The hottest Small business Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Finance Topics

The 1 Person Content Engine

Tiny Empires • 61 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing Entrepreneurship Content creation Small business Online business
  1. You can create a lot of content quickly by using a system. Start by thinking of key client wins and common questions to build your main topics.
  2. Break down your stories into different formats for various platforms. One story can give you multiple posts on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
  3. Stay consistent with your content schedule and review it often. Adjust as needed to keep it working well for you.

House AI Task Force Signals Bright Future for Open Source, Little Tech

From the New World • 16 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics AI Policy Regulation Bipartisanship Technology Small business
  1. Open source AI is important for fair innovation. It allows people to work together and helps prevent big companies from taking over the market.
  2. Regulations can be tough on small businesses. The report shows a need for rules that don't unfairly favor larger companies over smaller ones.
  3. Congress is moving away from fear-driven laws about AI. Instead, they are focusing on real problems and want to create clear national policies to guide AI innovation.
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4 lessons I learned giving 2 million to small businesses

Kenny’s Sub • 259 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Small business Grants Funding Work Culture
  1. People often feel too scared to ask for what they want, but pushing through that fear can lead to success. It's important to be respectful when following up and seek solutions when faced with a 'no.'
  2. Making mistakes is a part of learning and won't ruin a business if there’s a solid financial backup. It's wise for businesses to have enough savings to cover expenses in tough times.
  3. Prioritizing getting actual customers is more important than focusing on future revenue hopes. It's better to earn money now than gamble on uncertain future profits.

Unfrozen caveman journalist

The Charlotte Ledger • 432 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
💼 Business Subscription Model Small business
  1. The author started The Charlotte Ledger in 2019 to address the lack of high-quality local information in Charlotte.
  2. They chose a subscription-based business model over advertising, focusing on serving readers rather than chasing clicks.
  3. The team at The Charlotte Ledger has steadily grown, expanded their content, and prioritized quality journalism to attract and retain subscribers.

What to Watch in Robotics

Startup Pirate by Alex Alexakis • 176 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Robotics AI Agriculture Small business Innovation
  1. Robotics is advancing rapidly, from cooking shrimp to automating tasks like folding laundry and making coffee.
  2. General Robotic Intelligence (GRI) is still missing, but platforms are being developed to enable robots to perform complex tasks in dynamic environments.
  3. Companies are working to make robotics accessible to small and medium-sized businesses, enabling them to automate tasks and stay competitive.

How to prepare your business for a new year ahead

The Ask Newsletter — by Ellen Donnelly • 5 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Business strategy Small business Planning Self-development
  1. Set high expectations for yourself, your business, and the world. This mindset helps drive personal and professional growth.
  2. Identify and overcome personal limitations like fear and knowledge gaps. Clarity is the first step toward overcoming these challenges.
  3. Use a tailored planning tool that aligns with your goals. This will help you track progress and make adjustments throughout the year.

High energy on Mondays. Low on Fridays. Then what?

Kenny’s Sub • 79 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Coaching Freelancing Work-life balance Small business
  1. Finding meaningful work can bring energy and fulfillment, even if it means taking a risk like starting a business.
  2. Challenges and surprises, especially money-related, can be stressful, but learning to manage those moments is key to growth.
  3. As a solopreneur, taking full responsibility for both successes and failures allows for deeper personal growth and resilience.

Developing a Strong Strategy for Your Business

The Small Business Corner • 19 implied HN points • 03 Jun 24
💼 Business Strategy Small business Entrepreneurship
  1. Developing a strong strategy is crucial for small businesses to focus efforts, overcome challenges, and achieve goals.
  2. A good strategy involves diagnosing challenges, formulating guiding policies, and taking coherent actions.
  3. It's important to differentiate between goals and strategy, address core challenges, conduct business reviews, focus on strengths, avoid reliance on motivation, and set achievable objectives in business strategy.

March Payroll Preview

Ironsides Macroeconomics 'It's Never Different This Time' • 98 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
💰 Finance Employment Labor Market Payroll Small business Economic Analysis
  1. The strong headline payroll gains in January and February may be misleading, as demand for labor is slowing.
  2. There are concerns about the labor market catching up due to manufacturing and housing contractions, slowing services demand, and potential issues with small business employment measurement.
  3. The consistency in patterns shown by ADP and NFIB reports compared to the BLS model raises skepticism about the strength in headline payrolls for January and February.

You Can't See Me, But I Can Make You Rich

Trying In Public • 15 HN points • 09 May 24
💼 Business Social media Online Courses Digital marketing Small business Entrepreneurship
  1. The rise of Faceless Accounts on Instagram allows individuals to build an online presence without showing their face, using stock video footage to create a curated aesthetic.
  2. The popularity of 'Master Resell Rights' courses tied to the Faceless Account trend raises questions about the effectiveness and authenticity of marketing strategies in online businesses.
  3. The pressure to maintain an 'aesthetic' online presence on platforms like Instagram can overshadow the importance of genuine connection, expertise, and trust in building a sustainable business.

What IS OCEN? What would it look like?

Turnaround • 494 implied HN points • 05 Oct 20
💼 Business Fintech Lending Credit Banking Small business
  1. OCEN is a new credit infrastructure that could revolutionize lending in a way similar to how UPI transformed payments.
  2. It is a protocol, not a switch, and its potential lies in the consumer products that can be built on top of it.
  3. OCEN aims to address India's credit distribution problems by making access to credit easier for the Next Billion Users and SMEs, potentially reducing the concentration of capital.

How to use Machine Learning for your Small Business [Storytime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 79 implied HN points • 17 Dec 22
🕹 Technology Machine Learning Small business AI Data Analysis Implementation
  1. Machine Learning can be effective for small businesses too, not just large corporations, opening up opportunities for growth and innovation.
  2. Understanding the process of implementing AI can benefit professionals across various roles, not just those directly working in AI fields.
  3. Having the right skills and knowledge about AI implementation can significantly increase your chances of success and career advancement.

First jobs of 11 successful entrepreneurs.

Jon’s Newsletter • 99 implied HN points • 15 Jan 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Career development Leadership Personal Finance Small business
  1. Many successful entrepreneurs started off doing simple jobs that taught them valuable lessons. For example, Jeff Bezos learned about customer service while working at McDonald's.
  2. Starting young helped these entrepreneurs understand the importance of hard work and finding opportunities. Richard Branson sold birds at 11 years old and learned about the challenges of running a business.
  3. First jobs can shape one's future career and mindset. Elon Musk worked as a boiler room cleaner, which taught him the value of hard work and persistence.

5 reasons why you shouldn’t grow your business

Tiny Empires • 49 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Small business Marketing Automation Strategy
  1. The purpose of a business is to make money consistently, not just to focus on growth.
  2. Avoid the constant stress and demands of big business by aiming for a solid income and free time with a Tiny Empire approach.
  3. To build a successful business, find a model that suits you, test your idea before investing fully, and optimize your processes for efficiency.

Case Studies in Crisis

DruGroup • 39 implied HN points • 12 Oct 21
💼 Business Leadership Crisis Management Education Non-profit Small business
  1. Every leader will face a crisis at some point, whether in big organizations or small ones. It's important to be prepared for unexpected challenges.
  2. Using a four-quadrant chart can help leaders make decisions during a crisis. They can categorize actions into what to avoid and what to seize.
  3. In tough times, looking for new opportunities can lead to positive changes. Leaders can redefine their strategies to adapt and even improve their situations.

4 Supply Chain Themes for 2021

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 30 Jan 21
💼 Business Supply Chain Logistics Finance Technology Small business
  1. 2021 will be a record year for supply chain investing due to problems to solve and available capital.
  2. The rise of FBA sellers has created demand for multi-channel logistics solutions, especially for D2C brands.
  3. SMBs and mid-market seek working capital, presenting an opportunity for startups to embed trade finance solutions within the supply chain stack.

#26: Resilience

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 19 implied HN points • 29 Apr 20
💼 Business Small business Customer Loyalty Business strategy Pandemic impact
  1. Businesses that can adapt quickly to changes are more likely to survive tough times. Flexibility helps them respond effectively to new challenges.
  2. Having loyal customers is vital. When customers trust a business, they are more likely to stick around even if the business changes its offers.
  3. Understanding what customers need is crucial. Businesses that stay in close contact with their customers can better meet their changing demands.

How a Car Salesman Became a Community Banking Pioneer

The Small Business Corner • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Small business Finance Charity
  1. Dave Fishwick's journey from a school dropout to a successful entrepreneur is inspiring. He focused on giving back and supporting his community.
  2. Fishwick started out selling cars and gradually grew his business to become one of Britain's largest minivan and bus suppliers.
  3. In response to the financial crisis, Fishwick obtained a banking license to help his community by providing small loans to those in need, putting the community's well-being first.

One Year In...

The Flawed Yogi Report • 0 implied HN points • 19 Mar 21
💼 Business Small business Entrepreneurship Community
  1. The author faced challenges in keeping their business running during the pandemic, struggling to predict when they could reopen.
  2. Adapting to changes, staying optimistic, and learning new skills helped the author navigate through the difficult times.
  3. Despite the uncertainties, the author highlights the importance of human connection and community, expressing hope for a return to a sense of normalcy in the future.

My dog co-wrote this issue on guerilla marketing

Mehdeeka • 0 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Entrepreneurship Small business Startups
  1. Guerilla marketing involves unconventional and attention-grabbing marketing tactics, like pavement ads or driving trucks with displays.
  2. Brands can measure the success of guerilla campaigns through tracking direct interactions, impressions, and creating unique webpages for traffic analysis.
  3. Guerilla marketing can be a cost-effective and creative channel for B2B brands to explore, especially for startups looking to disrupt or increase visibility.

The Worries Over Commercial Real Estate

Spilled Coffee • 0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
💼 Business Real Estate Banking Economy Investing Small business
  1. Investors are concerned about the risks in commercial real estate due to factors like refinancing challenges and price declines.
  2. Banks have significant exposure to commercial real estate lending, which may impact their financial health and ability to lend to small businesses.
  3. Factors like remote work, vacancies, and lending crunches are contributing to a potentially challenging outlook for commercial real estate and small businesses.