As a small business owner, it’s hard to know exactly how to lend a hand when a natural disaster, such as the devastating tornado in Oklahoma, hits your community.  Without the resources of a fortune 500 company it can be easy to assume that your small contribution wouldn’t matter.  That’s not the case at all. 

Business First is reporting home sales in Louisville in April were up 23 percent over a year ago, and a whopping 41 percent over 2011. Realtors sold over 1,300 houses in Louisville in April, and in March they sold 1,049 with an average sale price of 170,424; the highest March average sale price since 2007. So the main question is what does this mean for your Louisville small business?

Marketing is hard every day. Marketing can be really hard after a natural disaster.  In the wake of the Oklahoma tornado tragedy, it is only natural for anyone anywhere with any means to do so to try to pitch in and help. The challenge becomes how you use your Louisville small business as a way to aid fellow Americans in trouble without looking like you are simply capitalizing on a news event – or even more sinister: people’s loss and pain – just to get some news coverage or make a few extra dollars.

Media is ever changing in this world. With the fast pace of technology, consumers are constantly utilizing different sources to spend their time, get their music, get their news, etc. As a Louisville small business owner, it is important that you keep up to date with media trends so you know where to target your consumers.

Owning a small business can be a major hit to the ego at times.  Trying to please everyone all of the time is impossible.  It’s better to know, understand, and accept that early on.  It doesn’t matter how knowledgeable you are about your product, how nice you are to your clients, or how accommodating you are to their needs and desires…people innately will find a reason to be unhappy with you and/or your business at times.  How you react to this will make the most impact on the future of your customer relationships. 

Louisville has thousands of up and coming small businesses and is only growing in the amount of new ventures each year. It can seem daunting trying to get your name and work out there and noticed, no matter what your business entails.  Here are five tips we have to help you stand out above the rest and get your small business noticed on the web.  

When the story of the “ugly duckling” comes to mind; what do you think of? My mind immediately goes to the fact that he was unique, he was different… he was totally unlike all of the others. I urge all business owners to consider your business the “ugly duckling”, if you will, and force yourselves to stand out.

Congratulations you’ve made it through the worst of winter! Now it’s time to spring forward into warm weather and fun promotions for your small business! There are many fun holidays to look forward to during May and June. Here are a few to get you brainstorming for your business!

In today’s society we are driven by the idea of being number one.  We celebrate Championship teams like our beloved Louisville Cardinals.  Moms on the playground brag to one another about how their nine month old is achieving milestones faster than other babies the same age.  In your small business, you want to be the best at increasing profit, the best at customer service, and the best place to work.  We want to be the best to all people at all times.  If Russ Smith isn’t the best player of the game, every single game, is he still a superb player?  If our baby begins walking at 15 months vs. 9 months are we any less of a mother?  If my business doesn’t have the name recognition as McDonald’s, do we still have a place in the marketplace? 

How are you capitalizing on the 750,000 people attending Thunder?  Thunder Over Louisville is a week away which kicks off over seventy events for the Kentucky Derby. If you are one of the numerous businesses that are not along the river, there are still ways to gain benefits from April 20^th. Look at the numbers and your industry and decide what you have to offer.