Starting a Business

picturequest

How do you know if you've got a good idea on your hands? Simple -- do your homework first. Click to read Small Business Expert Steve Strauss's take on major flops from big companies and proven steps you can take to ensure success.

BMW

Finding herself out of work and facing £400 ($655) rent payments, Debbie Davis, 29, from Sutherland, UK decided to turn her situation around and found such success that within five years, she's now making £250,000 ($409,639) a year, drives a Mercedes SLK and a BMW X3, and owns her own house. How, you may ask? By breaking out the makeup, of course.

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A new group of small business entrepreneurs are taking the spotlight at Tampa, Florida's Hillsborough County Jail. Inmates at this minimum security facility are brewing and selling their own line of hot sauces.

Eyewire

Tech entrepreneur Greg Gianforte started a company in an extra bedroom in his house -- which now generates more than $100 million in annual revenues. He says if you're trying to figure out what business to start, you need to think about two things.

Courtesy Popsycakes

Having your cake and eating it, too, used to be the hallmark of success, but as Jessica Cervantes has learned, it's even better if you just sell it instead. Click to see how this young entrepreneur turned her cupcakes-on-a-stick idea into a growing business.

PictureQuest

If you're thinking about creating your own business but don't know where to start, click here to see three places offering advice to budding entrepreneurs.

Apple

Julie Johnson Barkley loved her iPod but was frustrated by its frequently tangled earbud cords. Determined to invent a solution, the part-time Houston dental hygienist put together a homemade model of what would become the Earbud Yo-Yo. Click to see how this entrepreneur plans to bring her product to stores nationwide.

Corbis

When job openings are few and far between, some are finding the best road to employment is starting their own business.