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By Deb Ammerman Imagine walking into two different businesses. In the first, no one acknowledges you. Employees seem distracted. Questions are answered with one-word responses. You leave feeling like just another transaction. In the second, you’re greeted by name. Someone remembers your last visit. They ask about your family, your business, or the project you […]
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For many small business owners, advertising can feel overwhelming. Between managing day-to-day operations, helping customers, paying bills, and trying to grow, marketing often becomes something pushed to the bottom of the list. The good news is that advertising does not have to cost thousands of dollars to be effective. With the right strategy, even businesses […]
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In today’s fast-moving business world, success is rarely built alone. Behind almost every thriving entrepreneur is a strong network of supporters, customers, business partners, and community connections. Whether you own a small local business, operate an online company, or are just getting started, networking and social media can become two of the most powerful tools […]
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By Deb Ammerman Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the state of the world. If you talk with other business owners, you can feel it almost immediately. There’s a quiet tension in the air. Conversations often turn to uncertainty—economic concerns, global events, technological change, and the constant stream of news that never seems to […]
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Making Connections That Count – Turning Clicks into Real Relationships In business, relationships are everything. Not just transactions. Not just quick likes. Not just business cards exchanged at networking events. Real relationships — the kind that build trust, referrals, collaborations, and long-term growth. At Small Business Showcase Digital Magazine, our website isn’t just a place […]
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Why Throwbacks, Old-School Vibes, and “Remember When?” Moments Work Like MagicBy Small Business Showcase Digital Magazine If you’ve ever caught yourself smiling at the sight of a retro logo, humming along to a jingle you haven’t heard in 20 years, or saying, “Oh wow, I totally had one of those!”—congratulations. You’ve experienced one of the […]
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How to Market a Niche or Controversial Product: Smart Strategies for Standing Out Without Stirring Trouble Every so often, a business owner reaches out with a question that hits right at the heart of real-world entrepreneurship. Recently, a viewer asked: “How do you market a product that’s niche—and maybe even a little controversial?” It’s a […]
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Ignite Your Next Chapter: Why You MUST Be at the Women’s Entrepreneur Summit- Round Tables for Success. Experts agree in today’s economy, isolation is the number one threat to a woman’s entrepreneurial success. The solution isn’t just a networking event; it’s a strategically built ecosystem of support. That is precisely why Cindy Cohen so thrilled […]
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Keeping Creativity Alive – Why Making Art Matters More Than Ever In a world that moves faster every day, where emails, deadlines, and endless to-do lists compete for our attention, it’s easy to let creativity slip quietly to the back burner. Many of us think of art as a luxury—something “extra” we’ll get to once […]
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Traci Winston Williams – Building Business, Spreading Awareness, and Creating Community If there’s one word that describes Traci Winston Williams, it’s unstoppable. As the founder of Unique Boutique International LLC, BMWS Housing, and the president of H.O.T. Hear Our Tears, she has created businesses that not only serve her community but also amplify her mission […]
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Celebrate Without Breaking the Bank – Discover the Good Samaritan Event Center In a quiet suburb of South Bend, there’s a hidden gem where memorable celebrations don’t come with a hefty price tag. The Good Samaritan Event Center (GSEC) believes every event should be remarkable—without stretching your budget. What sets GSEC apart is its deep […]
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Social Media Tips for Time-Strapped Business Owners By Deb Ammerman | Small Business Showcase Digital Magazine Let’s face it—running a business is a full-time job (and then some). Between managing customers, handling operations, and trying to have a life, social media often falls to the bottom of the to-do list. But in today’s connected world, […]
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The Power of Referrals – How to Get Them and Keep Them Coming By Small Business Showcase Digital Magazine If you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or service provider, you already know this truth: word of mouth is gold. Referrals are one of the most powerful — and cost-effective — ways to grow your business. […]
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By Small Business Showcase Digital Magazine Staff In today’s fast-paced, scroll-and-go world, it’s easy to overlook one of the most effective and affordable marketing tools available: email marketing. Yep, that trusty old inbox is still one of the best places to build relationships, drive repeat business, and grow your bottom line. But if you’re a […]
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Tradeshow Booth Advice from Zipp Printing It’s Tradeshow Season! That magical time when booths pop up like spring flowers, swag flies through the air, and networking happens over tiny cups of coffee. Let’s be honest—trade shows can be awesome… or awkward. If your booth looks like a nap trap and your team is counting ceiling […]
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Networking with Intentionality Networking is more than just arriving to an event, loaded with cards and materials to promote you and your business and hoping for the best. There is a strategy involved. 1. What is your goal for this event? I often “declare” how many new connections I will make today before I attend an event. […]
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The Art of Business Branding: A Designer’s Perspective As a graphic designer with over 30 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of businesses, from startups to established corporations. Throughout my career, I’ve come to understand the profound impact that effective business branding can have. In this article, I’d […]
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Turning First-Time Buyers into Loyal Customers As a business owner, I understand the tremendous value of turning first-time buyers into loyal customers. Acquiring new customers is undoubtedly important, but it’s equally crucial to cultivate lasting relationships that result in repeat business. Through my own experiences, I have discovered some effective strategies that can help any […]
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Grins and Deals: Embracing Humor in the Sales Circuit – Finding Joy in the Sales Grind: Harnessing Humor for Success Salespeople, the unsung heroes of the business world, face a unique challenge every day. From charming customers to closing deals, the life of a salesperson is a rollercoaster of emotions. To celebrate the quirks, the […]
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Networking has been around as a buzz word for a long time. By Kathy Hoover In the late 1980’s and 1990’s is when it became the main way to gain new professional connections, new prospective clients, new ideas and new social contacts. Many times we leave an event feeling on top of the world because […]
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Ditch the Cubicle, Embrace the Freedom – A Beginner’s Guide to Freelance Marketing Gone are the days of the chained-to-your-desk, fluorescent-lit office grind. Today, the world of marketing is brimming with opportunity for the adventurous souls who crave flexible hours, unlimited coffee breaks, and the thrill of being their own boss. Welcome to the exciting realm […]
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The Secret Sauce of Success: Embracing Company Culture in Small Business Hey fellow small business rockstars! Today, let’s talk about something more critical than morning coffee and Wi-Fi – company culture. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Culture, schmulture, I’m just here to keep the lights on.” But trust me, my entrepreneurial amigos, the secret […]
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Building your Network, Increase your Credibility. How Confident are you when connecting others? Do you actively seek connections for other business owners? If you don’t, you are missing a valuable Relationship Building, Credibility Building tool in your toolbox. One of my goals when I first began Networking, was to build a group of trusted professionals […]
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People you meet Networking. Dr. Ivan Meisner, Chief Visionary Officer and Founder of BNI once asked these questions…. “By a show of hands, how many of you came to sell something to someone today?” Nearly all the hands in the room went up. “Now, how many of you by show of hands came to buy […]
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Freelancer Frenzy – Conquering Workload, Hitting Deadlines, and Avoiding Burnout Juggling multiple projects, chasing deadlines, and battling the ever-present email monster – freelancer life can be exhilarating, yes, but also utterly chaotic. Before you reach peak overwhelm and spontaneously combust, fret not! Let’s delve into some battle-tested strategies to keep your workload in check, deadlines […]
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Enliven Collective Marketing: A Vision Brought to Life Jacob Fleming spent years crafting marketing campaigns for businesses nationwide, honing his expertise in SEO, social media, website design, and digital advertising. Despite working with top agencies, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. His full potential hadn’t been explored, and his ideas weren’t always […]
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5 Print Design Tips to Keep Your Printer (and Sanity) Happy From your friends at: Designing for print isn’t just about making things look pretty—it’s about making sure your beautiful creation doesn’t turn into a pixelated, misaligned disaster once it leaves your screen. At Zipp Printing, we’ve seen it all, and trust us, a little […]
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What does your Brand represent? When looking at your Brand, accountability may be the furthest from your mind, however, whether we realize it or not, our accountability can gain or lose us business, thus impacting our Brand. To whom are you accountable? Here are a few of my accountability partners: • Me! I must discipline […]
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Going Up? Have you created your Elevator Pitch yet? What is an elevator pitch? 1. It is a way to share in less than 60 seconds enough about your company that invites someone to want to learn more. 2. It is NOT a way to “sell” your products, services, or you to anyone. Think […]
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Mastering Facebook Marketing: What Every Business Owner & Entrepreneur Needs to Know… In today’s digital age, navigating the expansive world of social media is crucial for any business owner or entrepreneur aiming to thrive. Among the myriad platforms available, Facebook remains a heavyweight champion. With over 2.9 billion monthly active users, it’s a vast ocean […]
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As a business owner, navigating the world of entrepreneurship is like managing a small, unpredictable zoo. Every day brings new challenges and rewards, and I’ve found that focusing on five key goals helps keep things running smoothly: cash flow, profit, growth, satisfaction, and harmony. Let’s dive into these goals with a light-hearted yet informative perspective. […]
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Riverbend Apparel and Promotions: A Family’s Journey Through Adversity to Success When Becky Mackowicz decided to take a leap of faith in October 2019 and purchase Riverbend Apparel and Promotions with her husband John, she had no idea what challenges lay ahead. As a branding company specializing in embroidery and screen printing on promotional items […]
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Remembering Names: A Simple Skill That Can Transform Your Networking Game By Deb Ammerman, Editor-in-Chief, Small Business Showcase Digital Magazine As Editor-in-Chief of Small Business Showcase Digital Magazine, I meet dozens of new people every month—business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Each introduction is an opportunity to make a connection and build a relationship. But […]
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Why is your business better than your competitors? Before you can ask someone to refer to you and your business, you must determine what sets you apart from your competition. What your WHY is not: It isn’t full service or great customer service. Almost every business will tell you that they offer that. It isn’t […]
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Melissa Keusch: Taking Zipp Printing to New Heights For Melissa Keusch, becoming the majority owner of Zipp Printing in 2023 realized a dream she didn’t even know she had. Since its founding in 1987, Zipp Printing has been a staple in Mishawaka, known for its exceptional quality and personalized service. However, Melissa’s leadership has allowed […]
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How do Manners help you Network? In this fast paced world of ordering with a click of a button. Home delivery of most anything you want. Watching YouTube videos to build, inform and instruct you through most of your activities. It is easy to forget the human side of all transactions. “Nothing Happens unless somebody […]
