By Jennifer Calero, MBA

With limited financial resources and limited time, many small business owners handle their marketing in-house. The key to successfully taking on marketing tasks yourself is to make sure the finished product is professional enough to share with your current and potential customers.

Here are 5 of my favorite internet resources that are user friendly and that produce professional marketing pieces if used properly.

1. Vistaprint

Many people associate Vistaprint with business cards, which they do create and I have seen some that are nice. In addition to business cards, they can help you design and print everything from brochures to company branded merchandise. I recently used them to design and mail a direct mail campaign. You can design your mailer, I did a postcard, on their site using a template or by uploading your own design then they will print it and mail it for you! All you have to do is upload your mailing list in an Excel file. You will get a professionally printed piece AND mail services, saving you time and effort! (more…)

By Holly Reisem Hanna

Did you know that women are starting small businesses at twice the rate of men? With flexible schedules, financial freedom, satisfying work, and more time to spend with your loved ones, it’s no wonder why women are jumping on the entrepreneurial bandwagon.

With this new surge of women entering the entrepreneurial ranks, it will be imperative to your success to keep up with the latest small business trends, news and strategies.

Here are 40 of the Top Business Resources for Work at Home Women – I hope this list will help you on your entrepreneurial journey. (more…)

By Holly Reisem Hanna

With all the talk of unemployment numbers, job losses and unstable economic times, it seems as if everyone is trying to save money, budget and overall be thriftier. But don’t despair, hard economic times are the prefect time to launch a new home-based business as well as implement new ideas and strategies in your life.

Here are 35 FREE resources to help get to started:

1. Travel Mamas: Packing lists for busy moms.

2. momAgenda: Check lists (back to school, holiday, summer, spring).

3. Simple Mom: Free downloads, pocket docket, daily docket, master weekly check list, grocery list, monthly calendars, pre-school chore chart, grocery list and budgeting for Christmas. (more…)

For this Friday’s Lovable Links I am featuring some great business resources for women and mothers. So if you’re interested in becoming self-employed, working from home or growing your existing business, definitely checks out these informative business resources!

Forte Foundation is an alliance of major corporations and top business schools whose mission to increase the number of women business leaders by increasing women’s access to educational resources and business networks.

Their main focus is on women and the gateway opportunity that an MBA can afford. Filled with resources for career minded women, Forte Foundation provides information on how to get your MBA, business related events and pod-casts, a career center where you post your resume and search for jobs, success stories, articles and a whole section on work and life balance. Sign up for their free newsletter or join the Forte network – there is so much to explore on this site. (more…)

By Holly Reisem Hanna

Because so many of our readers are moms, I’ve decided to feature my favorite mommy websites for Friday’s Lovable Links. Not only are these sites engaging and fun to read, but they offer many business related tips, articles and strategies for mom entrepreneurs.

My first favorite Mommy website, is Mommy Track’d. If you need a good dose of humor, check out their True Mom Confessions in Worst Working Mom Moments, very funny! They also have great business resources in Work Your Way, Quick Survival Tips and Get Organized. (more…)