Lots of research and study has been done about entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship, but much of it is academic, outdated (like government data that tells you what entrepreneurs were doing in 2006 when it’s almost 2011) or not that useful. A new project hopes to change that, reports the Boston Herald.

The Entrepreneurship Laboratory, a partnership between Babson College and the Business Innovation Factory in Rhode Island, will study entrepreneurs “on the ground” in an effort to learn more about how and why businesses are created and succeed or fail.

“We need to deepen our understanding of the every day experience of the entrepreneur on the ground,” Melissa Withers, executive director of the Business Innovation Factory, told the Herald.

While the laboratory is still in the planning stages and the researchers are still figuring out how they will study entrepreneurs, their focus will be on talking to real business owners in both startups and growing companies.

“We want to identify new opportunities to train and support entrepreneurs,” Babson professor Heidi Neck told the Herald.

Another goal for the laboratory is to improve entrepreneurial education by keeping up with changes going on in the world of entrepreneurship.

Policymakers have many ideas about how to help entrepreneurs, but all too often, they’re not based in reality. Any attempt to study how entrepreneurs truly work in the real world is a welcome addition to the world of small business.

The world of serial entrepreneurs—people who love the thrill of startup so much, they can’t stop with just one business, but keep launching more—has long been considered the territory of men. But are more women becoming serial entrepreneurs?

In this article, Forbes argues yes, although it offers only a few examples (Bliss spa founder Marcia Kilgore, who went on to launch FitFlops exercise shoes and Soap and Glory beauty products after selling Bliss, is one).

At Springboard Enterprises, which connects women-led startups with venture capitalists, two-thirds of the organization’s “graduates” say they are serial entrepreneurs.

And David Barsky, a former professor of entrepreneurship and management at Temple University, has done research which suggests that “businesses of female serial entrepreneurs have come to rival the businesses of male serial entrepreneurs in terms of revenue.” Barsky says women serial entrepreneurs are a new phenomenon, but one to be reckoned with.

One serial entrepreneur quoted in the article thinks maybe women are better suited to serial startups because in daily life, they’re used to multitasking and juggling many roles—just what a startup entrepreneur has to do.

To be sure, serial women entrepreneurs are still relatively few in number. Most women-owned businesses don’t generate $1 million in revenues. But it’s hard to argue with Barksy’s numbers, Kilgore’s continual success and the fact that once they experience business ownership, few women (or men for that matter) want to go back to the life of an employee.

What do you think? Are you noticing serial female entrepreneurs (or are you one)? We’d like to hear from you.

business financing

Dreaming of quitting your day job to start the business you’ve always wanted? It’s not too late to win Daily Candy’s Start Small, Go Big Contest.

The website that spotlights the coolest clothing, restaurants and other trends has hit its 10^th anniversary and, after 10 years of writing about many successful and creative entrepreneurs, is taking steps to help new ones blossom.

One winner from each of the site’s signature categories (fashion, food and fun) will win $10,000, a trip to New York City, a write-up by DailyCandy editors, and a day at DailyCandy Academy, where you’ll hobnob and brainstorm with industry bigwigs, who used to be right where you are.

Visit Daily Candy’s website to enter, but hurry—the deadline is September 6.

I love reading about people achieving their dreams of entrepreneurship, so I was touched by this story in the Los Angeles Times about a program that helps disabled military veterans start successful businesses.

The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities was founded by J. Michael Haynie, an Air Force veteran and now an assistant professor of Entrepreneurship at the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. The program is held at six universities nationwide: Texas A&M University, Florida State University, Purdue University, University of California

Los Angeles, the University of Connecticut and Syracuse University.

The program is free to veterans—all expenses are paid for by donations from businesspeople. “If we know anything from history, for veterans with disabilities the path to traditional employment is a challenge,” Haynie told the Times about why he started EBV. On top of their disabilities, veterans often have to deal with medical appointments or special needs that make it hard to find traditional jobs.

On the other hand, with their experience in leadership, thinking on their feet and taking charge, veterans are well suited to be their own bosses.

So far the program has been very successful. According to Hayne, the first program was held at Syracuse University in 2007. Of that class of 20, 14 now own full-time businesses; of those, four had sales over $1 million last year.

The federal government and most state governments have set-aside programs that encourage veteran business owners to get government contracts—and most of them are falling short of their goals, which means there is plenty of opportunity for qualified veterans to gain contracts.

You can find out more about the EBV program at this SBA website.

Also check for franchises participating in the VetFran program, which often means lower franchise fees and help with startup expenses.

Missed any of my recent blog posts from elsewhere online? Here’s a quick roundup of what’s on my mind.

Learn why you must be using social media–and how–in my article on HP’s website for small and midsized businesses. (You can also sign up to receive news and alerts about HP discounts, new products and special offers for small businesses.)

Find out why iPhone users are some of the most desirable customers around in my post on AT&T’s SmallBusinessInSite.

What does California’s historic ruling on same-sex marriage mean to your business? Find out in my post on AllBusiness.com.

Also on AllBusiness.com, get the scoop on what online retailers need to know–now–to have a successful holiday sales season.

Are you a road warrior? Find out what bugs others like you the most in my Survey Says blog on AOL Small Business.

Planning to start a business so you can spend more time with your kids? Read my post on the SCORE Women’s Success blog first.

Learn how review and ratings sites can help (or hurt) your business in my article on MSN’s Business on Main.

Recently we posted here about a contest for women with innovative business ideas sponsored by Bayer and DailyCandy.com.

Well, the winners have been announced and they’re all great ideas!

First-place Molly Risak will start a business creating jazzed-up hospital gowns for children.

Second-place winner Prairie Rose Free is starting an artisanal ice-cream and cocktail shop in Brooklyn, New York. (Can I go?)

Third-place winner Megan Hand will convert school buses to mobile art classes to visit local schools.

Each will receive $5,000 from Bayer to start their venture. Read more about the winners on the DailyCandy site.

Have you ever turned to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for help with your business? The SBA has tons of resources to help small-business owners. Now, the agency is making some changes to its website to make information easier to find for entrepreneurs.

The SBA will be redesigning its site from top to bottom–and is asking for your input. Visit the transitional SBA website to see what’s coming and to give your feedback and comments.

“The first phase of the new Web site is scheduled to launch this fall,” says the site. “Additional tools and features will be introduced in early 2011. We will also achieve important milestones this summer, including a substantial upgrade to the search capabilities on the existing SBA.gov site.” The site will also include a community feature where you can interact with people at the SBA and with other small business owners.

The SBA’s Office of Advocacy is also redesigning its site and is seeking comments. Visit the Advocacy site to give your feedback.

If there’s something you loved–or hated–about the SBA’s current site, now is the time to let them know, so speak up!

Are you considering buying a franchise? Then you’ve got a lot of research ahead of you. One guide you should have with you on that journey is How to Properly Research a Franchise Business BEFORE You Buy It, a new franchise research course in e-book form by Joel Libava.

Libava dubs himself “The Franchise King,” and his sense of humor is one factor that makes How to Properly Research a Franchise Business BEFORE You Buy It worthwhile. You see, researching a franchise is a lengthy and daunting process—at least, it is if you do it right. Libava breaks the task down into smaller steps and gently encourages you through the process (“Almost done…” “Keep going….” “You can do it!”)

It’s easy to rely on other people’s opinions and bits of information you happen to come across here and there—easier, that is, than digging in and doing the hard work of researching a franchise. That’s why many people fail to do their homework—and make decisions they regret later. But this is a big decision—one of the biggest you’ll ever make in your life—and Libava urges you to do it right.

How to Properly Research a Franchise Business BEFORE You Buy It is sprinkled with useful podcasts, videos and links to articles, which help break up the subject matter and keep it entertaining and lively.

Libava provides all the tools you need in one place, taking you step by step through contacting the franchisor for initial information, talking to the franchisor, contacting franchisees for their insights, taking what you’ve learned back to the franchisor, visiting operating units, researching your financing options, creating a business plan, consulting an attorney and ultimately making the big decision. He includes checklists you can use to make sure you get all the information you need.

Perhaps the most valuable aspect of the course is Libava’s honesty. At each stage of the way, he explains what to expect, both mentally and emotionally. He acknowledges the excitement you may feel (or not) and that the end result of all your research may be different than you had hoped.

In my nearly 30 years in the world of small business, I’ve read more books about buying a franchise than I can count. (I’ve even written a few.) I didn’t think there was anything new I could learn about the process—until I read How to Properly Research a Franchise Business BEFORE You Buy It. Click here to view more details

By Nellie Akalp, CorpNet CEO & Founder

Mazes of cubicles, endless layers of bureaucracy, and corporate jargon…these are just some of the things that drove entrepreneurs (like myself) from the comforts of the corporate workplace. I enjoy coming to work in my workout clothes and flip flops, being able to yell across the office to ask a question rather than always resorting to texts and voicemail. And even though my title says CEO, we all wear enough hats that on any given day, I could just as easily be called a sales associate, customer service representative, or the office plant gardener.

In short, I understand the small business culture, and the desire to preserve this way of doing business. Yet, I cringe to think how often small business owners fail to take one of the most critical steps toward protecting their business and personal assets — the step to making their business official by incorporating or forming an LLC.

Over the years, I’ve had countless conversations with small business owners who argue they don’t want to incorporate because they want to stay small. I’ve heard statements like: I don’t need anything complicated, I’m just a one-person operation…or my customers like working with a small business, why would I want to change?

The assumption has been that adding an “Inc.” or “LLC” after your name means you need to trade in your flip flops for a power suit or add a cubicle to your home office. In reality though, there’s no reason that your business culture and identity need to be linked with your business’ legal formation. In other words, it is possible to take your legal considerations seriously, while still having fun, and staying ‘small’.

But, why incorporate in the first place? Specific advantages vary based on each business’ unique set of circumstances, but the general benefits typically fall in these categories:
• Protecting your personal assets: Once your business is incorporated (either by forming a Corporation, S-Corporation or an LLC), it exists as a separate legal entity, which means the corporation (and not you, the owner) is responsible for all of its debts and liabilities. Now I know, for most entrepreneurs, liability is farthest from your mind, unless of course, you’re a doctor, day care center operator… But what about those less ‘risky’ businesses? What if a computer technician accidentally wipes out a client’s hard drive during a basic upgrade? What if a copywriter unintentionally plagiarizes while working on a client’s website? Without incorporation, a dissatisfied customer or client would be able to sue you personally. In addition, you would be personally liable for any debt owed by your company. Incorporating will help protect you from the unexpected risks, so you can minimize the mental and financial impact on your personal life.

• Tax benefits: Federal income tax rates are generally lower for corporations than for individuals. And as a corporation, you may be entitled to additional deductions that are not available to you as an individual. In short, forming a corporation may actually help you lower your federal income taxes — and frankly, I have yet to meet a business owner (no matter the size) who isn’t concerned about taxes.

These two benefits are significant, and they have nothing to do with company culture. LLCs and Corporations (specifically S-Corps) can still be family-owned, family-run, local shops, and any other kind of small business. After incorporating for forming an LLC, you can still continue to offer the same great service or other personal touches that make your small business unique. In fact, keeping the small business mentality is exactly what helps you compete with those larger companies that have deep pockets and vast resources.

For example, time and time again, I’ve surprised and impressed clients by answering the phone when they call the office. Sounds pretty simple, I know. But in the days of labyrinthine phone systems and offshore call centers, the simple act of picking up the phone is far from common. And when clients recognize my name as the company CEO, or as the author of articles on the CorpNet website or industry blogs, it’s yet another form of differentiation from our larger counterparts. I get the enjoyment that comes from helping other entrepreneurs jump start their business and our clients get the benefit of talking to a live person — one who’s actually well-versed in their needs and doesn’t follow a script.

I certainly don’t intend to change this aspect of our business any time soon. Likewise, I hope that other entrepreneurs embrace their passions and those qualities that make their business unique. Of course, along the way each business owner should carefully consider his or her business structure, as the benefits of incorporation or forming an LLC should not be limited to large companies. Even if you’re a one-woman shop, incorporation can be a wise choice. And the process of incorporation is much easier and more affordable today than ever before. So take a little time upfront to weigh your options, and never forget that your corporation or LLC can still stay small.

Nellie Akalp is the CEO & Co-Founder of CorpNet, Incorporated, her second incorporation filing service company based on the simple philosophy of truth in business and her strong passion to assist small business owners and entrepreneurs in getting their business off the ground in a fast, reliable, and affordable manner.

Do you own a restaurant, or are you thinking of starting one? Then you need to know about 5 hot food trends recently spotlighted by Restaurant Daily. Here’s a rundown:

1. Nostalgic or comfort food, which can include everything from hamburgers to soul food to grilled-cheese sandwiches or meals reminiscent of Sunday dinner at Grandma’s.

2. Gastropubs, which combine a casual atmosphere with good food and drink, often locally sourced or putting a twist on traditional pub fare.

3. Upscale bar food – restaurants and bars alike are taking classic bar food upscale with gourmet twists on things like fried calamari, deviled eggs and potato chips. More bars are also offering more and better food.

4. Snacks – this combines two growing trends: First, all kinds of eateries are expanding into different dayparts to capture scarce dollars; second, consumers are showing interest in smaller servings and eating more often.

5. Vegetarian – the growing number of vegetarians or at least semi-vegetarians, combined with the popularity of locally grown and organic produce, has led to a surge in salads and other greenery on restaurant plates.

This is just a small taste of the details you’ll find in the article – check it out to get your ideas flowing (and your mouth watering).