David Richards, 03/06/12

President, CEO and Co-Founder of WANdisco

Venture capitalists are often viewed as the heroes of the entrepreneurial Wild West. Without their willingness to gamble on the future success of unproven companies and products, the world would surely be a much poorer and less innovative place. Right?

Michael B. Fishbein, 03/02/12

Entrepreneur

"How to Start a Venture Capital Firm." A Skillshare class... taught by a 21-year-old college dropout! Not even a Harvard-dropout, a small-liberal-arts-college-with-a-mediocre-reputation-in-upstate-New-York-dropout. I was skeptical but intrigued.

Lola Olley, 03/05/12

Attorney/Journalist

What makes a person leave something familiar to go to something uncertain? Amy Hilliard, former Fortune 500 vice president of marketing, current founder and CEO of the Comfort Cake Company and author, can say that she is one of those people following her dream.

Nelson Davis, 03/06/12

Small Business Expert | President of Nelson Davis Productions

A few days ago I read an interview with the famed Russian ballet dancer, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and one of his comments sent me into an hour of business thinking. It may be the first time that a person often seen in public wearing tights has given me a business lesson!

Zandile Blay, 03/02/12

Founder, AfricaStyleDaily.com; Former Fashion Editor, Paper Magazine

Since debuting in July of last year, it's attracted a cult following of fashionistas who want luxe vintage finds without trolling bins, scouring stores or bouncing between estate sales.

Beth Kobliner, 03/01/12

Personal finance commentator and journalist; member of the President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability

Most of us don't get second acts in our financial lives until it's too late. That's especially important for entrepreneurs, who are ambitious risk-takers, but have fewer safety nets than traditional employees. Now is the time to get on track.

Saul Garlick, 03/01/12

Founder and CEO, ThinkImpact

We doubt there's such a thing as too much innovation when it comes to solving social problems -- but even if there is, we're pushing the limits until we find it.

Women 2.0, 03/01/12

Enabling female tech entrepreneurs.

There's been a lot of talk recently about making Silicon Valley a true meritocracy, and I am so excited because it means we as a community have hope. First comes hope, then comes action, and then comes change.

Frank Farwell, 03/01/12

Author, 'Chicken Lips, Wheeler-Dealer, and the Beady-Eyed M.B.A.: An Entrepreneur's Wild Adventures on the New Silk Road'

Despite the advantages of technology, landing a job at a good start-up company can be a long, tedious process, or it can be a quick flash of opportunity if you happen to be in the right place at the right time.

Meredith Ely, 03/01/12

Head of Community Development at LearnBoost

"No talk, all action," is the loudly sung motto of Startup Weekend, a movement to transform the way we think, innovate, and create.

Gene Marks, 02/29/12

Small business management columnist, author, speaker, and business owner

Although the data may never be fully known, I believe that the majority of people who own a small business did not come out and vote for Rick Santorum in Arizona and Michigan last night. And I know why.

Karin Kamp, 03/01/12

Director of Digital Media, The Story Exchange

While talk of patents and trademarks may not be the sexiest topic out there, knowing the ins and outs of both is key for women business-owners.

Scott Edward Walker, 02/29/12

Founder and CEO, Walker Corporate Law Group, PLLC

Startups are currently prohibited from selling stock or other securities via crowdfunding sites or social networking sites; they may, however, accept donations.

Lloyd Chapman, 02/28/12

Small business advocate

The most recent data from the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) shows that last year the Obama administration diverted billions of dollars in federal small business contracts to some of the biggest companies in the world.

Mary Ellen Biery, 03/01/12

Research Specialist, Sageworks

By knowing exactly what cash you have coming in and going out and when those transfers occur, you ensure your business has enough cash to continue operating from day to day. But there are other reasons to improve your cash-flow forecasts, according to accounting and financial experts. Here are five important ones.

Kevin Lawton, 02/29/12

Author, The Crowdfunding Revolution

A serious presidential contender will soon commit to a generous crowdfunding exemption. They don't have any choice. Because it's what people are demanding. And these people are the types who know how to effectively use social media.

Brian Hamilton, 02/28/12

CEO, Sageworks, Inc.

There are times when it is good to borrow money, but those times are limited. So how do you know when you truly need to borrow for your business? The answer is not always obvious.