This article is authored by Stand Out Online Member Denisa Pop, Bitdefender

What Small Business Owners Wish They Knew Before Starting Out, According to a Survey 

Starting a business takes more than passion. Many new small business owners and freelancers run into obstacles they didn't see coming—from working long hours to getting burned by vendors or underestimating costs. A recent survey of 1,000 small business owners conducted by Talker Research on behalf of HP reveals some of the most common struggles they faced at the beginning—and what they wish they'd known from day one.

The biggest challenges new small business owners face

Every business has its bumps in the road—but knowing what's likely to come up can help you prepare and avoid some common headaches. If you're just starting out, being aware of these challenges could make your first steps a lot smoothe…

This article is authored by Stand Out Online Member Denisa Pop, Bitdefender

I came across Ryan King's post on Reddit while scrolling through a thread about scams. I was surprised to see scammers targeting therapists so directly — but not entirely shocked. Scammers always seem to find the weak spots – and very human-  in any profession. And for freelancers and small business owners, that weak spot is often the same: the constant need for new clients, steady work, and well-paid projects.

Ryan was approached by someone claiming to be a father looking for therapy for his teenage son. The message was polite, detailed, and seemed genuine. He spoke to the son, verified some of the details, and learned that the father wanted to pay upfront for over 30 sessions using a cashier's check or money order — because he'd be going on vacation soon.

Ryan decided to refuse such a large upfront payment for ethical reasons and…

This article is brought to you by Stand Out Online Member Elke Gilbert, CEO, Talk Credit To Me

Hey sis, I’m Elke — a single mama, a businesswoman, and the founder of Talk Credit To Me.

My story didn’t start with business funding or dispute letters. It started with me — overwhelmed, underpaid, and tired of being told “no.” I was raising my baby, trying to build a better life, and watching doors close on me because of a three-digit number called a credit score.

The truth is, I wasn’t irresponsible.I wasn’t lazy.I just didn’t know the rules.

No one ever taught me how credit really worked. I was out here trying to provide, and instead, I kept getting penalized for not knowing what I didn’t know. That’s when I made a decision: I was going to learn the system — and then teach every woman I could so they never felt that powerless again.

Credit Isn’t Just Credit — It’s AccessFixing my credit wasn’t …

This article was authored by Stand Out Online Member Romie Montpeirous, Leadership From The Heart

As a leadership coach, I've seen countless leaders struggle with the same challenge: trying to drive results through control and intimidation rather than trust and empowerment.

Today, I want to share why this approach fails and how to transform your leadership style for better outcomes.

The Warning Signs of Fear-Based Leadership

Let's be honest – you might be leading with fear without even realizing it. Here are the telltale signs:

Your team only tells you what you want to hear People avoid eye contact in meetings Everyone does the bare minimum Team members walk on eggshells around you Innovation and creativity have stalled

If any of these resonate, it's time for a leadership reset.

The Real Cost of Fear

Fear-based leadership might get short-term compliance, …

This article is authored by Stand Out Online Member Denisa Pop, Bitdefender

Contrary to the common assumption that hackers only target large organizations, small firms often find themselves under attack with limited resources or inadequate security practices.A breach can result in financial loss, damage to reputation, and legal consequences. In some cases, it can even lead to bankruptcy.So, as a small biz, it’s crucial to invest in the right cybersecurity tools and practices. Today we outline five areas where small businesses can take steps to protect themselves from cyber threats without breaking the bank.

1. Employee TrainingBy far the weakest link in any organization is the human layer. Phishing – the leading attack vector in cyberattacks on companies – takes advantage of human error, making it easy for threat actors to get in. Many breaches also result from weak passwords. In a sense, your employees can either be you…

This article was authored by Stand Out Online Member Jen Bennett, Get Desky

Why Cold Pitching is Dead: Building Authentic Connections in the Digital Age

As a third-generation woman entrepreneur and mother of two, I've seen countless business trends come and go. But there's one "strategy" that needs to be permanently retired: cold pitching. Here's why.I remember when I first started in business, everyone pushed the idea that success meant aggressively pursuing leads through cold outreach. "It's just a numbers game," they said. But after helping over 5,000 clients generate leads and seeing the real impact of different strategies, I've learned that authentic connection always wins.

Here's the truth: Cold pitching isn't just ineffective—it's damaging to your brand and your soul. Every time you send an unsolicited pitch, you're essentially saying, "My desire to sell is more important than respecting your time and sp…