La Fond — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 14:45:22 +0000

I recently stumbled across your blog and love the advice these articles provide! For readers and post author, I’d be cautious about taking up certain suggestions. Specifically, recruiting ‘volunteers’ to work in your business. In California, using volunteers in a For-profit enterprise may be illegal and result in a very big fine. Yes, this law is so wrong for many reasons; but it is the law in California (unfortunately). Refer to this article about a Northern California winery being fined over $100k for using volunteers. http://www.mercurynews.com/my-town/ci_26541167/castro-valley-winery-fined-115-000-using-volunteers

By: Learn to get noticed | Rural New York Small Business Owner

Learn to get noticed | Rural New York Small Business Owner — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 11:34:10 +0000

[…] “Take advantage of being small. Call customers by name, carry the products they buy or ask for, and help them find what they want.” Read more. […]

By: Small Biz Survival

Small Biz Survival — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 16:28:15 +0000

Tom Shay sent this comment by email:

I can’t do what the big stores do. Then again, the big stores cannot do what you can do. Wasn’t Wal-Mart’s retiree at the door thought to be Sam’s attempt to retain the small store feeling?

Make a list of the things only you can do and then exploit that list. If you can’t make a list, then you are not giving your customers any reasons to shop at y our business.

Thanks, Tom! Great points.