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archive

October 27, 2009

Bold Ventures

Web entrepreneur lets popular interests drive content
Richard Rosenblatt said he quickly got bored practicing law, so he began looking for business opportunities -- first in advertising, then online. His current company, Demand Media, attracted 52 million visitors to its Web sites last month; according to estimates, it will bring in an estimated $200 million in revenue in 2009. The secret: Use search-engine technology to discover what people are curious about, then create low-cost content around those subjects. USA TODAY (10/25)

Travel business gets a shot in the arm
Fran Lessans was running a university health services office when she realized many people had no idea how remain healthy while traveling abroad. That insight led to Passport Health, which provides vaccines and counseling to international travelers. More than 160 franchise locations deliver up to 40,000 inoculations per month, helping push revenue to $37 million in 2008. CNNMoney.com/Fortune Small Business (10/26)

Partnering for Cures: Dec. 1-3
Join experts in medical research at this inaugural FasterCures meeting. Uniting the passion of medical research foundations, the power of philanthropy, and the focus of biopharmaceutical companies, this meeting will catalyze a more effective and efficient medical research enterprise. www.partneringforcures.org.

Finance & Growth

Public relations gets more public
Many public relations agencies are bypassing reporters and going straight to the public using YouTube videos and other online content. Some businesses are following suit, creating their own marketing materials and publishing them directly to their customers via the Web. Advertising Age (10/26)

Making sure you get the credit you need
Most entrepreneurs fund their startup companies with a personal credit line, but experts say a growing business needs to establish a credit record separate from its founder. "You can build solid business credit in as little as a year or two," says one financial adviser. Keeping solid records and getting trade credit with individual suppliers can help a business establish a credit line, experts note. The Wall Street Journal (10/23)

The Whole Entrepreneur

Finding creative value in taking a break
Studies show that "zoning out" from everyday tasks helps foster clarity and creativity, Gina Trapani writes. She outlines how some well-known business leaders keep themselves fresh with creative sabbaticals. Harvard Business Review online/Work Smarter blog (10/20)

3 tips for finding a virtual assistant
Virtual assistants are an increasingly popular option for entrepreneurs who need more time to focus on the essentials of a growing business. VAs can handle routine or mundane tasks remotely, helping you boost productivity; however, hiring one can be tricky, Karen Leland writes. Before hiring a VA, make sure you have a targeted task for them to focus on and then hire a specialist in that field, she suggests. Web Worker Daily (10/26)