As a business owner, your online reputation precedes you wherever you may go. Your prospective employees, investors, and customers all have access to the internet, and the ability to learn more about you.

More and more businesses are leveraging social media sites in order to grow and connect with their fan bases. There are many good reasons to do this, some of which we will review here.

After a close baby boomer friend lost her job, she asked me for some advice about how to consider new opportunities.

Consulting Guru William McKnight joins the Smallbiz Brain to share his insights and preview his latest book.

Returning to the program—-he’s the young entrepreneur—-Scott De Gerber is one of the world’s leading experts on young entrepreneurship-he’s a regular contributor to Inc., Entrepreneur, Wall Street Journal, Open Forum, Business Insider, Mashable and many others…and he’s the author of the book, Never Get a “Real” Job: How to Dump Your Boss, Build a Business and Not Go Broke…slated for release on December 7th…2010

Steven Schussler is the founder of famous Rainforest Cafe restaurants, and the author of “It’s a Jungle in There” -in it, he shares TOP FIVE Secrets to Entrepreneurial Success.

Timothy Hogan is the Author of the Book: “The Secrets of Wall Street: Raising Capital for Start-Up and Early Stage Companies”, and is the founding principal of Commonwealth Capital Advisors. Tim is also the creator of the Financial Architect System™- a unique, robust system designed to help businesses create the framework and documents required to raise capital.

In 1989, Christy Strauch, took a job as a sales representative for a small IT company with $50,000 a year in sales. Christy had an MBA in finance and marketing from UCLA and a dream of making a difference in business. Fifteen years and 3 mergers later, Strauch was a partner, took the company public and sold it.

Our guest on this segment has experienced a range highs and lows, successes and challenges that few individuals experience in their own entrepreneurial journeys. Marc A Grant is a speaker, author, educator, radio show host, marketing expert and the CEO of his Company, The Success Connection Team The Seven Figure Authors Institute and his newest venture: AuthorsBusinessradio.com.

A fascinating look at franchise development with Dick Rennick, co-founder of Team Rennick.

Rennick is recognized as one of the leading experts in the franchise community, and has built large scale multi-unit operations such as American Leak Detection. He also served as chairman of the International Franchise Association Educational Foundation and in 2005 became chairman of the IFA. Today, with the creation of Team Rennick, Dick is helping to provide insights, experience and possibly some shortcuts to emerging franchise company entrepreneurs.