by Catherine R, November 30th

Some people have what it takes to become a titan of industry; others… don’t. How can you tell? If your last name isn’t Rockefeller, Carnegie or Trump you might wonder. Here are the top 10 signs you’re a born magnate. Now get out there and earn those millions!

by Catherine R, November 29th

This week the articles on the Signs.com blog have been all about home-based entrepreneurship. Brad Manuel’s guest article on Monday told us about Nothing Knew, the business he started from his home in order to keep track of his three busy teenagers. On Tuesday, our copywriter Catherine interviewed the owner of Pear Tree Preschool. Libby Monson’s in-home business allows her to spend the day with her four-year-old and be finished with work in time to care for her two school-aged boys. On Wednesday, Catherine shared seven of the traits she’s seen time and again while interviewing successful small business owners.

by Catherine R, November 28th

Over the last year, I’ve interviewed many entrepreneurs. From furniture store owners, to medical device manufacturers, to cheese artisans—it doesn’t seem to matter what the industry—all seem to have a few traits in common. Looking back over those interviews, I’ve compiled a list of traits that all the successful small business owners I spoke with possess.

by Catherine R, November 27th

Quitting a job to stay home and raise kids sounds like a wonderful concept; all the time in the world to snuggle your sweet little child, read books, play educational games and generally be the kind of perfect parent that only exists on television shows. Reality? Is a little bit different.

by Daniel R, November 26th

Today’s post is brought to you courtesy of Brad Manuel. Brad is a consultant, serial entrepreneur and sports fanatic, who in 2008 decided to take the “road less traveled” and become a stay at home dad.

According to the US census bureau, the number of men who have left the workforce entirely to raise children has more than doubled, to 176,000. If you expand that search to include men who maintain freelance or have part-time jobs, but still serve as the primary caretaker of children under 15 while their wife works, the number is around 626,000. I’m one of those men and, while it’s tough to navigate sometimes, it’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done! Check out this New York Times article, titled “Just Wait Until Your Mother Gets Home“.

by Catherine R, November 23rd

Thanksgiving is supposed to be a warm, fuzzy holiday where family members get together to celebrate loving familial ties, share thoughts of thankfulness and eat pie. Maybe you’re so accustomed to mayhem and drama that you don’t even realize just how messed up your holiday was. Here are the top 10 signs your Thanksgiving sucked.

by Catherine R, November 22nd

My job at Signs.com involves writing a weekly column for the blog that provides readers with an insider’s view of my shopping escapades, eating-out adventures and experiences with customer service, both good and bad. I love to shop (that’s why I landed this super-sweet gig). I love to eat out. I love to indulge in services—everywhere from the nail salon to the carwash. I’m a consumer—it’s one of my best skills, according to my husband. Even though I am very talented at spending money (and then writing about it here), life’s not ALL about the stuff. Sometimes it’s about something more.

by Catherine R, November 21st

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. I love gathering with family members and catching up with relatives I don’t get to see very often. I love the warm colors of the decorations and the delicious smells emanating from the kitchen. And the food? Well of course there’s the fabulous food. Any holiday that features mashed potatoes is a holiday I can really get behind. But Thanksgiving can be kind of overwhelming when you’re the host. There’s so much to do and there’s a little bit of stress involved. But it doesn’t have to be that way… here are 10 ways to make this Thanksgiving the best ever.

by Catherine R, November 20th

Ever heard of the Mutiny on the Bounty? Sailors on the HS Bounty were tired of swabbing the decks and working long hours on a boring ship. So they mutinied, burned the ship and set up housekeeping in nearby Tahiti.

We’re not talking here about mutiny on the high seas— we’re talking about mutinous store employees. And the stakes are much higher. Black Friday weekend is a billion dollar business for the retail industry; store owners eagerly await the hordes of shoppers and large sales numbers that will bring the year’s profits higher. But while owners love these four biggest shopping days of the year, employees dread Black Friday weekend.

by Daniel R, November 19th

The Holidays are Here

Walk into any Walmart at 11:59 pm on October 31st and what do you see? Pallets of Christmas products, decorations and other assorted holiday items. Employees hover around like a pack of ravenous wolves waiting for the OK to pounce. The clock strikes midnight and the walkie-talkies light up like a trucker convention. The holiday season has arrived. Let the madness begin.