It’s difficult to grow your business, and it seems almost impossible to do so without some extra cash.

Recently we came across this fantastic article in  Entrepreneur that offered points for business finding their legs that seem especially useful for the fashion or beauty industry!

Karen Price Mueller of Entrepreneur suggests:

1. Offer educational sessions: Get good publicity and make consumers aware of your company by holding an event for your community. Find a cheap space by and offer to hold a free education seminar. The topic? That depends on your expertise. Bridal or retail clothing outlets could partner with a dance school for a runway modeling show.
2. License your product: If you have a fantastic product, consider sharing it with your competition for a price. Shop your product around and offer to license it. You could charge a monthly fee, ask for royalties or charge a one-time fee to cover a certain time period.
3. Start a website/expand online: If you don’t already have a website, start one. There are plenty of free and inexpensive do-it-yourself sites available; use one of them or hire a pro to create a site for you. Editor’s note: If you’re in the fashion industry sites like Flavors.Me, Clashe.com and Tumblr let you create your own presence
4. Form an alliance: Businesses need other businesses to operate. Use the people you know and trust to build your business. If you have a client-based service business, think of what other services the client may want or need. Those are the businesses you should approach.

Read 9 Unconventional- and Inexpensive -Ways to Grow Your Company

Photo: iStock

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