Bespoke’s Model Stock Portfolio
At the end of each week’s Bespoke Report newsletter, we publish an updated snapshot of our Bespoke Model Stock Portfolio. Below is a snapshot of the portfolio with sector weightings and performance numbers included, but the individual stocks are blocked out. Interested in seeing the actual stocks that make up the Bespoke Model Stock Portfolio? Sign up for a 5-day free trial to our Bespoke Premium service and gain access now.
Bespoke’s Model Stock Portfolio: 3/13/15
The Bespoke Model Portfolio gained again this week and is now up 8.7{0e584ec94eaa64d073763ee1dc286a1f4d0f941424b1448bbfd01af7d90f9475} year-to-date. To gain access to the portfolio, simply sign up for a 5-day free trial to one of our subscription services. You’ll find it at the end of our just-published Bespoke Report newsletter. You can sign up today using our “End of Winter” special to get a 10{0e584ec94eaa64d073763ee1dc286a1f4d0f941424b1448bbfd01af7d90f9475}+ discount on your new membership. Simply enter “spring” in the coupon code section of our Subscribe page.
S&P 500 Higher or Lower from Here?
The market managed a nice gain to end the week and is now up solidly in April. So which way will the market head from here? Please take part in our Bespoke Market Poll below by letting us know whether you think the S&P 500 will be higher or lower one month from now. We’ll report back with the results on Monday before the open. Have a great weekend! On a side note, be sure to sign up for a 5-day free trial to get an inside look at our member offerings. If you like the content we provide on Twitter @bespokeinvest and at our free Think B.I….
Sam’s Club Rolls Out New Services for Small Business Owners
Sam’s Club has made an effort to bolster its business amid increasing pressure from rival Costco.With a goal of increasing loyalty of small business owners, the chain, a subsidiary of Walmart, is offering five new services for small business owners, which it claims can save members up to $2,300 per year:1. Identity Theft: Provided by LifeLock, members will save up to 25 percent on annual support.2. Accounting services: Through a partnership with 1-800Accountant, Sam’s Club members will have access to bookkeeping services for as little as $29 a month.3. Business Lending Center: Sam’s Club will team up with loan marketplace Lending Club to…
The 10 Best Cities to Live in as an Entrepreneur
At the end of last year, NerdWallet did some thorough research in order to identify the best places for entrepreneurs to live in the United States. In determining these cities, they took several factors into consideration, including cost of living, networking opportunities, the state of the local economy and the ability to secure investment. Let’s take a look at which cities stacked up on top. Omaha, NebraskaWould you believe that Omaha isn’t the only city in Nebraska to make it on this list? There are a number of reasons for…
An Inexpensive and Intuitive Way to Get Into Mobile Apps
There can be no doubt that mobile apps are one of the most exciting business opportunities out there. With a captive consumer base that can purchase your creations at the click of a button, it’s no wonder that countless entrepreneurs are flocking to the mobile app business.You’ve probably read all about the phenomenon of Flappy Bird, which was gripping the world at the end of last year and the beginning of this one. If you haven’t, Flappy Bird was a simple ad-supported game where you helped a small bird stay aloft while dodging an endless stream of obstacles. You may not have read, though, about how the Flappy Bird phenomenon ended: The game’s…
Own an OsteoStrong Franchise
OsteoStrong is a new natural way to achieve strong bones, better balance, stronger muscles and pain-free joints and back. The OsteoStrong franchise opportunity is perfect for anyone interested in natural, wellness-based systems seeking to own their own business.Founder and President Kyle Zagrodzky started OsteoStrong with the idea that he wanted to help people in a way that was beneficial to all ages and types of people.OsteoStrong was founded in 2011 and by 2014 OS has become the fastest growing franchise in Tennessee, and one of the top 100 fastest growing franchises in the country with 500 locations slated…
Could Affiliate Marketing Work for Me?
Business opportunities come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. One that you may have heard a lot about, especially nowadays, is affiliate marketing. Whether you’re looking to expand your current business, or you’re looking to get your start as an entrepreneur, affiliate marketing is something that you need to know about and understand.So, what is affiliate marketing, exactly? We’re going to be breaking it down to the basics so that you have a starting-…
Emerging Trends for Aspiring Entrepreneurs to Explore
One of the best ways that you can start seeking out new business opportunities is by envisioning where the future is heading. Now, you don’t need to be a crackpot futurologist to figure out the latest trends, but you should, at the very least, be keeping a close eye on what new businesses and technologies are beginning to emerge.Just ask yourself from time to time what’s capturing the public consciousness? What is it that people are wondering about more and more, and how can…
Should You Start Your Next Business With a Friend?
It’s a situation that many young entrepreneurs find themselves in — surrounded by other likeminded individuals, often friends, who want to go into business with them. Of course, in many cases these individuals have never worked together before. They only know one another through different social settings, and may, in some cases, simply be lifelong friends.At first, it seems like a great idea, going into business with people you already consider friends. But, is it really? In your professional life, you’ve probably already realized that friendship and business do not always go hand in hand. In fact, the pressures of business can often put a…
The Shoe That Grows Is Making a Difference
Not every invention can lay claim to changing millions of lives for the better. But there is a very special one that has done just that.The Shoe That Grows in the brainchild of Founder and Executive Director Kenton Lee. While living and working in Nairobi, Kenya in 2007, one day he noticed a little girl who had shoes that were way too small for her feet. That’s when it hit him. What about a shoe that could adjust and expand – so children…
What to Consider When Hiring Staff
Is your startup beginning to get some wind behind its sails? Is it getting harder and harder for you and the other founders to stay on top of everything? Then it’s time to bring on staff.Depending upon your previous professional experience, it’s entirely possible that you may have a very limited understanding of what goes into the hiring process. This can cause problems with startups, as brining on the right people at the business’ nascent stages is critically important.RELATED: SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY HIRING TIPSWhile there’s plenty to …
Red Flags That Your Cofounder Isn’t Right for the Business
When you have a startup, the people that make up the founding team are just as important as the actual product or service itself. To no small extent, your startup’s future success will depend largely upon the personalities of its founders, as well as how well those personalities come together. When it comes time to seek out investors, you can bet that those investors will pay close attention to the founders and how well they work together. So, what are some signs that one cofounder might not be a good match for the startup? That’s what we’re going to examine.RELATED: SHOULD YOU START YOUR NEXT BUSINESS WITH A FRIEND?Not Contributing AnythingIn certain situations…
Become an Expert Merchandise Demonstrator
Still searching for an idea for your next business opportunity? Merchandise demonstrators, also called “product specialists” teach potential customers about various products including food, cosmetics, electronics and appliances. They set up a display, greet customers, demonstrate a product and answer questions – the goal being to increase branding and sell merchandise.Most merchandise demonstrators start out small, like handing out samples at a grocery store for anywhere from $25-$50 a day. From that point, it’s a matter of working your way up through networking. Eventually, start establishing relationships with large corporations for a chance to represent …
Tips to Avoid the Work from Home Doldrums
If you’ve been working from home for any length of time, you’ve likely discovered what many others who do the same have also discovered. It’s a lot more difficult than you initially thought it would be.Of course, it’s great to not have to deal with a commute or to deal with office drama, but the home/work environment isn’t without its drawbacks. When you’re commuting from your bed to your desk, it can be hard to stay motivated. It can also be hard to establish home/work separation.RELATED: TIPS AND TRICKS FOR RUNNING A BUSINESS OUT OF YOUR HOMESo, what can you do to make sure that working from home doesn’t become more of a problem…
Best Pizza Franchises To Own
The pizza industry is booming to the tune of $40 billion annually, and you can join the boom with one of these best pizza franchises.A whopping 93 percent of Americans eat pizza at least once per month. When it comes to choosing a franchise business to jump into, it would be hard to go wrong with America’s favorite food.RELATED: TOP RESTAURANT FRANCHISES TO OWNBrowse our listing of the top pizza franchises to help narrow your search. All of these chains are…
Need a Small Business Loan? Try an Online Lender
As a small business owner, have you had to pull cash and credit from every available source just to keep your business up and running? If so, you’re not alone.Obtaining a bank loan or credit line is difficult and can be a long, drawn-out process. For banks, small-dollar loans aren’t economical, and therefore, aren’t worth the time or hassle. Yet they are exactly the type of loans that most small businesses need. That’s a formula that for years hasn’t added up, as many failed entrepreneurs know…
Is an Incubator Right for Your Startup?
For many startups, getting involved with an incubator can be a great move. However, not every startup should become involved with one, and the ones that do shouldn’t simply sign up with the first incubator that shows interest.If your startup is considering an incubator, and you’re just getting started in the process of finding one, then here’s what you should be doing.Decide What You Want to GainAt the outset, you’re probably thinking only of the capital that an incubator is going to invest in your startup. That’s a huge mistake. The real benefit of an incubator doesn’t come from the capital that you get; it comes from everything else.For one, any incubator is going …
Top Cleaning Franchises to Own
Starting a business does not have to cost you a fortune. Save time and money investing in one of this year’s top cleaning franchises.A cleaning business might be an ideal way to realize your entrepreneurial dreams. Why a cleaning franchise? For starters, it’s low cost of entry. Still need convincing? According to The Wall Street Journal, home services are a multi-billion dollar industry enjoying double-digit growth. That means a steady market with consistent demand.RELATED: TOP LOW COST FRANCHISESBelow you …
Top 10 Franchises of 2015
If you’ve been thinking about opening your own franchise, this list of the top 10 franchises is a great place to start. If the franchises on this list don’t appeal to you, you might find that the list will spark some ideas about what franchise might.Anytime FitnessThis is a large health and fitness club business with a multinational presence that currently has approximate 2400 franchises in operation. As you may well know, the health and fitness boom is alive and well across the globe, and this is part of what makes these franchises an attractive option. An Anytime Fitness franchise typically has startup costs…
How to Choose the Right Location for Your Franchise
You know what they say about real estate, right? It’s all location, location, location. That’s something you’ll hear again and again, and it’s something you’ll hear even more about starting a business as a prospective franchisee.No doubt, your future success as a franchisee depends in no small part on your ability to select an appropriate locations for the franchise that you own. So what goes into choosing that perfect location? That’s what we’ll be exploring …
Cybersecurity Startups Are In Demand
Cyber attacks are dangerous and can be crippling. And unfortunately, they’re growing in number, affecting businesses and government agencies nationwide.This increase in cyber attacks has made cybersecurity and in-demand profession. Experts in cybersecurity are now among the most sought-after professionals in the tech sector. The timing is right to consider a new career as a cybersecurity professional.Most positions in the cybersecurity sector require at least a bachelor’s degree. Check into programs offering this specialized education. Your newfound knowledge will quickly pay off. Based on…
7 Startup Incubators to Check Out
One way that many are attempting to get their startup businesses off the ground is by entering into a relationship with an incubator. Startup incubators provide an easy way for fledgling businesses to get the support they need as they try to get up and running, helping with everything from financing to networking. If you think an incubator might be the best choice for your startup business, here are seven that you should look into:i/o VenturesWe might as well begin in the city that’s perhaps best known for incubators and the tech industry: San Francisco, Calif. As you might expect, some …
Grow a Green Concepts Business
Indoor plants add a beautiful touch of nature to otherwise sterile environments. Think about it. You see them everywhere, yet have you ever wondered who takes care of them all? Now, you can do just that with Green Concepts.Green Concepts rents fresh plants to offices, lobbies, hotels, banks, restaurants and more. As a home-based business, it’s the perfect opportunity for an entrepreneur looking for flexible hours.Green Concepts partners receive:a free websiteunlimited phone and email support15 hours of DVD trainingdesign software,trademark logosmonthly newsletters andaccess to the “Photo Club” where you get to share before and after photosand moreFor more