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ShopTalk: Small business help
Welcome to ShopTalk, where the Observer tells you about small businesses and local entrepreneurs who have solved a problem, met a challenge or carved a unique niche. Follow us here each day, and in our Wednesday printed edition.

ST_Blis Customers
Winning with a 9-to-5 crowd

Blis boutique owners work hard to thrive at a location with mostly weekday customers.

Change keeps this Classic fresh
By Caroline McMillan | E-mail | 6:20PM
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Adopting ‘a culture of change’ helped grow Charlotte-based Classic Graphics from a two-man printing-press operation to a company with $70 million in projected revenue this year and a client list of Fortune 500 companies.
Retiring baby boomers are selling their small businesses
By Joyce M. Rosenberg | Associated Press | May 17, 2013
Small Biz Small Talk

As the economy improves, business owners getting ready for retirement are finding more buyers for their firms.

Venture capital firm wants to back Charlotte startups
By Caroline McMillan | E-mail | May 13, 2013
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Washington D.C.-based Grotech Ventures closed a fund worth $225 million in committed capital Monday and is eager to invest some in Charlotte startups.

MORE»
ShopTalk poll 05.15.13: Do you and your spouse argue about money?

No one enjoys disagreeing about money.

ShopTalk »
Upcoming event: Developing Your Exit Strategy

Anyone launching a startup, should be considering their exit strategy from day one, says Terry Co...

ShopTalk
TURNING POINT»
From idea to startup: Where are my keys? Check your phone
Matthews inventor creates ‘I Found It’ device that helps guard against ‘our own negligence.’

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MY FAVORITE TITLES»
Popular business books
800-CEO-READ, a leading direct supplier of book-based resources, compiles a monthly list of best-selling business books based on purchases by its corporate customers nationwide. Check out these recent best sellers.

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NETWORKING EVENTS»
They’ve got game
Charlotte career coaches say their one-on-one style helps professionals find their way -- and thrive in the workplace

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Glenn Burkins»
Should young people mind their own business?
Henry Hutcheson»
Generation Next: Preparing your children to lead the family business
ASK THE EXPERT»
5 pitfalls for small businesses
Starting a small business is risky. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, approximately 50 percent of new businesses last five years or more, and only about 33 percent last 10 years or more.

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Jennie Wong»
Do you really know what your customers want?
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