Small Business is the Essence of America

By Steve Stroum | July 29, 2012 | 0 Comments

“The essence of the American economic system of private enterprise is free competition.  Only through full and free competition can free markets, free entry into business, and opportunities for the expression and growth of personal initiation and individual judgment be assured.”

Celebrate Entrepreneurship

By Steve Stroum | July 27, 2012 | 1 Comment

Entrepreneurs ought to be celebrated the way we celebrate quarterbacks who throw touchdown passes, three-point shooters, homerun hitters, and the other athletes and celebrities who allow us to live vicariously through their successes. 

Obama Insults Entrepreneurs

By Steve Stroum | July 27, 2012 | 0 Comments

To all of us who have the ambition, energy, guts, and work ethic, who took the risk to start or purchase our own businesses, do you agree that it was totally irresponsible for President Obama to insult and minimize our efforts and the personal responsibility we employ to make things happen?  I was astonished and,…

Obama Commercial – Insourcing v.s. Outsourcing

By Steve Stroum | July 8, 2012 | 0 Comments

I just saw that political commercial again from President Obama about how he’s for “insourcing jobs and Romney is for outsourcing.”   And on Sunday morning television I saw an Obama surrogate, Senator Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), talking about General Motors’ job creation in America.

Biggest Small Business Hiring Mistake

By Steve Stroum | June 29, 2012 | 0 Comments

So you started your own business and it is taking off.  You’re “living your dream” and the excitement is unbelievable!  You’re busy as hell, need someone to assist you badly and it doesn’t help that you’re totally exhausted,

Small Business Holds the Key to America’s Future

By Steve Stroum | June 29, 2012 | 1 Comment

Back in 1978, there was a report published by the ninety-fifth congress of the United States of America entitled, THE FUTURE OF SMALL BUSINESS IN AMERICA. In Chapter 3 was the following quote:  “This country’s small business people are believers in the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and strong participants in the spirit of independence

Technical Progress Creates Prosperity

By Steve Stroum | June 22, 2012 | 0 Comments

Technical progress is the real hope for the future of the country; political reform cannot do anything for us. 

Failure was not an Option

By Steve Stroum | June 22, 2012 | 0 Comments

When I was starting Venmark from a spare bedroom at my parents’ home, I remember an old friend who asked me what I was going to do if my business failed. 

SBIR Commercialization Opportunities

By Steve Stroum | June 8, 2012 | 0 Comments

Moving from Phase I to Phase II of an SBIR is a challenging prospect.  Typically, less than half of all Phase I contracts successfully make this leap.  Commercialization plans are becoming a larger part of the Phase II award criteria,

Proven Marketing Techniques for the Age of Social Media

By Steve Stroum | June 5, 2012 | 0 Comments

Sales and Marketing Management magazine’s cover story for the May/June 2012 issue was, “B2B Marketing in the age of social media.”  I am very proud to have been a part of this issue.