A more effective approach may be to use services such as Geosemble Technologies Inc. based in El Segundo, CA. The company utilizes high tech and satellite imagery to locate swimming pools, roofs in need of repair, cracked driveways, etc. which is crossed referenced with city data to create highly target leads. Before you embark on any prospecting campaign, make sure you perform some form of market intelligence to improve your results.

The road of entrepreneurship can be a lonely one. One means to make the ride a possible smoother one is to find a business partner. Partners can bring to the table the skills, connections or capital you may lack. The one dilemma for small business is where can I find the partner I need? Beyond the scope of friends, family and networks, locating the ideal partner can be a difficult task.

Steve Nielsen had problems finding a partner for his radio-frequency identification (RFID) business. Nielsen knew he wasn't alone in trying to locate a partner so he created the business PartnerUp. The company is an online community to help entrepreneurs and companies find the people that they need, and allow people interested in getting involved in businesses to find those entrepreneurs and businesses. The online network allows you to post opportunities, search partners and more.

Recently, the Tyra Banks Show did an episode on the income of women in various careers including a few high earning small business owners. Banks posed a question to her audience asking if they had any idea of the number of small businesses that fail. The number to the surprise of the audience was 80%.

The show producers and Tyra had good intentions, I believe, by informing people that business ownership can pay well but the risks are great. But as I have mentioned in previous blog posts, the 80% failure rate for small business is simply misinformation.

The Tyra Banks Show has unintentionally dissuaded more people from the possibility of starting a small business. Not everyone will be swayed by the scary figures. In an article Debunking Small-Business Myths, writer Shannon McRae addresses the failure myth and how Vicky Carver and Michelle Ward left full-time jobs to start their own business but has some reservations about being poor. McRae stated,

"Had the pair believed the myth that most businesses don't--or can't--survive the early years, they might still be sitting in their dead-end jobs today. But fortunately, Carver had a knack for sales and Ward had a head for business--a winning combination that has driven their transportation firm to be on track for $13 million in sales this year."

It's unfortunate that fiction becomes fact by constant misinformation. From entrepreneurial schools, business training programs, consultants and media (myself included) we have fallen for the 80% failure rate. It's easy to assume a "fact" is trustworthy when it's stated on a popular show or other media. The so-called failure statistic is an urban myth with no credible source of research. Studies focusing on failure rates deemed failures as business closures which could be due to any reason including selling the business, mergers, and owners simply bored and closing shop.

I have tried to do my part in dispelling this myth by trying 4 times to send an email to the Tyra Banks Show producers informing them of the misinformation but my email wouldn't go through the website contact form. The small business failure myth may never end but with others like McRae spreading the truth, we may just help a few more people build the courage to make the plunge into entrepreneurship.

• help your kids start a summer business

• forget the boring number-crunching and get creative with a Make a Business Card Workshop
• make business fun using computer games such as The Sims 2: Open for Business

Website neglect is a problem in the small business sector in many countries, even though consumers have fully embraced the Internet. Broken links, out-dated contact information and old web design are all factors that leave an unfavorable impression on your potential customers. Your website is more than a calling card. It's like your virtual salesperson. Would your business send out the best and most professional sales rep or a second rate slob to represent your company? Treat your web presence with the same level of professionalism as the rest of your company and you'll see greater return on sales and reputation.

1. Chicago, IL
2. New York, NY
3. Houston, Texas
4. Austin, Texas
5. San Francisco, Calif
6. San Diego, Calif.
7. Seattle, Wash.
8. Las Vegas, Nev.
9. San Antonio, Tex.
10. Los Angeles, Calif.

Although this list isn't small business alone, you're probably not alone. If you need a kick start, here are 10 motivators to overcome your tax procrastination habits.

His business acumen was less a result of tricking customers and more of understanding how to build a loyal fan base in an intensely competitive market. In fact, P.T. Barnum never uttered the famous "sucker born" quote. It was merely a smear tactic of his jealous competitors. Any business owner in today's market would benefit from using Barnum's focus to constantly "wow" customers and create a loyal following. There is no better time to focus on customer loyalty than customer loyalty month. Don't be an April fool.

When business is troubling, it's tempting not to take risks. Why jump into something new when you're familiar with the old standard? Not the mind-set of the dealers.

The Kelsey Group recently reported over 50% of dealers are adding Internet video and social media to their marketing mix in the next 12 months. Online video advertising and marketing is experiencing rapid growth with the popularity of YouTube. Kudos to the auto dealers for embracing the new despite hard times. Those who have the guts to go outside their comfort zone are more apt to survive.

• manufacturing - 52,000 jobs
• retail - 34,000
• temp agencies - 28,000
• construction - 39,000