by U.S. Chamber of Commerce
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    Everything that you need to know to start your own business. From business ideas to researching the competition.

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    Practical and real-world advice on how to run your business — from managing employees to keeping the books

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    Our best expert advice on how to grow your business — from attracting new customers to keeping existing customers happy and having the capital to do it.

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  • Good Company

    Entrepreneurs and industry leaders share their best advice on how to take your company to the next level.

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Mark Hamstra

CONTRIBUTOR

About Mark

Mark Hamstra is a freelance business writer with experience covering a range of topics and industries, including food and mass retailing, the restaurant industry, direct/mobile marketing, and technology. Before becoming a freelance business journalist, Mark spent 13 years with Supermarket News, most recently as content director, where he was involved in all areas of editorial planning and production for print and online. Earlier in his career he also worked as a reporter and editor for other business publications, including Financial Technology, Direct Marketing News, Nation’s Restaurant News and Drug Store News. \nAreas of expertise include:\n• Company financial performance\n• Technology deployments\n• Supply chain strategies\n• Product marketing, merchandising and procurement\n• Retail real estate, design and construction\n• Labor issues

Latest—
GOOD COMPANY » LAUNCH PAD

Indoor Farming Businesses Meet Growing Demand for Local Produce
High-tech greenhouse startups are supplying crops to local supermarkets and restaurants as consumers increasingly crave locally grown food.
READ
GOOD COMPANY » LAUNCH PAD

Preventative Care Emerges as Lucrative Niche in Booming Pet Business
Pet products reached $100 billion for the first time amid increased ownership during the pandemic, driving up sales of health monitoring cat litter to CBD-infused dog treats.
READ
GOOD COMPANY » LAUNCH PAD

How Data Is Helping Brands Recover Millions Lost to Product Returns
Retailers are leveraging analytics to optimize their product design and merchandise mix, aiming to mitigate the $106 million cost incurred every year when shoppers return goods.
READ
GOOD COMPANY » LAUNCH PAD

Unexpected Tips for Growing Your Business
Executives from S’well, Jersey Mike’s, Verizon and Toshiba share insights on the seemingly questionable strategies that yielded tangible benefits for their companies and customers.
READ
GOOD COMPANY » LAUNCH PAD

How Virtual Events Have Changed In-Person Business Conferences
In-person events were decimated in 2020 due to COVID-19, but many conference organizers are optimistic about the enthusiasm for their return.
READ
GOOD COMPANY » LAUNCH PAD

Executives from Kate Spade, Chico’s Explain Optimizing Gift Sales
Brands cite opportunities in gifting services, last-minute solutions and social cause tie-ins to drive business.
READ
GOOD COMPANY » THE LEAP

Vera Bradley Builds Customer Community With ‘Micro-Influencers’
The company known for its iconic quilted bags is leveraging ‘brand ambassadors’ to reach local shoppers, tapping the playbook of the bracelet startup it acquired in 2019.
READ
GOOD COMPANY » LAUNCH PAD

Delivery-Only Model Drives Newfound Business for Restaurant Brands
Building on a pandemic-fueled trend, brands including Brinker, Denny’s and Applebee’s expand off-premises dining with new ‘virtual’ concepts that are churning sales and fattening profit margins.
READ
GOOD COMPANY » LAUNCH PAD

How Technology Is Powering Holistic Nutrition Trends
'Functional' foods gain pandemic-fueled traction, as retailers such as Kroger, Thrive Market and Walgreens move to deliver personalized wellness in the grocery aisle.
READ
GOOD COMPANY » LAUNCH PAD

Brands Rethink Pricing Strategies to Boost Profits
Optimizing sales and promotions via tech will be a key goal for businesses going forward to price right and maximize margins.
READ

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Designed for business owners, CO— is a site that connects like minds and delivers actionable insights for next-level growth.

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1615 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20062

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