These High School Entrepreneurs are Building the Next Google

The next Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs or Larry Page could still be in high school. Three 17-year-old students at Horace Mann School in Riverdale, N.Y. could be among these future tech entrepreneurs. The three have already developed a search tool some say could change the online landscape completely.

Sahil Gupta, Stan Zhang, and Cavan Klinsky, originally created Gevva as part of a high school hackathon competition. After winning a $500 prize for that accomplishment, the three avoided doing what other teenagers might have done, blowing it all clothing or entertainment. Instead they used the cash for an exhibitor fee at New York’s TechDay billed as “the world’s largest startup event.”

There, they had the opportunity to show off their creation amid big names in the tech world, including Microsoft, Yelp, Uber, and Gilt.

Explaining Geeva, Klinsky told Elite Daily:

"The average Internet user has a routine of things they do each day on the Web. For example, you use Google to look for directions, read the news or find a restaurant to eat at. The result you're looking for is spread over many sites and Google bridges the gap. But Gevva takes the quickest headlines, best directions, best restaurants and unifies your result into one easy to use and fast package."

While Gevva is still a work in progress, the event did present some opportunities for future growth. The trio spoke with potential investors, a few people interested in interning, and even received an offer for free office space.

It's clear that the idea behind Gevva is intriguing and the ability of its founders is solid. They're self-taught coders and clearly well versed in computers.

Technology has provided endless possibilities for people of all ages and backgrounds to create something truly groundbreaking. The fact that these three budding tech entrepreneurs are still in high school makes their venture even more impressive. But it’s only one example of what’s possible.

Think of  entrepreneurs who have used technology to launch a business based on a long-time hobby or build an advanced piece of gadgetry at a significantly lower price. Consider how you can use technology to create something truly unique in your business.

Now, start looking for the tools and developing the skills you need to succeed.

Top Image Photo Credit: Terence Thomas/Elite Daily

The post These High School Entrepreneurs are Building the Next Google appeared first on Small Business Trends.

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New Magazine Tells of Smart Hustling Small Business Entrepreneurs

Is there a difference between a small business entrepreneur and other small business owners? Ramon Ray, technologist at Smallbiztechnology.com, says he believes there is.

Today, Ray will help launch Smart Hustle Magazine, a weekly digital publication with a print (yes, as in paper) version coming out quarterly.

In a conversation with Small Business Trends, Ray explains:

“A small business entrepreneur is NOT an entrepreneur trying to be the next Google or Facebook. They are not looking for venture money. A small business entrepreneur – has a small business and thinks like an entrepreneur. They want to grow their business by being able to have bigger profits, more revenue and more efficiency – so they can comfortably support their families, give back to their communities, and take care of their employees.”

Ray says the new magazine will tell the story of the small business entrepreneur’s journey. He tells Small Business Trends:

“All small business owners hustle – they struggle to pay bills, get work done, hire employees, etc. However, ‘smart hustle’ is all about the journey of the hustle, but when you’re SMART about it – over time (like Seth Godin, Daymond John, Gary Vaynerchuk) you create wealth and/or live well and still have your own business.”

Ray says the digital publication will include a blog updated weekly and also an email edition sent to subscribers telling them about content in the latest edition. The print edition will be sent out to subscribers completely free, says Ray, with the first edition expected in late July or early August.

Each publication is expected to contain various sections. They will include “hustle mentor,” smart hustle tips, suggested reading and a feature story covering that weeks’ “Smart Hustle person,” Ray says. The print edition will contain a slightly different version of the publication.

Carolyn Crummey, of VerTasktic will function as Director of Operations for Smart Hustle Magazine.

Ray says a key element in creating Smart Hustle Magazine was obtaining the domain name SmartHustle.com. After trying many other brand names on for size, Ray found the domain name and entered long negotiations with an owner in Sweden to obtain it.

Ray explains what makes his publication different from all the others out there:

“There are many publications which focus on the success of entrepreneurs or small business owners. There aren’t any, that I’ve seen, which focus solely on the hustle, the smart hustle, of small business entrepreneurs.”

The post New Magazine Tells of Smart Hustling Small Business Entrepreneurs appeared first on Small Business Trends.

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Make a Cool Video, Enter to Win a Caribbean Cruise, From eSmallBusinessLoan

Sponsored Post

You work hard. Couldn’t you use a getaway to the beautiful Caribbean?

eSmallBusinessLoan is kicking off a summer-long online contest and campaign, called the “Who Gives a Fund Campaign” (#WhoGivesaFund).  And the grand prize is a round-trip flight to beautiful Miami from within the continental U.S., along with a 3-day cruise for two to the gorgeous Caribbean.

Entering is pretty simple.  Put your creative hat on for a couple of minutes, and record a short video using the phrase “Who Gives a Fund.”  Have fun with it.  Make it something your friends and followers will want to watch and share. Then get to sharing on social media!

The video with the most views by the end of the campaign wins.  Be sure to read the complete rules and details on the contest website.

But Why the Phrase “Who Gives a Fund”?

The videos that people have submitted so far are creative and fun, even clever.  (Our favorite is the Marilyn Monroe lookalike, who rolls the phrase around on her tongue as if she’s preparing for a movie appearance.)

But why that particular phrase? Why “Who Gives a Fund?”

For starters, if you say it quickly several times, it starts sounding like, ahem, a phrase you might use if you REALLY didn’t care about something.

And that’s exactly the reaction the company wants you to have about traditional bank loans.  The idea behind the campaign, says the company, is to help small business owners realize that they are not limited to traditional, lengthy bank-loan processes when they need money.

There is another option:  merchant cash advances.

Getting a loan through a traditional bank can involve many time-consuming steps and reams of paperwork.  But for small business owners who are looking for fast capital, time is crucial.  Spending weeks dealing with a traditional loan application is just too long when when you need money to make payroll on Friday or to pay the office rent next week.  Why put up with lengthy procedures, they say, when there are alternatives to bank loans?

The company has a tongue-in-cheek video that describes the plight of small business owners frustrated by the whole process of getting a small business loan:

eSmallBusinessLoan is one of a new breed of online sources of capital for small businesses.  Using a wide network of private funders, the site aims to be a central place that makes it easy and fast to get cash advances for working capital for a small business, based on your average monthly sales.

That’s why they are having fun with the campaign and holding the contest.  Most banks don’t do that kind of tongue-in-cheek marketing, but eSmallBusinessLoan.com is not a traditional bank, and they want everyone to know they are not about traditional bank loans.  They celebrate the difference.

Contest Details

What: “Who Gives A Fund Contest”. Grand prize is a round trip flight to beautiful Miami, Florida, and a 3-day cruise for two to the Caribbean!

When:  Now through August 29, 2014

Who:  Contest is open to any U.S. citizen, 18 or over. You do not have to be a business owner to enter the contest.

How:  Create a video and follow the official contest rules on the website.

Why:  Presented by eSmallBusinessLoan.com – which wants you to know you have alternative options to acquire working capital for your business, quickly.

Where: Enter the contest at WhoGivesaFund.com

The post Make a Cool Video, Enter to Win a Caribbean Cruise, From eSmallBusinessLoan appeared first on Small Business Trends.

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Taxis sow traffic chaos in Europe protesting against Uber car app

LONDON/PARIS (Reuters) - Taxi drivers sowed traffic chaos in Europe's top cities on Wednesday by mounting one of the biggest protests ever against Uber, a U.S. car service whose smartphone app summons rides at the touch of a button.

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Tweetdeck users warned on XSS vulnerability

A new XSS vulnerability in Tweetdeck, the popular social media management platform for Twitter, could allow hackers to execute JavaScript code and even steal user credentials. Go to Source

Evernote hit by first major DDoS attack

Companies that have been DDoS attacked in the past are more likely to be attacked in the future - Mark Teolis, DOSarrest Go to Source

Mobile guidance on encryption/VPN from CESG

The CESG, the security offshoot of GCHQ, has published in-depth guidance for users of laptop, tablet and smartphone operating systems, offering specifics on how to deploy and use the operating systems on a mobile platform. Go to Source

Feedly refuses to pay DDoS ransom

RSS news aggregator Feedly was offline overnight Tuesday and for most of Wednesday after a distributed denial of service attack (DDoS) which saw hackers demand a ransom for the service to be brought back online. Go to Source

Google My Business: An Easier Way To Manage Your Business Listing Online

Google today launched Google My Business, an easier way to manage information about your business and how it appears on Google maps, Google+ and search.

You get a single place to update your information about your business.  Then the updated information will flow through to appear on various Google properties where people may be searching for your business or see your business listing.

A McKinsey Global Institute study (“Internet matters: The Net’s sweeping impact on growth, jobs, and prosperity, March 2011) found that small businesses with a strong web presence grew more than twice as quickly as those that had minimal or no presence.

According to James Croom, Marketing Manager of Google who works on the Google My Business initiative, while the advantages of having a strong online presence are clear, “Business owners are overwhelmed.”  He pointed to a survey by Brother conducted by Wakefield Research in March 2014.  In that survey, 63% of small business owners said they are overwhelmed by the sheer number of technologies available.

Google My Business is intended to address that overwhelmed feeling.

It simplifies how small business owners manage their business information that appears in Google.  While today you can manage how your business information appears in Google from various places, “Google My Business brings it all together in one place,” Croom added.

Google My Business will save time and make the process less complicated for not only for owners, but for the staff they may have to train to update the business’s online presence.

How Google My Business Works

Only the business owner and his/her staff will see screens for Google My Business.  It looks like this to business owners:

By using Google My Business, you can:

• Update your business information on Search, Maps and Google+ from one place, to list accurate hours of operation, location and similar information.
• Add photos of your business and a virtual tour of your business interior to help customers see it.
• Connect with fans and customers by sharing news, events and other important updates from your Google+ page.
• Stay on top of reviews from across the web, and respond to Google reviews.
• Understand how people find and interact with your business using custom insights about how many times your business information is seen and from where. Google My Business also integrates with a streamlined version of AdWords, called AdWords Express.

What the public will see is the updated information in the Google search engine, in Google Maps, and even in Google+.

You may not realize it, but increasingly  in the search results is something that Google refers to as a “knowledge panel.”  You will see more and more of these when searching in the Google search engine for a business.  The knowledge panel gives a sizeable block of online real estate in the Google search results to a business, on the right side of the page.  The knowledge panel looks like this one for a San Francisco company called Dandelion Chocolate (knowledge panel is circled in red):

According to Croom, there are several ways a knowledge panel like this may appear for your business.  But the easiest way to get one of those is to use Google My Business to input and keep the information complete and up to date.  The knowledge panel, when nicely fleshed out, is impressive to customers and prospective customers alike who see it.

Google My Business manages only certain “business listing” types of information.  Google has other tools, such as Webmaster Tools, to manage other parts of your site’s appearance in Google, such as which pages of your site are indexed.

Croom addressed the sometimes sensitive issue of online reviews. A link to Google reviews and also to reviews from other review sites across the Web appear on the knowledge panel and in other places in Google.

Said Croom, “Google requires real names [tied to a Google+ identity] for Google reviews.  While business owners cannot change the verbiage of reviews left by reviewers on Google, they can respond to reviews.”  That way if information is inaccurate or the issue has been resolved, the business owner can put it in context.

Positive Reactions

Small businesses we talked with are still exploring Google My Business, but on first reaction welcomed it, as did search experts who work daily in the local search field.

Vedran Tomic, a local search expert and Co-Founder of Local Ants, LLC, said, “With the introduction of ‘Google My Business,’ Google has taken another big step towards increasing their share of the local advertising market. This time, they did it by simplifying and integrating their SMB products into one. This long anticipated change will help SMBs get more out of Google.” 

Who Can Use Google My Business

The new interface to update your business presence online is not limited to so-called local businesses. Any business can use it.  Croom said there are three main categories of businesses that he believes may find it valuable:

(1) Brick and mortar businesses with physical storefronts that serve a defined local area.

(2) Businesses that serve a specific area  but don’t have a traditional storefront (they may work from a home office or work out of a truck, for instance).

(3) Online-businesses only or businesses without a defined geographical area they serve.

Use It on a Desktop Computer or Mobile Device

 

Google MyBusiness can be accessed on a browser from your desktop computer, tablet or any mobile device.

There’s also an Android app (pictured above).  An iOS app is “coming very soon” says Croom.

For Windows mobile users, Croom recommends using a mobile browser and accessing the desktop app that way.

The post Google My Business: An Easier Way To Manage Your Business Listing Online appeared first on Small Business Trends.

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IRS Adopts Taxpayer Bill of Rights

The IRS this week announced the adoption of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.  According to the IRS, the document is intended to provide American taxpayers with a better understanding of their rights.

The document is called Publication 1, “Your Rights as a Taxpayer.”  It will be sent to millions of taxpayers when they receive IRS notices on issues ranging from audits to collection. The IRS says the Taxpayer Bill of Rights document will also be publicly visible in all IRS facilities on posters the IRS is having printed up.

The document consists of 10 rights.  While the document is new, the 10 rights are not new.  They are existing rights already in the tax code.  The IRS has grouped them into 10 categories and made them easier to find and easier to read.

And it all fits on just one page.  Considering that the U.S. tax code is nearly 4 million words long, it’s a public service just to summarize the rights down to a single page.

“These are core concepts about which taxpayers should be aware. The new Taxpayer Bill of Rights summarizes these important protections in a clearer, more understandable format than ever before,”  said IRS Commissioner John A. Koskinen in a prepared statement.

What’s In The Taxpayer Bill of Rights

Similar to the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights, the IRS Taxpayer Bill of Rights contains 10 provisions:

• The Right to Be Informed
• The Right to Quality Service
• The Right to Pay No More than the Correct Amount of Tax
• The Right to Challenge the IRS’s Position and Be Heard
• The Right to Appeal an IRS Decision in an Independent Forum
• The Right to Finality
• The Right to Privacy
• The Right to Confidentiality
• The Right to Retain Representation
• The Right to a Fair and Just Tax System

IRS Publication 1, containing the Bill of Rights, initially is available in English and Spanish.  Later it will be available in Chinese, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese.

The IRS has also created a special section of IRS.gov containing the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.  At the moment it’s a barebones section, listing what the document contains, but the IRS says it will add to and update that section of the website.

Obviously, a single-page document can’t begin to answer every question about your rights.  Consider it a plain-language outline of your taxpayer rights.

Championed by the National Taxpayer Advocate

The Bill of Rights was championed by the National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson. It was listed as the Taxpayer Advocate Service’s top priority in a recent report to Congress.

“Congress has passed multiple pieces of legislation with the title of 'Taxpayer Bill of Rights,” Olson said. “However, taxpayer surveys conducted by my office have found that most taxpayers do not believe they have rights before the IRS and even fewer can name their rights. I believe the list of core taxpayer rights the IRS is announcing today will help taxpayers better understand their rights in dealing with the tax system.”

The IRS’s move is a step in a positive direction because it communicates in a way that is simple and easy to understand (unlike the tax code itself).  Plus, it tells people information they may not know.  For example, some small business owners may not even know that the Taxpayer Advocate Service exists and that it may be able to help if your business is facing an immediate adverse action.  Making people aware in plain language has value.

Also, it’s positive in the sense of communicating to IRS employees.   IRS Commissioner Koskinen emphasized that the Taxpayer Bill of Rights will serve as “a clear reminder that all of the IRS takes seriously our responsibility to treat taxpayers fairly.”  While the Taxpayer Bill of Rights won’t address any past abuses that may exist, nor stamp out all abuses, it’s meaningful.  What organizations choose to communicate (or not) to employees matters.  It sets the tone.  It reinforces culture.  In a vacuum of communication, employees can and do reach different conclusions.

The full text of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights is embedded in the Slideshare below:

Taxpayer Bill of Rights – IRS from Small Business Trends

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5 Essential Tips for Growing Your Business

To say that getting a business off the ground is hard work would be an understatement. Whether you're still drafting your first business plan or recently opened your store, starting and running a business can be an exhilarating – and terrifying – experience.

Six years ago, I launched my Internet marketing startup WordStream. Today, WordStream is a +$10 million company, but back then, this major milestone felt a long way off.

I'm going to share five tips that can help you grow your business – advice that I wish someone had told me back then.

Tips for Growing Your Business

1. Accept That You Can't Do Everything

Part of the allure of starting your own business is embarking on the exciting adventure of becoming your own boss. As a small-business owner, you're going to have to be comfortable wearing a lot of hats – salesperson, accountant, marketing manager – but that doesn't mean that you can (or should) do everything yourself.

Sure, you might be able to manage by yourself for a while, or maybe even thrive, but it can't last if you want your business to grow. Knowing when to seek out talented people who share your vision is a crucial litmus test for any business owner. There's only so much you can do on your own, so if you've got your sights set on ambitious growth, come to terms with the fact that you'll need help before long.

You don't need to relinquish any of your freedom or control to make this happen – but you do need to realize that you're only one person.

2. Keep Your Doubts to Yourself

To launch and run a successful business, you need to have passion, drive and confidence. However, even the best of us have doubts, and experiencing apprehension about your new venture is completely normal.

On the other hand, you need to know when – and to whom – voicing these doubts is a good idea. Outside influencers, whether venture capitalists or the manager of your local credit union, want to invest in people with confidence. This means you need to work on your game face when things get tough or you need to approach investors for money.

Similarly, your employees need to know they can put their faith in you – so don't wear your heart on your sleeve if the going gets tough.

Yes, everyone has doubts and fears, and to say otherwise would be a lie. However, you need to inspire confidence in those looking to you, so be mindful of how you behave in front of others, especially when things don't go your way.

3. Run the Business You Want, Not the Business You Have

Ever hear the expression, "Fake it 'til you make it?" Well, this principle is something you should (and may need to) adopt, especially in the early days of your business.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying you should intentionally mislead your clients about the scope of your business or what you can do for them. I am saying, however, that until you begin to establish a reputation, you need to instill confidence in new clients. One way to accomplish this is to "run the business you want," even if you're not quite there yet.

This concept applies to every aspect of your business, from the language you use on your marketing materials and website to the way you greet prospective clients. If you project an air of confidence and authority when dealing with new customers, you can make a great first impression that offsets your relative lack of experience or smaller size.

You don't have to approach every interaction like the CEO of a multinational organization, but you should think big when growing your business and make sure your client-facing materials (and employees) exemplify everything you want your business to be.

4. Get Used to Hearing 'No'

Making the decision to start your own business is a choice that only you can make. It's an adventure that only you can decide to embark upon. Unfortunately, when it comes to many other aspects of making your dream a reality, other people are often involved – other people who have a say in whether certain things happen or not.

As a new business owner, people are going to tell you "no" – a lot. Prospective clients and customers will tell you they're not interested, investors will pass on your idea, and banks will turn you down for loans. However, don't despair. Rejection is actually awesome.

Why? Because every time someone says "no," you can choose to see it as an opportunity. The bank turned down your loan application? Maybe it's a problem with your business plan, not your idea. Client not interested in your services? Perhaps you can develop your pitch, or make your service offering more compelling?

However you look at it, rejection is inevitable as a business owner – but you get to choose how to react.

5. Don't Dip into Your Business' Bank Account

Once you're up and running, it's tempting to see your business as an extension of your checking account, but you must resist the temptation to "borrow" funds from your business or splash out on lavish expenses, at least in the early days.

Growth costs money, even for the most successful ventures. Every time you dip into your business' funds, you're hurting your chances for growth. Make sure you're adequately compensated for your work, but keep your salary modest and make reinvesting in your business a top priority.

Everything your business needs to grow – space, talent, equipment – costs money, and the less you put back into your business, the slower you'll grow. The more money you put back into the business, the faster you'll be able to expand your operation, and the more profitable your company could become in the future.

Growth Photo via Shutterstock, Shh Photo via Shutterstock, Listening Photo via Shutterstock

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EU investigates tax rulings on Apple, Starbucks, Fiat

BRUSSELS/LONDON (Reuters) - The European Commission raised pressure on Ireland, the Netherlands and Luxembourg over their corporate tax practices, saying it was investigating deals the countries have cut with Apple, Starbucks and Fiat.

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