Tag: COVID-19

Books for Aspiring Business Owners

by Sandra Hayes

If you want to become a business owner one day, then information is going to be your greatest asset right now. Learning from those who have already walked the path you’re starting can help your idea launch to greater heights.

Reading is an essential tool in the entrepreneurial toolbox. These books for aspiring business owners can help you to develop a strong foundation that leads you toward the success you want to build.

List of the Best Books for New Entrepreneurs

1. The 4-Hour Workweek

Timothy Ferriss captures your attention with this unrealistic title. He shows you why every moment has value when you start creating a new business. The modern marketplace is fast-paced and unforgiving. You’ll discover how to harness your mindset and working style to maximize productivity. If you expect instant gratification, then you’re going to be sorely disappointed.

2. The $100 Startup

Author Chris Guillebeau shows you in this book that it doesn’t cost much to start a business today. If you have resources to use, a home-based company can get going for $100 or less. That means you can begin a side-hustle while maintaining full-time employment to support yourself. Then keep investing in the new company until it can replace your current career.

3. The Startup Playbook

David Kidder takes you through the stories of the most successful startups and the entrepreneurs who created those opportunities. It’s like reading an entire book of case studies that provide information you can use in practical ways to get your business off of the ground. You’ll get a glimpse of the storms that are coming your way so that you can plan for any eventuality that happens.

4. Zero to One

Author Peter Thiel has successfully worked with partners to create billion-dollar organizations. His thesis in this book is that the most challenging step in the startup process is to go from 0 to 1. When you do something new then you’re walking in unfamiliar territory. Knowing what your strengths are or why your ideas are unique will take you to incredible heights if you put in the work to do it.

If you are starting a new business now or when the economy stabilizes after COVID-19, then try to read at least one book per week. The information that you’ll find on those pages can lead to practical experiences that give your startup resiliency when it needs it the most.

Why Companies Need a Disaster Recovery Plan Template

by Sandra Hayes

Most businesses carry insurance to protect themselves against unexpected losses. What these companies didn’t realize when purchasing a policy is that the fallout from a pandemic isn’t usually a covered problem.

Thousands of businesses around the world are listed as non-essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. That means employees get furloughed or laid off, owners lose revenues, and the rent remains due.

Having a disaster recovery plan template can help an organization of any size recover quickly when an economy reopens for business.

You Can’t Rely on a Government Bailout!

Billions of dollars in government support were made available to American businesses as a response to the COVID-19 emergency. Some of those funds are 100% forgivable if the money gets used to make payroll. Low-interest loans, some at 0%, are also part of the package to keep companies operating.

The reality of today’s business climate is that this money is not a survival guarantee. You need to have a disaster recovery plan template to fill out.

It’s like having a backup business plan that you can implement if regular operations get disrupted for some reason.


Imagine if you wanted to support better health and wellness at home, but you didn’t have products from brands like Argentyn 23, Heritage Store, or Sovereign Silver. If you don’t know what resources are available, then you must wait for outside help.

Having access to resources that you can use immediately enables you to be one of the first businesses that open its doors when the pandemic is over.

What Resources Are Available Right Now?

The Small Business Administration provides access to numerous loans and grants that can keep a business operational during an emergency. Planning for this bureaucracy must be part of your disaster recovery plan template.

Business grants of up to $10,000 are available through Hello Alice through funding from partners like Salesforce.

Most cities are launching recovery programs that can offer solutions that can keep small businesses operating. You’ll want to speak with your Chamber of Commerce to discuss what is available.

Online lending programs provide up to $1 million to affected companies. Many providers are waiving payment requirements until the emergency is over.

If you don’t have a disaster recovery plan template available, then your business is at a higher risk of failing. Although no one expects something as massive as COVID-19 to impact the global economy, planning for the worst-case scenario can help you to get back on your feet faster.