Here Is What A Touch of Business Has To Offer You

If you’re interested in business, we’ve got a great collection of articles you can check out.

Take a look at our short, engaging stories—each one shares a single, powerful business lesson. Stories are easier to remember than textbook tips, and they stick with you.
Browse around and see what grabs your interest.

We have helpful articles for starting a business. You’ll find topics like must-have office equipment, software categories to consider, business insurance basics, common mistakes to avoid, and more.

Looking for inspiration on what kind of business to start? Check out our business ideas section with more than 600 detailed ideas to help you decide what’s right for you. If you enjoy startup stories, visit our section where we explore the startup journey of specific businesses.

These articles don’t just show you how to start. They also explain what to expect once your business is up and running. That way, you’ll know what you’re getting into before you make a big decision.

Need help running your business? Our management tips can help you lead a team or manage your own company with more confidence.

And if you’re looking to grow, don’t miss our marketing tips. You’ll find simple, useful ways to spread the word and bring in new customers.

Watercolor of Jackie, 38, with long black hair reading an email draft aloud, finger tracing a sentence, laptop and coffee nearby—focused and composed.

Email Response Timing: Jackie’s Client Crisis Story

Jackie learned email timing shapes perception when a rushed reply almost cost her biggest client. Story reveals the 2-hour rule that saved her business ...
Watercolor of mentor Henry advising a tired café owner, Jeff, across a diner booth; laptop with spreadsheet open, coffee mugs and paper receipts on the table, eye-level two-shot.

Jeff’s Coffee Shop Story: The Friend’s Problem Method

Key Takeaways to Watch For in Jeff's Story Why emotional attachment blocks good decisions—even when the answer seems obvious How imagining a friend's problem instantly clarifies your own business challenges Simple steps to build emotional distance into every major decision you face At its core, this story shows how perspective creates clarity—when you step outside your own emotions and see your business through a friend's eyes, overwhelming problems become solvable puzzles. How Distance Creates Clarity in Business Decisions Sometimes the Best Advice You Can Give Is the Advice You'd Give Someone Else Jeff stared at the spreadsheet. The numbers blurred ...
Stella, 45, juggling a phone charger, power bank, and headphones in an electronics aisle with no baskets visible—one item slipping, realistic watercolor.

Stella Discovers Why Missing Baskets Cost Sales

Follow Stella's discovery of how simple fixes like adding shopping baskets can increase sales. A story about removing friction ...
Watercolor scene of Anna pausing at her office doorway while two coworkers pass in soft focus; late-day office light, shallow depth of field, a quiet realization about micromanagement.

When Control Becomes a Cage: Karie’s Story

A leader's story of recognizing micromanagement patterns and learning to trust her team with three practical steps ...
Watercolor painting of Sasha and Naomi talking in a bright office hallway after a meeting, warm and collegial mood.

Sasha’s Story: When Blame Turned Into Respect

Sasha’s story shows how shadowing another department replaces blame with respect—and speeds approvals through smarter, empathetic requests ...
Realistic watercolor, Jennifer (25, short light-brown hair, long face) smiles by an office coffee machine.

Jennifer’s Team Learns the Smile Advantage

A story of Jennifer showing how a simple smile invites help, builds trust, and makes the workday smoother for everyone ...
Julie, a manager with a heart-shaped face behind a glass office wall, separated from her team; full-color watercolor symbolizing leadership distance.

The Manager Who Stopped Hiding Behind Her Office Door

When Julie became department head, she followed classic advice to keep professional distance. After losing her best performer, she discovered that real leadership ...
Watercolor of Hannah by a broken-down blue sedan on Route 22, calmly calling for help as light steam rises from the open hood at sunrise.

Hannah’s Story: Where Your Attention Goes, Results Follow

When Hannah's car dies on Route 22, she faces a choice that changes everything. This story shows how shifting your attention from problems to possibilities transforms both your day and your business outcomes ...
Omar and Jade guide a customer couple through a photo inspection on a phone at a clean auto service counter, soft window light, watercolor style.

Trade Show Success Story: Omar and Jade’s Shop Solution

Story of how Omar and Jade discovered their shop's missing piece at an automotive expo. One digital tool transformed customer decisions in just 30 days ...
Jimmy with short blond greeting a driver at a snowy service bay, clipboard in hand.

3-Minute Tips That Turn Listeners Into Customers

A brief radio segment and a focused, free safety check offer urgency into loyalty. Practical help, no pressure, and smart follow-up created lasting customer relationships ...
Watercolor of a small glass-walled conference room—manager and three colleagues leaning over a one-page agenda; calm, focused, morning light.

Crowded Meetings Stalled Deals—Until We Shrank the Room

Our weekly meeting became noise. When we cut it to the deal drivers—just the listing lead, the buyer’s agent, and the coordinator—decisions sped up, deadlines were hit, and deals finally moved ...
Leo, the espresso lead, watches a perfect shot pour with subtle crema tiger striping, order tickets clipped nearby, and a softly blurred morning line in the café.

Leo’s Espresso Shift: Role Clarity Raised Quality

When Leo focused on the espresso station, the team got faster, coffee remakes dropped, and quality became consistent. This shows how tight roles turn chaos into steady wins ...
Handyman rolling up sleeves beside dark blue work truck with “Same-Day Small Fixes” on the door, realistic watercolor.

The Silent Salesperson: Chad’s Truck Advertising Story

A simple message, visible parking, and consistent service turned a work truck into a lead engine. See how to test vehicle ads, track ROI, and document for taxes ...
Office employee rolls up sleeves in a busy warehouse, stepping up to help.

Leo’s Warehouse Weekend: What Are You Doing for Your Company?

When the warehouse team quits, Leo doesn’t wait—he steps up. This story shows how an owner’s mindset turns chaos into momentum and makes work feel meaningful ...
Supervisor reviews departure times on whiteboard while delivery drivers gather for a morning dispatch huddle in a warehouse.

When Small Mistakes Become the Standard

This story shows how attention to small details creates reliability—when you raise the standards on small steps, you change the outcome ...
Top performer shows a QR code at a coworker’s desk as another glances over, conveying subtle pressure from a “no-pressure” fundraiser.

When Goodwill Backfires: Maya’s Fundraiser Story

A workplace fundraiser feels harmless—until pressure and politics surface. Follow Maya’s story to see how clear boundaries, opt-in channels, and simple policies restore trust and focus ...
Manager ends a presentation while an executive checks a phone, watercolor.

The Manager Who Stopped Chasing Approval—and Won

This story follows a manager who breaks the habit of “managing up” and starts measuring success by problems solved, not applause. The result? Stronger teams, better service, and the kind of pride that lasts long after presentations end ...
Grateful attendee shakes hands with mentor at office hours doorway.

The Tuesday Office Hours That Changed Everything

A designer blocks two free hours each week, and watches real momentum spread through his community. This story shows how starting now—within limits—creates outsized impact ...
Watercolor of a middle-aged man packing personal items into a box at his office desk, reflective expression.

A Story of What Jack Learned After 23 Years of Loyalty

Jack believed loyalty guaranteed security—until his layoff proved otherwise. This story uncovers the real deal between companies and employees today ...
Sponsor interviewing the event organizer at a community fair, recorded on a phone.

Local Events, Real Visibility: A Business Owner’s Turnaround

From a failed "gold" sponsorship to a mentor-guided system—that shows how negotiating outcomes, solving organizer problems, and tracking KPIs turn events into reliable growth ...
Watercolor painting of a tired office worker in a car holding coffee, early morning scene.

The 30-Day Discovery: How Allen Broke Free from Paycheck Stress

Allen’s story shows how a 30-day money-tracking habit turned financial stress into freedom. Discover how awareness creates control ...
Watercolor illustration of diverse local business owners networking over coffee at a morning Chamber event.

From Doubt to Growth: Jennifer’s Chamber of Commerce Story

Jennifer’s Chamber of Commerce story shows how credibility and community fuel growth. Learn how the right membership can open doors for your business ...
Watercolor of a small business owner at desk looking at laptop.

How Ken Saved His Failing Newsletter by Putting Value First

Ken's newsletter was losing subscribers fast—until he stopped selling and started helping. Here’s how value-first content rebuilt trust and drove growth ...
Watercolor of a man smiling while reviewing notes on his phone and notebook.

Don’t Lose That Great Idea: How to Capture and Use Your Best Thoughts

Ideas slip away faster than you think. With the right capture habits, you can keep them safe, turn them into action, and unlock new opportunities ...
Watercolor illustration of a job interview showing a polished candidate and a cautious interviewer noticing red flags.

Only Hire People You Can Trust: A Costly Lesson in Hiring

A single untrustworthy hire nearly destroyed a team’s culture. This story shows why trust matters more than skills—and how to spot red flags before it’s too late ...
Watercolor illustration of a contractor showing blueprints to a client at a construction site, symbolizing trust and collaboration.

How Loni Grew Her Business Without Becoming an Expert in Everything

Loni once turned down projects outside her skills. Then she discovered subcontracting, and it changed her profits and reputation ...
Watercolor painting of a small business auto shop owner stressed at his cluttered desk reviewing bills and reports.

When Blame Holds You Back from Success

Blame felt easier than responsibility—until it nearly cost everything. Here’s the story of how letting go of blame opened the door to real success ...
Watercolor of a manager alone in an office at night, staring at old documents with city lights outside the window.

Living in the Past: The Manager Who Couldn’t Move Forward

A business parable about the risks of living in the past and the turning point that helped a manager stop looking back and start leading forward ...
Watercolor illustration of a confused customer in an electronics store holding a product box while a distracted sales associate checks his phone.

Unqualified Sales Associates off the Floor: A Retail Lesson

A business can’t survive on great products and clever marketing alone. Every customer interaction matters. Each employee represents your brand—and the impression they leave determines if customers stay loyal or never come back ...
Watercolor of a manager speaking with employees showing discomfort through nervous expressions and body language in a meeting.

Sam’s Wake-Up Call: How His Voice Drove Employees Away

Sam's story reveals how managers can unintentionally sound harsh—even without yelling. Learn how tone impacts trust, morale, and team performance ...

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