A lot of people stay on jobs - even if they don't like them - because they believe that doing so will be the shortest route to financial independence. That can be true in some situations, particularly if you like the work that you do. But you're more likely to reach financial independence through se… Continue Reading

The election season has created a blizzard of political ads, overwhelming us with cheery messages on how Candidate A will lead us to the promised land, while the evil Candidate B (always shown in black and white) will take us straight into Hell. No one ever says exactly what they will do, but instea… Continue Reading

One of the best things you can do for yourself as a small business or start-up owner is to use cloud computing. Accessing most aspects of your business from the internet, wherever you go, is now a business necessity. Plus, cloud software can do almost anything your business needs, whether that's ac… Continue Reading

As a business owner, you already know the importance of keeping your books tight and planning strategically for your business’ benefit. You can’t make a profit if you aren’t fully in control of finances, and it’s important to know where every cent goes. If you are contemplating hiring a busi… Continue Reading

If you’re in business for yourself, or you’re just starting out, it's easy to forget about marketing your business as you get caught up in other details. I refer to this marketing as taking care of the business side of your business. That is, making sure your business is always growing. I rea… Continue Reading

There are at least 7 reasons to be self-employed, and there's probably never been a better time than now. I know that sounds downright loony to some, but it’s the reality of our time. On the plus side, the internet has opened up opportunities for small business ventures because it provides incredi… Continue Reading

I want to pass along some tips from Brandon Turner of www.entrepreneur.com on how to successful get a new venture up and running. Entrepreneurship is something OutOfYourRut.com encourages, so our goal is to make as many contributions to your plans as possible. These tips apply to new business start-… Continue Reading

As a small business guy myself, I get why so many people have trouble getting their businesses off the ground. You can have an outstanding idea, and a sterling business plan, but it's so easy to get hung up on small details. Those details could include missing just one or two pieces to the puzzle, s… Continue Reading

Mindset plays a bigger role in entrepreneurial success than anything--how you process and react will drive you forward even when there seems to be no way forward. Continue Reading

Out of Your Rut advises individual entrepreneurship. The scope of personal businesses is endless, but one changeless aspect – once you've taken the plunge – is customer service. You must learn that skill to be successful in a small business. In many cases it's even more vital than product select… Continue Reading